The Most Essential Baby Products No New Parent Should Live Without

Have you been invited to a whole bunch of baby showers this season? Or maybe you're expecting a new baby yourself (congrats!). Having a new baby can be a pretty daunting experience. The rules about what to do and what not to do are always changing, and you're never quite sure if you're doing things right.

This list of essential baby products will make shopping for yourself or the new parents in your life way easier. Keep reading to discover a few products that make perfect gifts (or gifts for yourself).

Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush And Teether

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Ok, this is the cutest toothbrush I've ever seen. This banana training toothbrush is made out of a soft, flexible material so it's safe for your baby's delicate gums. It's also freezer and dishwasher safe, which means that it's perfect for teething.

Help your kids develop good oral hygiene habits early. It also comes in blue (but I don't know why you'd want a blue banana when you could have a yellow one) and in "corn cob" (which is exactly what it sounds like).

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Transparent Table Edge Furniture Guard

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These transparent bumper strips are essential for parents of young children. They're especially useful when your kids are first learning to crawl and walk.

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Some products that protect your kids from bumped heads can be pretty unsightly, but these bumper strips are clear and barely noticeable. They also come with double-sided mounting tape. One twenty foot roll will only cost you around $15. When you're a parent, taking preventative measures is key.

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Moby Bath Tear-Free Waterfall Rinser Bath Cup

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I know so many parents who swear by this bath cup. I can still remember how it felt to get water in my eyes as a kid when my mom would try to get shampoo out of my hair with a regular old container.

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I needed Moby. We all need Moby. Why did it take so long for this thing to be invented? Generations of kids could have been spared the trauma of soapy eyes.

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Bodacious Bambino Mustache Pacifier 2-Pack

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No more waiting for your baby to grow hair! These mustache pacifiers are masculine, yet elegant. Also, they come with super stylish pacifier clips. Your baby has never looked so dapper in all of his or her short time on this planet.

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Yes, mustache pacifiers are for girls too. We don't discriminate. Mustaches are for everybody. This two-pack is an absolute steal as far as I'm concerned and perfect for any occasion.

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Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack

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Bottles are full of little parts that just get lost in normal drying racks. Plus toddler cutlery is so tiny and you have to wash it so often. This drying rack is a great catch-all for all the bits and bobs involved in keeping your kids well fed.

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Plus it looks like grass, which is a nice bonus. It's pretty cheap and it's PVC, BPA, and Phthalate free. I need this in my kitchen now.

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Diaper Bag Multi-Function Waterproof Travel Backpack

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Diaper bags are usually more functional than they are fashionable. This diaper bag is so nice that you could even use it as a regular backpack after your kid grows out of diapers. It comes in four different colors, but I think I like this grey one best.

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This bag is durable, waterproof, and it has insulated pockets to keep liquids warm. What more could you ask for in a diaper bag?

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SOAIY Rotation Sleep Soothing Color Changing Aurora Night Projector with Built-In Speaker

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I'm not gonna lie, I kind of want one of these for my room. You know what, any product that helps a baby sleep is going to help a mom sleep, and goodness knows that moms need sleep.

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This magnificent orb projects mesmerizing colors onto your ceiling or walls and it plays calming, relaxing music. I've never seen the Aurora Borealis lights in real life, but I feel like this might be the next best thing.

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Boon Building Bath Pipes Toy Set

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These bath pipes actually look like so much fun. You can link the pipes together into a chain and watch the water fall through them, and by "you can," I mean, your kid can. But you can too. Fun doesn't really have an age limit.

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Rubber duckies are so 1965. Bath pipes are the bath toys of the future. Also, they'll keep your kids calm while you wash them, which is of the utmost importance.

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Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer

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When I was a kid, wipe warmers definitely weren't a thing. Is this a thing now? We warm the wipes before we use them? Babies today have it way better than we did.

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I guess it makes sense, but maybe this is a luxury I'd like to get as a gift. We never considered how cold a wet wipe would be for a baby's bottom, but now we don't have to worry about that.

