15 Home Finds to Buy Before You Have a Baby (Approved by Parents!)

“I would spend the money on the Newton bassinet,” says Lex, parent to a 2-year-old and an 8-month-old. I totally get the appeal. Reviewers say it’s the best in form and function, with a sleek and stylish wood frame and soft, washable mattress. It also features eight adjustable heights and an infant-access opening that makes it easier to soothe your baby throughout the night.

Sleep is a hot topic of conversation among new parents … mostly how they’re not getting any. However, several of the moms I spoke to say this Hatch sound machine helps lull their little ones to sleep like nothing else, which gives the adults a few more hours of precious shuteye. It also doubles as a night light, and can be used to gently wake kids as they age, so it's something you’ll use long after the baby stage. “We have one in every room and don’t go on any trip without all of them!” says Lex. "We love it, and our babies do too,” adds Stephanie, parent to a 4-year-old and 1-year-old.

This clip-on table chair got repeated mentions by the parents I spoke to, so you know it’s good. “It’s absolutely essential, especially in small apartments,” says Maxwell, Apartment Therapy’s founder and parent of a daughter. It's a space-saving alternative to traditional high chairs; the compact design attaches easily to most tables, and gives little ones the best seat in the house. “It's easy to clean, too, and I found both my boys loved it over my other high chairs,” adds Rebecca, parent to a 3-year-old and a 7-month-old. “It's also much more affordable than other options.”

Everyone loved this high chair, too. The fully adjustable design is made to grow alongside your baby. “I was a nanny for over a decade,” says Andrea. “This is the one I've recommended to parents over and over again…It's sturdy (almost impossible to knock over), durable, and easy to clean, and it transitions into a booster seat chair as the baby grows, so instead of ditching it as they outgrow the high chair stage, you can keep the same piece of furniture.” Janelle, parent to a 3-year-old and 10-month-old, adds, “It's easy for babies to climb in all by themselves too.”

“I love how versatile it is!” Janelle raves about this Baby Björn bouncer. “It provides an easy and safe spot to set down baby while you're cooking and getting ready for the day.” It also folds flat for easy storage — perfect for apartment dwellers. “It’s a go-to when we travel up to my in-laws' house for the day,” she adds. Plus, the bouncer can be converted to a chair once your baby grows!

Between the constant spit-up, feedings, and dirty diapers, parents say they’re pretty much always doing laundry, which makes a large hamper a non-negotiable. “I love that this laundry basket has a cover to hide the dirty laundry,” says Lex. “There are cuter options out there, but not many have the lid to hide the mess!” Like I said, it’ll almost always have clothes in it, but in the rare event that it needs stashing, you can fold it up for seamless storage.

“This is the best rocker. I regretted not buying one with my first daughter,” says Jamie, parent to a 1-year-old. It swivels, reclines, and it’s equipped with a built-in phone charger, pockets for bottles and books, and an adjustable head rest. “It cleans up surprisingly well, too (it has had projectile spit-up on it) ... I also may or may not have nodded off on this thing a few times now that she's older.”

“We kept a caddy in our living room to save us from going all the way upstairs to change diapers, and it makes our lives a lot simpler,” shares Lex. “It gets more use than our actual changing table!” This one’s made of soft felt and comes in five different shades — any of which would look nice perched by your couch or at your bedside. “It’s also easy to grab and go when we’re going on a trip and need all our must-haves in one spot,” she adds. Plus, once the diaper days are over, the caddy can be used to organize other household items.

Outlet protectors are one of many baby-proofing measures. “You may get by without them during the first few months, but once your baby is mobile it’s better to be safe than sorry,” cautions Stephanie. These covers are easy to install (just plug them into an outlet) and effectively keep curious babies at bay. Safety is priceless, of course, but the fact that these are only $3 means you really don’t have to think twice.

Babies require a surprising amount of gear, which means storage is king. “Truly any bins are great!” says Lex. “And if they’re cute and look nice in your closet, that’s a plus.” This medium-sized bin has playful poms all over, which makes it a stylish addition to your nursery, play room, or living room. Use it for anything from extra wipes, diapers, and onesies to toys, books, and blankets.

This foam play mat gives babies a comfortable surface for tummy time, crawling, and everyday play. “I love that it’s foldable for effortless storage,” says Stephanie. “You can also wipe it clean when the baby spits up during those early days.” My parents got one for their home, and it’s the first thing they pull out when my niece and nephew come to visit. There are plenty of cute designs to choose from, too!

“I loved this activity center over a jumper,” shares Rebecca. “I felt like my son had more things to do and explore and didn't get bored or frustrated like he did in the jumpers.” The Explore & More features a fully rotating seat, which allows your baby to make their way around the center’s play things, like the light-up piano, peek-a-boo owl, or swaying trees. The compact design easily moves from room to room and even converts to a toddler table as your baby grows!

Parents agree: You’ll never regret splurging on a good gliding chair. The back-and-forth motion softly soothes babies into sleep, and makes for a cozy place to rest during feedings. “I love that this one swivels, glides, and reclines with the push of a button,” says Stephanie. “I don’t need to tug on a lever or buy a separate foot rest.” What’s more, the chair is upholstered in a durable, high-performance fabric that prevents stains and repels moisture for easy cleaning.

Speaking of sleep, blackout curtains are a worth-it buy you might be forgetting until it’s nap time. The only issue is, it’s hard to find a set that’s stylish and effective. “I’d recommend getting a set of portable curtains like these and layering them underneath the prettier curtains in your nursery,” says Stephanie. These use suction cups for easy setup and include a bag for travel.

“A baby monitor is a must for peace of mind,” says Stephanie. “We didn’t think ahead and only got a single camera, and now that we have two kids, we have to carry around two separate monitors.” Stephanie suggests this split-screen option by HelloBaby. It comes with two cameras so you can keep an eye on two kids using a single monitor. It's equipped with infrared night vision, two-way audio, light-up sound indicators, and more — it has all the bells and whistles.