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The baby market is daunting, and there are like 10+ versions of pretty much everything... so please, let me help lighten your load a little bit.

I am a contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping writer based in Cincinnati, OH where you can find me curating lists on ~a little bit of everything~ (and adding a few things to my own cart in the process).

You are gonna need a lot of burp cloths to deal with spit up, spills, and just to have around for who knows what. Muslin versions being superior because they are softer and super absorbent which are two things you definitely want when dealing with a newborn that has sensitive skin and all the messes that are gonna come from them.

Promising review: "When I was a new mom I ordered several different brands of cute burp cloths with all different designs and colors. None of them come close to comparing to these. These absorb so much better and are super soft and easy to clean. I use them every single day and still use them with my toddler just to clean stuff up or wipe his nose when he is sick as it's soft and doesn't irritate him. Highly recommend these to any parent of babies!" —Momming Simplified

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in two pack sizes and various color combinations).

Promising review: "This is my third Hatch, which already says a lot. We have one at home, one at my parents’ place for sleepovers, and I just bought this one for our newest baby’s room. We started using it when our first was a newborn, and it quickly became part of our daily rhythm. The sound quality is excellent (not tinny or harsh like some others), and the range of white noise and ambient sounds actually makes a difference in helping our baby settle and stay asleep. It creates a really consistent sleep environment, which I’ve found is key. The light feature is just as useful. It’s soft, customizable, and perfect for middle of the night feeds or diaper changes without fully waking the baby (or yourself). I especially love being able to adjust both brightness and color. I'm absolutely convinced that the consistent use of the light/sound combos helped sleep train our first baby and will no doubt help in the process of sleep training our next. Would highly recommend." —Yulim Heo

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in five colors).

This is probably one of the main things other parents told me to get as soon as I told them I was starting to shop for my baby. I knew I wanted a camera system, but I truly had no idea what that meant or where to start picking one. It even has a built-in light, which makes those middle-of-the-night feeding and changing sessions much easier, since you won't risk stubbing your toe like 10 times in the dark. This one is great because it works with an app on your phone, so you can always keep an eye on your little one. I also really like all the different features that come with the app — two-way sound, cry detection, stand alerts, white noise, lullabies, and more.

Promising review: "After comparing several baby monitors, we decided to go with this one, and I’m very happy with our choice. The picture is sharp, the two-way audio is clear, and I love being able to check in on my baby from anywhere. The notifications for crying and movement are very helpful, especially during naps and nighttime. It feels like a high-quality, thoughtfully designed product. The installation was easier than expected, and the app experience has been smooth. It’s made our daily routine much easier and gives us real confidence when our baby is sleeping. I would absolutely recommend it to other parents." —Ronald

Get it from Amazon for $289.99+ (available in two mounting options and with or without an external monitor).

IDK about you, but the thought of cream getting stuck under my nails gives me the ick like no other. This is seriously such a genius invention, I think any parent should have it. Plus, it provides an even distribution of diaper cream, and you don't have to contort your hand into awkward positions to apply it to the right places.

Promising review: "Yes, it’s weird. I laughed (to myself) when I got one as a baby gift. Then my baby got her first rash, and after wrestling a diaper closed with fingers covered in diaper cream, I remembered this and, oh boy, what a lifesaver. It applies cream evenly and wipes clean. I now have two and will probably buy a third for the diaper bag. It’s also nice for people with sensory issues or who are new to diaper changing. Yes, it’s weird, but it’s also super useful." —jp

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also a mini version for your diaper bag, a two-pack, and a variety of other colors).

Play gyms are a great place to rest your newborn and have them engage with different textures and sights, a nice place to practice tummy time, and a little entertainment center as they start to get older. I really like the different sections on the mat to help keep your kiddo entertained, so they won't get tired of using the same toys constantly.

