These 17 Things Invented By Moms Are Weird, But So Smart

Invented by a mom of three, the Baby Bumco Baby Bum Brush is an innovative solution to tricky diaper change situations. The BPA-free silicone applicator is flexible, soft, and smooth, allowing you to apply diaper cream in a thicken, even layer, and your fingers won’t smell like the cream. Waterproof barrier ointments used to prevent and treat diaper rash can be difficult to wash off of skin after application, but this tool keeps hands mess-free. The base of the brush suctions to any smooth surface, so you can keep it right on your baby’s changing table to grab when needed.

Review: “I keep my nails long, and digging rash cream out from under my nails is no fun. This is a life saver. It's also nice to know I'm not spreading any of my own germs around my little one's already uncomfortable rash, and to not have hands that smell like rash cream all day!”

If you’ve ever struggled to remove a stinger from under the skin while your kid squirms and squeals after a bee sting, you know what a struggle it can be. Invented by mother-daughter duo Kelley Higney and Ellen McAlister in 2017, the Bug Bite Thing is a suction tool intended to remove irritants from under the skin after a bug bite or sting, including the saliva and venom that cause itching and swelling. The plastic tube-shaped suction tube is lightweight, compact, and reusable. At approximately 5 inches tall, it’s super simple to keep in your pocket, purse, or bag.

Simply place the tool over the bug bite area and pull the handle up slowly to create the suction and wait 10-20 seconds for the irritants to be released from under the skin. As a mom living on the Texas coast with a son who is allergic to mosquitos, I can personally say that this little tool really does work. It reduces the size of bites and takes the itch away.

Review: “I was a huge skeptic; how could a little suction cure this agonizingly itchy allergic reaction? I'll be honest. I still really don't know how it does, but it provides instant relief that no pill, cream, or injection ever has ever achieved for me. If you live anywhere where insect bites are common, you need to own one of these!”

Mom of three, Susanna Lee was inspired to create the Aqueduck faucet extender on a trip to an amusement park to solve the problem of having to lift her kids up to the sink to wash their hands. This faucet extender works with most any standard bathroom or kitchen sink faucet to extend the water stream nearly an additional 5 inches. Simply squeeze the base and slide it over the spigot to pop it into place. Made from phthalate-, BPA-, and lead-free plastic that won’t taint water with anything harmful, the faucet extender’s detachable pieces can be washed and sanitized in your dishwasher. It’s available in crystal pink and grey to compliment a variety of home decor styles.

Review: “5 star product! I love that it's so easy to attach to our bathroom sink, and it works as advertised! You simply pinch the sides of the extender, push into the faucet and voila! Easier to use for our toddler! It also saves on water — we noticed that if we out the water on full blast, it actually overflows out the side of the extender, so it's better to keep water flow to about a medium.”

Some of the best products invented by moms are those born out of frustration. Tired of spending money on various hair products for her daughters with three different hair textures and battling them to brush through their tangled mops, Rikki More created the Knot Genie detangling brush. With a unique mixture of bristles of different lengths, this brush works to gently detangle and smooth all hair types in an “ouch-free” way without pulling on or scraping the scalp. Use Knot Genie on straight, wavy, or curly hair when wet or dry to painlessly remove existing knots and prevent future tangles. Available in 11 different colors and patterns, the cloud-shape is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.

Review: “It was brilliant and very easy to use. I am absolutely delighted with this product. I used to have so much trouble brushing my daughter's hair and this brush was miracle worker!”

If you’ve ever used Boogie Wipes on your kids, you know exactly why it took two genius moms to solve the problem of the stubborn, dried-on snot that so easily clogs little nostrils. Made with natural isotonic saline solution (aka salt water) each wipe gently cleanses to dissolve and break down gunky snot and boogers. Not only can you use these wipes to clean your little one’s nose, but they’re also great for sticky fingers, faces, feet, or wherever stubborn messes settle in on their skin. The unscented variety is made without added fragrances, but does contain aloe, chamomile, and vitamin E to soothe skin.

Review: “I never thought I'd be the mother who spend a gazillion dollars every month on snot wipes for my kid ... but I am. These things are the best boogie-removers I've ever seen. Like, the GOAT of boogie removers. Worth every.single.penny. Even when my kid does the wiggle, squirm, pull-his-head-away dance when I try to use them. I keep a pack in every room.”

The transition from bottles to sippy cups to regular drinking cups for little kids can be a messy and frustrating experience. Mom Hanna Lim and husband Mark solved that problem with their weighted straw sippy cup, the Lollacup. Intended to be used by babies and toddlers alike, this sippy cup lets little ones learn to use a straw. It is not totally leak-proof (when turned over, liquid will drip slowly from the straw) but because of that, it teaches toddlers how to properly operate a cup and leads to less spillage over time. Each Lollacup is manufactured, assembled and packaged in the United States with high quality, medical grade plastic that’s durable and dishwasher safe. Available in a variety of colors, each cup comes complete with an extra straw and cleaning brush.

