Meet the What to Expect Mom Must-Have Award Winners of 2022

Clarity and accuracy are crucial when it comes to pregnancy tests, and Clearblue checks both of those boxes, which is probably why our community members have named it the Best Pregnancy Test Brand two years straight. The Clearblue digital pregnancy test has a Smart Countdown feature that tracks the test’s progres via flashing blocks, just in case you forgot to set a timer. When the blocks disappear, the results are clearly displayed as the words “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant” — no need to interpret faded lines. Clearblue’s test claims to be 99 percent accurate when taken the day of your expected period. But if you’re someone who likes to check things two or three times, you’ll be happy to know these tests come three to a box. 

Good To Know: The test’s extra wide absorbency tip minimizes mess and collects extra urine to reduce user error. 

Packed with all the nutrients pregnant women need — like folate, vitamin D, iron and DHA — it’s no surprise that Nature Made’s Prenatal Multivitamin won this award for the third year in a row. But what our community members love most about these prenatal vitamins is how gentle they are on the stomach and taste buds. Many moms praised the softgel capsules for being easy to swallow, and free from both the chalky aftertaste of uncoated pills and the excess sugar of gummy vitamins. As always, consult your doctor before adding any new supplement to your diet.

Good to know: One jar contains 60 softgels.

As your pregnancy progresses, your bump puts more pressure on your hips and back, which makes sleeping much more difficult. Stomach and back sleepers also have the added challenge of learning to sleep on their side. But our community of moms swear by the PharMeDoc Full Body C-Shaped Pillow as the solution to many (if not all) of their pregnancy sleep problems. 

Winning this award for three consecutive years, PharMeDoc’s pregnancy pillow gently hugs your entire body, thanks to its semi-circle design. In doing so, it’s able to provide full-body support — from your neck, to your back, to your ankles. Many moms use it postpartum to provide support for nursing, sleeping or just sitting. 

Good to know: The jersey cotton fabric is soft, but may generate a little extra heat.

Affordability is a key factor for maternity clothes. After all, you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on clothes that you’ll wear for a short time. But you also want clothes that are well-made, in case you get pregnant in the future. Enter, Old Navy. The brand’s maternity section is not limited to a few items; you’ll find a variety of maternity leggings, jeans (like these straight-leg gray jeans), underwear and more — and all at the affordable price points Old Navy is known for. 

Good to know: You can shop the maternity section by item or trimester.

Another option for affordable, quality maternity clothes: Motherhood Maternity. Here, you can find everything from maternity underwear to formal styles (like this side ruched dress) to labor and delivery gowns. And, as many What to Expect Moms point out, this site often has some amazing sales. Motherhood Maternity is also very size-inclusive: One community member wrote that this was one of the few stores where she could find plus-size maternity clothes. 

Good to know: In addition to their own line, Motherhood Maternity carries a wide range of maternity brands, including Seraphine, Beyond Yoga, Paige, Splendid and more.

Frida Mom is known for creating game-changing products you never really knew you needed (until you do!), and its postpartum recovery kit is no exception. Each item in this 11-piece kit is meant to relieve pain and help you heal after giving birth. From ice maxi pads that reduce perineal swelling to a numbing foam that eases burning, you’ll be thankful for every item — and even more thankful for the easy-to-follow instructions. The Frida Mom postpartum kit also comes with a storage caddy to keep everything organized, and make it easier to tote your gear around the house. 

Good to know: The kit includes four pairs of disposable postpartum undies, four Instant Ice Maxi Pads, 24 witch hazel pad liners, Perineal Healing Foam and a storage caddy and carry case.

You’ll often find yourself fighting the urge to buy every onesie, sleeper, and baby outfit set. But at Carter’s, you can give into the tempation every once in a while thanks to its low prices. In addition to the affordability, What to Expect parents rave about the retailer's high quality fabrics, adorable designs and size range, offering clothes from premie to 14. They also appreciate that Carter’s has several annual sales, including the Baby Boom Sale in April and Baby Love Sale in September, allowing them to further stretch their dollar.

If you want to try a little of everything, check out their 8-piece baby bundle, which includes: five short-sleeve bodysuits, two pairs of pants and one cardigan.

Good to know: Not only does Carter's frequently have sales, but you can join the brand's loyalty program to earn points that convert into additional discounts off future purchases.

