27 Practical and Affordable Products for Parents Realizing How Expensive Raising Kids Can Be

1. A portable sound machine with long-lasting battery life to help your baby stay calm and sleep without spending a fortune on an expensive, immobile model. This was my go-to sound machine for both of my children's first years, and it worked wonders.

2. A portable changing pad that allows you to change your baby without needing to take them to a changing table. It’s also perfect for keeping in the diaper bag or car, ensuring you always have a convenient spot when you’re on the go and baby decides it's time for a blowout.

3. A formula-mixing pitcher that saves time, energy, and reduces gas bubbles. By pre-mixing formula, you can eliminate the air that causes discomfort and avoid mixing everything perfectly while your baby is crying. It also helps blend the fat back into breast milk!

4. A bottle warmer, because it’s no longer the 1970s and you absolutely need to shorten bottle-heating time to mere minutes. When I began formula feeding unexpectedly, we used the old method of boiling water, placing the bottle in the bowl, and waiting for it to warm up. Once we got more sleep and started thinking more clearly, we got a bottle warmer, and THE DIFFERENCE. You don’t need anything fancy — just a quick way to warm the bottle.

5. A pair of wrist and sock rattles that stay on, offering simple entertainment without the need for endless rattles that will eventually get lost. This way, you'll save money and teach your baby early on that a little independent play is good for them.

6. A Make-Ahead Baby Food Cookbook because the price of baby food is skyrocketing. This cookbook will guide you through making and freezing meals, mixing different flavors, and taking advantage of seasonal produce to save money by buying in bulk and freezing it for later use.

7. A set of reusable pouches to tackle the crazy high prices of baby food pouches. These pouches offer a quick and convenient option for snacks on the go, and since they are dishwasher-safe, there's really no excuse not to get them.

8. A full set of sturdy silicone blocks and toys for sensory play that will last a long time. With an assortment of blocks, balls, and stacking toys — each featuring its own sensory texture — you'll have plenty of options to keep your baby entertained without needing dozens of blinking and beeping toys.

9. A cup strap to keep pacifiers, bottles, cups, and teethers off the floor — saving you the hassle and cost of having eight pacifiers for every time one goes missing.

10. A silicone bib that cleans up effortlessly, saving you from endless laundry cycles. Unlike fabric bibs, these won't stain after one encounter with a spaghetti-loving toddler. Plus, once mealtime is over, baby can simply reach into the pouch for a second helping.

11. And a food-catching mat for kids who firmly believe that mealtime shouldn't interrupt their creative flow. This easy-to-clean mat keeps your floors — especially carpets — safe from stains. And when you're past the food-throwing phase (🙏), it doubles as a perfect mat for arts and crafts.

12. An incredibly sturdy set of plates that are safe for the dishwasher and ideal for babies and toddlers. I've tested every plate available, and these ones from Target have consistently been my favorite — they're affordable enough to not stress about and strong enough that they’ll last.

13. A wipeable changing pad cover that makes cleaning up after the inevitable messes quick and simple. Just wipe it clean and carry on with your day (or night). There's no need to splurge on expensive changing pad covers that quickly get soiled after every diaper change.

14. A set of adorable baby bathrobes because every baby and toddler deserves to look like an adorable farm or woodland creature. Not only do they look super cute, but they’ll also keep your little one warm and dry after bath time, all without the need to splurge on expensive designer towels.

15. A shampoo rinser designed to fit comfortably around your child’s head to prevent water from getting in their eyes. Made from soft materials, it's easy to clean and features a handle that makes it simple to pour and hold, even for the tiniest babies. It’s also great for toddlers and older kids, making it an investment that lasts for years.

16. A light-up, squirting whale bath toy that takes bath time to the next level without costing a fortune. There's nothing quite like the excited squeals of babies playing with squirting toys, and this whale delivers all that fun. Parents rave about how much their little ones love this toy!

17. A remote control-shaped teether to save your *actual* remote control from almost certain destruction. Babies will chew on anything they can get their tiny hands on, so it’s best to win this battle early.

18. A 32-pack of plug protectors that ensures your little explorer’s safety without splurging on expensive ‘premium’ options. After all, it’s just plastic on a plug — no need to break the bank. Reviewers appreciate how hard it is for kids to remove these, while still being simple for adults to use.

19. A digital thermometer for when you can’t help but constantly check for a fever. ("Are they warm? Oh wait, they’re fine. But ARE they? Let me check again.") This thermometer provides fast readings and is even handy for checking bath water temperature, making it a useful and affordable buy.

A trusted and reliable nasal aspirator that will efficiently clear your baby's nasal passages, even if it seems a bit off-putting at first. The Nose Frieda is a favorite among reviewers and will save you both trips to the doctor and prevent some of those sleepless nights.

A set of waterproof changing pad liners designed to make cleaning up after late-night blowouts quick and easy, helping you get back to sleep faster. These liners are placed over the changing pad cover to protect it from stains. If one gets soiled, simply remove it, toss it in the laundry, and replace it with a fresh liner. It's a much cheaper option than replacing the entire changing pad cover.

A diaper caddy that ensures you have everything you need for diaper changes easily accessible, no matter where you are in the house. After having my first child, I quickly learned that constantly carrying both myself and my baby up the stairs for every diaper change wasn’t practical. A diaper caddy offers flexibility and can even be kept in the car. It's also perfect for families lacking space for a full changing table.

23. A bow organizer—an affordable solution to keep all those bows, headbands, and barrettes in order instead of in a chaotic pile.

24. A travel booster seat for when you’re on the go or if you just prefer to avoid using those sticky restaurant booster seats.

25. A highly recommended stain remover that effectively tackles stubborn stains with ease. Babies — and children — go through an endless number of clothes, and a reliable stain remover can save you from the heartache of ruining your favorite baby outfit beyond repair.

26. A pair of noise-canceling headphones designed to protect little ears from loud environments. These comfortable and effective headphones allow you to continue your loud activities from before parenthood while keeping your baby safe and sound.

27. A tool designed to unbuckle car seats that will save your nails *and* your patience from the surprisingly tricky task of unbuckling. Additionally — as your child gets older — they'll be able to unbuckle on their own, ensuring you're not frantically rushing out of the car to unbuckle your child during drop-off. The car seat buckle could certainly use one less battle.