Best baby products

It seemed unlikely that anyone could improve upon the extraordinarily adaptable original UPPAbaby Vista, but the Vista 2 somehow managed it, with the same ability to carry up to three children with add-on accesssories. It comes with an included lie-flat bassinet as well as a toddler seat to handle your child's transpo needs from birth right through preschool. The bassinet clicks in and out of the stroller so you can carry your sleeping baby around the house without waking them after a walk, and you can even use the carrycot (in UPPAbaby's parlance) as a full-time safe sleeping spot with UPPAbaby's bassinet stand (sold separately). Parents appreciate the extra-large storage basket, that the Vista stands when folded, and the other V2 upgrades: a roomier toddler seat, a redesigned sun canopy, and a no-rethread harness.

At less than 15 pounds, the Graco NimbleLite is a lightweight stroller that has all the features of a full-size stroller, including parent and child trays with cup holders, one-step folding, a large storage basket, and a full sun canopy. A huge advantage of this stroller is that it can be used as a travel system with all Graco infant car seats. That means you'll likely be able to use it from birth until your child is in preschool.

The Joovy Caboose is lightweight, compact, maneuverable, and relatively inexpensive. It's designed for a baby and older sibling, with room for an infant car seat in the front and a rear seat and platform in the back so toddlers and older kids can sit or stand. The rear seat is a bench seat that faces back toward you, but you can buy a full, forward-facing second seat as an add-on if you prefer. We love that the Joovy comes with a reclining front seat and a built-in snack tray. Plus, the front seat has a universal car seat adapter, so it will hold almost any infant car seat.

The Chicco KeyFit 30 has head and body support to accommodate newborns as small as 4 pounds, and is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved impact protection. It can be used with or without its stay-in-car base, making it useful if you're taking a different car. The base is very easy to install securely, with leveling bubbles that let you see when things aren't quite right.

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 may be the only car seat you'll ever need. It has a lifespan of an impressive 10 years, and your child can use the DLX from birth all the way to the big-kid stage. It transforms from a rear-facing and front-facing car seat with a harness to a high-back booster and finally a backless booster for big kids. The seat also includes important safety and parent-friendly features, including an easy-to-adjust harness system, 10-position headrest, six-position recline, and a removable, machine-washable cover for easy cleaning.

The Graco Tranzitions booster is actually three seats in one, making it ideal to grow with your child. It converts from a car seat with a five-point harness to a high-back booster to a backless booster, and can be used for kids up to 100 pounds. Many parents appreciate the seat's light weight and narrow design, which is helpful for fitting three car seats in the back of cars with limited space.

The Graco Pack 'n Play Travel Dome LX Playard is a feature-packed play yard that your child can use from infancy through toddlerhood. The changing station allows for quick diaper changes, and the portable bassinet (also called a "travel dome") folds compactly and has a carry bag so you can bring it wherever you go. Remove the portable bassinet and changing pad to reveal a full-size bassinet, or a sleep and play space for children weighing up to 30 pounds. Like all Graco Pack 'n Plays, this one folds easily with the push of a button. It has a built-in storage organizer for baby essentials, too.

The versatile JuJuBe B.F.F. Diaper Bag does so much to make life easier. You can use it as a messenger bag or a backpack. It has Teflon-coated material that repels dirt and stains, and it's machine washable. It has plenty of compartments to hold everything you and your baby need, including two exterior insulated bottle pockets to keep milk cool or warm. And for your baby's comfort, there's a memory foam pad for diaper changes on the go.

The Ergobaby 360 has major parent-friendly features, including the ability to carry your baby ergonomically in all four positions: front facing out, front facing in, hip carry, or on the back. Moms love that they can breastfeed easily while their baby is in the Ergo, thanks in part to the baby hood that provides privacy and sun protection. Every caregiver will appreciate the padded waistband and shoulder straps, which distribute your child's weight evenly to help you avoid aches and pains, even when you're toting a 4-year-old. Another major bonus of this carrier? It's machine washable!