Modern, stylish and affordable are just some of the words What to Expect parents use to describe the Delta Children Essex 4-in-1 convertible crib. Made of sturdy pine, the crib has a two-tone design — white or gray crib and natural wooden legs — that makes it aesthetically appealing and timeless. Which is good, because it grows with your child, easily converting from a crib, to a toddler bed, to a daybed, to a sofa. This further stretches your dollar on what is normally a big ticket item. 

Good to know: You will have to purchase the toddler guardrail separately to convert it into a toddler bed. 

Halo has reimagined its beloved BassiNest as a sleep space your baby can use anywhere in the house. When attached to the base — which is 30 percent lighter than its predecessor but just as sturdy — the bassinet can be placed over your bed for a safe room-sharing set up. But if you’re staying at Grandma’s for the weekend or want to bring baby downstairs while you fold laundry, the bassinet detaches from the stand for easy portability. (You shouldn’t, however, detach or move the bassinet while the baby is in it.)

Like the previous model, the Bassinest Swivel Sleeper 3.0 features a mesh wall that lowers so you can lift your baby without having to stand up or bend — perfect for moms recovering from a C-section. It also offers the same360 degree rotation, making it easy to rock and sway your baby to sleep. 

Good to know: The Bassinest weighs 23 pounds and is 33 x 32 x 45 inches.

For a baby monitor that has a large reception range and clear images, you can’t go wrong with that Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro. The monitor’s 1,000-foot range gives you the freedom to move around the house (and even outside) when baby’s asleep. Meanwhile, the monitor’s 5-inch LCD screen offers a clear resolution, even when zooming in on your little one. Speaking of zooming in, you can swap camera lenses to best suit your needs. For instance, the close-up lens provides a detailed view of your newborn, while the panoramic lens can show the entire room when your kiddo gets older. 

But that’s not all. The Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro offers temperature monitoring, camera tilt and pan capabilities, night vision and two-way audio. It’s also connects via radio signal, not Wi-Fi, so other caregivers (a babysitter or grandparent, for example) can keep an eye on baby without connecting to the internet or installing an app. 

Good to know: The monitor can connect to four cameras, which is ideal for parents hoping to watch over multiple kids or rooms.

Trusted by families for generations, Dr. Brown's bottles are known for making feeding and digesting easier. The line of Anti-Colic bottles feature a two-piece vent that keeps air from coming into contact with the milk. This prevents your baby from swallowing air, which can lead to spit-up, burping and gas. With the Options+ bottles, you can remove the vent as the baby's feeding progresses for a more age-appropriate bottle.  

But the vent isn’t the only feature that makes Dr. Brown a favorite among community members. Many What to Expect parents note how easy their baby had little troubling transitioning from breast to Dr. Brown’s bottle and back. This is likely due to the bottle’s nipple, which is shaped like a breast to help reduce nipple confusion and provide a consistent flow of milk. 

Good to know: Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options+ are available as glass or plastic, and narrow- or wide-neck. 

Boppy’s original support pillow (formerly known as the nursing pillow) is a timeless parenting item that continues to win over What to Expect mothers. And that makes sense, given that the pillow was designed by a mother. The pillow’s C-shape and firm polyester fiber filling makes it easier to keep baby in an upright feeding position which, in turn, helps reduce spit-up, burping and gas. It also supports mom’s arms and back, which can become stuff during long feeding sessions. 

But the Boppy is more than a feeding aid. As baby works towards developmental milestones, the pillow can be used as an aid for tummy time (6+ months) and sitting (9+ months.) Just remember, your baby should always be awake and supervised when using the Boppy. 

Good to know: Both the Boppy and its removable slipcover are machine washable. 

Enfamil offers an extensive line of baby formulas, but Enfamil NeuroPro seems to be a go-to for many families. The formula provides brain-building nutrients like DHA and immune-supporting prebiotics, ensuring your baby is getting the fuel they need to hit their milestones. Available as a powder or ready-to-feed formula, Enfamil Neuro Pro is structurally similar to breast milk, which may make it easier for your baby to digest.

Be sure to consult with your pediatrician before starting your child on formula, as they may recommend finding one that addresses common feeding issues, such as colic or milk protein allergy. Fortunately Enfamil has options for both. 

Good to know: Enfamil’s container is dishwasher safe, so you can buy formula refills instead of a new tub every time, saving you money. 

Spectra offers four different electric breast pumps: the S1 Plus, S2 Plus, S3 Pro and 9 Plus. But our community is particularly fond of the hospital-grade S1 Plus. (So much so that this is the second year it’s won this award!) Although the pump is compact and lightweight, it packs the same power as larger models, with some moms saying it helps them express twice the amount of milk as other pumps. 