Promising review: "My baby is now five months old and she’s been playing in this play gym since she was 3 weeks old. You can add and remove toys and high-contrast cards according to your baby’s age. I have carried it with me when traveling out of state and had no problem assembling and disassembling it. It is bigger than other play gyms so my daughter still plays on it. I have washed the mat hundreds of times and it has held up well. My baby loves this play gym and I do too!" —Suve’s Take

I saw this thing allllll over TikTok (and because of that it kept selling out), but people can't stop raving about it. It can be adjusted to grow with your baby so they can start laying and kicking the piano, transition to tummy time where they can look at themself in the mirror, and then when they can sit up you can move the piano so they can use their hands, and eventually they can even take the piano on the go. There are over 65 songs and sounds and a bunch of different toys and textures for them to play with. 

Promising review: "This toy was the MVP in our house for our newborn baby. The purple monkey song is the GOAT and brings back so many memories with our baby. The rings and toys are still being played with today! Loved that the mat is washable for any spit up and other messes. Piano turns off eventually on its own thank god. Our baby loved watching the lights and we loved singing all the songs! Baby is almost 9-months-old and comes back to this toy every now and then." —Chanley

Get it from Amazon for $58.98+ (available in three versions).

Promising review: "Soft, stretchy, and washes wonderfully. Love the open feet now that she is walking." —Debra L.

Get them from Caden Lane for $36 (available in sizes 0–3 months, 18–24 months, and 13 designs). 

It can even work on grass, blood, oil, and other stubborn stains.

Promising review: "So I am a mom of a nourished, happy, almost 9-month-old boy.... Who has given us more than our fair share of mustard yellow to orange, bright breast milk diaper blowouts? Let me tell you, they make one heck of a stain. I had Resolve stain remover and Honest Company stain remover... A stain still remained after using and scrubbing. This stuff, Grandma’s Secret, WORKS. What I do is rinse the clothing of any remaining 'residue,' spray with Grandma's Secret, scrub it in a bit, let it sit for a few minutes, and either I’ll rinse it out after or it may sit for a day or so before going through the wash, but either way, STAIN IS GONE!" —Mellisa B.

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two sizes and various multi-packs). 

Maybe I'm just naive, but before getting pregnant, I had zero idea babies slept in a swaddle like this. I thought we were either wrapping them up in a large blanket-like swaddle or just letting them be free. This brand was recommended to me by a few people because it's on the more affordable side and has different configurations for babies who like to sleep in different positions. You can have both arms in, one arm in and one out, or both arms out, which is a great option for when your baby is starting to roll and needs to have their arms free for safety. There's also a zipper that starts on the bottom so you can still change their diaper in the night without having to fully unwrap and rewrap them each time.

Promising review: "This sleep sack is amazing! My 3-week-old daughter is not fond of being swaddled, and we tried so many different sleep sacks until we found this one. I love that her arms can be exposed and it’s so cozy and keeps her warm. Highly recommend!" —Rhi

Get it from Amazon for $34.95+ (available in three sizes and 16 designs).

Promising review: "This carrier has quickly become a family favorite. It's easy to put on, lightweight, made of natural fibers, and baby girl loves how close she gets to be. I've already told many friends about it!" —Irene M.

Get it from Hope & Plum for $120 (available in two sizes and 38 designs).

I'm sorry, I love my baby girl immensely, but there is NO WAY I'm taking what's essentially a straw, putting it in her nose and SUCKING HER BOOGERS OUT?! Like, you've got to be kidding me, just the thought of that makes me gag. Sure, you can try to tell me there's a little filter inside so they won't actually get in my mouth, but no, I will not be partaking in that. I would much rather pay a little extra to have it done automatically and wayyyy the heck away from my mouth. A little insider tip: grab some saline drops to help loosen stuff up before going in with the aspirator.

Promising review: "As a mom of four, I’ve tried my fair share of baby products, and when it comes to keeping little noses clear, a good nasal aspirator is a game-changer. I recently tried the Grownsy Baby Nasal Aspirator, and I have to say — it’s a lifesaver! One of the things I love most about this aspirator is how easy it is to use. The design is simple and intuitive. The soft silicone tip is gentle on my baby’s tiny nostrils, and the suction is strong enough to clear mucus without causing discomfort. This is the only nasal aspirator I found that does not leak. Cleaning is a breeze. The parts easily come apart, and I love that it’s washable." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in 10 colors).

