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30 Products From Walmart For First-Time Parents To Make The Whole Thing 1% Less Scary
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. I can’t take away the sheer terror of being responsible for an entire human life — but I can help a little. Promising review: "Great bouncer. Good quality, easy to use, and a very convenient and safe place to put a baby. It's also a really great place to put the baby when he needs to poop; the position seems to help move things along faster. I got the mesh cover, and it dries overnight, which has been great when blowouts happen." —Jay Price: $259.99 (available in two colors) Promising review: "Amazing product and does a wonderful job cleaning the bottles and drying them up without a stain. Used washers from other rival brands, but this one stands out. The rapid mode is a really useful and time-saving feature." —Vasanth Promising review: "The instructions for the bottle warmer are very self-explanatory, and the operation is very easy. It heats formula and breast milk alike effectively and evenly in a timely manner. I also heated baby food with it, too, and it does an amazing job. Unlike my old warmer, which does not have a lid, the lid traps the steam, making my kitchen less humid and allowing the heating to be more efficient. Overall, it's a great product due to said facts." —Luke Promising review: "I love the Dr. Browns Mixer. It saves time and saves wasted milk that ends up on the counter when making bottles. It also saves money from wasted milk bottles because you can just pour an ounce if your child just wants a top-off. Remember that the amount you make will rise based on the formula increasing the volume, so if you are making exactly enough, take that into consideration so you don't have too much milk." —Lynda Grapes, tomatoes, and other small fruits and veggies are choking hazards until AGE FOUR. FOUR. I was shocked when I learned that. Since you're going to be cutting grapes and tomatoes for a long time, you might as well make it easier on yourself. Promising review: "Best thing ever, also a time-saver without having to go back and forth to a sink to rinse off the pacifier" —MADISON Price: $3.59 for 36 wipes (also available as a two-pack) Promising review: "This is the perfect rack for next to the sink so I can wash the bottles and let them drip dry before loading them into the sanitizer. The top bin is great for the nipples. Bottom tray slides off to rinse, and I use it to hold a separate sponge for just bottle washing." —Debra Price: $19.46+ (available in two colors) Promising review: "Takes pressure off of your back and made carrying baby around the fair so much easier." —Kendyl Promising review: "This is much easier (and safer) than baby nail clippers that can cut the baby's fingers. It is surprisingly quiet, so I can do my 3-month-old's nails as they sleep! Even works on my 3-year-old, who loves to do it by himself." —Savannah Promising review: "I purchased these devices after seeing the mom on Shark Tank who designed the device. I gave one to my new-mom friend with long nails and another to a grandmother with arthritis. The feedback I received was that grandma would not have been able to get her granddaughter out of the rear-facing car seat without this device. I now give them as baby shower gifts!!" —Susan Price: $14.99 (available in seven colors) So many people swear by humidifiers, but I had never used one prior to having a baby. If you're a skeptic like I was, I can verify that getting a humidifier has been so helpful, especially now that my kids are a bit older. Whenever I see the first sign of a sniffle, I pull the humidifier out and have seen a dramatic improvement, versus just gritting my teeth and holding on until it passes. Promising review: "This is the best humidifier I've owned! I have purchased three now — one for each of the bedrooms! It's silent! But has the option for white noise; my kids love watching the color-changing lights (although we turn that off for sleeping), and it is easy to clean! And the top loader is nice! We have a pitcher and fill them up about every other night (if it's been running on low)." —Val Price: $54.99 (available in four colors) Promising review: "No more sore throats using a manual type by mouth. This aspirator has three speed settings, three nasal tips, a light, and plays music! My little one was scared at first, naturally, but once she got used to it, she now asks for it when her nose is bothering her. The battery lasts a long time on one charge. The tips are made of rubber and are easy to clean. The reservoir cup holds a lot, along with the overflow cup. All pieces are easy to take apart (twist) and clean. Highly recommend