In addition to being powerful, moms love that the Spectra 1 is comfortable and relatively quiet. It’s also wireless, which is especially helpful for pumping moms who have to travel and aren’t always near an outlet. 

Good to know: The Spectra S1 features nightlight and a digital stopwatch, both of which can come in handy during late-night pumping sessions.

Moms appreciate a good two-in-one item, so it’s no surprise that the What to Expect community love Kindred Bravely’s Sublime Hands-Free Nursing and Pumping Bra. The brand’s best-selling bra has three layers — full-coverage, pumping and nursing — all of which can be accessed by unhooking the brand’s patented Easy Clip. The pumping layer securely fits all standard pump flanges, as well as wearable breast pumps. 

Made of a nylon spandex blend, Kindred Bravely’s bra is comfortable and supportive but not constrictive, which you’ll be thankful for as your breasts continue to change in size and shape postpartum. 

While you’re stocking up, be sure to check out the brand’s underwear, pajamas, loungewear and more. 

Good to know: The bra is available in sizes S-XXL and S-XXL Busty, which caters to people with larger breasts. 

Although parents may have mixed opinions about pacifiers, the AAP actually suggests that parents consider giving infants 1 month and up a one-piece pacifier when sleeping, since they may help reduce SIDS risk. And among What to Expect community members, Philips Avent Soothie is the pacifier of choice.

Made from durable, hospital-grade silicone, the Philips Avent pacifier has an orthodontic-friendly nipple that ensures the natural development of baby’s teeth and gums. It’s also BPA- and latex-free, as well as dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to clean when it inevitably falls on the floor. 

What some parents love most about the Soothie is that it’s designed to promote bonding. You can place your finger in the nipple, enabling you to help your baby suckle themselves to sleep. 

Good to know: Soothies come in several colors and sizes. Select the 0-3 month size for your newborn, then upgrade to the bigger size around 3 months. 

For the second year in a row, What to Expect parents have named Graco’s 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 the best convertible car seat, with some saying it’s the only car seat their child has ever used. That makes sense, given the car seat’s longevity. As with all convertible car seats, the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 adapts to your growing baby’s needs. But this particular car seat takes it the furthest, giving parents up to 10 years of use with its final stage: a backless belt positioning booster that’s suited for children between 40 and 120 pounds. Talk about stretching your dollar!

It’s also easy to install, thanks to the brand’s In Right Latch system, though some parents note that the harness can be difficult to tighten and the straps can be tricky to loosen, which isn’t ideal if you’re in a hurry. 

Good to know: The car seat cover can be taken off — without uninstalling the seat — and thrown into the washing machine for easy cleaning. 

Chicco’s KeyFit 30 Infant car seat gives parents peace of mind, thanks to multiple safety features. First, the two bubble level-indicators verify that the seat is properly angled in the base.  Then there are the LATCH connectors, which ensure the base is secure and stable. Additionally, the ReclineSure feature allows you to position the car seat to best fit within your vehicle without sacrificing safety. 

Although it’s not the most lightweight option, the Chicco KeyFit is still lighter than some other models. Suitable for children up to 30 pounds or 30 inches tall, the car seat can also hold a 4- to 11-pound-newborn with the use of a head and body insert, which is sold separately. 

Good to know: The One-Pull Harness makes it easy to tighten the straps.

Although Uppababy offers several excellent options, the What to Expect community loves the Vista V2, deeming it the Best Stroller for the fourth consecutive year. 

Wondering what makes this pricey stroller so appealing? To start, the Vista V2’s shock-absorbing wheels make for a smooth ride, while the rain shield, bug shield, and UPF 50 canopy keep your little one safe from all the elements. Then there’s the storage. The basket beneath the seat can hold up to 30 pounds of baby gear, while compatible accessories like the carry all parent organizer and changing backpack provide more space to store your essentials. 

But it’s the stroller’s longevity that really wins over parents. The Vista V2 can be used from the newborn stage up to 50 pounds. As your family grows, you can add the RumbleSeat and PiggyBack ride along board (both sold separately) to push up to three kids at once. 

Good to know: The VISTA folds and stands on its own for easy storage.

Let’s face it, toting your baby around can be a literal pain on your arm, backs, and hips. Fortunately, Ergobaby offers a supportive and comfortable line of carriers to make the task a little easier on your body. There are many varieties to choose from, including wrap-style, but our community is partial to the Omni 360. 

