The Baby Products You Don’t Plan For—But End Up Ordering at 2 a.m.

Sometimes you've tried everything you can think of when baby's having a nighttime cry. You've gone through all five S's and you're willing to try T, U and V as well. And it turns out, baby just has a run-of-the-mill tummy ache. These dye-free simethicone drops are formulated to break up gas bubbles in baby’s tummy, helping to relieve discomfort that can lead to fussiness––especially after nighttime feeds. With a simple ingredient list and an easy-to-use dropper, they’re a favorite for many parents.

My first baby had reflux and this was our go-to for middle-of-the-night pains. While I’d never claim it solved all of our problems, I can say it made a difference. This ginger and fennel herbal supplement would gently settle him and often helped calm the intense hiccups that would rattle his whole little body.

You can't plan out the first time baby has a fever—do yourself a favor and make sure you have a good thermometer in-hand before you need it. A rectal thermometer is the most accurate way to check a newborn’s temperature and this affordable option is designed with a short, flexible tip for gentle use. I was admittedly intimidated the first time I had to take my baby’s temperature rectally, but this thermometer’s simple design, quick readings and easy-to-read digital display made the process feel a little less daunting.

Having natural products on hand for my boys was really important to me, and this drug-free, preservative-free saline mist was a great grab item for moisturizing dry nasal passages and made it easier to clear baby’s nose with an aspirator. Safe for newborns, it’s one of those simple products that can make a big difference when congestion is interfering with feeding or sleep.

When your newborn sounds congested, it can make feeding and sleep more challenging, especially in the middle of the night. This doctor-designed nasal aspirator uses gentle, parent-controlled suction to clear mucus from baby’s nose and disposable hygiene filters help prevent mucus and germs from reaching the mouthpiece.

This model was a favorite of Daniel, our associate director, who tells us, "Frida Baby was the only nasal aspirator that worked for our family. We tried bulbs, but our daughter fought them tooth and nail, screaming bloody murder if anything came near her already tender nose. And of course, the longer she's crying, the worse her snot gets." He adds, "The sucking seems weird, but trust me, when you see how quickly it works, you get over it fast. This thing is a life saver."

One thing that might come as a surprise to new parents: Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, a small supply of ready-to-feed formula can be a helpful backup in the early days. My oldest son was breastfed for two years, but we supplemented with this formula during his first few days while we worked through jaundice and waited for my milk to fully come in. Unlike powdered formula, ready-to-feed options require no measuring or mixing, and these 2-ounce bottles were ideal when I was desperate for a quick solution.

Even if you’ve already stocked up on baby bottles, there’s no guarantee your baby will take to the one you chose. That’s why I recommend keeping a couple of single bottles from other brands on hand rather than committing to one large multipack right away. Livingston says that having a few bottle options can be especially helpful for families navigating feeding challenges or moving through the “trying every bottle in existence” phase. “These are some of the bottles I most consistently recommend from the start,” she says.

"Our daughter was born in Chicago," says Daniel, our associate director, "and it's crazy how much city noise you get acclimated to over time, but is brand new to your child." A white noise machine, like this portable option from Love to Dream, can help keep the outside world from disturbing baby's slumber. And don’t let the word “portable” fool you––this compact sound machine is just as useful at home as it is on the go. I love that it can clip to a stroller or car seat, but is also easy to keep near baby’s bassinet at home to help drown out anything from honking cabs outside to big sibling noise in the next room. It offers nine soothing sound options to help baby settle wherever they sleep.

Learning to swaddle a baby is one of the most useful things you can do before baby arrives. But even if you learn to make the perfect baby burrito, it turns out not every baby likes having their arms swaddled down. "I can’t tell you how many families end up discovering their baby was fighting the swaddle style, not the swaddle itself," Livingston says. She recommends that every family pick up one Love to Dream Swaddle Up as a backup option—it's designed with a unique arms-up shape that allows babies to sleep in a more natural position.

With my first baby, I wondered why diapers started leaking in the middle of the night. By the time my second baby arrived, I knew to keep the next size up on hand, since sometimes the simplest fix for recurring leaks is sizing up. If leaks and blowouts suddenly become more frequent, it may be a sign that baby is ready for the next diaper size, and you're going to want to have them handy the moment they're needed. Rascals became a favorite in our house because they’re thick, highly absorbent and fit snugly around baby’s legs to help contain messes without the hefty price tag.

