No matter how your family is built or how you choose to approach the newborn stage, one thing is certain: support matters, both before and after your baby arrives. That’s why the scientists and parenting pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute evaluated a wide range of gear and services designed specifically for the maternity and postpartum periods. In addition to doing expert analysis, we enlisted real families — including pregnant and breastfeeding moms — to test these picks in their daily lives. These winners earned high marks for their effectiveness and innovation and for having a meaningful impact during this transformative time.
Nutrition
This prenatal supplement from MegaFood stands out thanks to its blend of key nutrients and food-based ingredients. It includes methylated folate, choline, iron and more combined with real food sources like organic oranges and broccoli to offer comprehensive support for your body and your baby’s development.
TEST RESULTS: GH’s nutrition director used this prenatal supplement during both of her pregnancies and found it significantly easier to digest than others she had tried, which was why she stayed loyal to it. She also likes that the company tests its products for over 150 pesticides and is Non-GMO Project Verified, offering extra peace of mind.
A budget-friendly yet high-quality choice, this comprehensive set from Nature Made includes a prenatal multivitamin as well as a separate choline capsule to support the baby’s brain and spinal cord development. The set also delivers key nutrients like magnesium, biotin, iron, B vitamins and DHA to help meet the increased demands of pregnancy.
TEST RESULTS: GH nutrition experts like that this convenient all-in-one option covers the full range of prenatal needs without a high price. They recommend taking the combo with water and a meal to help maximize nutrient absorption.
Chiyo is a meal delivery service that supports recovery, nourishment and hormonal balance during the physically and emotionally demanding postpartum period. Meals are crafted with a focus on nutritional density, incorporating ingredients that promote healing and replenish key nutrients.
TEST RESULTS: Parents appreciated not only the ease of heating the freshly prepared meals in the microwave but also how delicious, filling and restorative the dishes were. “Everything tasted gourmet, and the health benefits related to my postpartum recovery were denoted on each package,” one new mom said. “The food I put into my body felt incredibly nourishing and healthy, making me feel good during this delicate time.”
Diaper Bags
This spacious backpack from JuJuBe unzips all the way around and has convenient storage throughout, meaning you won’t have to dig through an overloaded diaper bag to find what you need. It also comes with a removable changing pad. Plus, there are helpful pockets, including an insulated bottle holder and a compartment for wipes.
TEST RESULTS: Parent testers found this backpack far better than ones they had previously used, mainly because it was more comfortable to carry and more spacious than others and made it easier for them to find what they needed. “It helped me keep everything so well organized,” said one. “Especially with the see-through mesh, so I was able to see everything I had packed. The lie-flat feature was so nice when packing the bag.”
Calpak’s backpack delivers for carrying the essentials needed by both kids and parents; it even has a laptop sleeve in a separate compartment. Made from recycled nylon fabric that is lightweight, durable and water-resistant, it has insulated bottle pockets and, to give your back a break, a luggage sleeve that allows it to slide onto a suitcase handle as well as clips that let it be attached to stroller hooks.
TEST RESULTS: Parent testers loved how it looked nothing like a diaper bag and said it was useful for both everyday and travel needs. They also found it comfy: “It was lightweight and breathable, so I didn't feel warm carrying it on my back,” one noted. “The straps were soft and cushioned, so even when heavy, it was very comfortable to carry.” Several said everything inside this backpack stayed dry after they got caught in the rain.
Perfect for parents who tend to overpack, this bag has a large-capacity main compartment and several standout features. For starters, the front pouch can separate from the main bag, which is especially useful when taking just the essentials into a bathroom for diaper changes. It also has a fully zippered insulated compartment (not just a bottle holder).
TEST RESULTS: Our analysts praised this bag for being unique and full of great ideas. Testers were also impressed, giving it high scores across the board. "I love how much interior capacity this diaper bag has. It’s huge!" raved one. “I love the insulated compartment on the side as well as the detachable pocket. This little compartment makes it so easy to quickly grab wipes when you're on the go!” And despite its large size, parents said it was surprisingly comfortable to carry.
Nursing & Pumping
Designed for traditional pumps, wearable pumps, nursing and everyday wear, Bodily’s all-in-one bra lets moms wear just one style all day to meet their changing needs. It’s wireless and made with smooth fabric, and it can adapt as your body fluctuates with adjustable (and convertible) straps and a five-row hook closure.
TEST RESULTS: Pumping and nursing testers said they liked this bra better than similar styles they had tried, especially for its comfort and support. “The material is so soft! It feels luxurious,” one mom told us. “The slits to put the pump flanges in are subtle, which I appreciate as well.”
Made of cotton fabric with some spandex for stretch, ThirdLove’s wireless nursing bra is designed to be breathable and is ideal for sensitive skin. It includes foam cups for shaping and drop-down clips for nursing access. Beyond that, it comes in an inclusive size range to fit A through H cups.
TEST RESULTS: “The material is so very soft, and I appreciate it being organic cotton,” a tester told us, adding, “The nursing closure was easy to fasten and unfasten with one hand, which is key.” Parents and analysts also highlighted its full-coverage fit, making it especially good for larger bust sizes.
An updated version of Boppy’s popular nursing pillow, this model is taller and more solid and has a bigger surface area than the original, making it more supportive during feedings. The cover comes in a variety of prints and is removable and machine washable for dealing with the inevitable messes.
TEST RESULTS: Parents enjoyed using it and praised the upgraded features. “It’s very well made and definitely larger, firmer and more supportive than the original,” said one mom, who had been a fan of the original version. Another said it felt ”safer to use" because of its compliance with recent federal standards for nursing pillows.
Willow Go is a wearable breast pump that delivers hospital-grade suction and fits into a bra. As a result, it offers pumping moms comfort, convenience and flexibility so they can stay hands-free and mobile. It is controlled via an app and has a rechargeable battery that lasts through three pumping sessions.
TEST RESULTS: It made multitasking easy and delivered big on performance in our consumer tests, with users telling us they were satisfied with the milk output when using it. “This is the quietest, most discreet wearable pump I’ve used, and I would recommend it to any fellow mama,” one noted. The brand offers helpful guidance and resources to smooth the learning curve and ensure a proper fit.
This ingenious wearable breast pump from Eufy stands out for having a built-in gentle warming feature to help stimulate milk flow and reduce the risk of clogs. The pump is controlled by an app in which you can adjust its heat settings, suction strength and cycle speed. It comes with a carrying case that holds its charger and cleaning brush.
TEST RESULTS: “I loved the warming feature on this breast pump,” said one mom, who found that its output rivaled that of a hospital-grade model. “The suction level and speed cycles were great to try. I could choose different options depending on my goals and the amount of time I had – the app made these features easy to use and adjust.”
This portable pump from Evenflo is idea for moms on the go. It is more affordable than a wearable pump that sits in a bra, but it is still portable and requires no wall outlet. It works without an app and comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 20 pumping sessions. With nine suction levels and six speed settings, it is customizable and operates relatively quietly.
TEST RESULTS: Its quiet operation and user-friendly design earned praise, making it a solid choice for situations in which there is no easy access to an outlet or a phone app. “I liked the size of this pump,” a mom told us. “It was very quiet, and I liked the high suction settings. For a working mom, this is perfect.”





























