A little over seven months ago, my life transformed in the best possible way when I became the second dad in the BH office. Gone are the carefree pub crawls, sleep-ins, and spontaneous weekends. Instead, my days now revolve around nappies, naps, and endless giggles. It’s a wild ride, but as someone who was a little on the fence beforehand, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
As any new parent knows, navigating the minefield of baby advice from friends, family, and forums can feel overwhelming. More than half a year in, I’ve found a few absolute game-changers that I can’t imagine living dad life without. If you’re a new parent — or about to join the club — here are the six MVPs of my parenting arsenal.
Pro-tip: most of these go on sale at various times throughout the year, so wait for a deal, if you can.
Stokke YOYO³ Travel Pram
Prams are bloody expensive. And from what I read online, my wife and I were going to need to fork out for a walking pram and a travel pram. My sister-in-law (a mother of two) disagreed and said, “You only need a YOYO.” And I’m glad she did.
You know that pram you see every second parent pushing around? Yep, it’s the YOYO. Lightweight, compact, and stylish, it folds down small enough to fit in an airplane overhead bin — perfect for quick getaways, long jaunts overseas (we took our daughter to Europe for two months), or just saving boot space. It handles like a dream on busy city streets and café corners, making it ideal for parents on the go.
No, you can’t go for a jog with it, but for pretty much anything else — it’s absolutely bang on.
Stokke Nomi High Chair
We’ve recently ventured into the messy world of solids, and the Stokke Nomi has been a godsend.
This isn’t just a high chair — it’s a throne for the baby king or queen. Designed to grow with your child, it’s adjustable, ergonomic, and (bonus points) actually looks good in the dining room. Clean-up is easy too — essential when your baby decides that the floor deserves more pumpkin puree (see: below) than their face.
CuboAi Plus Smart Baby Monitor
This little baby monitor is a lifesaver for peace of mind.
The CuboAi goes beyond just video and audio — it alerts you if your baby rolls over in their sleep or cries. Plus, it’s got HD video and a quirky bird-like design that blends seamlessly into the nursery. It’s like having an extra set of eyes on the most precious thing in your world.
We love the family sharing settings, with our parents in different states able to dial in and watch our little one while she sleeps. The only downside we’ve found is that you can encounter problems with hotel WiFi networks (hotspot from your phone if you run into trouble).
Le Puree Baby Food
Making your own baby food is fun for the first few feeds. After about a week? Not so much. Enter Le Puree.
This little Aussie gem delivers fresh, organic baby food frozen in little cubes that tastes (yes, I’ve tried it) genuinely good. They’ve got everything from single-ingredient classics to adventurous combos like pumpkin and coconut.
The best part? Less time with a blender in your hand, more time enjoying your kid’s giggles — or sneaking a quick nap.
Bugaboo Stardust Plus Portacot
If I had to describe this portacot in one word, it would be magic.
The Stardust unfolds in one second. One. Second. If you’ve ever battled with a stubborn portacot while trying to settle a screaming baby (like I have with my nieces and nephews cots), you’ll know why this is revolutionary.
It’s lightweight, sturdy, and packs up as easily as it sets up, making it perfect for weekends at Grandma & Grandpa’s or on a holiday halfway around the world.
Pigeon Baby Bottles & Teats
Switching between breastfeeding and bottle feeding? These are the gold standard.
The Pigeon SofTouch bottles are designed to mimic the natural feel of breastfeeding, making it a seamless transition for the baby — and for me, dad on bottle duty.
They’re durable, easy to clean, and come in wide-neck sizes that my daughter took to immediately. If you’re looking for bottles that just work, these are it.
There’s no such thing as a perfect baby or baby product, but if you’re on the fence about any of these products, I can strongly vouch for each of them. Oh, and in a few years’ time, if your kid is an absolute terror, remember children who disobey their parents earn higher salaries.