Review: “Super cute design. Way easier to suck from compared to the Dr. Brown’s straw bottle & the Munchkin straw cups — easiest straw sippy cup to get the liquid up that we’ve found! Easy to clean (the straw comes out and comes apart into two pieces and it comes with a cleaning brush). The only downfall is it’s not leak proof — but it is a good cup to help your little learn to drink from a straw.”

Cons: Can be difficult to sanitize since the pacifier does not detach from the plush

This is one mom-designed product that is as cute as it is functional. WubbaNub pacifiers have been a parenting staple for about two decades, and as anyone with a pacifier-loving baby will tell you, the concept of a stuffed animal attached to a pacifier is pure genius. The infant pacifier (made with 100% medical-grade silicone, free from latex, BPA, PVC, and Phthalates) is intended for babies from infancy through 6 months of age. It’s attached to an elephant-shaped plush measures approximately 7x5x2 inches and is made from soft, polyester fibers that baby can snuggle up with as they use their pacifier.

Review: “We love these pacifiers! All three of our babies loved this nipple shape and prefer this over other types of pacifiers. The attachment of the stuffed animal is not only super cute but also functional as it keeps the pacifier grounded in the babies mouth when lying down making it less likely to fall out. The elephant is super super soft. The only downside is that is challenging to truly sterilize since you can’t put it directly into a sterilizer or dishwasher with other bottles.”

To solve the problem of her bulky, hard-to-clean salad spinner taking up too much cabinet space, mom Jill Visit inventor the Salad Sling. It’s a 30 inch by 30 inch towel that dries greens, herbs, and lettuce using a combination of absorbent microfiber cloth and centrifugal force. Place greens inside, gather the four corner handles together, and swing in a circular motion to shake water off of the greens and into the microfiber cloth. Within the cloth, a waterproof liner traps excess water to keep it from making a giant, wet mess across your kitchen floor. When you’re through, simply toss it in the washing machine, hang dry, and fold to store. For a closer look at how the product works, check out this video of Visit and her kids using their Salad Sling.

Review: “We love the sling! It takes up virtually none of our limited cabinet space, dries our garden greens incredibly well, and is actually really fun to use! The two-sided absorptive fabric separated by a waterproof liner makes it versatile enough to handle prepping large quantities or multiple courses of greens. Highly recommended.”

The InchBug Orbit Labels are reusable silicone bands that can be used to personalize cups and bottles with a child’s name. Made from non-toxic, latex-free silicone, each removable label provides a snug, non-slip grip to help little hands keep hold of their drink. Unlike other name labels, these non-adhesive bands are removable, so it’s easy to transfer them from one cup or bottle to another. Plus, you can put them in the dishwasher and they won’t wash off the way a permanent marker does over time. Perfect for daycare, play group, school, or travel, each package contains four identical personalized labels.

Review: “I purchased these for my son’s bottles for daycare. They kept using painters name and writing his name on them. I thought to myself there must be an easier way. A simple search brought me to these and I’m so glad I found them. Super cute, durable and easy to clean! They can stay on the bottle while it’s warmed in a bottle warmer. They are are huge hit with the daycare staff, too!”

Chances are, you’ve heard of this viral Shark Tank sensation with a catchy name. But did you know that Squatty Potty was co-created by Judy Edwards, a mom of seven who teamed up with her son and husband to invent an easier way to poop? Leave it to a mom to make sure potty time is as efficient as possible. The Original Squatty Potty is a 7-inch-tall stool that fits underneath a standard toilet to help users position their body for optimal bowel elimination, and its maximum weight capacity is 250 pounds. Made of durable plastic, it’s sturdy and easy to clean.

Review: “My husband and I are fans of the Squatty Potty for it's intended purpose. I'm sure you can read a million reviews on it. But, we have another amazing use for it. The Squatty Potty is the perfect toddler potty training stool. It allows the toddler to put their feet on either side of the toilet rather than a typical stool where they can only place their feet in front of the toilet. My son can climb on and off the toilet by himself so much easier because of the Squatty Potty.”

This personal safety alarm was designed by two sisters as a way to empower the women in their family to feel safe no matter their surroundings. To activate the alarm’s siren and flashing strobe light, simply pull the loop at the top to remove the pin. This will alert others around you that you’re in trouble, though some reviews note that the sound is not loud as they thought it would be. When the pin is placed back inside of the device, the alarm and light will stop. It’s battery operated and easy to attach to your keychain, purse, belt, or bag.

Review: “I was initially hesitant (do I really need this?) but it’s a powerful little alarm that’s easy to use (but not too easy that I’d accidentally activate it) and would definitely draw attention. I prefer it over pepper spray since I’ve heard that can be used against you. Overall a small price to pay to help me feel safer when walking my dog at night/in the evenings.”

