A baby with blue eyes peeking out from under a purple blanket, lying on a colorful bedspread.

Cool Baby Stuff That's Surprisingly Useful

Parents share their top picks for cool baby stuff that is both clever and useful!

Check out cool baby gadgets, unique products and other essentials to add to your baby must haves. Our list is filled with unique and innovative picks that will make the first phase of parenthood a little easier, cleaner, or more fun! These would make really cool baby gifts or perfect additions to your baby registry.

What cool stuff for babies have you discovered? Add your fun picks to the list!


 
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    Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller

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    Joseph Kelley said:  An infant car seat and stroller in one! The integrated wheels flip down and the handle extends to convert into a stroller. With a weight of about 16 pounds, it weighs about the same as just a stroller.

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    Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome

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    Nancy L. said:  Fisher-Price's On-The-Go Baby Dome is easier to carry around than a pack and play. It is lightweight, folds flat, and can be used for play and sleep indoors or out. The dome closes completely to keep out bugs while outdoors and the breathable mesh fabric makes the space safe and comfortable for baby. It has a UPF20 canopy for sun protection and comes with two removable toys.

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    Mac Sports Folding Wagon

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    Lisa R said:  Who didn't love their Radio Flyer wagon as a kid? Mine took a beating for years and even doubled as a garden wheelbarrow before finally retiring, as good as new, into my parents' basement. For those of us who have the space, a Radio Flyer is still a great choice for pulling the kids around the neighborhood. However, if you need something with a little more versatility, a folding wagon is the modern choice. Many models are durable enough to take camping or pull along a sandy beach, but light and compact enough to toss in the car, store in an upstairs closet, or hang on a wall in the garage.

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    Pikler Climbing Furniture

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    Based on the philosophies of Dr. Emmi Pikler, the Pikler triangle and/or arch is a piece of furniture designed to let babies and toddlers move freely, safely, and develop new skills at their own pace, without too much interference from their parents. This device is especially good for active toddlers that love to climb.

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    Baby Brezza Formula Pro

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    Dawn R said:  This incredible formula bottle maker uses patented technology to measure, dispense, and mix a perfect temperature and consistency powder formula bottle with no air bubbles. It is always ready when you need it and works with most bottle sizes and major formula brands.

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    Sleeping Baby Zipadee-Zip

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    Molly Weber said:  This product is a great transition for babies who are used to being swaddled but are no longer able to remain in the swaddle. It still provides the security of snugness while also allowing your child use their arms to push from stomach to back while wearing it.

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    Neat Solutions Table Topper

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    Molly Weber said:  This is such a simple idea that has been a huge help for me when we are eating out with my 14 month old. It's a disposable placemat that sticks to the top of the table. It covers a good amount of space right in front of your little one so you don't have to worry (as much) about food falling on to the table top that was wiped down with a bus rag. I keep about five of these in a small pocket in my diaper bag at all times because they take up barely any space.

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    BEABA Babycook

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    Kelly R said:  Make healthy homemade purees from fresh ingredients with this handy baby food maker that steams, blends, reheats, and defrosts. With its large capacity, you can make baby food in bulk and freeze extra in ice cube trays. This machine really came in handy when my kids were little!

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    Infantino Squeeze Station

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    Vanessa M. said:  If your baby is like mine, he loves eating from those pricey baby food pouches. I find it very convenient to carry the baby food pouches in my diaper bag, and I love being able to feed my baby easily without a spoon, bib, or mess! With this cool baby product, you can skip buying the expensive pouches at the store and create your own pouches instead. Additionally, some babies react with an upset tummy to the absorbic acid added to store bought baby food pouches. so this is a great way to ensure nothing extra is going into baby's tummy! This would make a great baby shower gift!

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    Joovy Loo Potty

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    Nancy L. said:  Looking for an ultra cool potty for your bathroom? The Joovy Loo Potty has a sleek, unisex design. The potty has a sealed inner bowl and only two parts that fit together. Spills and messes won't get trapped, and there is a built-in splash shield. The large grab handle makes it easy for caregivers to dump out and clean up.

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    The Beebo Bottle Holder

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    Molly Weber said:  If you've ever felt like you needed an extra hand, this product can help with that. It fits nicely over your shoulder and allows you to position the bottle at the appropriate angle for feeding. This will fit almost any bottle and can be rolled up and stored in your diaper bag when you're on the go. Great for any parent, but especially those who have more than one youngster to take care of at once.

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    Snuza Hero Baby Movement Monitor

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    Kristy Pepping said:  As a parent to a newborn, you are constantly worrying. This can be especially true when you put your baby down for a nap or bedtime. This device clips to a baby's diaper and detects their breathing. If the device feels your baby's breathing is off, it will vibrate. This is usually enough to restore your baby's normal breathing pattern. If not, you will be alerted and can check on your baby. Great if you are worried about SIDS or infant RSV.

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    Baby Shusher

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    Kristy Pepping said:  For my three kids, the repeated "shush" sound worked miracles to make them stop crying. This cool baby sleep aid says it for you to make it even easier. You can set it for 15 or 30 minutes and it's super portable!

Primary photo:   Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.