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Baby Brezza Formula Pro

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This formula machine looks like a high-end cappuccino maker. If you're going to feed your baby, you might as well look cool while doing it. This machine mixes, measures, and heats everything for you, for a mess-free, fuss-free situation.

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If you're going to bottle feed, this is the way to do it. This machine does it all, so if you're a new mom, you should definitely treat yourself. You deserve it.

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Baby Nasal Aspirator NoseFrida the Snotsucker

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Welcome to parenting! That wonderful, magical stage of life that sometimes involves sucking snot out of someone else's nose. With your mouth. Ok, with your mouth and a tool that makes sure none of the snot actually gets into your mouth.

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This Nasal Aspirator is dishwasher safe (which is key) and it's pretty affordable. This gift is a great way to induct a new mom into the parents' club where you do anything you can for your child.

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Reversible 100% Natural Cotton Muslin 3 Piece Teething Bib

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First of all, these bibs are so freaking stylish. Do you want your baby to look like they crawled right out of a Restoration Hardware catalog? Because these are so twee I can't even handle it.

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These bibs have a little silicone point at the end for your baby to teethe on. The cloth part of the bib will mop up any drool (because I promise you, there will be drool).

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Buff Baby Dumbbell Rattle

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Ok, hold up, I need to get out my wallet so I can order this for literally every baby I know. We all want our kids to grow up to be big and strong, but now they can look big and strong in your Instagram pictures with this dumbbell rattle, and they don't even have to hit the gym or eat broccoli.

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This is a great gag gift for your fitness-obsessed friend who just had a baby.

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Blooming Bath Lotus

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There's more than one way to give your baby a bath. You have to figure out what works for you. Some like the tub approach, and others like the sink. I'll tell you one thing for sure, the sink is way easier on your back.

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This petal design folds to fit into any sink to keep your baby comfy and happy. You can get this Blooming Bath Lotus in a variety of colors too.

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Best Baby Carrier By CuddleBug

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These baby wraps come in a variety of different colors, so you'll be able to find one for every new mom in your life. These things are honestly a life saver. They let you carry your baby around while having your hands free (and lord knows new moms need every bit of freedom they can get).

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You can adjust it so it fits your kid at any size, and it looks pretty stylish (or as stylish as a baby wrap can look).

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Sleep Sheep White Noise Machine

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If this machine helps my baby fall asleep faster, you can literally take all my money. Sleep is priceless. Luckily, this adorable sheep white noise machine won't cost you an arm and a leg.

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Also, it's adorable. All white noise machines should look like fluffy barnyard animals. Sleep Sheep has four soothing sound options and it has two different sleep timer options with auto shut-off. It can even be machine washed and dried, just as long as you remove the soundbox beforehand.

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QuickZip Crib Sheet Set

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Hold the phone, are you telling me that I don't have to struggle to get sheets on and off my crib mattress anymore? This is revolutionary. With the QuickZip Crib Sheet, you can just zip on and off the top layer of the sheet for easy washing. No more fussing with annoying elastic corners.

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Now that I think about it, those elastic corners could be pretty dangerous. This seems like a way safer option.

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ZoLi BUZZ B Electric Nail Trimmer

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Look me in the eyes and tell me that trimming your child's tiny nails isn't the scariest thing you've ever done in your life. Yeah, childbirth was hard, but have you ever taken a sharp blade to the smallest fingernails known to mankind?

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The ZoLi BUZZ B Electric Nail Trimmer is a soft, vibrating nail file makes trimming your baby's nails so much less stressful. Who knew that tiny fingernails could cause so much trouble?

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Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup

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You want your kids to learn to feed themselves, but you also want them to not spill their drink all over your entire house. It's a delicate balance.

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That's where these training cups come in. The spoutless design is dentist recommended, and the cup automatically seals shut as soon as your kid stops drinking. I think I need these for me. I've been known to spill a drink or two every now and then...

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Munchkin Bath Crayons Set

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Bath crayons definitely didn't exist when I was a kid. What a concept. You draw on the bathtub tile while you're bathing? And then it just washes off?

