Welcome to parenthood! It’s a wild and whacky world out there, and if you’re a parent – or soon to be – your life might feel like you’ve just enrolled in an obstacle-course where every baby gizmo and gadget is claimed to be the thing you ‘can’t possibly live without!’ Never fear dear reader, help is here as we’ve gathered, condensed and prepared a ‘no frills’ laugh-out-loud list of the 10 absolute must-have-baby-products that will make your life easier day-to-day, your sleepless nights – slightly less so, and your baby happier than a clam at high tide.

2. The Ultimate Sleepy-Time Machine: A Sound Machine

This little magic wand, complete with a range of white-noise options through to a soothing lullaby, renders even the bossiest parent something like Harry Potter Junior.

3. The Baby Burrito Wrapper: Swaddle Blankets

There’s nothing like a swaddle blanket to keep your baby burrito tight, warm, snug, and remind your newest family member of sweet, cozy womblife, effectively delaying the rush to ‘check out this wide world’ and so creating an infinitely happier snooze.

4. The Portable Baby Throne: A Travel Crib

A travel crib is your child’s throne and place of rest wherever you are – whether visiting grandparents or on holiday, the whole family feel comforted by the familiar sight (and smell) of their sleep space.

5. The Mary Poppins Bag: A Spacious Diaper Bag

A huge diaper bag – your Mary Poppins bag – in which there’s a place for everything, all tidily stowed and always ready to hand.

6. The Hunger Buster: A High-Quality Breast Pump

Something that really helps out if you’re a breastfeeding parent is a good pump – if you have one, then you can save up your milk for when you’re away, or you can get someone else like your partner to do a feeding and bonding.

7. The Germ Warrior: A Bottle Sterilizer

With a bottle steriliser, you’ll be able to contain the germs in your kitchen. It’s the non-milk baby warrior accessory that assures that your bottle, pacifier and teethers will be sterilised and safe.

8. The Snuggle Sanctuary: A Baby Carrier

Keeper of your baby’s tenderness, it’s your hands-free ticket to taking your baby on grocery runs, dishes, gardening chores, or even for a hike through the woods.

9. The Night Watch: A Video Baby Monitor

Having your own 24-7 video baby monitor, which can be easily displayed either on its own or on your smart phone, is a bit like having your very own private investigator on the case at all times. Whether you’re in the next room or out in the garden, you can be assured that at a glance you will be able to see – and hear – your baby.

10. The Trusty Steed: A Durable Stroller

And finally, a good, no-nonsense stroller will be your horse, taking you and the little one on trips near and far, around the block and in the park.

Voilà!: the 10 baby products every new parent needs (wants, covets)! Of course, the right stuff can help make the experience easier on you. BUT, you absolutely don’t need all of it to raise a happy, healthy baby. The real game-changer is the love, care and attention you will share with your little one. So, cheers to the adventure ahead: may it be filled with laughter, love and, hopefully, a wee bit more sleep than you were expecting. Happy parenting!