The 34 Best Baby Products We Couldn't Have Gone Without!

"We kept this Skip Hop Baby Pronto Portable Changing Station ($20) in our car at all times for emergency diaper changes. It's small and lightweight but large enough to fit all your backup essentials." — Stacy Hersher, director, social and partnerships

"The Ubbi Diaper Pail ($76) is the unsung hero of our nursery. Its sleek look blends right in, and most importantly, the pail's steel body and tightly sealed lid keep the smell of dirty diapers where it belongs — in the pail. I also love that you can use regular kitchen trash bags with the Ubbi . . . one less thing to worry about!" — Lisa Horten, contributing editor

"If you live anywhere that gets cold, these 7 A.M. Enfant WarMMuffs ($45) are a great purchase. You can slip your hands in and out easily, and they are so warm!" — Dana Avidan Cohn, executive style director

"Whether you're a new parent-to-be or you're shopping for a pregnant friend, the NoseFrida ($16) is definitely a must have for families." — Rebecca Brown, senior editor, Shopping and Family

"This Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper Bassinet ($210) was a lifesaver! It was so reassuring in those early days to be able to swivel the bassinet up to the very edge of my bed and peer through the convenient mesh and see my little angel right there and so close to me. It also made those frequent middle-of-the-night feedings much more convenient!" — Rachel Miles, director, product marketing

"I almost couldn't get past the name, but the My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow ($47) is super helpful in breastfeeding without getting a kink in your neck or wearing your arms out." — Kat Malinowska, vice president, Audience

"If you have illusions of transitioning your nursery into a big girls' room and teen room, then a Serena & Lily Moroccan Pouf ($498) is actually a great investment. I hope my daughter will continue to think it's as cool as I do, but if she doesn't, then I'll put it in my room." — Kate Stahl, contributing editor

"Both my tots got upset bellies after feeding, and I was at my wit's end when someone finally told me about Gripe Water ($19). The ginger-based concoction is a miracle worker for gassy babes." — Rebecca Gruber, vice president, Native

"The Snoo ($1,160), created by Dr. Harvey Karp of The Happiest Baby on the Block fame, is the first bassinet that actually promises a good night's sleep — for everyone. It does this by incorporating Dr. Karp's famed five S's into product form: swaddle, side or stomach, shush, swing, and suck. A beautiful sleeper on its own with a modern wood and mesh design, the bassinet features a mattress that produces white noise and 'swings' up to one-half inch each direction to help lull babies to sleep. Hidden microphones detect a waking baby and signal the sleeper to respond with increasing sound and motion, essentially providing the same response parents would when a newborn fusses in the middle of the night. So the next time someone asks about your night, you'll have nothing to say: you and your baby were asleep the whole time." — Kate Schweitzer, senior editor, Family

"My daughter has sensitive skin, and California Baby ($15) products leave her clean without any irritation. And her hair is always nice and soft after a big bubbly bath." — Sarah Lipoff, contributor

"I loved the Ergobaby Carrier, 360 All Carry Positions Baby Carrier ($128) for my newborn, and as my son has gotten older, it's so comfortable and he loves it too! We even brought him to two weddings before he was 12 weeks old and he slept almost the entire time strapped into this puppy. It's comforting for him to be so close to his mama and so convenient for me to have both hands free!" — RM

"The Lorena Canals Monstera Leaf Rug ($225) made the biggest impact in the nursery room, more than anything else. I wanted to create a space that made me happy to be in, since I knew I'd be spending so much time in there. Not only is this rug striking, but it's also soft and big, so my daughter loves playing on it." — RB

"By 3 months, my daughter could hold this Philips Avent Soothie Snuggle ($15) herself in the stroller, so she wasn't always dropping the pacifier." — DAC

"It wasn't until I served my son spaghetti that I was like, 'Oh, right, that's why you need a long-sleeved bib!' The Leyaron 2 Pack Unisex Infant Toddler Baby Waterproof Sleeved Bib ($11) didn't fully save the mess, but it definitely kept it off his clothes, and one fewer shirt to wash? I'll take it." — Laura Meyers, content director, Trending and Viral Features

"Mitosyl Skin Irritations and Diaper Rash Pommade For Babies ($22) is the crème de la crème of diaper rash creams. After one really bad diaper rash where nothing seemed to be working, I did some online digging and discovered this one. It really worked the best for us!" — SH

