Gadgets for babies

Best Baby Gizmos

With so many products available on the market for new mums and their babies, choosing which products to buy for your newborn can be an overwhelming decision. We talk you through some of our favourite gadgets for bubs.

Baby monitor

Any busy mum will understand the pressures of needing to be in a million different places and get a million different things done at any one time, so a baby monitor can be an absolute godsend. Get the washing done or catch up with friends over a cuppa in the living room while your baby sleeps, and relax with the peace of mind that you'll know exactly when they start grumbling or wake up. Modern-day monitors offer a bunch of fantastic bells and whistles, so it's important to choose a product that suits your needs. You can opt for extra features like in-built video monitors with night vision and temperature gauges, or keep it simple with audio only. We like the Angelcare Sound Movement Digital Monitor which you can get at Baby Bunting for $249 because it alerts to movement and sound.

Nasal aspirator

If your baby suffers from congestion and a stuffy nose, a nasal aspirator can help clear their nose and remove the excess mucus when they're still too young to learn how to blow the mucus out themselves. Not only should the gadget help ease the length and seriousness of related sicknesses, but also minimise their risk of ear infections and ensure that your baby and you both have a better sleep. There are many different kinds of aspirators on the market, from simple bulb syringes to battery-powered gadgets. Whatever choice you make, ensure that your chosen product has passed all of the standard tests and checks to guarantee your baby's safety. We recommend the Baby-Vac Nasal Aspirator for $38.45.

Play gym

Play gyms are a great way to get your newborn moving. They'll keep your little one entertained and fully engaged, and will also aid development by stimulating the senses and promoting core motor skills and strength. They'll learn about touch, sight and sound, with many colourful and tactile toys to see and hold, and various buttons echoing amusing sounds. Your baby will also be encouraged to practise skills like grabbing, thanks to colourful hanging toys of interest. Their strength will also be developed as they're enticed to move their head around and look at the toys, and in some gyms to roll over, sit up and eventually stand. Some products may even allow you to remove certain toys and features once your baby has outgrown the gym. As with any product, play gyms are available in all different shapes, colours and sizes, from simple devices to grand creations with many different features, so once again evaluate which features are important to you. Bright Starts Walk-a-Bout is a great option for a budget, at only $49.95.

Baby care timer

For first-time parents, trying to remember every little thing you need to do and the timing of each can sometimes feel like it's too much -- especially when you're both lacking sleep. If you're struggling to keep up with everything, or simply want to give your brain a break but still make sure you're sticking to a strict routine, a baby care timer might prove very helpful in your home. These products offer numerous different timers so you can stay on top of when your baby last ate, slept and had their nappy changed. Little extras like keeping a record of which side breast your baby last fed from might also make your transition into motherhood a whole lot less stressful. Baby timers will also help you to rest easy when leaving your child with a family member or babysitter. Try the Itzbeen Baby Care Timer for only $39.99.