The Moms Who Get It Awards 2025: Our Favorite Products for Babies and Toddlers

If you’re feeding your baby purées and looking for pre-made versions to stock up on, the Beech-Nut Organics brand is our go-to. Packed in glass jars and easy to find in stores or online, they’re perfect for bringing on outings or just keeping in the pantry for those days when you need something quick and easy.

Let’s get this out of the way: no one NEEDS a $300 sterilizer (or any sterilizer, for that matter). However, this countertop machine can certainly make those first weeks and months with a newborn a whole lot easier. With every cycle, you can choose whether to wash, sterilize, dry, or do all three; the full drying cycle is probably our favorite feature, since it eliminates the need for a separate bottle drying rack. Just grab your clean bottles and nipples from the machine, pop them into a cabinet, and get on with your day. If you’re interested in a sterilizer but want to spend much less, a microwave steam sterilizer like this one is a decent choice; you’ll just need a dedicated space to dry everything once it’s clean.

For a brief, glorious phase in a baby’s life, puffs are pretty much the coolest snack imaginable. We like this grain-free variety from Serenity Kids that comes in flavors like Tomato & Herbs, Pumpkin & Cinnamon, and Carrot & Beet.

Cute and functional, this little cup is made from 100% food grade silicone, so your baby can drink from it, chew it, and throw it to their heart’s content. It’s also dishwasher safe, and a great way to start your little one on the path to a post-bottle life.

One Skimm HQ’r writes, “I have tried a head-scratching number of cups with straws, and they all — and I mean, all — leak. This is the only one that doesn't. Trust me.” That’s good enough for us. It’s dishwasher safe, and comes with a stage one straw. When you’re ready for a stage two straw (which is made from harder silicone, so babies can’t bite through it as easily), grab a two-pack here.

The perfect first “spoon” for babies eating purées or soft solids, these GOOtensils are compatible with baby-led weaning because they’re designed to be easy for babies to manipulate on their own. Food sticks easily to the silicone head so that your baby can play around with feeding themselves. After mealtime, these can go right in the dishwasher.

For picnics, restaurants, or travel to any place without a dedicated high chair, this is an adorable and cost-effective option. You can use it on the floor or strap it to a chair, and the detachable tray (which is dishwasher-safe) makes feeding and cleanup pretty easy.

Notice we don’t have a “Favorite Baby Bottle” category on our list; that’s because at the end of the day, we know there’s not one type of bottle that will work perfectly for every baby. You may even find your second or third baby favors a completely different brand from your first. That’s why we like this curated set, which lets you try five different brands before making a commitment.

We love Momcozy’s Original Nursing Pillow because it’s adjustable to accommodate your changing body. A waist strap with a buckle keeps everything secure, and the “safety fence” on top gives you a much needed hand when it comes to settling your baby in a comfortable position. The cover is 100% cotton and can be machine washed when necessary.

We really can’t say enough about how much we love this crib. It converts from a mini crib to a full-sized crib and a toddler bed, so there’s no need to buy an extra bassinet for the earliest months; both the mini-crib and full crib can be built with or without wheels. Made from solid Brazilian pine wood (with eco-engineered wood incorporated as mattress support), it’s a simple yet beautiful addition to any nursery. Note that the mini crib is a custom size, so it’s best to buy sheets from Nestig directly.

We talk about this one a lot, and that’s because it’s seen us through some pretty tricky sleep-related situations. More than just a sound machine, it’s also a customizable colored nightlight, and it’s controlled either by a light touch to the top of the device, or via phone app (so you can change the volume, sound, or lights without daring to enter your baby’s room). If you want even more features, including stories and personalized recorded notes, you can subscribe to extra features from Hatch+.

You don’t want to lug your everyday sound machine with you everywhere you go, but white noise is still an invaluable tool for on-the-go naps. This simplified version of the Hatch has 10 sound options and three buttons; it can also easily be clipped onto a bag or stroller. Fully charged, it will work for up to 15 hours. That’s a lot of naps.

Foolproof and ingenious. Buy these, wash them, and pack at least one in your hospital bag. They’re worlds easier to use than the swaddle blankets from the hospital nursery. Just zip the sleepsack up around your baby, then fasten their arms in place with two Velcro flaps. Once they’re ready to transition out of a swaddle, you can even keep using these with their arms out.

