Top 17 New Baby Products

The 2016 ABC Kids Expo did not disappoint. The annual show brings us all the latest and greatest juvenile products for the coming year. Our team scoured the place for four days to bring you the best of the best.

Again this year, we saw soooo many devices and contraptions that we just don’t think are necessary. I wanted to get excited about them… but I just couldn’t. At the end of the day, I think we need to keep parenthood as simple as possible. I have a hard enough time getting my iPhone to sync with my computer, shoot.

Here are our faves by category. These items are either available now or coming soon. Enjoy!

Top 17 New Baby Products for 2016-2017

1. Graco SnugRide “SnugLock” Infant Seat

*Available January 2017

America’s favorite economy infant seat just got easier to install with a clever new feature called SnugLock. Similar to Britax’s ClickTight feature, SnugLock is a self-tightening mechanism that can be used with a seatbelt or LATCH and takes the guesswork (and muscle-work) out of installing the base.

These new SnugRide models ship in January, so check back here for updates!

2. 4moms Self-Installing Infant Car Seat ~ $499

Available now

“Peace of mind for a price” ~ I first read about this car seat in the New York Times two summers ago and it’s finally here. For nervous new parents, we’re happy to introduce the new 4moms infant seat, “the seat that installs itself.”

Yes, it’s pretty much true; using a smartphone app, the seat base communicates with the app and calculates the perfect install angle and LATCH tension, then adjusts the seat accordingly. It will also alert you when the carrier is left in the base so you don’t accidentally leave your baby in a hot car.

Enter your car’s VIN into the app and it tells you where – in your specific car – you can install the seat and checks periodically to ensure that everything is kosher while underway.

All of this doesn’t come without a cost; at $499, it’s the most expensive infant seat on the market and extra bases will cost you $299. Zoinks! And it’s not totally self-installing; someone still has to click the LATCH connectors in, which some argue is one of the hardest parts of car seat installation (especially in car makes and models).

That said, if you want assurance your baby’s seat is properly installed by caregivers, grandparents or, I dunno, yourself…, check it out. I know some parents who refuse to let others drive their baby around because they don’t trust others with the car seat installation; this can really limit you as a parent. This is one extra tool that will alleviate these fears.

*You may have trouble finding adapters for non-4moms strollers. [See also: 4moms Moxi stroller].

3. gb Idan ~ $359

It’s finally out!

If Will Smith had an infant seat in Men in Black, it would have definitely been this one. The beautiful new gb Idan is space-aged and sleek with amazing safety features to boot.

Features we love: The large cocoon canopy folds away completely, the Euro belt path is great for taxi and Uber’ers, the 11 position adjustable headrest is so easy to use and the anti-rebound load leg (shown, right) will minimize forward rotation in a crash. Furthermore, the extendable Linear Side-impact Protection (L.S.P.) system reduces the forces of a side impact collision.

Yes, this is the hot new Euro seat to beat!

*Compatible with gb Maris & Cybex strollers.

4. Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat ~ $449

If you like the Pipa, you’ll love the Rava. This great looking convertible seat by the Dutch company Nuna brings fashion + the great safety features Nuna is known for.

Features we love: 

• Extended Rear facing up to 50 lbs
• Extendable calf rest (up to 2 extra inches of legroom for extended rear-facing)
• No re-thread harness
• “Simply Secure” lockoff makes for a very easy, hassle-free seatbelt installation
• Built-in recline adjuster (takes the guesswork out of getting the right recline angle, yay!)
• Designed to be very narrow, complete with collapsible cupholders
• Awesome little harness holders that keep the straps out of the way while getting your kiddo in and out of the seat

Watch out Peg Perego, the Nuna Rava is the new fancy convertible Euro seat to beat.

*Available in Caviar (really? – black), Indigo, Berry (maroon), Slate (dark grey), Blackberry (dark purple) and Charcoal (black with grey accents).

5. Cosatto Umbrella Strollers ~ $329

“Baby Stuff with Personality” — best tag line ever.

Fresh off the boat from the UK, Cosatto offers fabulous single and double umbrella strollers. I mean seriously, they are killing it with this “pixelate” print. Check it out —

This stroller is designed for fun, with an MP3 attachment and speakers for tunes on the go. Works from birth up to 33 lbs.

The one-handed adjustable recline offers 4 positions. Comes with chest pads, head hugger, rain cover, and the cute kangaroo pouch you see here in these pics (we love!!!). Weighs 24.5 lbs, so not terribly lightweight! Ahhh, the cost of beauty…

6. Maxi-Cosi Dana for 2 ~ $399

*Coming March of 2017

It’s the first and only double umbrella stroller on the market that can take two infant car seats at the same time. Comes with a cupholder and connectors for the Maxi-Cosi Mico infant seat.

At 31 inches wide and 28 lbs, this double umbrella offers a compact, standing fold and decent storage. Perfect for twins or a baby and a toddler.

7/8. Thule Chariot Cross & Chariot Lite

Chariot Cross ~ $899 single, $999 double

Chariot Lite ~ $699 single, $799 double

Stroll, bike, jog, cross-country ski (yeah, you heard me); short of fording a river, there’s nothing the Thule Chariot Cross (or Lite) can’t do.

I’ll admit, I’m obsessed with bike trailers. As someone who loathes driving, I use one for my kids almost every day and love the independence it gives me.

