14 Intimidating Baby Products That Are Totally Worth It

Out of the thousands of reviews for this thing, among the top most-used words are “ew” and “gross.” And at the same time, some of the other top words are “love,” “must-have” and “effective.” Despite how weird it’ll seem at first, there’s no denying that the snot sucker actually works—you may never actually enjoy using it, but you’ll be grateful for it when it helps you get past baby’s first cold. 

To be honest, it took me about six months to finally get around to using mine, so if yours ends up sitting in a drawer while you work up the courage to actually suck out your baby’s snot with your own mouth, I don’t blame you. But trust me and thousands of other parents, it really is the most effective nasal aspirator out there—and remember that there’s a filter in there to catch all the nasty stuff. I promise you won’t swallow anything, and your baby will be able to breathe clearly.

Confession time: I never used the wrap carrier I received for my first baby. I thought there was absolutely no way a simple piece of fabric could hold up against a heavy, wiggly infant, no matter how tight I tied the knot. So I put it away in a closet. It wasn’t until my second baby that I finally felt confident enough to use it—and I fell in love with it.

Wrap carriers are notoriously intimidating for new parents thanks to the DIY nature of tying and securing them. The secret? Practice, practice, practice. There are lots of tutorials online (be sure to find a tutorial for your specific brand of wrap), and it can help to practice without your baby at first.

Babylist team members and parents Nina F. and Amanda M. both say that their confidence in their own wrap carriers came from watching how-to videos like the one below. “I spent about 10 minutes watching a how-to video and practiced in front of a mirror, and after that was confident enough to use it!” Amanda says.

Wraps aren’t the only carriers that come with a learning curve—turns out, baby carriers in general can just be a little bit tricky (it can be hard to fully trust anything but your own hands to carry your baby). Structured carriers are particularly challenging because of all the straps and buckles. Pam K., a UX researcher at Babylist, was intimidated by the process at first. “I was always like, how will I get this thing on my body while also holding a baby? How will I put the baby in there?”

Much like with wrap carriers, getting the hang of structured carriers takes practice. Try fastening the straps without baby in tow a few times until it becomes muscle memory. And pro tip: You don’t need to buckle and unbuckle each one every time you put baby in and take them out—usually opening just one of the top buckles gives you enough room to slide baby in and out. So put baby in a safe spot, fasten the majority of the straps (minus one of the top ones), slide baby in and take care of the last buckle.

It also takes patience, says Alainna W., Babylist’s senior newsletter editor. Sometimes you just need to wait until your baby is a little bit older and sturdier before you both feel comfortable using a carrier. “It was a combo of intimidation and needing patience until [my kids] grew into enjoying the carrier.”

No matter how long it takes, know that many (many) parents say carriers are worth it, both for keeping baby close and snuggly and for keeping your hands free to go about your day.

The best way to take your baby’s temperature is with a rectal thermometer, but that doesn’t mean it’s without just a little bit of anxiety (you’re inserting something into one of your baby’s most sensitive areas, after all). To reduce the intimidation, keep in mind that infant rectal thermometers are specially designed to be as comfortable as possible for your baby, so the risk of causing pain or injury is very, very low. You should also add a lubricant like Vaseline to the tip to make things go even smoother. Using a rectal thermometer is how you’ll get the most accurate temperature read on your baby, so learning to use it gently and safely is absolutely worth it.

In the same vein, gas passers like the Windi can be intimidating because, even though you’re trying to help your baby, it can feel like a violation (we promise it helps them!). But if you’ve got a fussy baby who’s having trouble with trapped gas, the Windi can really help move things along. Lubricate the tip with some Vaseline and insert it slowly; it may not be exactly enjoyable to use, but getting past the intimidation will be worth it once your little one feels better. Michelle B., a program manager here at Babylist, said “I can't say I loved it or enjoyed using it but I am grateful it exists.”

Sometimes what makes a product intimidating is when it requires multiple steps to use or clean—especially when there’s a simpler option available, like cloth diapers vs. disposable diapers. There are plenty of reasons why you might opt for cloth diapers, and once you’ve gotten used to the washing and care instructions, parents say they really love them. As one reviewer said, “at first my husband said before we started using them that he wouldn't change [a] cloth diaper, but once he started to use them he said it is so easy!”

To help with the intimidation (and the ick), some cloth diapering parents recommend getting a sprayer attachment for your toilet. You can also use disposable cloth diaper liners to make cleaning up solids a breeze.

Cutting your baby’s nails is definitely one of the more nerve-wracking parts of early parenting, and some of the tools out there can seem too formidable for baby’s small, delicate fingers. Baby-safe nail scissors like these are made specifically for tiny nails, but they’re still scissors, and they can still be intimidating. When we surveyed Babylist parents about their favorite baby products, one parent admitted that “the scissors made me nervous, but as soon as I tried them I realized how much faster and easier they were and not scary at all.”

The things that make these scissors worth it: the rounded tips (so you don’t have to worry about poking yourself or your baby) and the silicone squeeze handle, which gives you more control over the blades.