and will be buying this as a baby gift for others!" —Alicia Price: $39.97+ (also available in a bundle) This monitor is simple — it's a camera and a screen — but has some great features, including two-way talk-back, night vision, an optional night-light, and a temperature sensor. I used this brand for both of my babies and loved it. I saw too many horror stories of Wi-Fi being hacked that I put my little postpartum anxiety self at rest. I loved that I didn't need an app and the simplicity of it all. Can't complain about the price either! Promising review: "This baby monitor is great! The video and noise quality are spot on! It's affordable and has held a charge for a long time! I'm so glad I went with this one versus a more expensive one." —Christine Once they're out of the swaddle, you can switch to the wearable blanket version that will keep your little one safe AND warm. Promising review: "This swaddle was a lifesaver for sleep. I was afraid it was too big at first, but it worked well at only a few days old. He unfortunately outgrew it before three months, but I used it as long as I could. Would definitely recommend." —Mary Price: $34.95+ (available in two sizes and 24 colors) I have an older version of the Hatch for both of my kids, and I love how easy it is to use and that I can set up several programs. They have different signal colors for staying in bed, playing quietly, and coming out of their rooms. Such an easy way to communicate with kids who can't tell time yet. This new version comes with access to a sleep consultant on the app and can be controlled from anywhere. Promising review: "Originally had a regular hatch, loved it so much we bought this for our room. Well, it's now the one we use in the nursery. Love how easy it is to read the clock at night, with different light and sound options. Came with 6 months of Hatch subscription for free, which gives guides for sleep training and naps, etc. Huge fan!!! Love that you can make a schedule to keep on track and help him wind down, sleep, and wake on time. I can also tell the functions will be easy for him to use on his own as he gets older. The child lock option on the app is also incredible. Can't say enough good things!" —Jessica Promising review: "My baby loves this toy. When she was only a few months old, she liked to stare at the lights and listen to the music, but now that she's old enough to operate it, she loves it even more. It plays segments of good classical music. I'd highly recommend everyone to get this." —Bridg Promising review: "If you plan on nursing then these are a must since you'll most likely start leaking without warning. I can't even tell they are in my bra. They absorb pretty well and wash well in the laundry. If you're looking for some good reusable nursing pads these are a must." —Mary Price: $9.99+ for six pads (originally $12.99+; available in two colors and in packs of 14) Promising review: "This item is great! Even if you're bathing a baby, or you've got a small child. This item works. I'd buy this again and again. No more worrying about any bathtub injuries." —Jo Price: $13.99 (available in three colors) Promising review: "Works very well. Was convenient when my son was an infant. Now he plays with it." —maya Read more about cradle cap — aka seborrheic dermatitis — at Seattle Children’s and the American Academy of Dermatology. Promising review: "Very easy to use and saw results after first use. My daughter has cradle cap and started to lose hair on the top of her head because of the dry patches, and it was very upsetting. Now her scalp looks much better, and her hair has started to grow back — will continue to use." —anonymous Promising review: "Yessss!!! This is the third sound machine we purchased (trying to get one for every room). It has become our favorite, and we transport it from room to room instead of using the others. The white noise is pleasant (some others are so grating on the nerves it's hard to take, or there are strange background noises). This has a constant dull white noise. I also like the beach sound. It goes louder than our other sound machines, but not loud enough to damage eardrums. I love that it is portable but also can be used while charging/plugged in. We keep it plugged in by his crib to use at night and grab it when on the go. It's great to take to the doctor's appts or on walks in the stroller. It calms him down and will put him to sleep, or at least usually make him stop crying. I will buy this for every new parent and recommend it over all other sound machines! So glad we got it." —Beachbum Promising review: "The color is so cute! And the pail is 100% worth it. Masks the smell 50 times better than throwing it in a regular trash can. The refill