These 20 Baby Products Are "Game Changers," According to New Parents

More sleep for baby = more sleep for parents. While it’s definitely a splurge, the Snoo is the ultimate game changer in baby sleep. It uses gentle motion and white noise to help soothe babies back to sleep, and it automatically knows when your baby is fussy, thanks to the cry detection feature. Parents in our survey said they “got real sleep because of it” and “had no idea how much of a difference it could make.” 

And if the full cost is a deterrent, you can also rent a Snoo on a monthly basis or, like one Babylist parent suggested, borrow it from a friend.

Unlike traditional swaddles that pin baby’s arms down, the Swaddle Up allows for more natural movement while still feeling snug. The two-way zipper makes nighttime diaper changes easier, too (and it’s much quieter than Velcro swaddles). "We tried all sorts of swaddles," one parent said in our survey, “and all presented their own set of issues. We tried [it] and our girl finally started those long overnight stretches of sleep."

And if your little one is on the verge of transitioning out of swaddles and into sleep sacks, Love to Dream also makes a transitional swaddle with removable sleeves so you get the best of both worlds.

Another favorite swaddle among Babylist parents, the Ollie swaddle is well-loved for its extra-secure fit. Parents swear it keeps babies asleep for longer stretches, and it adjusts as baby grows in ways that most swaddles and sleep sacks don’t. "At first, I was dubious that just a giant piece of fabric with Velcro could be so effective," one parent said in our survey, "but it was a game changer!" Another parent said that it’s “the item my baby has used the most, and it’s been such a game changer for his nighttime sleep. He sleeps all throughout the night and it keeps him at the perfect temperature.” Can’t argue with that!

If you’re looking to make baby’s clothing and diaper changes faster, simpler and easier on everyone, it’s time to ditch the snaps and zippers. The magnetic closures on these baby clothes come together in a split second, and parents with upper mobility challenges love that they require almost no effort to open and close. They’re a game changer for middle-of-the-night diaper changes too, as one survey response said.

White noise machines in general are game changers for helping your baby sleep (it reminds them of sounds they heard in the womb), but the Hatch Sound Machine is more than just white noise—it lets you customize sound, light and sleep routines, all from an app. One Babylist parent said “we use it every. Single. Day. The variety of sleep noises and the ability to customize all the settings is a game changer.” Other parents said the Hatch not only helped their babies get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer, but it was essential for setting sleep routines and adjusting sleep patterns as their child got older.

Prepping a bottle of baby formula involves just a few steps, and while it’s certainly doable (parents have been doing it for generations), by the time you’re on your umpteenth middle-of-the-night stumble into the kitchen and attempting to measure out formula powder with bleary eyes, you might be looking for any kind of helping hand.

That’s where formula makers come in. They may be pricey, but like a Keurig for babies, they make a perfectly warm, accurately measured and mixed bottle with just the push of a button. Babylist parents in our survey call it a "game changer for formula" and say it “makes around-the-clock bottle making so much more convenient."

Once your baby makes the move to solid food, they also make the move to big messes. If you’re not looking forward to cleaning your kitchen floor multiple times a day, some Babylist parents recommend bringing the mess higher up (really). The Catchy Food Catcher attaches to your high chair to catch all those inevitable dropped bites in a way that traditional floor mats don’t, and the durable, waterproof, wipe-clean material makes cleanup a breeze. "I didn’t think it would make that much of a difference," one parent told us, "but it is a total game changer." Another reason people love it: it’s compatible with 30+ different high chairs, including popular brands like Stokke, Ikea, Lalo, Graco and more.

How can a bib be a game changer? This isn’t your average bib—it features an innovative magnetic closure that’s somehow easy for parents to put on and take off, but tough for babies to remove. They’re also made of easy-clean silicone and have a wide mouth to catch more spills than the average bib. Another game-changing feature: since it’s magnetic, you can store it right on your fridge, dishwasher or any other metal thing in your kitchen.

A good nursing pillow can make all the difference in your breastfeeding journey, and while the Boppy is generally the most popular, it’s the My Brest Friend nursing pillow that Babylist parents call a “game changer.” Its firm, structured design keeps baby in place for a more comfortable, ergonomic feeding experience, and unlike other nursing pillows, the padded back provides much-needed lumbar support for nursing parents. One Babylist parent said it was their "most used item the first four months."

