Originally published October 6, 2021. Updated March 14, 2023 to include 20+ more baby items! (All personally purchased and tested.)
OK, so my version of expensive baby items might be different from yours. I’d probably never buy a Gucci baby carrier, Versace stroller, or crystal-studded toilet seat (that’s a real thing).
But I have invested some money over the years in a variety of bougie baby products.
If you’re looking for some feedback on relatively expensive baby items that are actually worth the money, this one’s for you.
A Few Words About Expensive Baby Products
Before I get into all of the luxury baby products that are totally worth it, I just want to say a few things.
Expensive Baby Products Are Not Required
This probably goes without saying, but I feel like I need to say it. You don’t need expensive baby products.
They are simply a luxury – things that make taking care of a baby easier, and in many cases, much more enjoyable.
But they are not necessary and you are not failing your baby if you don’t drop your entire paycheck on a fancy bassinet.
It’s Only a Few Months
Second, many of these baby products are only used for a few short months before the baby grows out of them and we no longer need them. So that absolutely sucks. Just being honest.
But if you have the money, and you want to splurge, I hope this list of pricey baby items helps you decide what’s worth it and what you can safely skip.
A perk is that, in general, luxury baby items have a much better resale value than their more affordable alternatives. So you will get a portion of your money back later!
Related: 10 Best Bags, Purses, & Totes for Moms (2024 Guide)
1. SNOO
There’s no better place to start than the SNOO. It’s the one item I get asked about the most by moms I meet. There’s some sticker shock – it’s around $1,500 – and the obvious follow-up question: there’s no way it’s worth it, right?
I’ll do a separate, in-depth review of the SNOO at some point, but our SNOO purchase was out of pure desperation.
Why We Got the SNOO
We just had our second child, and he wouldn’t sleep in the HALO bassinet like my daughter would. I tried every trick in the book, but the only place he’d sleep was in a swing. As we all know, that’s incredibly unsafe, but I didn’t know what else to do.
After a week of trying to get him to sleep in the HALO bassinet and succumbing to the swing, I told my husband we had to find some kind of flat bassinet with movement. I was waking up constantly, terrified of my son’s safety in the swing as he slept. I took to the internet and came across the SNOO for the first time.
Like everyone else, my first reaction was HOLY pricetag… but I started reading reviews, watching YouTube videos, and even reading interviews with the creator of the SNOO, Dr. Harvey Karp, to learn more about why it’s supposedly the best thing since sliced bread.
After a few hours, I was convinced, and we caved and counted down the sleepless nights until the SNOO arrived.
And once it did? The rest is history.
Why the SNOO Is Worth the Coin
We finally started getting some sleep – it was miraculous. As soon as we put my son in the SNOO swaddle, he’d calm down.
And during the times he’d be fussy, the SNOO would kick in with the white noise and the movement, and it would shush him to sleep right before our eyes. Nothing is better than that when you’re sleep-deprived AND have a toddler running around the house.
I’m so glad I had the SNOO to use with our third child after that, and I would recommend it to anyone who either wants to ensure they get sleep with a newborn or who is having major sleep issues with their newborn.
You can rent the SNOO, but after a ton of research and back-and-forth, we decided to buy it. It lasted for two of our children, and the resale value on the SNOO is great. We sold ours for $650, though I’m sure I could’ve gotten more for it if we lived in a bigger city.
We came out ahead in the long run versus renting it. Plus, we liked knowing it was brand new.
Renting vs Buying & Selling the SNOO
We just went for it with our second child and hoped the SNOO price would make sense when all was said and done. We were desperate. But if you’re a little more analytical and like to see a more specific price breakdown, here’s the cost of renting versus using it with two kids and reselling it used.
Note: We used the SNOO for about 5 months with both of our kids. It can be used for up to 6 months, but our babies were ready to graduate to a crib at 5. So I’m going to show the rental prices for 5 months of use to be a bit more realistic.