The Thule Chariot Cross (& Lite) is a high quality crossover “carrier” that serves multiple functions.

The “Cross” is the premium version, complete with newborn sling, perfect for strolling (not for jogging or biking yet, please), a “helmet shelf” (for child’s head comfort) and extra padding. Comes with a ventilated mesh cover (protects against rocks & bugs), a weather cover (protects against rain, snow and wind) and a sunshade.

The suspension ensures a smooth, stable, and enjoyable ride on different
pathway conditions. Reclining seats, featured on most Thule Chariot trailers,
can be used for napping while underway.

For parents, there is plenty of storage, an adjustable handlebar, and a generous kick stride. You can change from strolling to biking, jogging, or even cross-country skiing in seconds. It has a simple, compact fold so you can bring it along in your car on that trip to the mountains. Santa, bring me this!!

*Conversion kits for jogging and cross-country skiing sold separately.

9. Evenflo Pivot ~ $279

These guys know I love a good bargain, so I was stoked to learn about the new Evenflo Pivot reversible stroller and travel system (a BRU exclusive). Yes gang, you don’t need to pay a fortune for the luxury of having a reversible stroller.

This is another awesome 2-in-1 seat, where the stroller seat transforms into a bassinet (for 0-6 months). It has a nice big canopy and a generous storage basket. It can be used with a car seat [only], with the bassinet or with the regular stroller seat in rear or forward facing position. So simple, inexpensive and versatile!

Only $299 with Evenflo SafeMax infant car seat with anti-rebound bar. This is a great bargain, people.

10. Chicco BravoFor2 ~ $279

For mothers who have an older toddler or a preschooler + a baby on the way, this is for you! Keep them both happy with the BravoFor2, which gives you a safe spot for your infant and a fun riding experience for your toddler or preschooler, who can either sit or stand in the rear jumpseat (for age 2.5 +).

The Chicco BravoFor2 is the best implementation of a sit and stand that I’ve seen, rivaling the Joovy Caboose Graphite and the Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand Ultra. I also love how it works seamlessly with our favorite infant seat, the Chicco KeyFit, which snaps in securely — vs. others where the car seat “straps in” or sits rather loosely on top of a universal adapter — not very secure.

11. XOXO Baby Carrier ~ $120

*Update 5/21: No longer being manufactured.

It’s everything we love about a wrap… without all the wrapping. After working for four years at Beco, Alex Kaslowitz developed a hybrid wrap that takes the guesswork out of everyone’s least favorite part of a wrap (again, the wrapping). Made from recycled garments, your carrier gets nice and soft after the first wash since it’s a cotton blend, but remains sturdy and strong.

The XOXO wrap works from newborn to toddler (7-35 lbs) and is great for sharing among multiple caregivers because it’s custom tied each time. Like a wrap, this too can tie in 4 positions: front facing in, front facing out, hip carry and back carry.

It’s the best of both worlds – and we love it!

12. Skip Hop Tuo Convertible High Chair ~ $127

The Tuo is no longer available due to a recall.

Most good-looking, modern highchairs are well over $200, which is why the new Skip Hop Tuo made our list. We love everything about this high chair – the beautiful beechwood, the versatility and especially, the price. After the toddler years, remove the bottom legs to create a great-looking child’s chair.

So simple and elegant.

13. Zoli Bot 2.0 ~ $16

*Coming March 15, 2017

The Zoli Bot strawed sippy cup (and others like it) we all know and love has one critical flaw: leaking out the top. The clever folks at Zoli devised a way to relieve the pressure, and thus the leaking, using an internal buffer chamber. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you – The Zoli Bot 2.0! Recommended for 9 mo+.

PS. It even accommodates warm and cold liquids…even milk – score!

14. Bamboobies Bottle Mixer ~ $4.99 for 2

*Available January 2017

Mix your formula with ease using this food-grade stainless steel bottle mixer. Just drop the mixer in a bottle, shake to mix, and leave it in the bottle to feed baby. Fits most bottles and prevents clogged bottle nipples.

15. Paperclip Diaper Bags ~ $299

You may have noticed, especially if you are of the male persuasion, that there are few men’s bathrooms equipped with proper changing tables.

Founded by fathers, these great looking men’s bags feature an integrated changing station making ANYWHERE a sanitary environment to change your child. No more lost changing pads. No more scrambling to find a clean place to change a diaper. Play your cards right, mom, and you can use it too 😉

16. Hatch Baby Grow ~ $129

“How much breastmilk is this baby getting?” — this is one of the biggest mysteries of new motherhood and a top concern for new moms. This question has new mothers schlepping into doctor’s offices all over America just to weigh their babies with a special scale. What a pain.

The Hatch Baby Grow is a changing pad and baby scale — all in one — that continually tracks your baby’s weight and tells you exactly how much milk baby is getting during feedings – and tracks his/her weight gain over the critical first month of life. This product is especially great for preemies or underweight babies.

Unlike most, this changing surface is wipeable, antibacterial, and non-toxic.

17. PooPoose Changing Pad ~ $59

Available now!

Ever wrestled a squirmy baby or toddler while changing a diaper? If you haven’t yet, you willlll! This pad’s design was inspired by a medical device that has a long history of keeping kids still during medical procedures.

It’s the number one rated changing pad on Amazon.

The cover is non-toxic, free of phthalates and flame retardants and inhibits bacteria growth. Best of all, it’s waterproof and easy to wipe down after diaper changes.

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