Over the years, the Strategist has written about hundreds of baby and postpartum products that expecting and new parents swear by — many of which we still stand by! But the baby-gear industry is always evolving (and ballooning). Since the first iteration of this article, not all that long ago, actually, strollers have gotten lighter and more compact, car seats have started to swivel, and wearable breast pumps (that don’t hurt) are making it easier than ever to multitask. At the same time, many of the editors and writers at the Strategist have become new parents themselves and have faced the daunting task of creating a baby registry amid a glut of product choices.
So, we’ve talked to pediatricians, doulas, lactation consultants, and interior designers to find the most legit, convenient, and stylish products for life with a baby. And we’ve tested dozens of products to get a deeper understanding of why a certain nursing pillow is so popular or whether a new organic baby formula lives up to the hype. We’ve covered high chairs at every price point, swaddles that can be unzipped and zipped back up in the dark, and baby carriers for every kind of family outing. We also have the wisdom of other parents to fall back on, like the mom who can only travel for work with twins thanks to her trusty blackout crib tent or the one who fixes infant eczema with Japanese oat baths.
In an effort to ensure you start life as a parent with no regrets, about the stuff on your registry at least, we’ve collected the most essential of these obsessively vetted items in one place and organized them by category. You’ll find multiple options for staples like cribs and car seats (because every kid and parent is different, of course, and it can thus be impossible to call any one baby product the absolute “best”), plus cozy pajamas, play mats, and un-destroyable books, all at a range of price points, as well. In other words: From this point on, you can feel free to ignore all those well-meaning friends and build your entire registry right from the picks below.
For the Hospital
For Nursing and Feeding
For Sleeping and Chilling
For Diapering and Clothing
For Getting Around
For Playing and Teething
For the Bathroom and Medicine Cabinet
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.