It seems like every other day, there's a new innovation and opinion in the world of babies and parenting. How long moms should be breastfeeding for, how soon is it safe to feed real food, what age can babies start sitting front-facing in a car … the list goes on. The fact of the matter is that each and every one of us were brought up just fine without any of the new and improved gear, medicines, breast pumps, and other gadgets of today's world. Even still, as parents, we want to be up to date on the latest and greatest and use the the best of the best for our own kiddos. That's just the way it is. As parents, we want the absolute best for our babies. And so, the market is continuously there for innovative products, no matter how expensive, especially with the growing digital technology capabilities.
Among the multitude of recalls in medications and products, it's important to stay aware and educated on what is out there in the market. And then, there are a lot of smaller companies (think people who wish they could get on Shark Tank), that have produced some really great products, but are still under the radar.
Those are the companies that often have some of the coolest inventions. Why? Because they're made by moms, for moms — or rather, by parents, for parents. Many of the products we have listed are just that kind — and we're happy to support them. From plain and simple "why didn't I think of that?" to much more tech-based, the list below includes 20 innovations for babies and their parents that shouldn't be missed. If some of the vocab seems strange, don't fret. A parent's vocabulary expands after having a baby.
Nuna COVE Aire
Keep them babies close and safe in Nuna's travel cot that doubles as a bedside crib. As baby grows, so does COVE Aire with a customizable reclined napper, bassinet, and playspace.
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Nuna COVE Aire ($450, Nordstrom)__
Baby Says
A new must-have baby shoe that's the perfect gift for baby showers. Baby Says sneakers and moccasins come in a variety of colors and in four sizes for non-walking babies. One white liquid chalk marker included in every Baby Says Chalkboard shoe box.
Baby Says ($30, Baby Says)
Haakaa Breast Pump
Now in its third generation, the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump allows moms to express directly into a detachable silicone bottle. With a quick twist of the top, swap out flanges for any of Haakaa's interchangeable attachments.
Haakaa Generation 3 Silicone Breast Pump ($30, Haakaa USA)
Motif Medical Luna Breast Pump
Motif Medical is about to launch its new Luna breast pump — sophisticated, subtle, and compact, the Luna Double Electric Breast Pump fits a modern aesthetic. Sleek on the outside and high-powered on the inside, the Luna pumps more milk in less time and is easy to use, with a quiet motor that won’t wake baby.
Luna Breast Pump ($259/insurance eligible, Motif Medical)
Busy Baby Mat
The Busy Baby Mat is the first ever placemat to keep baby’s toys in place. It’s a 100% food-grade silicone placemat the suctions to the table and allows one to attach baby’s toys to the mat. Now, when baby drops or throws things, they stay within arms’s reach!
Busy Baby Mat ($25, Busy Baby)
The Stair Barrier
The Stair Barrier fills a void in the market by delivering gates that do not require two flat surfaces for installation. Stair Barriers’ unique buckle system attaches to banisters of all shapes and sizes without drilling and its fabric construction enables it to install on an angle. For 2019, The Stair Barrier introduces 14 new fabrics that raise the bar for baby and pet-proofing stylishly.
The Stair Barrier (from $155, The Stair Barrier)
Baby Delight Go With Me Sway Portable Infant Rocker
The Go With Me Sway Portable Infant Rocker was designed with function and fashion in mind. The Sway, quite unlike anything else on the market, creates a cozy and comfortable space for infants to sleep and play. The rocker also folds up to be extremely portable. In just a few seconds the rocker can go from folded in its carry bag, to fully assembled and ready to cradle the baby. And vise versa.
Go With Me Sway Portable Infant Rocker ($90, Baby Delight)
Soojin Hipster Plus Baby Carrier
With up to nine carry positions, the Hipster Plus 3D Baby Carrier is an extremely versatile carrier. Ergonomic for baby’s hips, the special three-dimensional hip seat is designed to absorb the weight of the baby so it’s also super comfortable for mom or dad.
Soojin Hipster Plus Baby Carrier ($170, Soojin)
SAFI Baby Travel Mat
The SAFI (which means clean in Swahili) Baby Mat was created to help parents avoid contact with dirty changing tables. The vegan mat provides a clean, safe surface to do an otherwise dirty job. Water-resistant and added silver ion technology protects against mold, mildew, and bacteria.