Made of 95 percent cotton and 5 percent spandex, the Boba is incredibly comfortable and lightweight, with just enough stretch to securely hug your baby close to you. It's endlessly adjustable and fits babies and parents of all sizes. Boba offers a library of videos, step-by-step tutorials, and even an education team to help make baby wearing easier. You can buy the Boba in several different patterns and colors, and it's machine-washable.

Philips Avent Natural bottles are wide, with flexible nipples that feel like a breast and may appeal more to babies who are breast- and bottle-fed. The bottles also have a specialized valve located in the nipple that vents air to help prevent colic. Parents like that these inexpensive bottles are simple to use and easy to clean, with only three parts to deal with (four if you count the cap). The nipples come in various flow rates that are easy to figure out based on your baby's age. And if you don't like plastic bottles, these come in glass as well.

The Boppy Original Nursing Pillow is a versatile pillow that will come in handy throughout your baby's first year. It wraps easily around your waist and lifts your baby to a more comfortable position while you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding. You can also use it on the floor to prop up your baby, to support your baby during tummy time, and later to cushion your baby as she gets the hang of sitting up.

The Haakaa is a favorite among moms and lactation consultants alike because it's easy and effective. It uses simple suction to express milk, so you don't need to pump it – just attach it to your breast, squeeze once or twice, and milk starts dribbling out. While breastfeeding on one side, many moms like to attach the Haakaa to their other breast to catch milk letdown that would otherwise go to waste. The Haakaa is made of a food-grade silicone that's safe for moms and babies. Since it's just one piece, it's a snap to clean: Just put the Haakaa in boiling water for two to three minutes.

Moms love Spectra pumps because they're portable, they're very quiet and lightweight, and they offer exceptional technology. The Spectra S1Plus has a plug and a rechargeable battery, which is helpful if you don't always have an outlet nearby when pumping. It's a closed system, which is more hygienic because the tubing stays dry and doesn't need to be cleaned. The Spectra closely mimics the experience of breastfeeding, with a massage mode that simulates a baby's natural sucking and adjustable suction levels to create a natural flow of milk. Moms also love the nightlight on this pump for late-night pumping sessions that won't wake your baby or your partner.

Similac is a trusted brand that offers standard formula, formula for sensitive tummies, formula for babies needing specialized nutrition, and organic and non-GMO options. The Similac website can help you narrow your choices with a helpful Formula Finder tool. Similac formulas contain no artificial growth hormones. Parents especially like the brand's Pro-Advance and Pro-Sensitive varieties. And you can get savings and other benefits by joining Similac's StrongMoms rewards program.

Pampers Swaddlers have plenty of thoughtful features, including a cut-out for your baby's healing umbilical cord stump and a soft, quilted liner that pulls wetness away from your baby's tender skin. The color-changing indicator lets you know when your little one needs a diaper change. Swaddlers provide up to 12 hours of overnight protection – which means fewer middle-of-the-night diaper changes.

The Playtex Diaper Genie Complete diaper pail has an odor-lock system with double air-tight clamps to seal in the toughest odors. The fully assembled unit has a convenient foot pedal, so you won't need to handle it until it's ready to empty, which might take a while: It holds up to 270 diapers.

The Nanit Plus is a smart camera system that watches over your baby from a bird's-eye view and delivers real-time encrypted video in HD to your smartphone or tablet. The accompanying app, called Insight, offers two-way audio so you can chat with your baby or soothe him with your voice. The camera unit is portable so you (or another caregiver) can bring it to whichever room your baby is in. The impressive app provides sleep metrics, highlight reels of your baby's previous night's sleep, and even personalized sleep coaching from experts.

Unlike most swings, the 4moms mamaRoo4 doesn't swing back and forth or side to side but instead mimics the motions of a swaying parent. You can choose from five unique motions and speeds including "car ride," "kangaroo," and "rockabye." There are four sounds, or you can play your own music using the bluetooth feature. The seat reclines to almost any position – even a full recline. The swing comes with attachable toys, and its seat cover is removable and washable so you won't have to worry too much about blowouts or spit-up.

