The Bear Necessitiesthe bear necessities

By parents, for parents

The honest
little shelf
for baby things.

No sponsored fluff. Only the Bee’s Knees — products parents can’t live without — and the Tried & Tossed list of things they wish they hadn’t bought.

See the shelf
The Bear Necessities

The Bee's Knees

Best of the best.

Products moms & dads don't want to live without.

Rooted Feeding Set

Rooted Feeding Set

5.0/5

2,100 Parent Recommendations

Suction that actually works. A revolution for our meal times.
Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair

Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair

4.9/5

1,780 Parent Recommendations

We bought it at six months, he is four and still sits in it every single day.
Cloud-Spun Swaddles (3-pack)

Cloud-Spun Swaddles (3-pack)

4.9/5

1,560 Parent Recommendations

Better than the boutique ones. My son actually stays wrapped.
Ergobaby Omni 360 Carrier

Ergobaby Omni 360 Carrier

4.8/5

1,490 Parent Recommendations

My back stopped hurting the day this arrived. Still using it at 22 months.
FridaBaby NoseFrida Aspirator

FridaBaby NoseFrida Aspirator

4.8/5

1,390 Parent Recommendations

Nobody warns you about this thing. Nothing else clears a stuffy newborn nose.
Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump

Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump

4.9/5

1,320 Parent Recommendations

I catch every drop while feeding on the other side. No cords, no parts to wash.
Earthen Wrap Carrier

Earthen Wrap Carrier

4.9/5

1,240 Parent Recommendations

The only wrap that doesn't kill my back after an hour. Pure magic.
Hatch Rest Sound Machine

Hatch Rest Sound Machine

4.7/5

1,210 Parent Recommendations

The green light means morning. My five-year-old finally stays in bed until it glows.
BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss

BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss

4.8/5

1,160 Parent Recommendations

It is the only spot he will sit while I shower. No batteries, no noise, just him.
Doona Car Seat Stroller

Doona Car Seat Stroller

4.7/5

1,040 Parent Recommendations

Taxi to café to nap without ever waking her. Worth every cent in a city.
Sophie la Girafe Teether

Sophie la Girafe Teether

4.7/5

980 Parent Recommendations

Two kids, same giraffe. It is the only toy that ever calmed a teething night.
Meadow Bath Ducks

Meadow Bath Ducks

4.8/5

940 Parent Recommendations

Finally, bath toys we don't have to throw out after two months.
Heritage Oak Highchair

Heritage Oak Highchair

4.8/5

890 Parent Recommendations

Wipes down in three seconds flat. Worth every single cent.
Yoto Mini Audio Player

Yoto Mini Audio Player

4.8/5

870 Parent Recommendations

He runs his own story hour. First device I was happy to hand over.
Lovevery Play Kit

Lovevery Play Kit

4.6/5

760 Parent Recommendations

It replaced a whole basket of plastic. He actually plays alone for 20 minutes.
Little Lantern Nightlight

Little Lantern Nightlight

4.7/5

720 Parent Recommendations

The only nightlight that doesn't wake the baby up more than it soothes.
Fieldstone Diaper Backpack

Fieldstone Diaper Backpack

4.6/5

610 Parent Recommendations

Actually looks like a bag I would carry pre-baby. Endless pockets.
Small Steps Wooden Toddler Chair

Small Steps Wooden Toddler Chair

4.8/5

480 Parent Recommendations

We're on our second toddler and it still looks brand new.
You are doing a great job — even on the hard days.Progress over perfection.One nap at a time.You are their whole world.Breathe in. Breathe out. You've got this.The days are long but the years are short.There is no perfect parent. Only a real one.Rest is not a reward. It's a requirement.You know your child better than any book.Small moments make the biggest memories.Ask for help. That's also parenting.Your love is the most important thing on the shelf.You are doing a great job — even on the hard days.Progress over perfection.One nap at a time.You are their whole world.Breathe in. Breathe out. You've got this.The days are long but the years are short.There is no perfect parent. Only a real one.Rest is not a reward. It's a requirement.You know your child better than any book.Small moments make the biggest memories.Ask for help. That's also parenting.Your love is the most important thing on the shelf.

Tried & Tossed It

Wouldn't buy again.

Honest verdicts on products that didn't earn their spot.

G-Force All-Terrain Stroller

G-Force All-Terrain Stroller

Verdict: Great in the woods, awful in life

It's a tank. Great in the woods, impossible in a coffee shop.
Auto-Glide Swing Max

Auto-Glide Swing Max

Verdict: Too much noise, too little sleep

It took longer to put together than the time my baby actually spent in it.
Wearable Baby Sleep Monitor Sock

Wearable Baby Sleep Monitor Sock

Verdict: It monitored my anxiety, not his sleep

Every false alert cost me an hour of sleep. I slept better once I sent it back.
All-in-One Baby Food Maker

All-in-One Baby Food Maker

Verdict: A fork already does this

Used it four times. A fork and a normal pot did the same job with less washing.
Bath Seat Ring

Bath Seat Ring

Verdict: False confidence in the tub

He tipped it once and that was enough. Now I just kneel beside the tub.
Quick-Heat Smart Warmer

Quick-Heat Smart Warmer

Verdict: Uneven temps, endless re-warming

Smart should mean simple. This was neither.
Full-Size Changing Table

Full-Size Changing Table

Verdict: A towel on the bed won

I changed both babies on the bed. It became the world's most expensive shelf.
Warm Glow Wipe Warmer

Warm Glow Wipe Warmer

Verdict: Dries the wipes, spoils the baby

It dried out every wipe and then she screamed at cold ones anywhere else.
Cartridge Diaper Pail

Cartridge Diaper Pail

Verdict: A subscription for your bin

The refills cost more than the nappies. A pedal bin and a knot work fine.
SmartDiaper Sensor Kit

SmartDiaper Sensor Kit

Verdict: Your nose already works

Over-engineered. Your nose works better and doesn't require an app.
Doorway Baby Jumper

Doorway Baby Jumper

Verdict: Pediatrician said stop

Ten minutes of joy, then our pediatrician explained why. Straight to the bin.
Designer Teether Mitt

Designer Teether Mitt

Verdict: Traps heat, made baby cry

Traps heat, baby screamed. Stick to a simple cold washcloth.
UV Bottle Sterilizer Box

UV Bottle Sterilizer Box

Verdict: A pot of water did better

Huge on the counter, slow, and I never trusted it. Boiling water is free.
Electric Nasal Aspirator

Electric Nasal Aspirator

Verdict: Loud, weak, and he hated it

All the noise, none of the suction. The manual one costs a tenth and works.
Tiny Steps Newborn Shoes

Tiny Steps Newborn Shoes

Verdict: Off her feet within a minute

Adorable in photos, gone from her feet in sixty seconds. Socks win.