SAFI Baby Mat ($40, Stina & Mae)
Newborn Organic Essential Birth Kit Bundle
This multi-pack is made to be a go-to kit for baby care right when moms return home from the hospital. The bundle includes: newborn-sized diapers, a pack of baby wipes, a pack of travel wipes, organic diaper cream, organic baby powder, organic baby lotion, organic baby shampoo, and organic body wash.
Newborn Organic Essential Birth Kit Bundle ($50, Made Of)
Hatch Baby
Hatch Baby features a smart night light, soothing sound machine, and helpful Time-to-Rise setting. It provides a stress-free solution for parents looking to create healthy bedtime routines for their kids. Also, Hatch Baby Rest grows with the family's needs — first providing soft light for middle of the night diaper changes and nursing sessions, then providing the comfort of a nightlight for toddlers, and finally alerting the child when it is time to get out of bed in the morning.
Hatch Baby ($60, Amazon)
The Vianetic Diaper Bag
The MacGyver of diaper bags is the Vianetic 5-in-1 Backpack. There's padded laptop storage, a thermal insert big enough to store a couple of baby bottles, an external USB phone charger, and a wet/dry compartment on the bottom for stashing soggy clothes. In addition, parents can hang the bag on the back of their car’s front seat and roll out a detachable changing mat onto the backseat, for fast and easy diaper changing on-the-go.
Vianetic 5-in-1 Backpack ($200, Vianetic)
Zarbee's Naturals
Zarbee’s Naturals offers a complete range of products made with wholesome, handpicked ingredients parents can trust and without drugs, dyes, or artificial flavors — so mom can be ready for anything. Recent additions include daily probiotic drops, daily bottom balm, soothing face balm and gum massage gel.
Zarbee's (Prices vary, Amazon)
Frida Baby Products
The hardest thing for a parent is not being able to help when the little one is feeling under the weather. With the help of Frida Baby brand (remember the snot sucker?), there are a few items that can do the trick. Try BreatheFrida Vapor Bath Bombs, FeverFrida Cool Pads, and the 3-in-1 Humidifier.
Frida Baby Products (Prices vary, Frida)
Nanobebe
Pump, store, warm, and feed — all with the innovative Nanobebe. It's the first bottle designed to preserve nutrients, unlike traditional bottles. It heats up to a safe, even temperature in half the time — in its special warming bowl.
Nanobebe Starter Set ($50, BuyBuyBaby)
Humble-Bee Nurse Sling
Humble-Bee, the brand that brought us lightweight, versatile and durable diaper bags has its Nurse-sling. Unlike big, bulky nursing pillows that sit on the lap, the nursing sling is the ergonomic pillow with an adjustable shoulder strap that allows moms to sit or stand upright and breastfeed without having to hunch over.
Humble Bee Nurse Sling ($39, BuyBuyBaby)
LectroFan Kinder
This plug-in sound and light machine is designed to create a soothing environment for newborns. It features 75 white noise options and a nightlight for a sleep-inducing environment. For parents, it connects via smartphone app so they can control sounds, volume, light color, and brightness.
LectroFan Kinder ($50, Sound of Sleep)
Evenflo Pivot Xpand
This smart modular travel system is a top safety pick. The Pivot Xpand can be configured 22 ways for seating at optimal heights and angles for infants and children weighing up to 55 pounds. It transforms from a single to double stroller in seconds. This model includes a three-position reclining toddler seat and a Secure Max Smart Infant Car Seat.
Evenflo Pivot Xpand ($500, Evenflo)
Chicco GoFit Plus Booster Car Seat
The GoFit Plus is equipped with latch to keep the seat stable as children get in and out, and its quick-release design with built-in carry handle allows for one-handed removal and simple on-the-go convenience.
GoFit Plus ($50, Chicco)
Maxi-Cosi's Mico Max Plus
The Mico Max Plus is a new upgrade to Maxi-Cosi’s original infant car seat and is suitable for babies from 4-30 pounds (up to 32 inches tall), and includes infant cushion inserts to ensure a proper, safe fit for even the smallest babies. The Mico Max Plus also achieves the highest level of safety, including redesigned the car seat base with an anti-rotation stability leg for maximum head and neck protection and patented Air Protect technology provides superior side impact protection around the head and extends down the sides.
Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus ($300, Target)
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