This best-selling carrier allows you to hold baby four ways: in front and facing you, in front and facing out, on your hip or on your back. The Omni 360 features a hidden baby hood for sun protection and a pillow to support their neck. But the Ergobaby carrier isn’t just concerned with the baby's comfort. It also has a thick lumbar back pad and extra padded shoulder straps to help reduce any added strain. 

Good to know: The Omni 360 is machine washable and has a storage pouch to hold diapers and other essentials.

A three-time award winner, Aveeno is a must among our community members. Specifically, those whose babies have sensitive skin. The hypoallergenic baby wash and shampoo is made from oat kernel extract, which can soothe irritated skin and serve as a natural moisturizer. Aveeno’s baby wash and shampoo is also free from irritants like paraben, sulfate, phthalate-free. 

But babies aren’t the only ones who benefit from the gentle cleanser. Adults with sensitive skin can use the tear-free wash to clean their face, without it stripping their skin of much-needed moisture. 

Good to know: Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Wash and Shampoo has a sweet but mild scent.

Huggies’ Little Snugglers are an especially good choice for babies with sensitive skin. Free from fragrance, lotion, paraben, elemental chlorine and natural rubber latex, these diapers won’t add more irritants to your baby’s rash-prone bottom. They also feature a gentle-absorb liner and leak-locking system to keep baby’s skin dry until the next diaper change. (And a color changing line will let you know when that time comes.) 

Available from newborn to size 6, Huggies’ Little Snugglers offer quality leak- and skin-protection at an affordable price. 

Good to know: Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers have an umbilical cord cutout, to protect your newborn’s belly button and help it heal. 

You can never have too many diapers — or diaper options. What to Expect parents love the Pampers Swaddlers Diapers for their fit and leak-protection. The flexible bands offer more stretch to accommodate your growing baby. The material is soft enough to be gentle on baby’s skin, but strong enough to contain messes. In fact, Pampers claims its Swaddlers Diapers provide up to 12 hours of dryness protection. Additionally, the brand’s Dual Leak-Guard Barriers along the leg cuff further prevent leaks where they happen most.

These diapers lack the patterns and designs of its competitors, but some parents like that, as the diaper doesn’t show through clothing. 

Good to know: Pampers Swaddlers are a great choice for newborns, given their long-lasting protection and umbilical cord notch.  

It makes sense that What to Expect parents pair their Pampers diapers with Pampers wipes. Although the brand offers a variety of baby wipes, including fragrance-free and organic options, our community favors the Sensitive Wipes. Free from parabens, perfume and alcohol, these wipes are as gentle as a washcloth and water, but have a pH balancing lotion that helps the skin protect itself from irritation. They’re also thick, so you’ll swipe them less and use less in general. Speaking of, Pampers Sensitive Wipes come in a pop-top package that helps keep wet wipes fresh limits dispensing to one at a time, reducing waste and stretching your dollar. 

Good to know: Pampers Sensitive Wipes are certified hypoallergenic. 

Skip Hop offers a variety of diaper bags, each one equipped with plenty of pockets and useful accessories. So it’s no surprise that What to Expect moms and dads voted it the Best Diaper Bag Brand for the fourth consecutive year. 

Again, Skip Hop has diaper bags in all sizes and styles, from totes to backpacks. But the Skip Hop Forma Backpack Diaper Bag is a top pick among our community members. The quilted backpack has a spacious interior to store everything you need to diaper, feed and entertain baby on the go. It also has two packing cubes, one of which is insulated, to keep everything organized. The bag’s extra-wide dual zip opening makes it easy to grab items (quickly) with one hand. Yet despite all this room, the bag is relatively small (16 x 8 x 14 inches) and lightweight (1.4 pounds), so you won’t feel like you packed up everything your baby owns. . . even if you did. 

Good to know: The Skip Hop Forma comes in three colors and has built-in stroller straps for easier carrying. 

Also a What to Expect Feeding Awards winner, Graco’s convertible high chair is a favorite among value-minded parents. Featuring seven different stages, this takes your child from infancy (standard high chair) to toddlerhood (table and chair). Parents with two children even have the option to transform the high chair into a toddler chair and booster seat. In addition to customizing the type of seating, you can also choose from five heights, three footrest positions and three reclining positions to find the ideal set up for your child. 

And since high chairs tend to get dirty, you’ll be happy to hear you can toss the seat pad in the washing machine and the tray in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

Good to know: Graco Table2Table chair can be folded for compact storage. 