lasts a while, too." —Ana Price: $44.99+ (available in two colors) These are also great to keep in the diaper bag or in the car for the inevitable on-the-go emergencies. Promising review: "I love this item, it makes it easy on the go, it has pockets for wipes, diapers, an extra outfit, and rash cream or lotion. I would recommend it to anyone with a little one." —Esra I used these when both of my kids were newborns, and they were total lifesavers. My youngest, in particular, would inevitably pee as soon as her diaper opened, and there was one point where I went through about five diapers until we finally got one she didn't immediately soil. We also went through about three of these, but my changing pad cover never got messy. Promising review: "These work well, especially with a newborn when you are constantly changing them. Don't take up a lot of room and are quick to wash." —Donna Price: $11.29 for a set of three (also available in a six-pack) You can also start early with this dishwasher-safe silicone toothbrush that also massages their gums. Promising review: "My kid likes these toothbrushes way more than others. Also, a plus that they stand up on their own." —Adam Price: $4.49+ (available in four styles and two-packs) I used one of these covers with both of my kids, and I loved it. I would wipe down carts with sanitizing wipes, and I still cringed every time I saw someone in the store carrying raw meat in the cart seat. Enter the cart cover! I was able to quickly drape it over the cart — babe in hand, even! — and feel so much better about shopping with my infant. I loved the peace of mind, and my kids loved the attached toys. Truly a win-win. Promising review: "Super cute! I love the small bag attached to it, which makes it super convenient to store and carry around. I've washed it multiple times, and it still looks like new." —Gigi Price: $30.01+ (available in six designs) I am the parent of a food, plate, and cup thrower. What started out as an "Oops! She dropped her cup again" ended up being about a stressful TWO-YEAR process of "WHY IS SHE STILL THROWING FOOD??" These straps came with us to restaurants, on the stroller, and were a permanent fixture at the high chair. I may not have won the food-throwing battle for a while, but just keeping the cup secure was a little win that I desperately needed. I am also happy to note that it IS a phase they eventually grow out of. Promising review: "Love that there's no Velcro for my child to undo. The nonslip works really well on all the cups we have! This is the best version I've found so far." —ProudPapa Price: $9.98 for two straps (originally $11.49; available in four designs) Promising review: "My other bumper has a strap to keep it in place, but even without it, this bumper has stayed in place!" —emily Promising review: "Great for toddlers learning to color and for imagination play. I have 2-, 3-, and 5-year-olds, and they love it. Plus, we moms would appreciate mess-free play time, lol" —Shalyn Promising review: "This is a great little unit — I have it set to vacuum every day before I get home. On occasion, she picks up a cat toy and gets stuck under the furniture. Remove the toy, hit resume, and she cleans while I make dinner. I love that I don't have to remember to empty the dustbin, and the cats love following her around and tapping at the dust arms. I recommend this for a pet home as it gets the majority of all the hair." —Brenda * Problem-Solving Parenting Products That Have Thousands Of 5-Star Reviews * Things That’ll Make Sharing A Bathroom With The Whole Family A Lot Easier * Products For First-Time Parents That’ll Make The Whole Thing 1% Less Scary * Toddlers Are Kinda Gross, Here Are 21 Problem-Solving Products To Help With *That* * Gifts That Are Both Kid *And* Parent-Approved * Products Parents Swear By For Keeping Their Homes (Mostly) Clean And Organized * You’ll Want These 27 Products If You’re A WFH Parent Who Needs All The Help You Can Get * If You Need Help Entertaining Your Kids This Spring, These 32 Products Will Surely Keep Them Busy * Parenting Products That I, A Fellow Parent, Feel Confident You’ll Eventually Need Plus, kids' mattresses, baby shower gifts, storage and organization solutions, travel must-haves, quiet toys, bassinets, toddler tricycles, baby sunnies, playmats, and finds from Walmart. The reviews for this post have been edited for length/clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Raylyn Paquin is a freelancer who has been writing for BuzzFeed Shopping for two years, with a focus on products that make parenting just a bit easier — and hopefully more fun — home decor, kitchen gadgets, and whatever deals she can scope out.
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