I feel like there's a trend out there of creating diaper carts with all the essentials you'd need throughout the day, but I couldn't have one of those cause I lived in a three-story townhouse, and I'm not about to be lugging a cart up and down the stairs. This was a great option for me cause it has a bunch of different sections and pockets where I can store different items and know where they all are without just having them thrown into a center section and having to dig around to find what I need.

Promising review: "I got this for my friend as a baby shower gift. I had received one myself for my own baby. My baby is now 9 months old, and I still use it. It’s great to be able to just grab this caddy and have everything you need. I’d even fit my Stanley Cup in it, snacks, and whatever else I needed. I love the little side pockets it has as well. My friend also said that she loves hers!" —Josh & Kelsie

Get it from Amazon for $22.40+ (available in two sizes and five colors).

Promising reviews: "These are a game changer! Worth the purchase. Our newborn pees and poops so much that we had to constantly change the reusable changing pads. These disposable pads hold up great, don’t leak through, and are a good size for a changing table." —Olivia Dodrill

"These are perfect for on-the-go use. I have definitely been caught off guard with pee in the middle of a diaper change, and these absorb really well. Better than the changing mats because, although waterproof, they don't absorb, so the pee just runs everywhere. I even use them on our home changing table just in case of an accident. Also, really good for changing a poopy diaper, so nothing gets on your changing pad. You can just roll everything up in it when you're done and dispose. They are a good size as well to make sure you have everything covered and contained." —Davena C.

As you can imagine, babies' skin is sensitive, and there are soooo many different ointments and treatments out there, it can be hard to know. I think I'm drawn to this for a few reasons: I personally use Aquaphor products and love them so I have experience with them and feel comfortable with them, it has sooo many different uses so I can just have one product on hand instead of a bunch of different ones, and it's pretty cheap (especially compared to other products) and comes in a hefty size so you won't have to constantly buy refills.

Promising reviews: "This has been the ONLY thing to help clear my newborn’s diaper rash! Even other Aquaphor products did not help. This stuff really works! So happy!" —KC

"I can't recommend Aquaphor enough! It's been a lifesaver for my baby's delicate skin. Whenever I've tried other products, my little one ended up with diaper rash and discomfort. But with Aquaphor, his skin stays moisturized and nourished. It's truly the best." —Rosa

Get it from Amazon for $12.97+ (available in two sizes, a bundle with a travel-size tube, and a two-pack).

This bassinet comes with the mattress and sheets and the whole pad is washable.

Yes, yes, yes, I know the Snoo is all the rage, but frankly I was not interested in shelling out over $1,500 on something my baby will use for like six months?! I don't even wanna spend that much on a bed for myself that I would use for years. This Newton version is much more affordable and I like the fact that the side goes down so you can easily reach in and grab your baby when you need. And no, this one doesn't rock your baby to sleep, but I've seen conflicting research about that because a lot of babies have a harder time transitioning to a traditional crib when the time comes because that doesn't move and they are used to it. I love that it is designed to be extremely breathable and has mesh sides so you can always see your baby inside.

Promising reviews: "Such a high quality and beautiful bassinet. We have gotten so much use out of it as a bedside sleeper, a travel crib, and currently use it for our 6-month-old as a 'kitchen bassinet' when we have to set him down to get things done. Highly recommend!" —Nicole Roggow

"Total game changer for ease with a newborn, especially at night. Really likes being able to fold it down to put my arm in to soothe the baby as well. Very sturdy and easy to put together and super easy move around the room, which is convenient. We LOVE Newton products." —Breanna Dudley

Get it from Amazon for $299.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "Great for bath time. As a first-time mom, this has made bathtime easy. Leaves out all of the guesswork regarding the temperature of the water. It lets you know when the water temperature is too hot for the baby and when it’s the perfect temperature. The battery had lasted a while, we use it 3–4 times a week and for over four months. Also, it’s cute! Who doesn’t love the original rubber ducky?!" —Linds

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four styles and a rechargeable version).