A washable changing pad cover is great, but prepping laundry isn't something you're going to want to deal with in the middle of the night. These absorbent, waterproof pads create a protective barrier during 2 a.m. diaper changes, making them especially useful when you’re dealing with a messy blowout. Instead of worrying about soiling the changing pad cover or your bed, you can simply toss the pad and get everyone back to bed.

Blowout stains have a way of setting fast, especially when you’re too exhausted to tackle the laundry right away. This stain remover has saved countless onesies in my house and remains my go-to for everything from food to grass stains. I recently sent the link to my brother, who initially thought it was pricey—until he saw how well it worked on his son’s grubby T-shirts. It’s the only product that consistently rescued my favorite zipper sleepers from blowout stains so I could pass them down to my youngest. And trust me, you’ll want the big bottle.

You know you're going to need baby blankets, but no matter how ready you think you are, you don't know how often you'll need them. Lightweight, breathable and endlessly versatile, these oversized muslin swaddles are something I reached for constantly. “Large square muslin swaddles are incredibly versatile beyond swaddling alone,” says Erica Livingston. “Families end up using them constantly as burp cloths, light blankets, nursing covers, changing surfaces, stroller shades and general postpartum life tools.” In my experience, these were one of the hardest-working newborn items.

There’s nothing worse than realizing your baby has soaked through the crib sheet when all you want is to get everyone back to sleep. A friend taught me a trick that saved my sanity more than once: layer a waterproof mattress protector between two crib sheets, so if there’s a leak or spit-up, you can simply peel off the top layer and have a fresh sheet ready to go underneath. It’s one of those simple nursery hacks that made a huge difference when I was running on very little sleep.

Newborn nails are surprisingly sharp and trimming them down with traditional nail clippers can be nerve-racking––especially at 2 a.m when baby has scratched their face. This whisper-quiet electric nail file gently buffs tiny nails using age-specific filing pads, and the built-in LED light makes it easier to actually see what you’re doing. It’s one of those products that takes the stress out of an otherwise intimidating task.

If you’re dealing with a clogged duct or the sudden onset of mastitis, relief can’t come soon enough. This handheld tool combines vibration and gentle warmth to help loosen blockages and ease engorgement. “When I developed mastitis a couple weeks postpartum, it hit hard and fast—within hours I was in agony and desperate for relief,” says Ashlee N., mom of two and content director at The Bump. “I tossed a lactation massager into my Amazon cart, and the next day I tackled the blockage with the tool’s massage, vibration and heat. It was a total game-changer. Thank goodness for overnight shipping.”

The ever-popular Stanley tumbler is a practical pick for staying hydrated during those marathon feeding sessions. “Honestly, some of the most-used items are the least glamorous," says Livingston. "A good water bottle for the parent, easy snacks, extra zip pajamas and enough lighting to safely feed a baby at 3 a.m. without fully waking everyone up.” This 30-ounce stainless steel tumbler keeps water cold for hours and features a flip straw that makes it easy to sip one-handed while holding baby.

Beloved by breastfeeding parents, the Haakaa has earned cult-favorite status for good reason. The simple silicone pump uses gentle suction to collect milk from the opposite breast while you nurse, helping you save milk that would otherwise leak away and go to waste. “I’d heard of it once or twice before the baby came but just thought it was a manual pump and wouldn’t be necessary because I already had an electric pump,” says Maura O., mom of one and senior content production associate for The Bump. “My baby was premature, so feeding was a bit challenging at the start. With the Haakaa, he was able to get all the milk that would’ve otherwise just gone to waste in a nursing pad.”

Carriers are the kind of thing you assume will be a daytime item, and not something you use in the house. But when your baby will only get to sleep on you, a soft wrap carrier can be the difference between being stuck on the couch and being able to grab a snack, read a book or simply have both hands free. Made from lightweight, breathable lyocell modal, the wrap creates a snug, womb-like fit. Maura says if she could go back, she would have opted for a softer newborn wrap carrier instead of relying solely on a more structured carrier for those early weeks.

Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, a supportive nursing pillow can make those marathon feeding sessions far more comfortable. The Boppy helps bring baby to a more ergonomic position, reducing strain on your arms, shoulders and back. You may not think you'll need one, but you won't be the first mom to be surprised by how vital is it. “Say it with me: Breastfeeding pillow!” says Natalie G., senior lifecycle editor at The Bump. “That Boppy was everything, but I only thought to get it a week or two after my son was born. It saved my back and traveled with me everywhere.”