There are tons of big ticket items you can add to your baby registry, but many of them will sell out before you get your money’s worth.
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I bought a pair of Nike shoes because I thought they were adorable. It was, but she wore them twice and wore them out in about ten minutes, so I felt it was a bit of a waste.
On the other hand, I feel like some products are probably worth a splurge because you’ll be using them a lot.
Now, not all of them are “bakes”, but I would take time to choose them or get the best version if you are debating between a few brands, because you can use them for a while. Here are what I would think of if I were making a baby registry today.
I reviewed the Hatch Baby Rest, and it’s making the rounds in our house because everyone keeps stealing it. It’s currently in my oldest son’s room because he likes the night light function and the sound of the rainforest when he sleeps. (I thought someone took a shower the first night they used it.) Nothing about it looks “baby” so it fits any room. Get it on the Hatch website here or on Amazon.
Kids are in a highchair for a relatively short, albeit significant, period of time, so it’s nice to get something that can grow with them.
This Mockingbird highchair is made of 100% solid beech wood and can easily be converted into a highchair (150lbs max) without any tools. The straps are removable and the disc liner is included. (I’ve compared it to the Stokke Tripp Trapp if you’re deciding between the two.) Get it here.
These beautiful Totter & Tumble play mats can be used as baby mats and then as mats or crash boards under toddler climbing equipment. You can even use them as exercise or yoga mats on the road. I would choose something that matches the overall aesthetic of your home over anything childish so that the design doesn’t detract from its longevity. It’s an investment, but it’s really pretty. Buy them here.
Baby gates would be very high on my list of things I guess would become obsolete as my kids got older, but I’m shocked how often I used mine. Whether keeping a visiting dog away from our cats or for an “out of bounds” sign at a birthday party, I’ve found them useful over the years and still have one in the basement. This is the Regalo Easy Step 38.5 Inch Wide Walk Thru Baby Gate.
Many doctors like you recommend using a rectal thermometer when babies are young to get the most accurate reading, but I’ve always found my ear thermometer just as good and it’s still used by everyone in my family today. (Thankfully, I can’t say the same for the rectal thermometer.) Shown here is the Braun ThermoScan 6 Ear Thermometer.
These muslin quilts from Little Unicorn are perfect for layering on stroller rides and some tummy time at nursery, but the 47″ x 47″ size is also perfect for snuggling up on the couch for movies on the go. (Or as a shawl as you grab ice cream from the freezer – personal experience there.)
I’d go for something timeless like this Little Vintage Floral pattern or one of their solid colors and save the ‘baby patterns’ for bibs and burp cloths. You can find them on Amazon.
Humidifiers are always listed as “must-haves” on baby lists, but they seem to fall off the radar for kids and adults alike, and I don’t know why. Everyone needs moisture, dammit!
I like this humidifier from Fridababy because it’s easy to clean and doesn’t have a filter (two headache-inducing things when it comes to this equipment). I also like that it’s not covered in Pooh Bears or something that will look out of place in a few years.
This isn’t a giant investment piece by any means, but you’ll likely use it as long as your family members have colds (or nosebleeds), which probably means forever. Well, get a good one. You can find it here.
I got one of these Pottery Barn Anywhere chairs when my oldest son was a toddler. He read on it, watched movies and built forts with it. My youngest son, who is now a teenager, sits on it while playing video games to this day. Luckily, I bought a timeless color (red) and didn’t have it personalized – although I don’t think I would have cared. Buy them on the Potterybarn Kids website.
It’s usually worth investing in a good wagon for years of hauling gear, outings, parks and family adventures.
Something like the Veer wagon combines the features of a stroller and a wagon to create a versatile piece of parenting equipment.
Parents can usually use a Veer wagon from infancy (with an infant car seat adapter) until their child is about five years old, making this expensive piece of equipment a little more manageable as you amortize the cost over the years.
We took one for a spin a few years ago and it’s on the third family and 7th child so it has stood the test of time! You can find the Crusier and Cruiser XL on the Veer website.
Instead of buying a childhood rug, I like the idea of buying a neutral rug that can be used long after the childhood years. Durable rugs are washable, so when someone spills, spills, or worse on the rug, you can easily clean it up. This is the Holme Pearl Tufted Rug, but they come in many sizes and styles. I would stick to the 5×7 size and smaller to fit in your washer, but you may have access to something larger.
Briefly
When creating a baby registry, take the time to choose items with long-term value as well as cute things (I still love those shoes). Some products are worth investing in because they will last months and sometimes years past the baby years. Let me know if you want to add anything else to the list!
Our next report: The best gifts for a new mom
