We all wish that parenting came with a manual, but that’s not the reality.
After welcoming our little bundles of joy into our world, most of us are met with more questions than answers. From that nerve-wrecking delivery to dropping them off on their first day of preschool, there’s almost certainly going to be a bit of blood, sweat, and tears involved. Okay, maybe more than a bit.
We’re by no means experts, but the parents of the Post Wanted team have picked up some tricks along the way, from sneaky ways to find snacks with hidden superfoods to sanity-saving toys that keep are kiddos entertained for hours of travel. We’ve found all sorts of products that have supported our babies at every stage and made our lives a little easier in the process.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best parenting hacks to throw in your back pocket. Whether you’re still expecting, navigating a sleep regression, or just trying to survive the daily chaos of toddlerhood, these smart investments could change the game altogether.
At just over $300, the Evenflo is a bit of an investment, but when you consider all the time you’ll save twisting, turning, and straining your back to get your kiddo out, it’s well worth it. Commerce partnerships manager, Ryan Murphy, calls it a serious game-changer.
New York Post Review: “This car seat makes it so much easier to get your kid in the car seat facing outwards and then rotate them in, and the same goes for removing them from the car as well,” Murphy exclaimed. “Easy to clean, all materials can be put in the wash, and great for growing kids. This can also face forward and recline. Bonus for having two cup holders!”
If you’re looking for a tasty snack to bring around for errands or a long car ride, YoGos are just what you need. These yogurts fit easily in little ones’ hands and have a small dispenser, which helps kids practice independent eating. On top of the convenient packaging, they’re packed with organic ingredients, gut-friendly probiotics, and a solid dose of protein. They’re also free of artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and added sugar. Unlike shelf-stable pouches, YoGos are made with cold-pressure processing (HPP) to lock in nutrients while ensuring top-tier safety and quality.
New York Post Review: “The Little Spoon YoGos are the perfect on-the-go snack for my toddler,” Murphy shared. “Sometimes, sitting and eating isn’t an option with a little boy who would rather be digging in the dirt. These yogurts include real ingredients and have a ton of different flavors that he loves. These can help me rest assured he’s getting something nutrient-dense, and can still be on the move!”
Parents know the struggle of taking formula on the go. Most of us are guilty of pouring a few scoops into a plastic bag and praying it stays put. The Anywhere Pack is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Next-gen baby formula that’s packaged in slim portable pouches and ready to mix just about anywhere.
New York Post Review: “If there’s one thing I wish I knew about when I transitioned my daughter to formula, it would have been By Heart’s Anywhere Packs,” shared commerce writer, Miska Salemann. “These perfectly portioned pouches are so simple to use, you could probably pour them into a bottle with your eyes closed. I love that they do the measuring for you (1 packet for every 4 ounces). If you’re running around the city with a little one, these little pouches will change your life.”
It’s always great to have a bunch of snacks on hand, but the teething phase is no joke, and you’ll want to find foods with textures that are easy to chew and gentle on babies’ gums. Little Spoon offers a range of delicious teething-friendly snacks that are formulated by experts and speech pathologists, so your little ones’ needs are being met just where they’re at. As one of the first American brands to meet safety standards that align with the EU, Little Spoon also tests for over 500 toxins and contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides, and plasticizers. Parents can feel confident knowing their little ones are enjoying snacks that meet the highest standards for quality and nutrition.
New York Post Review: “Finding suitable snacks felt a million times more challenging once my daughter’s teeth started coming,” shared Salemann. “I get it, nobody wants to chomp down on something with sore gums. Luckily, Little Spoon has some great options for kiddos that are going through that phase. The organic banana pitaya rings were a fan favorite in my household. Crunchy, melty, and easy for tiny hands to handle. Plus, they’re still packed with seasoned fruits and veggies, so you can rest assured your little one is getting a balance of nutrients.”
It’s hard to come by a toy that keeps kids interested for longer than ten minutes, but this Montessori-style wood block has been shown to do the trick. Better yet, it sneaks in some sensory learning, too. There are eight different switches, and each switch corresponds to a different color or style of LED light. Toddlers will love to practice recognizing different colors and sizes, all while keeping their hands busy.
New York Post Review: “The amount of compliments we’ve received on this is crazy,” said Murphy. “It keeps our son occupied whenever we need to go out for a meal or a longer car ride. This is a great toy that helps build fine motor skills, as well as ensuring they are not looking at a screen. Many of my friends love to play with this as well… so maybe it’s not just for toddlers!”
Getting your baby to sleep and sleep through the night is the ultimate struggle for just about any new parent. Commerce partnerships manager, Frank Massaro, says that the Hatch Sound Machine and Hatch Rest Go have helped them crack the code. The larger device offers gentle lights and sounds to soothe your newborn and help teach older kids when to rise. The smaller Hatch Go is the ideal travel companion; you can clip it on your stroller, place it next to your travel crib, and toss it into your diaper bag when you’re done.
