When you’ve got a newborn, you’re doing it all. We’re talking: dealing with sniffly noses and gassy bellies, scrubbing bottles and wiping tushies, pumping milk and/or mixing formula. And of course, constantly worrying about your baby’s health, safety and the freshness of their milk and formula.
Let us tell you, we’ve been there! So, to make life with a newborn a whole lot easier — and a heck of a lot less stressful — we’ve put together a list of our must-have newborn accessories you need to know about in 2024. Keep reading for our favorite devices, solutions, and contraptions working to solve the pain points of parenting so you can get back to loving on your little one as much as possible!
Pick #7: Swaddling Solutions
New parents know better than anyone the pure joy of a soundly (and safely) sleeping baby. Swaddling can be a really effective way to emulate the womb and help newborns feel nice and soothed. Our favorite is the Happiest Baby Sleepea 5-Second Baby Swaddle. It was created by world-famous pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, so it's designed with safety top of mind. It opens from the top and the bottom with a convenient two way zipper for super easy diaper changes. It also has special inner arm bands and a leg flap to keep your baby snuggly all night long. Since babies that can roll should not have their arms swaddled, this one has snaps at the shoulders that allow you to leave one or both arms out so they can safely push themselves up. Not to mention it's made of 100% organic cotton with a breathable mesh. And it’s machine washable. Plus, the patterns couldn't be cuter! Strawberries, watermelons, planets and pine trees are just a few of the options. Always talk to your pediatrician before you buy, but we’d use it ourselves if we could!
Pick #6: The Best Bath Ever
If you’ve got a squirmy little thing, bath time can be a big challenge. Keep your kiddo fully supported with Skip Hop’s MOBY® Smart Sling™ 3-Stage Tub. It’s shaped like an adorable little whale so it looks cute and is available in gray, blue, and white to suit your style. But the best part is that it grows with your child in 3 stages. It’s got a mesh sling for infant full body support with two ergonomic positions: “upper” for full body cradling of newborns or “lower” to support infants working on their sitting skills. Or take the sling out for babies that have got sitting nailed. Plus, it’s got a non-slip interior texture, drain plug, and a swivel hook to hang up for quick drying when bath time is over. And if you can’t get enough of the cuteness, Skip Hop has a bunch more whale-themed baby accessories like bath rinsers, visors, and toy organizers too!
Pick #5: Unstick Snot
We’re all about keeping it real. One company that does this better than almost anyone is Fridababy. They take your newborn’s bodily functions like passing gas and stuck snot and create game-changing solutions that make your little one more comfortable. Which we all know means you’ll be feeling more at ease too. We recommend NoseFrida the OG Snotsucker. It’s a nasal aspirator that helps you quite literally suck the snot out that is keeping your baby from breathing properly. This one is BPA and phthalate-free, plus it’s safe for all ages. It has disposable filters that must be replaced after every use that prevent the transfer of mucus and bacteria when clearing noses. Thankfully, the blue tube, red mouthpiece, and filter cap are top-rack dishwasher safe.
Pick #4: Leave Gas in the Past
Now that you know about the snotsucker, we’ve got another winner for you. Fridababy’s Windi the Gas Passer is a gas and colic relief method invented by a pediatric gastroenterologist. They’re tiny disposable BPA and latex free contraptions that help you safely release your baby's gas — luckily no sucking required! It’s natural, so you can avoid medication such as drops or ingestibles. Plus, they have a stopper to keep the device from being inserted too far. It can go only just past the muscle that traps the gas to stimulate the sphincter and release the air. Then, voila you’ve just made your baby a whole lot more comfy!
Pick #3: Pump Anytime, Anywhere
We know you’re busy. And any breastfeeding mom, especially those facing breastfeeding issues, needs all the help they can get! That’s where wearable breast pumps come in. Sometimes you want the comfort of something lowkey that lets you move and just be you. Or otherwise the ability to pump anywhere, anytime with your preferred level of discretion. For working moms, these things let you take zoom meetings no problem! Or if you’re busy wrangling other kiddos, you can do it, cook, and pump all at the same time. There are so many options available to suit whatever works for you, your price range, and what fits you best — literally. For the quietest option, the Elvie Pump is a nice choice. For hospital-grade power that is just slightly less discreet Elvie Stride is for you. And If you want something that lets you lay flat or do yoga while pumping, consider the Willow 3.0 instead. It has a lower capacity but if 360° degree movement is a priority it's a must have.
Pick #2: Cleaning Genie
If you can’t stand the idea of cleaning another bottle... First of all, we totally feel you. But since it’s an absolute must-do, you’ll need something to take over the task. That's why the Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro does it all, so you don't have to. It’s a 3-in-1 washer, sterilizer, and drier that tackles about 4 bottles, pump parts, sippy cups and other breastfeeding accessories. It can fit most bottles, but be sure to check that your favorite bottle fits. Plus, you can choose from 6 different modes: (Wash-Sterilize-Dry, Wash-Dry, Wash Only, Sterilize-Dry, Sterilize Only, or Dry Only). It even uses a HEPA filter to make sure that the hot air drying everything is totally clean. Not to mention, the stuff you put inside stays sanitized for up to 24 hours after the cycle is over as long as you don't open the lid. A downside for some is that you have to use Baby Brezza’s detergent tablets but it's well worth it if you ask us! Oh yeah, and the device brags that it uses 50% less water than hand washing so it’s even eco-friendly!
Pick #1: Bottle-Feeding Bliss
We may be biased, but our top pick of the bunch is the Veba Baby Smart Baby Bottle Monitor for breastmilk and formula freshness tracking! It’s a total gem for any bottle-feeding parent. But if you or your partner has breastfeeding issues, such as underproducing, it’s a total life-saver when you desperately need a tool that can help you not only track milk intake but make sure that not a drop of that liquid gold goes to waste! Not to mention, help you ensure your baby is getting the freshest milk possible. That’s why Veba Baby was invented, a smart milk monitor that works in combination with an easy-to-use app. It slides right onto practically any bottle to turn it into your personal feeding assistant. From logging feedings to milk tracking and expiration reminders, it does it all. It even monitors the bottle’s ambient temperature so it knows if it's in the fridge or was left in a hot car and automatically adjusts expiration time. All alerts are delivered right to your phone. Plus, it has a find my bottle function. With all these features, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re feeding your baby right and you’ll never waste your precious milk or expensive formula again. Trust us, you’re going to love it!
At Veba Baby, our mission is to empower parents with the resources they need to make life safer, healthier, and more comfortable for their babies. We hope this list of our must-have baby accessories helps you find the perfect tools to help you be the best parent you can be! For more tips, stay tuned to our blog, The Sip! Here you’ll find the latest info on breastfeeding, parenting, and so much more. Until then, keep it fresh!