7 Great Products for High Need Babies

When Sammy was a baby, I tried all sorts of products that promised to help him sleep, calm him down or keep him entertained. But guess what? I discovered that the products recommended in baby books and websites were more often than not designed for ‘easy’ babies!

The thing you realize very quickly about high need babies is that they need MORE: MORE movement, MORE stimulation, MORE variety! They’re clever, these high need babies, and it’s up to us to find clever products that meet their needs!

Following are 7 great products for fussy, high need and spirited kids. Please add your favorites in the comments below!

1. Fisher-Price Rainforest Open-Top Cradle Swing

You’ve likely heard me talk about this swing before, but I truly believe it’s the best one on the market for fussy and colicky babies! I’ve tried out other swings, and the Fisher Price line of open-top cradle swings are by far the fastest, and swing the highest. This is an essential feature for high need babies!

2. Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Toys

There’s no doubt about it: high need babies and toddlers need VARIETY. They tend to get bored easily, so finding a toy that keeps them entertained is no small challenge! Both my kids LOVED their Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Learning Home, and it was one of the best toy investments we ever made. Bonus: We bought it 9+ years ago and it’s still going strong in our church nursery 😉

3. Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleep Sack

What do you do once your baby outgrows the swaddle? A sleep sack is the next step up! What I like about the Baby Merlin Sleep Sack is that it’s slightly weighted; this means it still does the trick in terms of calming the startle reflex. However it still allows normal movement, which makes this a great transition between swaddle and regular blanket.

*Edited to add: I’ve noticed a couple of posts in our Facebook group recently from parents who have seen major sleep improvements with this suit!

4. Zipadee-Zip

High need babies really benefit from being swaddled, however the transition from swaddle to sleep sack can be tricky. The Zipadee-Zip helps with this transition by providing a snug sleeping environment that still allows some movement.

5. Zazoo Toddler Photo Clock

If your spirited toddler or preschooler is up at the crack of dawn, you’re sure to appreciate the Zazoo photo clock. We were sent one of these to review years ago, and our 8 year old is still using it! We used to constantly have to tell Sammy, “You can get up when the clock numbers start with a 7”, but somehow that concept was lost on him. It was far easier to say, “You need to stay in your room until you see the sun on your clock”!

6. Baby Shusher

Where was this product when my kids were babies?!?! If you’re a fan of The Happiest Baby on the Block, you’ll find this product a lifesaver. Simply turn it on, and it will make a strong ‘Shushing’ sound to soothe your fussy baby.

7. Munchkin Nursery Projector and Sound System

White noise apps are great, but they require that you sacrifice your precious iPhone or iPad for 24-hour use in the nursery. When my sister in law bought this white noise machine, I knew I had to have it for my daughter! I’m not entirely sure it’s loud enough for a colicky newborn, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive machine to block out outside noise from your child’s room, this is a great product!

Looking for products specifically to help your newborn sleep? See my post The 2 Products You Must Have to Help Your Fussy Newborn Sleep. For more of my favorite products, see my post Top Products for Colic.

What’s your favorite product for your high need or spirited child? Share below!

Please note: The Fussy Baby Site is a participant in various affiliate programs. This means that if you click on some (but not all) of the links above, we receive a small commission. However we only recommend products we believe in and feel are beneficial for our readers.

Image courtesy of  Donnie Ray Jones under CC 2.0