We’re not exaggerating when we say one Skimm’r’s baby wore this exact sleeper — in a variety of colors — for 90% of the first six months of his life. It’s soft, stretchy, and perfect for any climate. Despite being longsleeved, it’s actually great for summer, since the fabric is lightweight and helps protect your baby’s skin from the sun. Available in convenient multipacks, it’s incredibly easy to reach for again and again and again.

Still our favorite WiFi monitor after many years of use, the Nanit is reliable, functional, and easy to customize to just about any setup. We’d like to personally shoutout its wall mount, floor stand, and flex stand options. Whether or not you pay for the Insights plan to get all the data on your baby’s sleep, you’ll have the peace of mind of being able to view the live feed from anywhere (even if you’re on vacation halfway around the world).

We know many parents prefer a non-WiFi baby monitor, and if that’s what you’re looking for, this is our rec. Infant Optics offers two options: the original DXR-8 and the newer DXR-8 Pro. Both allow you to pan, tilt, and zoom when viewing from the included monitor screen, and the Pro version includes Active Noise Reduction technology designed to cut the static background sound you may be sick of hearing from your current monitor.

At first, we were skeptical about this changing pad; we’d heard many rave reviews, but couldn’t quite get past the price. But when one Skimm’r finally decided to try it out with her third baby, she never looked back. It’s soft, comfortable, and so stable that it easily turns any table or piece of furniture into an instant diaper table.

Diapers are one of the most basic needs you’ll have with a newborn, and while your chosen brand may vary based on both your baby’s skin and your budget, we’ve had great luck over the years with Pampers Swaddlers. Hypoallergenic and secure, they have a LeakGuard that goes all around the diaper’s perimeter (including a “blowout barrier” at the back). They do a tough job reliably well.

With diaper rashes, you’ll need some trial and error to figure out what works for your own baby. With any serious rash, you’ll also want to get a doctor involved. But when we’re dealing with a diaper rash in our own homes, Desitin Max is where we start. More concentrated than regular Desitin (but not as expensive as options like Triple Paste), it’s the perfect opening salvo in what will hopefully be a short battle.

We were hardcore fans of a different brand before trying Hello Bello for the first time, but these days, Hello Bello is what’s in our diaper bags. There’s just the right amount of texture to each wipe, and they come out of the package individually rather than in clumps. We love that they’re more affordable than other popular brands on the market. Not to mention, they’re made without artificial fragrances, phthalates, parabens, or alcohol.

When you’re potty training, using a mini potty that actually looks like a real one just makes sense. Complete with a “flusher” that plays its own noise, this toddler toilet helps little ones get used to the idea of using the real thing, and when they’re ready to graduate, you can take the seat topper from this one to use on top of a real grown-up toilet seat. The inner bowl comes out easily for cleaning, and you can even keep a book (or other potty supplies…or bribes) in the back compartment.

If you’re worried about potty training because you think leaving the house will get a lot harder once diapers are out of the picture, you need to know about this thing. Throw this travel potty in your car or the basket of your stroller (along with some disposable bags), and you’ll be all set for a potty emergency.

One Skimm HQ’r tells us, “After trying several [diaper bags] and feeling incredibly lukewarm on all of them, I can say I’m downright obsessed with the one from State. I’m shocked with how much I can fit in it while still being able to find essentials readily when I need them. All of the various compartments are so smart — they’re in the right places, in all the right sizes.” We also love that the exterior doesn’t scream “diaper bag.”  It’s cute enough that if it makes it through the baby/toddler years intact, you won’t feel weird about keeping it in your rotation.

Is this the most beautiful, heirloom-quality play mat you could possibly buy for your child? No. But priced at around $60 (often lower with sales), it’s less of an investment — and we know from experience that babies find it captivating. Before you know it, your little one will have outgrown the stage where they lie down calmly and get a kick (literally) out of accidentally playing a piano with their foot anyway. We say save the investment pieces for later.

There’s no need to buy a million toys for a newborn. This black and white book, with basic high-contrast images, is a great starting point. Just fold it out and prop it up for your little one to check out during tummy time.

Another small but mighty toy for your collection, this Oball is perfect for really little babies because they can easily get a solid grip. There are versions with more bells and whistles, but even the basic one works like a charm.

We love a toy that babies can navigate on their own (and we can also easily throw in the wash). These animal-themed baby books have an assortment of cloth tails for babies to explore, chew on, and “read” with you.

This is one of the toys we recommend most to parents of babies around a year old. It’s perfect for little ones who can sit on their own, and the “magic” keys are so delightful to play that you may find yourself eagerly awaiting your own turn to compose a little something.