This breast pump game changer turns most standard breast pumps into wearable pumps. Just attach these collection cups and included tubes to your pump (where you would usually attach your regular flanges, collection bottles and tubing), place the cups in your bra and you’re ready for hands-free pumping! Parents love the additional flexibility, allowing you to pump hands-free without investing in a whole new system. There are five different flange sizes to choose from to ensure you get a perfect fit, and they work with 16 different breast pump brands, including Spectra, Medela, Lansinoh, Philips Avent and more.

It’s no secret that breastfeeding can be tough on nipples. To help soothe and protect your sensitive skin between feedings, some parents recommend using silver nursing cups like these. One Babylist parent said she almost didn’t add these to her registry, "but they have been a game changer for our breastfeeding journey."

Taking breast milk on the go can be a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping the temperature under control. This all-in-one milk storage solution keeps up to 24 ounces of breast milk at a safe temperature for 20+ hours without needing ice packs or a fridge. "Game changer for a working pumping mom!" one Babylist parent said, also pointing out that it has “many uses when breastfeeding is done!”

Bottles need to be cleaned after every use, but what new parent actually has the energy to wash half a dozen bottles and a million tiny parts every day? A bottle washer does the work for you, including sterilizing and drying, so you can get (a little) time and energy back. One pumping parent said in our survey, "this thing was a game changer, especially after I went back to work. We used it at minimum three times a day!"

A car seat and stroller in one, the Doona eliminates the need for two separate pieces of gear. No more waking a sleeping baby for a transfer or trying to click a car seat into a travel system—just pop the Doona’s wheels down and you’re ready to roll (literally). Parents especially love it for travel, saying it was "awesome" for international trips and that even though babies don’t use it for long (the weight max is 35 pounds), "it is so worth it, especially in those early months."

No car seat base? No problem. This travel system’s baseless install makes it easy to switch between cars (and rideshares and airplanes), making it a great choice for families on the go. “It’s made traveling solo with our babe so easy and handing him off to grandparents seamless,” one survey response said, also noting that “it’s a game changer for errands!” Parents also love the magnetic features, like the car seat strap holders and stroller buckle, which make getting baby in and out much smoother and easier.

A rotating car seat makes getting your little one in and out of the car way easier—especially for parents with back pain or compact cars. Instead of having to bend and twist your way toward your child’s car seat, rotating car seats turn to you. Some rotate 180 degrees, while others (like the Evenflo above) turn a full 360 degrees, so you can place it on either side of your car and use it both rear-facing and forward-facing.

Parents also love that the Revolve360 features a one-handed turn, so it’s easy to operate while holding your baby in your other arm.

Any product that gives you more use of your hands is going to be a game changer, and this comfortable, breathable carrier keeps baby close while giving parents hands-free mobility. "I thought I would like it, but it has been a complete game changer to daily lifestyle," one survey response said. Baby carriers give you the freedom to go about your daily tasks, whether that’s housework, errands or, as one parent said, keeping up with an older child—all while you also keep an eye on your baby.

Sometimes you just need a safe spot to put your baby down for a few minutes. While a playard, bouncer or tummy time mat will do the trick, an activity table totally changes the game. With six interactive features to keep your little one entertained, this multi-stage activity table from Skip Hop is a long-time favorite among Babylist parents. We also love that it turns into a play table once your baby learns to stand and walk.

Another favorite option for a safe baby hangout spot, parents say this bouncer is a game changer because it’s lightweight, portable and easy to clean. Not to mention, babies really do seem to love it (whether or not you have the toy bar attachment). Before using it, one parent said in our survey that they thought this bouncer was overhyped at first. “I thought we would use it here and there,” they said, "but it has been a total game changer."

And if you live in a multi-story home, some parents recommend getting two of these. This bouncer is super easy to move from room to room, and it folds up nearly flat for storage (making it a great product for city parents, too), but having one for each frequently-occupied floor of your house means even less carrying you have to do.