"No matter where you live or what time of year your babe is born, a cozy hat is an essential baby product. I was given this adorable Zutano Hat ($11) by a friend, and my babe loved wearing it on cool afternoons or while we were on a long early-morning walk." — SL

"The DockATot Deluxe Stage 1 Dock ($195) was a lifesaver. I'd asked mom friends what one item they absolutely had to have, and they all said the DockATot. It quickly became a safe place I could put my daughter throughout the day. It has sewn-in handles on the sides so I could easily move it and her from room to room." — RB

"A friend bought this for me soon after my son was born, saying, 'TRUST ME.' She was right; the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo ($105) was a lifesaver as my son became more mobile and energetic, and he was absolutely obsessed with it." — LM

"The Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Sound Machine ($47) is the best one around." — RM

"Once we started introducing solid foods, I loved using this Baby Bamboo Stay Put Suction Bowl + Spoon ($20). The rubber barrier helps keep the bowl in place during feedings, which is important given how regularly my daughter tries to knock things off of the table." — RB

"After buying SO. MANY. PRODUCTS, it took me a few months to finally give in and get a pumping bra, and I was so glad I did. Simple Wishes Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra ($38) made a huge difference to be able to move around and use my hands while pumping. I honestly couldn't believe I waited so long once I had it." — SH

"It was hard getting hands-free time in the early days when my daughter wasn't literally on my person 24/7. The Fisher-Price Moonlight Meadow Cradle 'n Swing ($160) was a game changer; it kept her entertained and lulled her to sleep. I even put it in the bathroom while I showered so I could watch her while I shampooed!" — KM

"To prevent diaper rash, we let our baby have 'naked baby time' occasionally before she could really crawl around. These Tigerpad 4-Pack Washable Incontinence Bed Pads ($26) were perfect for her to lie down on during NBT since they protected our rug, sofa, and bed from any 'accidents.'" — SH

"I think we have about 10 different baby blankets, but this JJ Cole Urban Bundleme ($86) was the perfect solution for cold Winter walks. It kept our baby warm, and we never had to worry about it falling off of her." — SH

"Like 99.9 percent of new parents, my husband and I tried everything on the list to get our newborn to calm down and go to sleep at night. We tried the chair, the swing, a baby wrap, and taking her on walks and mostly resorted to walking down the hallway in the dark, rocking and shushing her, for what felt like hours. Within minutes of bouncing our daughter on the Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit ($20), she calmed down completely." — SH

"I used this The Original Milk Snob Infant Car Seat Cover ($36) all the time! It's a nursing cover that doubles as a car seat cover to keep out germs. It's organic, it's super soft, and it takes up no space in your diaper bag." — DAC

"I had no idea how much I would love this Vava VA-CL006 Night Lights For Kids ($23). I actually had two — one for the nursery and another for right next to my bed. It was so key for those middle-of-the-night feedings, especially when you have to change the baby's diaper but don't want to put on the whole entire room's light for fear of making eye contact or waking up the baby too much. This one has two color settings, as well as two levels of dimming to fit your needs." — RM

"I tried several types of swaddles and swaddle blankets, but nothing seemed as comfortable and secure for my son as the Halo SleepSack 100% Cotton Swaddle ($22). I ended up buying it in multiple covers and fabrics." — LM

"The Baby Bjorn Bouncer Balance Soft ($200) is a family favorite for a number of reasons. Its ergonomic design means it was one of my most favorite places to put our baby. I'll admit it seemed redundant the first week, but once I put her in it, she loved it. And the ergonomic design meant baby's hips were always in the correct place." — RB

"It didn't take long for me to learn how much I dislike driving alone with my little guy in the backseat. Britax's Back Seat Mirror ($20) alleviates much of the stress of the unknown when your new baby is behind you and your eyes are on the road. Plus, it's added entertainment for when they're a bit older — babies love looking at themselves in the mirror." — LH

"Aden + Anais swaddle blankets have become ubiquitous, and for good reason. Turning that same soft muslin into Crib Sheets ($30) was a natural next step for the brand. I love how breathable these are, and the sweet patterns don't hurt either!" — LH

"No one tells you bathing a newborn is kind of scary, but the Puj Tub ($45) helps immensely! Not only is it the perfect size and shape for a sink and your little one, but it also unsnaps to dry flat, meaning it's easy to keep clean and sanitized." — Kate Stahl

"Is there anything worse than a stuffed-up baby? Little Noses Saline Spray ($4) relieves the sniffles and helps my baby get to sleep much better when she's battling a cold." — Kate Stahl