Starting the process of shopping for baby items can be overwhelming. There’s just so much out there. You could spend hours searching for blankets or monitors due to the overwhelming number of options. To make the process a bit easier, I reached out to a few friends who are moms and asked them to share the best baby products that made their lives as new parents more manageable, as well as the clothing brands they continue to swear by.
As a preview, you’ll discover everything from the highly recommended UPPAbaby stroller that every single one of my friends raved about, to the essential Nanit monitor, and yes, the SNOO. You’ll also find top picks for a highchair, diaper bag, and more.
Oh, and if building a registry is on your mind, Zola, the ever-so-popular wedding planning platform, just launched Zola Baby. Here, you can build a super intuitive registry and find even more amazing products and gift ideas.
Keep scrolling for a list of some of the top baby products on the market.
Every single one of my friends raves about this UPPAbaby stroller. As my colleague Judith Jones (pictured above) mentioned—”it’s easy to maneuver and fold, and it’s compatible with the car seat.” This stroller is also designed to grow with your family and accommodates up to three children. The extendable UPF 50+ canopies are also very noteworthy here. According to Zola Baby, this is also one of the top strollers people have been adding to their registries.
One of the top recommended baby clothing brands? H&M! The bodysuits are supposed to be amazing for newborns.
This Dagne Dover diaper bag is highly functional (and cute). It’s water-resistant and there’s pockets for everything—including a space at the front for wipes.
My friend mentioned that these are the best bibs because the liquid doesn’t seep through the back.
“As my son starts to stand up and try walking, I tested out every sneaker out there. I found that these adorable Stan Smith sneakers were the most versatile for going out but also, easy to put on. Baby sneakers with a thick sole are cute, but impossible to get on. These are comfortable and stylish for my little guy,” my colleague, Nayiri Mampourian said.
Set an alert for when these washcloths come back in stock. According to Zola Baby, this is one of the top items people have been adding to their registry.
West Elm just released a new collaboration with Joseph Altuzarra. The collection is absolutely dreamy, filled with a range of must-have items, including this adorable mobile.
Zara Home has an incredible baby section. You can find everything from duvet covers for your crib to furniture pieces to adorable clothing.
In reference to the best carrier, the Armadillo by Bumpsuit is the go-to choice among parent friends. There are just so many things right about it, from the plush boucle to the padded lumbar support to the mesh pockets to store essentials.
When I asked one of my colleagues about formula recommendations, she couldn’t stop talking about Bobbie. The organic formula is made from non-GMO ingredients and never has corn syrup, palm oil, or maltodextrin.
Nordstrom has an amazing array of baby clothes, including adorable pieces from the brand’s in-house line, Tucker + Tate.
My friend Emily said, “a Nanit is a must.” The state-of-the-art monitor and app includes everything from sleep tracking and analytics to sensor-free breathing motion monitoring.
This multi-pack of onesies came highly recommended by our editor at large, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour.
These bottles get an A+ from parents. The silicone nipple mimics breastfeeding.
“Love these for all sorts of things—good for burping, draping over the car or stroller seat, swaddling, etc.,” Jones mentioned. “I have at least eight!”
My neighbor just recently had a baby and mentioned that her SNOO bassinet is absolutely essential to help her baby sleep and reduce crying. You can either purchase one or actually rent the SNOO for $159 per month on happiestbaby.com. These 5-second swaddles from the retailer are also to note!
My colleague swears by these pacifiers.
The UPPAbaby Mesa V2 car seat is top-rated, so it also came highly recommended. It directly attaches to the Vista stroller featured above.
This is a favorite because it’s foldable and storable.
Pehr has adorable clothing and décor items. The play mats, in particular, were recommended to me.
This convertible stroller by Doona also topped the list of my friend that’s a new mom and travels often. It’s so compact!
Coterie wipes are another item that every single one of my mom friends swears by.
Zara does it again. This knit jumpsuit is just the sweetest.
Veja also makes darling little crib shoes.
These Bamboo pajamas are wildly soft and are gentle on a baby’s skin.
Given that baby clothes are so small, these drawer dividers are ideal to keep everything organized.
This highchair by Stokke is actually adjustable and can be configured to work for a six-month-old all the way to an adult!
Swaddling becomes way easier with this item that features arm inserts and velcro fasteners.
Baby Gap is another go-to for a wide array of the cutest clothing options.
Our editor at large also suggested this super-fun subscription of play kits!
As Mampourian said to me—”We all know how messy kids can be, so having a chic but washable rug is an absolute must.”
One of our editors also sent me this Bugaboo stroller as a fantastic compact option for life on the go.
The Honest set includes a range of essentials, including bath and skincare products, diaper rash cream, and so much more.
If a special designer item is of interest, Italist has a huge assortment of options at often lower prices than other retailers.
This bouncer is a great option to keep your baby entertained and supported.
Pura is a sustainable baby care company, and the diapers are supposed to be so soft and feature plant-based materials like organic cotton.
This swaddle set is made from bamboo viscose. One of the mom friends in my life said her onesies and sets from Little Sleepies last much longer than other options.