Decided for infants who are 3+ months old.

Promising review: "My baby loves using this toothbrush, especially during teething, gives her relief and makes me happy. The silicon is soft and gentle on her mouth. It’s a great tool for my baby to get used to having something in her mouth to introduce to toothbrush later." —Momo

Get a set of two from Amazon for $13.99.

The car seat comes with the base needed to install it into your car, but you can also install it without a base just by using a seat belt, which is super helpful when traveling and taking cabs!

Car seat and stroller shopping was way more intimidating than I expected. Before I started my research, I just assumed all car seats were basically the same thing just by different brands, but boy was I wrong. This was a newer car seat that is known for being incredibly lightweight, which is something I was looking for cause I didn't wanna lug around a bulky version wherever I go. I also love that it comes with a base you can leave in the car and just snap the seat in and out, but you can also use it without a base, which is super helpful when traveling when we needed to take an Uber or anything. Not to mention there are green indicators to tell you when the seat is installed correctly, which is super helpful, especially for a first-time mom since installing seats is really intimidating so just having peace of mind that I did it correctly is sooo nice.  

Promising review: "Our baby LOVES this car seat. Very light, comfortable and easy to wash." —MadelineS3

Get it from Nordstrom for $650 (available in six colors).

Promising reviews: "My newborn loves this swing. It has so many different motions and I like that you can play music as well. Best part is being able to turn it on and off from my phone. Super convenient." —Ashley James

"Super easy to set up, use, and baby seems to enjoy it! It’s helping me be able to put her down and get things done around the house while she listens to music and is soothed by any of the settings. I love that you can connect your phone to it and play your own music as well as use the app to turn it on / off. Lots of settings to choose from which is nice. She just started using it today at two weeks old and she fits in it pretty comfortably. Hoping she continues to love it, and that it keeps working for us!" —Olivia Dodrill

Promising reviews: "Must have! This thing is amazing; it works very well for us. Good length, and it's soft/firm. I was able to gently scoop my 4-month-old's ear wax and pick out her sticky, crusty boogers. She enjoys being clean, so she sat/laid down very still for us. I would definitely buy this for a baby shower gift and definitely recommend to anyone." —P. T.

"Love these things! So easy to get those little boogies out of my newborn’s nose. I think it’s worth it to get the two pack and have the little case for them! Otherwise I feel like I’d lose it if it was just one loose." —Catherine Christina

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (also available in multi-packs, a version with a light, and with a case).

Promising review: "One of my favorite purchases for my newborn. Also one of the most used. Able to clean all types of bottles and nipples and pacifiers and breast pumping parts. High quality. I must have for all parents." —Amazoner

Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (also available as just replacement brushes). 

I already deal with anxiety in my everyday life, so if there's something out there that could give me peace of mind that my baby is safe while they sleep you can bet I'm gonna get it.

Promising review: "Absolute must have! As a first time mom dealing with post partum anxiety, I love this owlet. It give me a sense of comfort knowing my newborn is breathing/ safe sleeping. Worth every penny." —Maria 

"After using this for almost three months now I absolutely love the Owlet! As a new mom who's been afraid of SIDS as I have a family member whose baby brother passed away from SIDS before all of this technology to prevent it, I was afraid of the possibility and this product has helped me to sleep at night. I had pre-partum and now postpartum depression and one thing I have never worried about every single night is my baby sleeping soundly all throughout the night. I do still check on him but I'm not panicking trying to figure out if my baby is breathing. I love being able to see his sleep cycle and keep up with his movements! To anyone looking for a great gift for a new mom to be able to use for a long time as well as for several children, this product is the one to go with. I feel that in this day and age, this is not a want but a need, especially for parents with anxiety!" —Alice Wood

Get it from Amazon for $299 (available in three colors).