Swings can be hit or miss with babies, but if your child is comforted by rocking motion, then you’ll want to invest in the best. For What to Expect moms and dads, that's the Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Cradle 'n Swing. The dual motion swing gives your arms a much-needed break by swaying baby side to side or head to toe (always while the baby is supervised and awake, of course). In addition to choosing the motion, you can select one of six speeds. There are also some additional features to help soothe and entertain your baby, including a plush mobile, an overhead dome mirror and 16 music options. 

Short on space? When not in use, fold the legs of the swing for easy storage. 

Good to know: The extra-plush seat pad, which includes newborn head and body support, is machine washable.   

When you think of playards, you probably think of Graco Pack 'n Plays — and for good reason. The company offers a full range of playards from bare bones to souped-up models. For a happy medium, parents love the On-the-Go Playard. The not-too-large playard keeps your little one contained while still providing plenty of room to wander. But you can use this before your baby enters the exploring stage. The Pack ‘n Play comes with a removable, full-size bassinet for smaller, less mobile babies to rest while they are home or away. There’s also a toy bar that acts like a mobile to hold baby’s attention till they fall asleep. As with all Graco playards, this one features the push-button fold for quick hassle-free packing.

Good to know: The playard weighs 21.2 pounds and is 39.5 x 28.25 x 29 inches. 

Your little escape artists will be no match for SwaddleMe’s Original Swaddle. The 100 percent cotton swaddle provides plenty of comfort and room for natural movement, but keeps their startle reflexes in check. This is due to the swaddle’s "wings," which wrap around the baby and are secured with velcro. Because the fabric stretches, you can easily adjust the swaddle’s size as your baby grows. That said, SwaddleMe comes in three sizes — preemie ; small (0-3 months), and large (3-6 months), as well as a variety of colors and patterns. 

Good to know: The SwaddleMe Original Swaddle comes in packs of three, so you’ll always have a clean one on hand. 

Once a baby has graduated from a swaddle, some parents transition them to a sleep sack to allow for normal movement while providing a little extra warmth. (The AAP says cribs should be free from loose objects, including blankets, until your child is at least 1 year old.) And many parents opt for the Halo Sleepsack, a What to Except Sleep Award-winner and two-time Mom Must-Have Award-winner. 

Made of 100 percent cotton, the wearable blanket has a two-way zipper for easy diaper changes, which parents love. Another pro: the sleepsack can be used through the toddler years, with sizes suited for babies up to 24 months. The sleepsack’s spacious design provides plenty of room, which is important for proper hip development, while the lack of sleeves keeps baby from overheating. 

Good to know: The Halo Sleepsack should be used over regular sleepwear for a comfy night’s rest. 

For the second year in a row, What to Expect parents have deemed Lovevery the Best Baby Toy Brand. From blocks, to play gyms, to crawl-through tunnels, Lovevery offers an array of aesthetically pleasing, sustainably-made toys that support your child’s development. But the brand is best known for its Lovevery Play Kits, Montessori-inspired subscription service that delivers a box of toys and books for your baby’s particular developmental stage every two to three months. 

In addition to the variety of toys, parents love that each kit comes with a play guide that provides information about your child’s stage and suggestions on how to play with the toys to help with their development. 

Good to know: Play kits are available for newborns to 4-year-olds. 

Dreft continues to be a must-have for parents after 80-plus years on the market. Made of biodegradable surfactants, the brand’s hypoallergenic detergent is strong enough to clear tough stains but gentle enough so as not to irritate baby’s skin. Parents can choose between Stage 1 for newborns or Stage 2 for more active kids. They also have a "family-friendly" option that can safely clean the entire household's laundry, as well as a spray stain remover which I may have used on my own clothes from time to time.

In addition to removing stains, Dreft’s detergent leaves clothes with a fresh, but not overpowering scent. 

Good to know: This 150-ounce container has enough liquid for 96 loads of laundry. 

Your baby is bound to get sick, especially if they are around other kids at day care. They’ll also experience some pain when they inevitably start to teethe. In these instances, you’ll want to have Infants' Tylenol Pain and Fever Reducer Liquid at the ready. Containing 160 mg of acetaminophen per 5 mL dose, Tylenol’s baby-friendly medication provides temporary relief to your little one without upsetting their stomach. Each box comes with clear instructions on dosage and administration, taking away some parental worry. 

Be sure to keep all medication out of your child’s reach, preferably in a locked cabinet. Additionally, you should consult your pediatrician or a pharmacist before giving medicine to a child 2 years or younger. 

Good to know: Infants' Tylenol Pain and Fever Reducer Liquid comes in grape or cherry flavor.