30 Best Baby Products You'll Want on Hand

Ask any parent and 99% will tell you that swaddling is a huge pain. Who wants to un-swaddle and then re-swaddle a snug baby at 2 AM and risk waking him or her up? None of us. Sleep sacks totally change the game when it comes to nighttime diaper changes, and I've found that most babies love the Love to Dream brand. The arm pockets give little ones the chance to self soothe using their hands (which is very common!), and the Swaddle Up version makes the transition from swaddle to sleep sack so much easier.

A fan and air purifier are must-haves for the nursery (the use of a fan reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by 72% according to the NIH), and we love a two-in-one product that cuts down on clutter. This air purifier/fan duo even has a night mode that cuts down on sound — though you may find that baby enjoys the extra white noise.

This is easily one of our most-used baby products. We have it on hand at all times. It has a variety of sounds to choose from and the volume is substantial enough to drown out most other noises. It will also stay on for hours. We take it on trips and it easily lasts the entire night without being plugged in!

If you travel often or need to hand your baby off at a nursery regularly, then this changing pad is something you'll find yourself using all the time. It includes storage space for wipes, diapers, and rash cream and folds out as a portable changing pad. It even has straps that can attach to a car headrest for easy access to wipes while on the go.

Play gyms are a 10/10 baby distracter for the first six months, but my daughter easily became aggravated with her wooden one once she was able to grasp and pull the toys above. The flexible arch on this play gym allows her to pull the toys down so she can take a closer look — and most likely try to put them in her mouth. The joys of little ones!

It's hard to imagine now, but your little one will be wanting to sit up in no time! This floor seat was designed with physical therapists to provide the best position for a growing baby's posture: an upright back with pelvic tilt legs spread apart. This promotes healthy spine development and lessens the risk of hip dysplasia. It even includes straps to attach to any regular chair, so you can skip the high chair if you want!

Getting anything done with a baby is tough, but having a baby carrier like this on hand can be a huge difference maker for new parents. We love the versatility that the LILLEbaby carrier comes with. It can be used from newborn to 45 pounds and in six different positions.

The Newton Baby mattress truly is unlike any other on the market. Why? Because instead of a traditional foam, it's made of a woven food-grade polymer and has a viscose cover, making it completely breathable — even if baby happens to flip. It's provides the peace of mind that every parent wants entering this new chapter.

Bassinets can get PRICEY these days — like upwards of a thousand dollars. If paying that much for a bed your baby is going to sleep in for a few months at most makes you cringe, then join the pack and grab this highly-rated bassinet instead. It has mesh sides to parents can easily see baby even when they're laying in bed and features a glider base, so if baby gets restless, parents can give them a quick rock back to sleep. And did I mention how easily portable this bassinet is? It's perfect for the traveling parents-to-be. It even comes with a waterproof mattress and sheets. I love how it blends with almost any décor, too, making it a seamless addition to any adult bedroom.

If you really want cut down on baby gear and save a few dollars (to spend more on baby clothes, naturally), then grab this pack 'n-play that includes a bassinet. Baby can sleep in the bassinet attachment for the first few months. You'll love the included diaper changing station right beside the bassinet. But even if you do have a bassinet, having a portable pack 'n-play like this is essential as baby grows. Contained play makes parents happy. And this can double as a travel bassinet, if needed.

If you're even considering using formula, then you'll want to get this formula dispenser. It dispenses the perfect amount of formula and heats the bottle all with a push of a button. You can even do it directly from your phone with this model.

If you ask any new parents what medications they swear by, there's a good chance one of these four is on the list. Go ahead and stock up on the set now so you can be ready at a moment's notice, like 2 AM when baby won't stop crying.

This might not illicit the ohhs and ahhs of a cute onesie at the baby shower, but it's a product parents will be way more grateful for. Constantly wiping baby's nose isn't just unpleasant for us — it is for them, too. This nasal aspirator gets everything out the first time without you needing to use your fingers or suck it out yourself.

If you're looking for a baby bag that's equal parts practical and stylish, then look no further than this Petunia Pickle Bottom beauty. It's so sleek that no one will guess that you've stashed away diapers and an extra change of clothes inside. It has 12 pockets total, with two insulated bottle pockets, a toiletry bag, and a changing mat. It also features a paci clip, trolley strap, and attachments for hanging straps for a stroller.

The pacifier for babies who think they don't like pacifiers. Parents say that after trying all of the other options under the sun, their baby settled on this one. Luckily for parents it comes in a variety of matte color options and doesn't require a separate sterilizer.

Even colicky babies who absolutely hate tummy time will change their tune once placed on this engaging water mat.

The safer, more sanitary way to retrieve boogers from tiny nostrils.

Keep this toy in the bag for travel. They clip to strollers and car seats. Babies will love to chew on the rubber rings.

Clipping tiny baby finger nails has always been a bit terrifying for me until Lil Nipper. Lil Nipper makes it impossible to cut fingers. It is also able to be used throughout the toddler years.