29 Parenting Products That'll Feel Like Cheat Codes

Jul 13, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

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Promising review: "We tried so many creams marketed for eczema (most containing oatmeal) and they all made my baby's eczema worse. We were desperate to find a cream that would help and stumbled upon this cream. It did wonders clearing up his eczema and as long as we use it daily it keeps it from flaring up again, this is glycerin-based and doesn't contain oatmeal." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.97+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "I absolutely love this stuff. I use it for my ds rashes. I was so afraid to use anything but coconut oil but I needed something that would soothe the rash as well. My ds also ended up getting eczema and hives from a laundry detergent we had switched to. This completely soothed it away. It was gone by the next day. Needless to say, this is my go-to soothing-everything solution. It stays in the diaper bag and medicine cabinet. A must-have!" —Andrea

Get it from Amazon for $14.75+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "A parent's secret weapon. This is the best stain remover I have ever used! I wish I would have found it years ago! My daughter is 6, and I can't think of how many stains this product hasn't gotten out for us, even old set-in stains that I thought were hopeless. A friend turned me on to this stuff, and now I will never go without it! A must-have for anyone with kids." —Lauren Ruffin

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available various sizes and multipacks).

Promising review: "My 2-year-old mastered the her numbers, alphabet, colors, shapes, and identifies all animals and objects on the cards. When I first received the cards I thought they may be a little too advanced for her age (18mo old at the time), but I was dead wrong! After about a month and a half of using the flash cards she mastered them! We usually 'play' with the flash cards for only about 10 minutes before her bedtime. This is a great tool in the early developmental stages for any toddler. I’m excited to get her the next card set. Material = durable, same as a normal deck of cards. Size = a little bigger than your typical deck of cards. Fits nicely in pocket or purse, great for keeping toddlers busy while traveling. Overall = A+." —M. Abdallah

Get a pack of 58 cards from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in three versions).

The set comes with 36 playing cards, 264 playing chips, caller's mat and cards, and a storage box. This version is a fun twist on the classic, but instead of calling out numbers, the leader calls out words (there are 46 most-used words), players search their cards for a match and place a red chip on the match. Once a player has covered the spaces on their card needed to win, they call BINGO!

Promising review: "Getting my daughter to do sight words has been a nightmare lately, she pretends she has no idea what anything is and refuses to sit down and try. But, with this game, she wants to play for hours!!! I give her two cards and we all play together as a family, she thinks it is the best game and it really is helping her learn her sight words!! Finally something that gets her excited about learning!! —Rebecca

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

You can even store leftover batter in the bottle and pop it in the fridge for a time-saving weekday breakfast!

Promising review: "This is the best breakfast invention after the waffle maker. LOVE IT! As someone who makes pancakes or waffles three to four times a week (my kids are pretty spoiled, but breakfast is key to getting through the first part of the school day), this is the easiest and fastest way to get that done. I just add everything to the bottle, shake, and pour into the waffle maker or griddle. When I am done, just add some water, shake again, empty, and then place everything in the dishwasher." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $16.50+ (available in two colors and two pancake art kits).

Promising review: "My 6-week-old had bad cradle cap all of a sudden and this brush worked miracles. I wish I had it from birth. We have continued to use this brush even though the cradle cap has gone and it does wonders on the scalp and keeping the hair looking healthy. Highly highly recommend. Plus, my baby enjoys the gentle scalp massage from the soft bristles." —LM01

Get it from Amazon for $14.44.

Promising review: "What a lifesaver! I mean really! My daughter loves her snacks, she also loves to make a mess, give them to the dog, or fill her car seat up with them. Then cry when she has nothing to eat. My wife picked one up and man... we used it so much, we couldn't clean it fast enough. SOOOO we bought a few more. and for less than $5 for two.... this is a no-brainer!" —jeffgrantMEDIA

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $6 (available in two color combos and a four-pack).

Promising review: "Must have! This thing is amazing, it works very well for us. Good length and it's soft/firm. I was able to gently scoop my 4-month-old's ear wax and pick out her sticky, crusty boogers. She enjoys being clean so she sat/laid down very still for us. I would definitely buy this for a baby shower gift and definitely recommend to anyone." —P. T.

Get it from Amazon for $12.95.

This includes a toothpaste dispenser (that'll squeeze out every last ounce!), four cups and holders, and a place to store your toothbrushes.