Most people we know fondly refer to this as their baby’s “office” or “DJ station.” This standing activity center has just enough toys to keep babies occupied and (hopefully) stop them from fussing while you try to get a few things done. The seat rotates fully so your baby can watch as you make your way around the room, and once your little one outgrows the seat portion (at 25 pounds), you can turn the whole thing into a play table.

A cult-status toy if ever there was one, this thing is outrageously affordable when you take into account the years of potential entertainment it offers. It’s designed for babies 9 months to 3 years old, and since the front panel is detachable, the interactive portion of the toy can be used by itself long before a baby is ready to walk. Once those first steps have actually occurred, they can use it as a walker toy for extra support. Don’t be surprised if they still want to play with it in a couple years when it’s their younger sibling’s turn.

The perfect playmat for when your baby’s old enough to enjoy tummy time, but young enough to stay put for more than a minute. It’s lightweight and easy to fold up when necessary, and the little lip that goes around the sides is the perfect way to contain stray toys that might otherwise go rolling all over the house.

This bouncer is the GOAT; if we could recommend only one product to a new parent, this would be it. There’s something so ingenious about the simple design, which lets babies bounce themselves naturally as they move their legs. It’s the perfect place for your little one to sit and take in the antics of the household, and the cover is washable, so any spills or diaper blowouts can be dealt with easily. You may well shed a tear when your baby grows out of this thing.

For a fragrance-free option that makes those early baths nice and easy, this has been our go-to for years. The consistency of the foam is very thin, which helps keep bathtime quick, but it’s still effective at getting babies clean — all while preserving their own delicious newborn scent.

As long as you have room to store this noncollapsible tub when it’s not in use, we highly recommend it. The “three stage” design means it should work from birth until a baby is 1.5 years old or older. Another great feature: the drain plug changes color if the water is too hot.

Aquaphor is a classic for a reason. Use it as a diaper ointment, moisturizer, or skin protectant for your baby. As a new parent, you may be washing your hands more than ever; feel free to save some for yourself, too.

Rafts, houseboats, mini-cities: Anything is possible when you bring floating blocks into the tub. This set includes 29 multicolored blocks, plus a mesh storage bag to help everything dry post-bath.

There’s a lot to think about when picking out an infant car seat. Will it work with the stroller you picked out? Where will it go in your car? If you don’t have a car, how easy is it to strap into cabs? For people with their own cars especially, we’re fans of this Chicco KeyFit 30 seat, which is very easy to install with a base and push around with the matching caddy. At just over 9.5 pounds, it’s not the lightest seat on the market, but it’s stable and extremely easy to strap babies into. It’s also far less expensive than some of the other leading infant seats, and for something you might not even get a full year’s use out of (depending on your baby’s height and weight), that’s a big plus.

There’s no getting around the fact that — as its category indicates — this thing is expensive. But if you’re looking to invest in a full stroller system around this price point, we think it’s a purchase that makes sense. While the Vista is undeniably large and heavy, it’s also an incredibly smooth ride, with ample basket space for storing things while out and about. You can click an Uppababy Mesa or Aria car seat directly into the frame, or use a different brand of car seat with adapters.  As if it couldn’t get more versatile, use it as a double stroller with two toddler seats, a toddler seat and a bassinet, two bassinets, two car seats, etc. We once heard it described as a “land yacht,” and since it’s a substantial luxury item, we’ve thought of it that way ever since.

Yes, this SPF 50 sunscreen is designed for babies and little kids, but we use it on the whole family. A great middle ground between a lotion and aerosol spray, it isn’t finicky to spritz on, and it doesn’t leave too much of a white cast.

We’ve already explained why we prefer Halo’s sleepsack swaddle to a traditional swaddling blanket, but that doesn’t mean we think these blankets are useless. Quite the opposite; we use them for just about everything baby-related other than swaddling. They can be baby bath towels, stroller blankets, burp cloths, and in a pinch, a travel changing pad. Don’t tell anyone, but we even use them semi-regularly to wrap our hair and let it dry post-shower. What can we say? They’re perfect.

Another BabyBjorn favorite, this newborn carrier (which can be used until your baby is 24 pounds or 30 inches) offers three positions for your baby, and should fit anyone who wears a size XS-XXL. Our favorite thing about it is that you won’t need to learn any complicated wrapping techniques, or have a helper around to fasten back clips. Our second favorite thing is how easy it is to wash in the washing machine.