Although my main focus tends to be helping parents with big purchases like pushchairs, car seat and baby sleep gear, I also love discovering fun impulse buys that can really help on a daily basis. Some things in this list solve a specific problem, like helping to prolong sleep or giving assistance with milestone moments like weaning or potty training. Others are just really great examples of products we all need for our family, like pyjamas, goggles and even a bath mat (hey, I didn’t say they were all glamorous). Everything in this list is something I use myself or have used with my own family, and I thoroughly recommend them for yours.
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There’s a reason why you’ll see these cleverly-designed travel potties being toted at parks, airports and in the bottom of pushchairs across the country. Although kids can be picky about the potties they will deign to use, I’ve rarely known a toddler turn down one of these, and as a parent I trust it not to leak when full. They make going out during the early stages of potty training much less stressful, and can also be used at home to save buying multiples. The brand also makes a matching seat (£16.99) and step (£14.99) if you want further options: we bought all 3 and we’re still using the seat and step with our 5 year old.
They may seem pricey, but Polarn O. Pyret’s cleverly designed pajamas have extralong cuffs to help them span 2 or even 3 sizes before they’re ready to be handed down. The quality vs a supermarket pair is truly incomparable: these wash and wear so well. We’ve had ours for 2 years and they look as good now as when we got them, and they still fit with room to grown. Over time, they definitely pay for themselves. My son often complains of being too hot or cold in bed, but when he’s in these he never says a word, so the organic cotton definitely lives up to breathability claims. Plus, the scandi prints are super cute (I love the Moomins collab) and there are matching adult PJs (yep, I have those too).
Bibado Baby Coverall Weaning Bib, £19.95
Weaning is fun, but it’s also messy, and these bibs make the clean-up so much easier. They cover the whole gap between the child and the high chair to catch spills. Since I had my son back in 2020 Bibado has improved the design, swapping the velcro for poppers at the neck and updating to a fully waterproof fabric. They’re not cheap but the ones we had lasted us years (they can be used for painting/crafts once mealtimes are less messy) and definitely make my must-have list. They fit most high chairs as the straps are stretchy and can wrap around legs in most positions.
Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine, £29.99
White noise was a game-changer for us and we only stopped using it about a year ago. There are so many options for babies, but a lot of the cute toy-like sleep aids had an automatic shut-off after a certain time. My son would wake the moment it turned off, so I quickly realised I needed a white noise machine with a continuous mode, which meant opting for a more grown-up model. A portable option like the Dreamegg is great as it can be used at home or unplugged and taken and on the go, with a clip to attach to a pram or cot rail. There are 21 sounds, 32 volume settings, and there are timers for those who prefer them.
Universal Pram Cup and Phone Holder, £9.99
If your pushchair didn’t come with a cupholder, I can’t tell you how handy they are. Whether you want somewhere to keep your coffee during a long walk, or a space to keep your baby’s bottle before a feed, this will keep them close at hand rather than in the underseat basket. The adjustable vice-like grip should work on most pram models and at a tenner this is far cheaper than the branded cup holders sold by some of the big brands. The Yoyo one is £30!
The addition of a phone holder on this one is also useful for when you’re pushing the pram, but thefts from pushchairs and prams are common, expecially in built-up areas, so beware if you step or even look away for a second.
There are some amazing high chairs out there with all the bells and whistles, but with some models costing upwards of £300, weaning can get expensive really quickly. If you’re looking for something on a budget, Ikea’s entry-level option is a classic for a reason. It’s easy to keep clean, simple to use, and so popular you can often pick it up on facebook marketplace for free.
My only piece of advice is to consider adding a footrest: ones designed to fit the Ikea chair can easily be found on Etsy for about £15 and will make it considerably more comfortable for your baby. Even this added cost still brings this high chair in at under £30.
Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator Duo Pack, £16.98
You may have seen these on Dragon’s Den, and it’s easy to see why 3 dragons fought over who would get to invest. Solar Buddies solve a popular problem, and do so really well. They make applying sun protection easier, and help kids to apply it independently without waste. You simply decant your lotion of choice into the reusable bottle, and use the rollerball and sponge combo to quickly spread and rub it in without getting messy hands.
I find this particularly good for the face, ears and neck, and for quick top-ups on the go. My son is a big fan of being able to put cream on himself, and even aged 5 he can use this pretty well, with no mess or waste. Obviously they can also be used for other products too: body lotions, after sun, insect repellent, eczema cream etc.
Orchard Toys Shopping List Game, £9.50
We have an embarrassingly large number of Orchard Toys games in our house but if I had to recommend one to start your collection, it would be the brand’s bestseller, Shopping List. It’s easy to see why this has the top spot. It’s simple, fun and great for helping kids between 3 and 7 to develop some key skills while having lots of fun. The cute details in the game always make me smile, like the fact one of the items you have to buy is a copy of the game itself (how many kids games have meta jokes?) and the fact that the shopping lists come on different notepads and devices.
It can be really tricky for little kids to get the hang of the snappy little bands on a traditional pair of swimming goggles. Frogglez have a neoprene strap that hugs the curves on the back of the head. It’s much easier to pull on and adjust, and it slides down over a swimming cap easily. My son has to be able to take his own goggles on and off during his swimming lessons, and these make that so much easier for him.
Although expensive, the strap can actually be removed and used with other goggles / masks, so there’s great longevity. It’s ideal for holidays too.
Munchkin Dandy Dots Non-Slip Bath Mat, £11
Yes, I know, it’s a bath mat. How special can it be? But I just don’t know what they do at Munchkin to make this so robust. My previous bath mat disintegrated after a while but this one is still going strong after a couple of years.
It cleans up a treat even if that annoying orange mineral build-up has started to appear around the edges. It also stays white, even if your kid likes rainbow bath bombs, bath crayons and colour-changing bubble bath.
Magnetic Wipe-clean Meal Planner, £9.95
Meal times can be a struggle in our house. Given the choice, my son would eat pasta with pesto for every meal, so sitting down on a Sunday and planning a slightly more varied menu has become a really important part of our week. We then stick this on the fridge so we can all check what’s on the menu. As my husband and I share responsibility for cooking, it makes everything much easier during busy periods.
The only downside of it is the fact it’s not split by family member so may be less suitable for larger families, but if anything that encourages us to make sure to sit down for meals as a family when we can.