Promising review: "To All MAMAS: A TRUE MUST-HAVE from a mama who KNOWS!!! Every household with kids should have this thing, actually EVERY HOUSEHOLD, REGARDLESS! No more finding toothpaste everywhere but down the sink drain, no more throwing half a tube away because of lost caps. Insert your favorite brand in the dispenser and voilà! Simply press your brush against lever and a perfectly portioned dollop every time. When it’s time to rinse, grab one of the four cups that are hidden in the top and bottom of this little masterpiece. Rinse your brush, open the storage compartment, hang brush, and shut lid! Bristles are covered and protected from the wide array of germs that like to inhabit bathrooms." —Jen

Get it from Amazon for $17.44 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "By far, this is the best trash can for a car I’ve had in my life! And yes, I have tried others! I have a small SUV, and this is large enough to collect the trash from receipts, napkins, and apple sauce pouches from my kid, and straps to the back of my console so it’s in easy reach! The snaps on the side keep a trash bag in place, but if there is a spill it’s very easy to clean! And the lid keeps everything inside if it happens to get kicked! I definitely recommend!" —Kristi

Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "Life changing! My 1-year-old loves to wash his hands but even with a step stool is too short to reach the sink. We came across these sink extenders and I'm so glad we did! My son can now reach the water and he seems to have gained confidence since he can step with and wash his own hands! I 100% recommend these to anyone and it may be one of my baby shower/Christmas buys for my friends having kids, it's that good! Something you need that you didn't know you needed until you need it lol" —Kaylee Morgan

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.49.

Promising review: "A must have for newborns/infants. A coworker got me this for my baby shower, she said she discovered it after she accidentally snipped her newborn's finger when clipping the nails. I don't know what I'd do with out it, I can't imagine using clippers. It is so safe and gentle, yet effective. You can touch it the skin and it's soft as can be, there is no worries of injury!!! My newborn is now an infant and he puts his hand out when it's time to use." —Rachael

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors).

Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy.

Promising review: "This stuff is fantastic for curly girls! I spray it in my daughter's dry hair in the morning, run my fingers through her ringlets (never ever comb or brush curly hair dry), then clip the top back. It smells amazing, and the price on Amazon is better than other national retailers I've found it at. The price is worth it. Minimizes frizz and keeps curls soft and natural looking. My daughter has soft/fine thick hair." —Carolyn Smith

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in a two-pack).

Reviewers swear this brush works on all hair types: straight, wavy, or curly (from 3a–4c hair).

Promising reviews: "I'm a single dad of a 6-year-old girl and combing her hair is the hardest part of taking care of her. She gets really bad knots in her hair. This brush is the only thing that has ever worked. Thank you so much. She even likes to comb her own hair now." —Eric Phan

"Miracle brush for wild toddler hair. My toddler has a mean case of the tangles every morning. I don't know what she does in the night, but she wakes up with a rat's nest on the back of her head every morning. It was like torture every morning to brush her baby fine (but dense) hair. I felt horrible. I tried everything and every kind of brush, to no avail. Finally, I found this one. I use a detangling spray and this brush, and she now actually enjoys getting her hair brushed! Her little ringlets are restored and her hair looks beautiful every day with minimal effort. I would buy this brush 10x over, just to not make her cry from the tangled mess. Highly recommend! (and always start detangling from the bottom up, that's a big help!)" —Chimney161

Get it from Amazon for $9.93+ (available in multiple colors/styles and in packs of two).

Promising review: "This is a miracle-worker for my toddler. I bought this after receiving a spider bite on my foot, that was already healed when it came in. Two days after delivery, my 2.5 year old got stung by a bee or wasp and was screaming and in tears. I broke this out, and he immediately went from screaming to laughing as I used it. It was amazing. He got his second sting today, and the same thing happened—instant pain relief. I don’t know what I would do without this thing. Plus, he likes to play with it afterwards which further calms him down. A+++" —Briley Black

Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in six colors and two- and three-packs).

Promising review: "These things are awesome! Super easy to install. I didn't think they'd actually work, because my toddler is a beast, but we have them on our fridge and a few cupboards, and they keep her out. :) She pulls pretty hard, and they don't budge. They're pretty easy to unlatch; my 7-year-old doesn't have a problem with it. Great purchase!" —Angel Starr

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $9.95.

Promising review: "These are fantastic for keeping my child from dropping her sippy cup over and over during meals. I'd recommend to any parent who just wants one thing to be easier. But isn't that all of us?" —Leigh Powers

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in various colors and in packs of two).