New York Post Review: “While your own voice is always the best option to comfort your baby, it’s unrealistic to always be humming and with your baby throughout the night,” Massaro explained. “Enter the Hatch and Hatch Go. These have been instrumental (pun intended) in creating the soundscapes that keep my baby asleep. From wind-down lullabies to heartbeats and brown noise, the Hatch can create environments with both sound and color to facilitate deeper and more restful sleep.”
Forget Kid’s Cuisine. High-quality, heat-and-eat meals do exist, and they’re much tastier than the trays your parents told you to pull out when they were in a crunch. Little Spoon still saves you time cooking and prepping, but it doesn’t skimp on quality. The company works with experts who specialize in nutrition, feeding, and motor development to curate meals that support kiddos at every stage. Ingredients are sourced from farms that meet Little Spoon’s high standards and are free of additives like synthetic colors and high fructose corn syrup. These plates are picky-eater approved, so if you have trouble finding something your kid will actually enjoy and devour, we recommend adding these you your cart now.
New York Post Review: “I used to think I was above pre-made meals for my toddler, but then I discovered Little Spoon,” Salemann admitted. “This brand has seriously raised the standards. The meals are well-balanced, made with organic ingredients, and the diverse menu combines different flavors, colors, and textures, so your kiddo gets to experience new foods. My daughter is particularly thrilled about the brand’s limited-edition Sauzy plates, and I’ve even sampled some myself. I can affirm — they taste as good as they look.”
Find a trusted travel system: Doona
Touted as the world’s first complete and fully integrated travel system, the Doona allows parents to move from car seat to stroller in seconds. It’s made with premium-grade fiber-reinforced polymers, rust-free aluminum, and a UPF 50+ sun protection and water-repellent canopy. While it’s designed for babies 35 pounds and under, the small frame makes it a fabulous choice for families navigating the city, airports, or public transportation.
New York Post Review: “As a city-dwelling Parent, the Doona is the ultimate parenting hack for commuting flexibility,” Massaro exclaimed. “With the ability to seamlessly transition from a stroller to a car seat, the frustrations of navigating the city are almost completely mitigated. The Doona will save you space and time, which are both premiums as a parent.”
If you’ve ever had to wrestle a squirmy baby into a pair of pajamas, you know that buttons, snaps, and even Velcro can create a nightmare. Little Sleepies pajama sets feature a genius two-way zipper and silky smooth material that makes midnight changes tremendously easier. The extra-stretchy fabric also grows with babies, so you get more use out of their outfits. Honestly, these styles are cute enough to wear in the daytime too, which makes picking an outfit that much easier.
New York Post Review: “Little Sleepies are simply the best pajamas to use for any parent. I wouldn’t call them a hack so much as a necessity,” Massaro said. “With a zipper running the length of the pajamas, diaper changes become exponentially faster than any pajamas with buttons or snaps. Seriously, do not get pajamas that require buttons; buttons are evil, and your baby will agree. The material is silky smooth and super flexible, which is key for your child’s comfort.”
Little Spoon is also the place to go to upgrade your snack drawer, especially if you’re looking for some junk-free alternatives. From sweet oat bakes to dip-and-spread packs and well-seasoned rings, they’re perfect for lunchboxes, long car rides, or a stroll through the park. Your kid will never notice, but these snacks are also packed with hidden superfoods, too. Not to mention, allergy-friendly — you can easily filter for dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, and soy-free options.
New York Post Review: “My daughter can’t get enough of Little Spoon snacks,” Salemann said. “They’re exceptionally convenient, and the serving size is always just right. The oat bars are a huge hit for us, and I definitely don’t mind the fact that they’re packed with chia seeds and zucchini. I recommend having a few of these on hand when a meltdown hits. Little Spoon is proof that eating nutritious food doesn’t have to be overly complicated.”
This one isn’t so much for kids, but for the moms. The ultimate hack: don’t throw out your prenatals. Prenatal vitamins help replenish essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, and DHA, which can easily be depleted from breastfeeding. Pregnancy takes a toll, and if you’re looking for a multivitamin that keeps your mood and energy up, a simple prenatal like this formula by SmartyPants should do the trick.
New York Post Review: “I was clearing out my supplement drawer shortly after my daughter was born, and my mom caught me about ready to toss out the prenatals I took while I was pregnant,” said Salemann. “She explained that they’re actually very beneficial post-partum and beyond, packed with omegas and folate that support energy, recovery, and even breast milk production. I’ve taken them ever since, and my energy has been way up. A number of my mom friends do the same, and my OB/GYN has agreed that they offer a well-rounded combination of nutrients that should help you feel your best.”
Protecting your kiddo from the sun is essential, but it doesn’t make a difference if they rip their hat right off whenever you attempt to send them off in it. SwimZip is designed with an adjustable draw cord to keep it secured and features built-in UPF 50+ sun protection that blocks 98% of all UVA and UVB cancer-causing rays. It’s also available in a sea of colors, so you can find something that suits your kiddo.
New York Post Review: “This hat is super lightweight and has an adjustable draw cord to fit their head. Not to mention, super protective of the sun,” explained Murphy. “My son has no issue wearing this hat, and they come in several bright colors so that you can spot them in a larger group at the beach or park if needed.”
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.