Editor's Note: In August 2022, 4moms recalled more than 2 million MamaRoo baby swings due to an entanglement and strangulation hazard, which impacted MamaRoo model numbers 4M-005, 1026 and 1037. All other models, including model 1046 that launched in July 2022, are not impacted by this hazard and deemed safe for use.

The snazzy Fisher-Price Infant-To-Toddler Rocker has a lot to offer, including a removable toy bar. Parents love that it rocks with your baby's movements and has a vibration mode to help babies relax. You can adjust the reclining position and use the fold-out kickstand to make this a stationary seat. When your child outgrows the infant rocker, this transforms to a toddler seat. And it weighs just 7 pounds, so it's easy to move from room to room.

Editor's note: While the Infant-to-Toddler Rocker is a good place for your baby to rest, it should never be used for sleep. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Fisher-Price issued a warning about sleeping in this seat in 2022 after 13 infants died from 2009 to 2021. 

The Nook Pebble Air is designed to allow maximum airflow to your baby for safer and better sleep. The core is made of CertiPUR-US foam, which meets the highest standards for air quality and is made without toxic flame retardants, formaldehyde, or heavy metals. The mattress is also GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It weighs only 7 pounds, so it's easy to handle. And it's dual-sided – one side is ultra-firm for infants and the other is slightly softer for toddlers. Plus, the Air has a natural water-resistance so liquid can't absorb into the mattress cover.

The stylish Babyletto Hudson is an eco-friendly convertible crib that transforms from a crib to a toddler bed to a daybed, so you can use it for years. Made of sustainable New Zealand pine, it has an appealingly modern design and comes in several color options. It also coordinates with the Hudson dresser, bookcase, and nightstand if you like a cohesive look. This crib is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning it's been tested for more than 10,000 chemicals and passes stringent standards.

The Halo BassiNest 3,0 adjusts to almost any bed height, and swivels and rotates 360 degrees to give you easy access to your newborn. You can lower one side of this stylish cradle when it's time to attend to your baby's needs, and lift off the "basket" from the base to take it anywhere in your house for safe sleep. The mattress is waterproof and comes with a fitted sheet. The BassiNest also has nightlights, plays four soothing sounds, and has two levels of vibration to comfort your baby.

The Graco Changing Table is a classic, and it checks all the boxes. It has simple, clean lines that coordinate well with many cribs. Safety features include an extra-deep table with a railing and a water-resistant changing pad with safety straps. Two open shelves give you extra storage space for diapers, wipes, blankets, toys, and other supplies. It's easy to assemble and reasonably priced, too.

The Adrian glider is sleek and modern-looking, glides forward and back, and swivels 360 degrees so you can feed and snuggle your baby with ease. Parents say it's very comfortable for both shorter and taller moms and dads. The performance linen fabric is pretty and practical (it's water-resistant and stain-repellent.) And the chair and ottoman are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning they've been tested for more than 10,000 chemicals and are low-emitting.

The Siesta is a good-looking, modern highchair that can be used from birth through the toddler years. The seat reclines in five positions, including flat, so you can use it to hold even the youngest babies. There are also nine height positions, so when it's time to eat, you have options. Use the highchair tray or remove it and slide the chair up to your family's dinner table. The Siesta folds up compactly, which is nice if you're short on kitchen space.

The easy to use Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling 'n Seat Tub has four setups for different stages of your child's development. The soft mesh sling is perfect for newborns, and it comes off when your older baby or toddler is ready to splash around. To clean the tub, simply rinse and drain it, and hang it up by its hook to dry. This tub comes with a squeeze bottle and cute, whale-shaped scoop to make bath time more fun.

The sleek Summer Infant My Size Potty looks and feels just like a grown-up toilet for your potty training toddler. It includes a handle with a flush sound, and the flip-up lid helps boys learn how to go standing up. The removable bowl and clip-on splash guard make clean up really easy, and a built-in wipe dispenser promotes good hygiene.