It’s understandable that everything related to trimming your baby’s nails can feel intimidating. Some parents recommend giving electric nail files a try, especially if your baby’s nails are on the thicker or tougher side, but the loud buzzing and fast rotation of the disk can put some people (and babies) off from using it at first. Speaking from experience, once you get past the power-tool-ness of it, an electric nail file is actually super easy to use, and it’s especially useful if your baby’s nails tend to grow in sharp points. No need to worry about clippers or scissors, just a gentle file and you’re all set.

A car seat that transforms into a stroller? Products like the Doona and the Evenflo Shyft DualRide are basically a magic trick, but for some parents, that magic didn’t click right away. “I’m obsessed with it now, but when I first got it I was literally like wtf?” says Nina F., a senior product manager here at Babylist.

This gear is an all-in-one travel system that eliminates the need for separate stroller and car seat pieces. Just fold the wheels up or down to go from car seat to stroller (and back again)—and while that sounds easy in theory, it can take some getting used to in practice. When I first tried out a Doona, I was afraid I’d break the wheel mechanism; folding up the wheels and navigating the shifting handlebar was a little like a brain-teaser puzzle, and I wondered if it was even worth it. But fast forward a handful of tries, and I totally get it now. Especially if you’re a city parent, having your car seat and stroller all in one piece of gear can be a lifesaver.

A bottle washer is exactly what it sounds like: a dishwasher made just for baby bottles, with steam-sanitizing and drying capabilities that eliminate the need for endless hand scrubbing. But a gadget like this typically comes with a lot of settings and a lot of buttons—which, for sleep-deprived new parents, can mean the opportunity for confusion and frustration.

In both our survey and in product reviews, parents admitted to being intimidated by all the settings at first, but taking just a little bit of time to learn how to operate it can save a lot of time on the other end. “Some of the reviews scared me,” said one Babylist parent, “but it is our most used baby item and I am so thankful for the hours that it has saved me not washing bottles.” A bottle washer isn’t necessarily a “need to have” on your registry, but if you’re looking to save time and energy, don’t let tech anxiety get in your way.

Formula feeding involves several steps before your baby even gets to eat, so it’s understandable why having a gadget that does all the measuring, mixing and warming for you might be a worthwhile investment. But it’s also understandable that you might have a little hesitation about actually using a formula maker. 

Some parents worry about accuracy, while others are intimidated by the price tag. But many who take the leap end up wondering how they ever lived without it. Babylist parents who took our survey called their formula makers “helpful,” “time-saving” and “easy”—one parent even said “I’ve recommended it to all of my pregnant friends.” If you’re more intimidated by the thought of prepping bottles by hand in the middle of the night, a formula maker might just be your next registry add.

Swaddling can feel like an art form—and not always one that’s easy to master. Newborns love the cozy, womb-like feel of a snug swaddle, but if you’re using a traditional swaddle blanket, then getting that perfect wrap (and keeping it in place) can take some trial and error. Once you get the hang of the fold-and-tuck method, you’ll see why so many parents swear by these blankets—not just for swaddling, but also as burp cloths, nursing covers and even tummy time blankets. Intimidating at first? Maybe. But once you get it down, it’s a versatile baby essential.

I will admit, though: Getting a good, snug wrap with a swaddle blanket can be tough when you have an especially wiggly baby. If you find yourself frustrated and overwhelmed, it’s totally fine to swap it out for a self-closing swaddle like the Halo SleepSack Swaddle or the Love to Dream Swaddle Up. They save you from having to do swaddle origami, and you can still use your swaddle blankets for tons of other things.

Using a breast pump can be a convenient way to feed your baby in between nursing sessions or on your own schedule, but with that convenience comes a bit of a learning curve. Getting the right fit with flanges, familiarizing yourself with all the different tiny parts and adjusting suction levels (and getting used to suction in general) takes some patience. With all the things that go into pumping, and the fact that the pump goes on a pretty sensitive area, some parents have admitted to being “so scared of hurting myself or doing it wrong.”

Rest assured that modern-day breast pumps, including wearable ones, are designed for a comfortable, pain-free experience. Once you make sure you have the right flange size, it’s just about turning the pump on, sitting back and letting it do its job. You may have to fiddle with the suction a little bit, but it should never be strong enough to hurt. And if you’re consistently struggling with your breast pump or you feel like it’s not giving you the output you expect, set up an appointment with a lactation consultant. They’ll be able to give you specific guidance on how to make your breast pump work for your needs.

Speaking of breast pumps: while the electric ones can be confusing with too many parts and settings, manual silicone ones can be intimidating for the exact opposite reason. Babylist team member Kim M. was stumped by the simplicity and function of it: “Like what? You suction something to yourself?!” But that’s exactly how it works. 

These little pumps don’t look like much, but it’s been called a game changer by many breastfeeding parents. Instead of an electric motor, they use simple suction to collect letdown while you nurse or pump on the other side. The thought of just suctioning a piece of silicone to yourself can be a little unnerving, but once you see how much extra milk you can collect (with zero effort), you’ll get why so many parents rave about it. If you’re breastfeeding or pumping, this unassuming little gadget can help you save every last drop without any extra work.