The Best Baby Gear You Probably Don’t Know About

Carrying growing babies can quickly turn into an arm and back workout. Hip carriers offer the perfect middle ground between structured carriers and freestyle holding—and the Tushbaby is an editor and Babylist parent favorite. The ergonomic design evenly distributes weight to prevent the usual aches and strains, making it ideal for quick errands, zoo visits or any situation where a full carrier feels like overkill but your arms need a break during all those "up" moments.

Anyone who's ever tried to wrangle tiny, paper-thin nails knows the stress of using traditional baby nail clippers. Enter electric nail files. This thing transforms this nerve-wracking task into an easy, less overwhelming to-do. Thanks to its whisper-quiet motor and LED light, it works perfectly (even during naps). There are multiple filing heads to adapt to growing babies, and the adjustable speed settings handle both delicate newborn nails and tougher toddler ones, making this tool a long-lasting solution for stress-free nail care.

Getting children in and out of car seats can feel like an acrobatic feat, which is why rotating car seats have become so popular among parents. The seat from Joie—from the UK brand that's just making its way to the US market—smoothly turns toward the car door, eliminating awkward reaching and back strain during buckling. From rear-facing to forward-facing positions, thoughtful features like the no-rethread harness and multiple recline options make this seat a great choice for parents looking to make every car journey more smooth.

Bottle washing: the chore no one wants to do. Enter the Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro. Thanks to its targeted jet spray technology, it reaches every nook and cranny of bottles, nipples and pump parts. Plus, it handles up to four bottles at once in a speedy cycle. You also have the option to sterilize, and everything will stay sanitized for up to 72 hours if left inside.

Introducing solid food is a big deal. This baby food prep tool from ezpz can help take some of the guesswork out of cutting age-appropriate pieces with their clever color-coded system that ensures proper sizing from first bites to toddler meals.

Getting that extra diaper cream off your finger after every diaper change is no fun—which is why this diaper cream spatula applicator is pretty genius. It’s inexpensive, soft, flexible, and has a suction cup bottom to keep it in place on your dresser or changing table. And it does a great job of evenly spreading a nice, thick layer of cream on tiny bottoms.

Cradle cap is one of those things most new parents haven’t heard of until they’re dealing with it. When those flaky patches appear, it’s common to wonder what they are, whether they’ll go away, and how to treat them. The good news? There’s an easy solution—and the DermFrida is a handy tool to help clear up those stubborn flakes. It’s a three-step system that makes those crusty flakes on your baby’s head disappear, returning it to the soft, fuzzy baby head you’ve come to know and love. (And maybe occasionally sniff.) It’s super gentle on baby’s delicate skin while still delivering on its promise.

What makes portable pumps so awesome? Wearable pumps are great, but many won't empty as effectively as a traditional breast pump will. And traditional breast pumps are effective but also big and heavy. A good portable pump (and this is one of the good ones!) offers the best of both worlds. They combine the power and efficiency of a traditional pump with the portability of a wearable. The Genie Advanced stands out for its suction power, compact size and liquid silicone breast shields that are more comfortable than hard plastic and closely mimic the way a baby nurses for maximum output each pumping session.

If you’re a runner, you’ve probably noticed a few prominent brand names in the world of jogging strollers. Here’s a new name to remember: the Guava Roam.

This stroller is one of our gear editor’s faves: “I love that I can use this stroller as an everyday ride or as a jogger and that I can fold it quickly and easily with one hand. Wave if you see me running by!” It combines everything you need in a jogging stroller—souped-up suspension, XL no-puncture tires, a locking front wheel and a smooth and easy push—at 50 percent of the size of more traditional joggers. And if you’ve ever tried to wrangle a traditional jogger into the trunk of your car, you know just how big of a deal that is.

Real talk: Many parents skip playmats with their first child and manage just fine with a blanket rolled out on the floor. But once your baby is on the move, you’ll quickly realize how helpful a versatile floor mat can be.

Totter + Tumble is a British-based company that makes aesthetically pleasing yet functional floor mats that are nice enough to swap your area rug for. The on-trend colors and subtle designs complement home decor instead of sticking out, and the mat looks just like a cool rug. Other things to love include the oversized one-piece design (just roll it out and it's ready to go) and antimicrobial memory foam that's easy to clean and has just the right amount of support to cushion babies. 

Traveling with your baby is one of the most daunting things you’ll do as a new parent. One of the questions I get asked often from friends, family and coworkers is if you need a travel stroller (usually, yes) and which one is best. The Joolz Aer+ is one of our gear editor’s top picks even though it’s a brand that lots of parents may not have heard of yet.

Many travel strollers have a flimsy feel to them. Not the case with the Joolz. This tiny powerhouse has suspension and maneuverability that’s comparable to many luxury full-size strollers. It folds down to an easily portable, compact size (carry strap included) and weighs only 13 pounds. It also fits in most airplane overhead bins. And you can fold and unfold it in about two seconds with one hand. It checks every box for convenience, portability, and performance.

Pumping is likely not going to be high on the list of things you enjoy doing as a new parent if you decide to feed your baby breast milk. A good pumping bra makes all the difference.

The Larken is so comfortable. It’s also different from any other pumping bra on the market. That’s because there are no wires, clasps, elastics or tight straps. Instead, there’s a racerback-style back and two layers of soft material up front that you crisscross in a magical sort of way to turn it into a hands-free pumping bra. Genius.

Searching "baby beach tent" yields an overwhelming number of results with varying reviews. For parents looking to cut through the noise, Veer's Basecamp stands out as one of the best pop-up playards around.

There are two big reasons to love this tent. One: setup is so easy. This is a big deal, considering parents are typically trying to set up a beach tent while also wrangling one or more sand-eating children in windy, 96-degree weather while sweating profusely. It's blissfully just as easy to take down as it is to set up. And two: it only weighs seven pounds! Parents already have enough to carry and this tent won't add too much more to the load. It does help make any outdoor excursion a bit easier and a bit more fun.