My sink is the type that only has one section so it would require a lot of water (and a fully empty sink which TBH sometimes isn't available) to fill it up to wash bottles and pump parts. This gives me a way to keep all the baby equipment separated so I can easily clean them without worrying about what's happening in the rest of my sink. It's also collapsible so I can store it under my sink when I'm not using it which is super convenient.

Promising reviews: "Wouldn’t survive the newborn stage without this to keep track of our bottles so we can sanitize them each night. Easy to clean and goes in dishwasher." —Amazon Customer

"This product is a life hack for new mothers, especially if you are bottle feeding or have pump parts to wash! So easy to use, clean, and collapses to store under the sink. I like how I can collect all of the bottle and pump parts in the basin throughout the day, wash them separately from the everyday dishes, and store when finished. It’s the perfect size, a good price, and does its job. A must-buy!" —Linds

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in six colors and a two-pack).

I got this well into my daughter's toddlerhood, but even without bottles to wash, I am obsessed. I load it up with her straw cups (because those are a pain to clean), syringes from when she has to take medicine, and other random little things I need to clean). I can pretty much assure you this thing will be sitting on my counter until my future second child is drinking out of regular cups that don't have a bunch of annoying little parts. And yes, I will admit this thing is a bit large, but I promise it is worth losing a little counter space to not be hunched over a sink for 30+ minutes at the end of the night.

Promising review: "I've only had this for about a week so far, but I love it!!! I had a smaller version, and I was running it at least twice a day. This fits all my pump parts and three to four bottles so I only have to run one wash cycle a day. I may occasionally run two cycles if I have pacifiers or teethers to wash too. The water pressure on this is so much better, too. I feel like it cleans my bottles and pump parts so much more efficiently. I use distilled water for mine because we have hard water. Still worth it. This should be on every registry for anyone who plans to pump and/or use bottles." —Diana E.

The set comes with three soft attachments for kids and three additional attachments for adults!

Promising review: "I didn’t even try using regular clippers for my newborn cause I was so nervous — these make nail trimming nerve-free! Love that even if I miss the nail there is no pain when it touches skin. My baby is so content whenever I trim his nails (and he loves to get fussy whenever he can — lucky me). I plan to get this as a baby gift for anyone I know who is expecting!" —AlyssaP

Promising review: "Absolutely love these! Easy to use, easy to clean, airtight, and portable! Would recommend for any new parents who use formula! Easy to fill up and stick into a diaper bag for outings." —Amazon Customer

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in 12 colors).

This comes with the diaper pail, one carbon filter, and one roll of refill bags.

Promising reviews: "Pretty awesome design that really traps all odors! Fits a good deal of diapers as well before needing to be changed out for a new bag. At first, I did not like the continuous bag feature where you have to tie it off to end and start a new bag, but now I’ve realized it’s quite convenient so I don’t have to go get another bag and put it in, it’s already there." —Susan P.

"This was in my top five purchases for having a newborn. Super easy to use and zero smell! Refills are really easy to get (on and off brand). Can't recommend highly enough!" —Amazon Customer

Loooong before I even planned to have a kid of my own I saw these lil cuties all over the place. There's a reason you see babies with it everywhere, it is highly beloved, super cute, and great for teething.

Promising review: "I got this for my baby right when he turned four months he’s now five months and he loves this toy. He smiles and gets excited when we squeak it and now that he’s starting to teeth he gnaws on its ears. It has a lot of good places for him to grab and chew on. Plus it’s really cute!" —Heyapancakes

Promising review: "Love this stroller as we transition to using it with our son ahead of welcoming our baby in a couple of months. As someone who walks 5+ miles a day with the stroller, I needed something sturdy and easy to push that handled well. It's been great so far!" —lyss_palmquist

Get it from Bugaboo for $2,169 (available in four colors).

Read more about cradle cap — aka seborrheic dermatitis — at Seattle Children’s and the American Academy of Dermatology. 

Promising review: "My baby is 2-months-old and has been suffering from cradle cap. I didn’t want to pick it out. So I ordered this product. When i tell you it took EVERYTHING out and DIDN’T take out his hair! I’m VERY APPRECIATIVE!" —Ahonesty

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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.

The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.