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These are the perfect size for little hands and they make bath time so much less stressful. You need to distract your kids so they don't scream and freak out while you're trying to make them clean. It's a process, but it's all part of the job.

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Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowl

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If you have a toddler, you need these suction bowls in your life. How many times has your kid picked up a bowl of food and tossed it across the room? These bowls use suction to stick to your kid's high chair tray to stop messes before they happen.

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They also have quick release tabs on each suction base, so you don't have to struggle to get them off of your high chair.

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Hedgehog Halo Sleepsack

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How does your baby feel about being swaddled? Do they love it? Do they hate it? Do they like to have one arm out? Babies can be so particular. It's pretty weird considering they've been alive for like a minute.

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This is a 3-way adjustable swaddle, so it can be whatever your baby needs it to be. It's used by hospitals nationwide, and it has hedgehogs on it, so that's a plus.

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Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Frozen Pop Tray

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This product is perfect for babies who are teething and in need of some quick and tasty relief. Yeah, it's a little bit messy, but it's better than listening to your kid cry about their new teeth coming in all the time. Also, you can totally use the Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Frozen Pop Tray to make your own popsicles if you want. Adults like frozen puree too.

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Comedian Chelsea Peretti actually recommended this product on Instagram the other day, so if she likes it, it must be cool.

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Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling 'n Seat Tub

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If you like to bathe your kids in an actual bathtub (as opposed to a sink) you need this all in one Sling 'n Seat bathing system from Fisher-Price.

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It's adjustable so you can use it for newborns and for babies who are over nine months old. Sometimes you just need a product that's easy, practical, and reliable. It has a hook for easy drying and storage, so it's pretty much the most convenient baby bath ever.

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Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier

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Those hippy dippy baby wraps aren't for everybody. Yeah, they grow with your baby and they're pretty flexible, but sometimes you need something sturdy and secure. Also, something that you don't have to figure out how to wrap.

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This Infantino Convertible Carrier is fairly cheap, which is pretty great considering that most products like this cost a fortune. I love the sleek grey color, and those straps look pretty darn comfortable.

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Animated Flappy The Elephant Plush Toy

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This animated plush toy plays peek-a-boo and sings "Do Your Ears Hang Low." When I was a kid, plush toys basically just sat there and did nothing.

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I think this is a step in the right direction. I feel like this would make a really cute gift for anyone who's recently had a baby. Also, it's a neutral color and it would look great in any nursery. I kind of want one.

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Rattle and Roll Toy Car

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Alright, I'm not usually one to advocate for noisy toys. In fact, I usually hate noisy toys. Why would you buy your kids anything that would make them louder than they already are? This Rattle and Roll toy car makes a bit of noise, but it also keeps my kid occupied for hours. I think that's a pretty good trade-off.

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I got this as a gift after my son was born, and now that he's old enough to play with it, he absolutely loves it. These toys are super cheap, but they're also super fun.

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Infantino Textured Multi Ball Set

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Babies are basically just brand new humans. They have a lot of sights, smells, sounds, and textures to take in. These Textured Multi Balls from Infantino will help them discover the world around them. They're easy to grab and they'll help your baby develop their tactile senses.

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They're basically stress balls for babies, because being a new human can be pretty stressful. We all want our kids to chill out more. Chill babies are the best babies.

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Munchkin Soft-Tip Infant Spoon

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These Soft-Tip Infant Spoons are almost as stylish as they are practical. They have soft tips that are gentle on your baby's delicate gums. They're also BPA and Phthalate free, and they're dishwasher safe.

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I love that these come in six different colors, and they're only like seven dollars per pack. My kids would absolutely love these, even though they're not babies and they can eat with normal metal spoons.

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Silicone Dino Placemats

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These super fun silicone placemats are dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and oven safe. The cool dinosaur shapes will entice even the pickiest of eaters. Also, the placemats fit into large ziplock bags so you take your kids unfinished food with you on the go.

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The dinosaur mats come in green and blue, and you can also get pink mermaid-shaped silicone placemats. These sell for a reasonable price and they pretty much last forever.