Of all the items on your baby-shopping list, health and safety gear might not be the first thought that comes to mind. After all, they are usually small items without a lot of entertainment or cutesy value. However, you'll use these items often during your child's life. Be it an accurate thermometer or a helpful humidifier, you'll want to find the right gear for your needs and budget. So, what are the best products to buy?
Let our expertise guide your search.
Our favorite health and safety gear list includes various categories that highlight the top products in each. We developed this list from years of researching, testing, and comparing competing products. It's safe to say that nobody exhaustively tests baby products like BabyGearLab. We purchase and lay hands on each product in our reviews. Therefore, you can feel confident about what you're buying. We will update this health and safety gear list if a new and compelling product becomes available and outperforms a top contender in that category.
Don't Forget a Car Seat
Providing your child with a car seat appropriate for their height and weight for every car ride is vital because the crushing forces of car accidents can cause life-threatening injuries. Read more about our favorite car seats to select one that meets your needs and budget.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on June 9, 2023, to incorporate our latest picks for Baby Gates.
Credit: 123rf
Basic Gear for Baby Care
The number of baby-centric bath time and skincare products available on the market is undoubtedly dizzying. Considering how often you'll use these products, why not settle for the best? Take advantage of our hard work and hands-on testing to point you in the right direction.
Baby Shampoo
Keep your baby's scalp and hair squeaky clean with one of our favorite baby shampoos. We prefer those that pass on the strong fragrances and worrisome ingredients, so you can feel good about what you're using on your sweet baby.
Since babies' skin can be sensitive, you will want to use skincare products that are baby-friendly and gentle. Consider adding a top-ranked baby oil or the the best baby lotion to nourish and hydrate delicate skin.
Little nails can be nerve-wracking to cut, regardless if you're a new or seasoned parent. Thankfully, the best baby nail clippers make the task easier. These baby-specific trimmers can help you see and trim nails quicker and without mishaps.
Best Nail Clipper
The First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Nail Clipper
A firey diaper rash might occur at some point, leaving your baby wickedly uncomfortable. A top-ranked diaper cream can make all the difference by creating a barrier to help prevent skin irritations and heal one if it appears.
Children are curious creatures (it's part of their job), and once they become active, babyproofing your home is necessary to prevent potential injuries or death. Of course, nothing takes the place of adult supervision, but babyproofing is a huge help.
Baby Gate
With a busy and active baby on the loose, a top-ranked baby gate makes life easier and safer for your little one by keeping them away from potential dangers.
Babyproofing your home will help keep your baby out of harm's way. We've tested several available kits and can guide you to the best babyproofing supplies.
Is your little one opening cabinets, or do you want to prevent it from occurring? Your best defense is cabinet locks to protect your child from the dangers inside.
Setting up childproofing edge guards and corner protectors can help keep your child safe from the potential head and eye injuries sustained from falling into sharp edges and corners.
Eventually, your independent toddler will want to reach new heights, and if there's a will, there's a way, right? We suggest selecting the best step stools for kids, which offers a safer way to reach areas like the bathroom sink or kitchen counter.
Inevitably, your baby will get sick at some point. Prepare in advance by purchasing products that can help soothe their discomfort.
Baby and Kids Thermometer
Add the best baby thermometer to your home first-aid kit. When a fever strikes, it can provide the information you need to know whether or not your child needs to be seen by a doctor.
A top-ranked humidifier can help relieve problems due to dry air or respiratory issues. You will be thankful to have it on hand for times when your little one gets sick or struggles with a stuffy nose and sore throat.
Scrapes and cuts happen, and kid-appealing bandages can bring a smile to your little one. Whether they serve to distract little ones with fun characters or protect wounds from the outside world, bandages are a top priority.
We bought and tested all the pedal bikes hands-on and side-by-side with real kids to find the best options in the bunch.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Help Your Kid Stay Healthy
Healthy habits start early in life, and selecting some gear for kids can help you get off on the right foot.
Kids Mask
Does your child need a mask for the classroom or public spaces? Look no further. We've tested several options and showcase our favorite mask for kids here.
Help your child power up for the day with kid-approved vitamins. Finding a kid-approved tasty vitamin can be just what you need to get kids on board with daily vitamin intake.
Staying hydrated is essential, especially for active kids with busy lives. The best water bottles for kids are durable, easy to operate, and can help your child stay hydrated away from home.
Not all sunscreens are created equal, including a product's bottle. Some bottles are easy to use and transport worry-free in a diaper bag or a kids' backpack, whereas others can cause issues.
Whether you're spending the day at the pool or playing outside in the winter, our favorite sunscreens can keep skin from experiencing damage from the sun's powerful rays.
Bugs and bug bites take the fun right out of being outdoors, but a kid-friendly insect repellent can help. We've personally tested several options and feature our favorite here.
Finding a toothpaste that kids enjoy with ingredients parents approve of can be challenging. Luckily, the best kids'toothpaste is a slam dunk for both.
Using flossers instead of traditional floss can motivate kids to floss and make the task easier. We think our roundup of kids' flossers includes something for nearly every family, and this option is our favorite.
Our comprehensive health and safety gear list will help you and your child prepare for whatever sick bugs or boo-boos come your way. If you don't see something you're seeking on our list, don't worry. We've tested lots of baby gear over the years, and we likely have reviewed what you need, including impressive strollers, nursery must-haves, and more.
BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.