Promising review: "I love these bottles so much! My baby loves to move around and kick and doesn’t like to really be held while eating. This is the best thing ever!!! Also when on car rides, it's super useful. Of course, always watch your babies. I think this is best for older babies maybe over 3 months. :) But other than that, I love this product!!" —Andrea Land

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "Yes, it’s weird. I laughed (to myself) when I got one as a baby gift. Then my baby got her first rash and after wrestling a diaper closed with fingers covered in diaper cream I remembered this and oh boy what a lifesaver. It applies cream evenly and wipes clean. I now have two and will probably buy a third for the diaper bag. It’s also nice for people who have sensory issues or are new to diaper-changing. Yes it’s weird, but it’s also crazy useful." —jp

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "Best snot sucker EVER! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our Nose Frida. Yeah, yeah, it's gross sucking your kid's snot, but you know what's worse? A sick, miserable baby. Our pediatrician even recommended the Frida over those little blue bulbs. I can suck more junk out, and it's so much easier to clean and sanitize. There is NO WAY any boogies can get back into your mouth when you use this product. The gross factor Iies just all in your head. If you have a kid — order this! If you know someone with a kid — order this!" —Chelsea S.

Get it from Amazon for $14.37 (also available with a filter replacement bundle).

Catchy is a small biz started by two Aussie parents who wanted to make meal times less messy.

Promising review: "It’s revolutionized dinner times! Not only is there less food waste, there’s also less mess and less throwing of food, as it’s not as satisfying not to hear a thump on the ground! Would recommend to any and all!" —Kate W

Get it from Catchy for $49.95 (available in different styles for various highchair brands).

Promising review: "I bought this for my son because I thought it was cute and cool. I posted about it on TikTok, and the post went viral, almost a million views. I highly recommended it. My son requests this plate for every meal and looks forward to the treat at the end." —Chaunte Thorpe

Get it from Amazon for $15.87+ (available in six styles).

Promising review: "Yes. TikTok made me buy it. It’s awesome In my opinion. I use it for my fruit salads and my son's snacks. It’s helpful, and I think it saves a bit of time." —Amanda

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

BTW: It's recommended for children between eight and 45 pounds and can be used in four different holding positions — feeding/breastfeeding, side carrying, front facing, and face-to-face.

Tushbaby is a small biz run by three California mamas and specializes in products that bring ease to everyday parenting life.

Promising review: "This has been one of MANY items I have purchased thanks to TikTok, and I'm glad I did. Super easy to use, easy to adjust, and most importantly it helps with support tremendously. It comes with pockets and a place to hold bottles/sippy cups, which can be very handy. My 8-month-old weights around 30–35lbs, and he's basically attached to me 24/7, carrying all day was killing my back and arms! Thank God for this invention, my arms and back can rest." —Jennifer Calle

Get it from Amazon for $84.99+ (available in four colors).

ChooMee is a mom-owned small business based in Northern California, that creates products that solve everyday feeding challenges.

Promising reviews: "These are amazing! I bought two sets of them so I can keep some in our diaper bag (or in case we lose one). We use these every single day for our 12-month-old with her yogurt (Gogo squeeze) and her fruit and veggie pouches! Seriously, love them. We previously had yogurt/fruit all over because she would squeeze them. My husband accidentally stepped on the pouch with this on, and it still didn't squeeze out! Once your baby figures it out (ours did quickly), it's a game changer. I tried the pouch holders with the handles, but she just swung it around, and it still spilled out. This is what you want!" —Shem Slater

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five color combos).

Promising review: "The holy grail of sippy cups!! This cup is THE BOMB! No leaking, easy to clean, my 18- month-old, who wants to do and have everything like his 6-year-old brother, loves this cup! Both boys use them. Not too babyish for my older one and easy enough that my little guy can use them, we now have four of them! I’m sure a couple more are in our future! And the price is great." —shoelover

Get it from Amazon for $10.47+ (available in 12 colors/prints and two-packs).

It fits most sedan, SUV, and minivan seats. They buckle on using two elastic straps.

Promising reviews: "Definitely needed these! My son who just turned 4 is constantly kicking my seats and with a dirt driveway, mud is a huge issue. These were so easy to install and I don't even notice that they are there, but they definitely protect the seat from my little cowboy's boots. I love my boy to pieces and I definitely recommend these kick mats. Must-have item." —Mary

"These kick mats are so much better than the ones with pockets. My kids do not pull on these as much. They are easy to install and stay nice for a good long while. The stay flat against the back of the seat and protect the seats from dirt and footprints. We bought these for both of our cars!" —Rainier Pinca

Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.

Promising review: "Bought it to help with the mess of plushies all over the place and man it is a space saver. No more messes, and doubles as a seat for my daughter. She drags this everywhere to sit on it or jump. So far is holding the abuse quite well." —Ivan P.

Get it from Amazon for $17.59+ (available in 25 styles and two sizes).

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.