The top 10 lesser known but very useful baby products
We all know about the baby essentials - the pram, the nappies, the baby grows. But there are also many lesser-known products. Some of which you definitely don’t need. Like the tool for applying nappy cream (yes it exists), the baby cry analysing machine (yes it exists) or the baby towel drying machine (okay I made that one up). There are some that are super useful though. While they are not must-haves, they might make your life easier. Here are my top ten.
1. Child car mirror
It’s staggeringly rare how often you’ll be back to back with a baby. Apart from when you’re in the car as all baby car seats have to be rear-facing. And you (really) need to be forward-facing. This means on car journeys you have no idea what they’re up to. For some, this is a blissful break. For others it means panic. Or you might just want to know when they fell asleep and for how long. Or discover that the reason they are crying is they dropped their dummy.
These mirrors are attached to the back seat headrest and angled so that you can see your baby in them through your rear-view mirror. Some have remote-controlled lights for nighttime driving and they should all be shatterproof.
2. Dummy clip
As much as children love dummies, they love dropping them on the floor. Preferably the dirtiest patch of pavement they can find. We see a pile of fast-food wrappers, dog poo and used syringes, they see a lovely comfy bed for their beloved soother.
This is where a dummy clip can save you from a lot of sterilising. One end is attached to the dummy and the other to your baby’s clothes. Think of it as a safety harness for the dummy. So when it’s climbing a mountain (sat in a baby’s mouth) but then falls (the baby spits it out), it safely hangs from the baby's clothes rather than falls to certain death on the rocks below. (I might have got carried away with this analogy).
There have been some strangulation concerns about dummy clips so the length between the clip and the dummy loop should be no longer than 22cm. And you should never attach a material that makes it longer. They shouldn’t be used in a cot, crib or bed.
3. Snoozeshade
Credit: Snoozeshade
When you’ve got a baby in a pram there are two big concerns. WHEN will they go to sleep? PLEASE go to sleep. And are they protected from the sun? A Snoozeshade addresses both these worries.
Babies have very sensitive skin which is wildly unsuited to sunbathing. A Snoozeshade will block out 97.5% of UV rays. But it’s most useful for getting your baby to take a daytime nap. You (sadly) can’t put an eye mask on a baby so this is the next best thing. The dark and lack of stimulation really help them nod off. And it does all this while being completely breathable. It was invented by a British mum and has won over 70 awards.
4. vacuum flask
Flasks are not just for hikers and anglers. They are extremely useful for new parents. You can keep a flask of constantly warm water by the changing mat for nappy changes with reusable wipes or cotton wool. You can use them to have a big supply of hot drinks by your side when you’re trapped by a breastfeeding or napping baby.
And they are very handy if you are using formula powder. This is because the water for making up formula needs to be at least 70°C to kill any possible harmful bacteria. So if you’re going out, take along a flask of boiled water to make up feeds. You could also fill a flask before bed for slightly easier night feeds.
5. Formula milk dispensers
If you’ve got a flask of hot water to make up a bottle when out, what is also super useful is a formula milk powder dispenser. These are little pots for putting in pre-measured powder with funnels for easy pouring into a baby bottle. It’s better than lugging the tin out with you and trying to keep track of the number of scoops you’ve measured while someone talks to you. They are also good for having the exact amount ready to go for night feeds.
6. Breast pumping bra
Nothing makes you feel more like a dairy cow than being stuck in one place, hooked up to an electric breast pump. The minutes pass very slowly and every very drop is hard-earned as you have to sit still while holding the suction cup to your breast. It can feel devastating if even a drop is spilled. There are times when I’d rather have spilled sulphuric acid on the carpet than my breast milk. It’s even harder if you’re using a double pump as you can’t even scratch your nose.
There are new wearable pumps like the Elvie but they are expensive. The alternative is a breast pumping bra. These are bras that hold the suction cups and bottles in place so at least you’ve got both hands free. If the attached machine fits in your back pocket or has a clip for your jeans you can even walk around the house. Maybe don’t answer the door though.
7. Breast milk storage bags
If all that breast milk you’ve pumped out is going to be frozen for future use, you’ll need these storage bags. They can stay in the freezer for up to 6 months, come pre-sterilised and have handy features like space to write the date and a volume level. You can also use them in the fridge, where expressed breast milk can be stored for up to 8 days. It’s also possible to get reusable breast milk storage pots.
8. nasal aspirator
A baby can’t blow their nose until they are at least around two years old. By which time they’ve probably had a lot of colds. That’s a lot of snot with no transport to leave the nose, which may be uncomfortable for a child. I’m guessing in the past, parents used to sometimes suck it out with their mouths but PRAISE THE LORD there is a slightly less intimate way of doing this now. The snot sucker. Also more euphemistically called the nasal aspirator. It involves a tube and a filter and absolutely no snot going in your mouth. It’s completely hygienic and it really does work. You could also try putting some saline drops in their nose before sucking to loosen things up and clear any congestion.
9. White noise
Some babies love white noise when going to sleep. And not just babies. Wayne Rooney once revealed that he can only go to sleep with a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer on. I’ve often found myself worrying about the fire risk of that and hoping he has a butler to turn it off. It’s not for the first time that I’ve felt sorry for Coleen Rooney. What Wayne really needs is a white noise app. And maybe your baby will love it too.
The Sleephero one has 35 different calming sounds including rain, mountain stream, kettle and, crucially for Wayne, both vacuum cleaner and hairdryer. My son loved the sound of someone shushing. So I’m guessing he’s going to grow up to be a librarian. As long as all the shushing doesn’t make him continually drop off.
There are also cuddly toys that play white noise like the hugely popular Ewan the Dream Sheep. This has comforting womb and heartbeat sounds, as well as a shusher, rainfall, lullabies, and vacuum cleaner. They can be activated by crying and there’s also a night light.
10. Wardrobe dividers
I was in two minds about including these as they are only useful if you are a super organised person. If your idea of organising a wardrobe is once a week picking your jeans off the floor and hanging them up, then these are not for you. But if you have labelled shoe boxes, matching hangers and perfectly rolled scarves, you will love them.
They will help you organise all your baby clothes into sizes from tiny baby to 18-24 months. And if you’ve accumulated a lot of clothes from friends and family, it will save you from having to constantly check the labels to see if they fit yet. There are also dividers for types of baby clothes like knitwear, coats and dresses. These feel less useful as your eyes could do as good a job with a quick glance. But they might save you a bit of time. Baby Nest Designs do some that are very popular and come in gift packaging.
Once again, not one of these products is essential. You can easily live without them. Older generations would argue that they did without 90% of the stuff we use with babies today. But they were more likely to live near family able to help out more. The one thing I can guarantee though is that they are all a lot more useful than a baby towel drying machine. Apart from maybe the wardrobe dividers. I’m still in two minds about those. What do you think?
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