Sometimes, it takes a mom and a dad to create something so useful that you’ll want to use it at each and every meal. A mom of two and a military veteran, Beth Fynbo came up with the idea for the Busy Baby Mat after a lunch with her girlfriends and their 1-year-olds where the moms “played fetch” with the toys their babies kept throwing on the ground. Alongside her brother Eric, a fellow veteran and dad of four, they developed the Busy Baby Mat. Made from food-grade silicone, this mat suctions to the surface of tables, high chairs, shopping carts, and more to keep babies occupied and entertained with toys and teethers tethered to the mat so they don’t fall (or get thrown) to the ground. Pop it in the dishwasher to clean.

Review: “This is a gamer changer. Not only can it be used as a placemat but it stops the toys from hitting the floor. I’ve only used this about 4-5 times and it’s already worth it. I wish I would have known about this with my first child.”

The Cozy Cover Easy Seat is a portable high chair that can be folded up and stored inside of a diaper bag so that wherever you take your baby, you can have a safe place for them to sit and eat. Slip the top of the Easy Seat over a chair back and secure the back strap with a single click and pull to tighten the seat to the chair. Then, slide baby inside of the seat’s front pouch and secure the five-point safety harness. The Easy Seat is machine washable, lightweight (weighing 5.3 ounces), comes in five color combinations, and includes a matching carry bag.

Review: “I love this product! It is easy to use, very sturdy, and it fits so snugly in the diaper bag. I used this seat nearly everyday while working as a nanny. I bought it when my son was 9 months old have been using it every since (he is now 14 months).”

Designed by mom and nurse Karen Barski, The Woombie is a simple solution for babies who like to worm their way out of their swaddling blanket. Made from a blend of 95% cotton and 5% spandex, this zippered swaddle is soft and breathable, but offers gentle stretch and compression to comfort baby. It’s ergonomically designed to help baby feel snug and secure as they sleep. The Woombie comes in two sizes for babies 0-3 months weighing 5 to 13 pounds or 3-6 months weighing 14 to 19 pounds.

Review: “I was struggling to find a good swaddle for my baby that did not have any annoying loud scratchy velcro on and that would allow her to move in it comfortably at night without being too restrictive but also helping her with her moto reflex. This swaddle has by far exceeded my expectations. Such a simple, yet ideal design for a newborn! My baby now sleeps through the night without fussing around.”

Designed by Melanie Disbrow, this mom-invented product was created with both mom and baby’s comfort in mind. Made from a blend of premium-knit rayon fabric, this soft and cozy cover offers four-way stretch for a custom fit and comes in 13 different colors and patterns. Slip it over your head as a nursing cover, stretch it over your infant’s carrier to shield them from the elements, use it to protect your baby from germ-covered surfaces of shopping cart seats and restaurant high chairs, or simply wrap it around your neck to wear it as a scarf. Measuring approximately 26 by 24 inches when flat, it’s easy to fold up and carry in your diaper bag.

Review: “Not only is this cover adorable, it is super lightweight and versatile. It fits great over a carseat and I don't feel like I'm suffocating the baby. It is breathable and light. I also love it as a nursing cover. I have the apron style cover as well but I prefer this one because it has full coverage. I used to fight with keeping my back covered when I had to pull my shirt up. But, with this product, I am fully covered.”

For any parent who has ever tried to put a wet swimsuit back onto a wiggly baby after a poolside diaper change, mom and skin cancer survivor Betsy Johnson designed SwimZip to make staying sun safe easier than ever. With a full length zipper and soft zipper guard, UPF 50+ sun protection, a tagless neckline, and quick dry fabric with four-way stretch, SwimZip’s long sleeve sun suits are a comfortable and easy way to keep kids safe from the sun’s harmful rays. They’re available in sizes for boys from infants through age 6 and come in 16 fun colors and patterns.

Review: “This sunsuit is great! Easy to wrestle my 30-pound toddler into because of the full zip. It has long arms and legs to cover large areas of the body. It’s just awesome. The fabric is soft and thick and all the seams are put together well. He will grow out of it before he wears it out and it can be passed down to the next kid. It’s a great value considering my son and his younger cousins will all be wearing it for the next few summers!”

Inventor and mom of two, Gloria Hoffman teamed up with her own mom, Linda Clark, to pitch their exercise equipment invention Simply Fit on Shark Tank in 2015. This easy-to-use balance board is perfect for a quick home workout for core strengthening, leg toning, and more. Made from premium quality plastic with an anti-slip surface, it’s strong enough to support up to 400 pounds, but the 4-inch thick board only weighs 3.2 pounds with a surface measuring 26 inches long by 11 inches wide.

Review: “Love this board! Use every day and it is a great workout, transportable, durable, highly effective! My abs look amazing and you work cardio, core, upper body and lower body in a great variety of You Tube simply fit board free workouts — can't give higher praise for this one!”