Once you become pregnant, you’ll be bombarded with ads, articles and sponsored posts dictating everything you need to buy to ensure your baby is the best dressed, happiest and most well-rested on the block. You know they’re not all amazing, so what are the top baby products in 2019?
I found myself registering and buying items off these lists fast and furiously. However, one thing I learned rather quickly as my daughter grew from month-to-month was that we truly didn’t need 80% of the things we registered for and bought. In fact, we ended up scrambling at 2am to buy the things we actually needed and returning the many things we didn’t.
Compiled with the help of seasoned mamas all over the globe is this list of the top baby products for 2019. Hopefully, it will take away some of the anxiety and make those first ventures out just a little less scary.
1. Dock-a-tot
Designed in Scandinavia where co-sleeping is the norm, the highly regarded Dock-a-tot is a must for any parent who is considering bed-sharing. Not only does it provide soft bumper-like sides to keep baby safe and snug, it comes in a vast collection of colors and sizes. It’s great for co-sleeping, travel, crib-training (for safety), and lounging.
2. Jumparoo
Once your baby is able to hold their head up and sit unassisted, they’ll want to move constantly. Our answer to this wiggle worm syndrome was a jumperoo. These typically come in two forms – with a saucer and without. Our daughter preferred the ones without the saucer so she could really test the strength of her legs. The Skip Hop Explore & More is a favorite for saucers, while the Baby Einstein Neptune’s Ocean is one of the best for free-form jumping.
3. Sound Machine
From the moment they’re born, babies are fickle sleepers, with any abrupt sound sure to wake them up. Not only does a sound machine help cue babies that it’s time to sleep, but it also keeps them asleep longer by drowning out other background noise. A crowd favorite is the Hatch, which is programmable via your phone. Plus, it offers different lights, which let your child know when it’s time for sleep and time to rise. (Read more here.) Project Nursery also has a more affordable option that comes with a few different sounds, lullabies and white noise.
5. Sleep Sack
Newborns prefer being swaddled as it most resembles life in the womb, so most won’t sleep the first few months without one. There are a million different types of swaddles out there, with the Nested Bean and Halo sleepsuit almost always listed as a crowd favorite. The Halo sleep sack offers two different ways to wear it – with the arms constrained or free, which allows the baby to grow with the suit. The Nested Bean Zen Sack sack is weighted in the middle, which mimics the weight of a mother’s hand. Both are around $25-30.
5. Boppy
For nursing mamas, the Boppy offers extra support and cushion for the baby and you when you’re sitting in a rocker or on a couch. In addition, from 3 months and under, it’s a great prop to rest your infant on. From 4 months up, it’s great support for babies just learning to sit. Plus, they’re under $30 and can be used the entire first year.
6. Swing
For many moms (myself included), the only way to get our baby to sleep longer than 20-minute increments was to let her sleep in a swing. One of the top baby products in 2019 for this category is the Fischer-Price Dream Cradle n’ Swing. Boasting 6 speeds, lullabies and a mobile, it fully cradles the baby while gently rocking them, making it a safe and sound place to sleep. Other moms swear by the MamaRoo 4-infant seat, a compact swing that’s controlled entirely by your phone. It’s one of the most expensive on the market, but gives you the ability to customize the type of motion, the music and the speed from your fingertips.
7. Baby Carrier
Wearing your baby is a win-win for most parents because it allows them to snuggle close to their little one while still maintaining full use of both of their arms. Many moms swear by the OG Bjorn, the first official carrier on the market. We love the Ergo 360, as it can grow from an infant (with a special insert) until they can walk with just a few adjustments. The Moby wrap is also a great one as it’s easy to tie and relatively affordable.
8. Portable Breast Pump
For working moms, a battery-operated pump allows for flexible pumping anywhere – whether in mother’s room or in their car on the way to work. If your budget allows, spring for the Willow, which fits right over your breast and pumps discretely with almost no sound. If you’re opting for a pump covered by insurance, the Motif Duo is perfect. The only complaint is the charge lasts for about two pumping sessions.
9. Lightweight Stroller & Car Seat
Buying a car seat and stroller is a lot like buying a car, it’s a decision that often takes months to make and requires hours of safety fact-checking. As parents who live in the city, a stroller system that was lightweight was imperative to us, which is why we chose the Baby Jogger Mini GT. Not only does the whole system come in under $600, but the stroller can also be used until your baby is close to four. A bigger splurge is the UPPAbaby g-lite, which is easy to carry and fold up. It’s also constantly rated as one of the best strollers on the market, and moms attest to its ease of use and safety.
10. Owlet
A baby monitor is one of those “must-haves” that you can’t skimp on, especially if you’re an anxious mama (like myself). That’s why the Owlet is one of the highest-rated and top baby products recommended by moms in 2019. Not only does it track the baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels, but it alerts you when something is off. Plus, it’s wearable – meaning you’re getting the most accurate readings possible.
11. Clothing subscription box
One thing that’ll never cease to surprise you as a new parent is how quickly your child is going to outgrow their clothing. The adage that you need to size up is beyond true, as you’ll quickly be scrambling for 6-month outfits when your daughter turns three-months. Avoid the stress and hassle of constantly clothes shopping by opting for a clothing subscription kit. Kits vary in costs (from $68 per box to over $700) and frequency (from one time boxes to every season). We love the brands in Dopple, which provide organic cottons and celebrity favorites (like Rylee and Cru). Kidbox provides more affordable options that hit more on trends, like high-lo dresses, jean jackets, and leggings.
Need diapers? Check out our article on diaper subscription companies.
12. Bouncer
Rounding out the top baby products for 2019 is one of the most important: the Fischer-Price Deluxe bouncer. It was a gift we didn’t ask for, but the moment we put our colicky daughter in it and she fell asleep within minutes, we knew it was the most important piece of furniture we owned. Most bouncers come with multiple settings to help soothe and relax a crying baby – from vibrations to relaxing lullabies to rocking motions. The Fisher-Price model comes under $30, while higher-end bouncers, like Bjorn, are closer to $200. Bjorns product is more ergonomic, and provide a safer seat for the baby.