Renting the SNOO | Buying the SNOO | |
Kid 1 | $795 | $1,695* ($1,271 if on sale) |
Kid 2 | $795 | $0 |
Resale Value | $0 | $650** |
Total Cost if you buy SNOO full price | $1,590 | $1,045 |
Total Cost if you buy SNOO on sale | $1,590 | $621 |
2. 4moms Travel Playard
If you plan to travel with any children under the age of 2, you’re going to need a travel playard (also called Pack and Play).
I cannot recommend the 4moms travel playard enough.
It. Is. Incredible.
No complicated setup. No complicated teardown. You can literally set this up in 10 seconds.
I’m almost at a loss for words because this playard beats the rest of the competition by a thousand miles.
PLEASE don’t torture yourself with another brand that requires multiple setup steps (looking at you Joovy…). Just get the 4moms playard.
3. Bob Jogging Stroller
If you need a heavy-duty stroller that can handle any terrain, don’t think twice about the Bob.
Our first family home was in the country – dirt roads and all – and I loved taking my daughter on walks around the neighborhood. The problem was our cheap Graco stroller could not handle the dirt roads (or grass, for that matter).
For a while, I wore my daughter in a baby carrier, but a stroller would’ve been ideal.
After several months, I finally splurged on the Bob jogging stroller, and it has been so worth it! It rides like a dream, whether you plan to jog or walk.
It’s perfect for Disney world, jogs in the country, and everything in between. We use this stroller nearly every day and it has held up amazingly well.
4. Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier
I tried several baby carriers and the one I kept coming back to was from Baby Bjorn. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and high-quality. Ours was a hand-me-down from my sister-in-law, so it’s made it through several kids with no damage (pretty incredible!).
Plus, it’s really easy to put on – you just clip it like a seatbelt. The all-fabric baby carriers were a little tough to master, and it’s especially hard when you have a visiting family member who has no clue how to wrap it properly.
Baby Bjorn for the win!
5. Restoration Hardware Baby Changing Dresser
Most furniture these days is made of particle board – it warps in humidity, scratches easily, and falls apart over the course of a few years. The only benefit of particle board furniture is it’s cheap.
However, if you want to buy furniture that will last your entire lifetime – something you can pass down to your kids – go for solid wood.
I’m a big fan of Restoration Hardware, and while I could never afford to furnish my whole home with it, the baby-changing dresser we chose was a splurge I was willing to make.
It’s high-quality, and you won’t regret spending your money on it. This is a dresser that will last decades.
6. Lovevery Play Kits
Lovevery’s play kits for babies and toddlers are subscription-based toy boxes with items specifically designed to give kids what they need at each stage of life (from newborn to age 4).
These Montessori-inspired toy kits are high-quality, battery-free, and made to encourage your baby’s development.
I can’t really do the play kits justice in this article, but I wrote an in-depth review here: Are the Lovevery Play Kits Worth It?
For me, the pros outweigh the cons, and my family has loved these play kits for the last couple of years.
We now own all of the play kits, and I have nothing but good things to say about them AND Lovevery’s customer service. Top-notch.
Plus, we’ve started to sell some of the toys that we no longer need, and I’m getting a great resale price on them. When you buy high-quality and highly sought-after baby items, you can get a really good price for them when you’re done.
7. Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bags and Backpacks
Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags are somewhat of the gold standard for diaper bags. They’re incredibly high quality, have all the little pockets you need, and the styles are super cute! No frumpy mom bags here.
With my first child, my mother gifted me a Petunia bag, and I’ve loved it ever since! After 3 years of taking a beating, it’s still in pristine condition. I love the fold-out changing pad, and all the little pockets are helpful for storing baby items.
These diaper bags also make the perfect baby shower gift.
I also love the Petunia backpacks. This one, which you can bundle with the super popular Moby wrap, is comfortable, chic, and even has an insulated area for storing milk.
I’ve never been a huge fan of baby wraps, which I will admit is user error. I personally find it hard to get the wrap all tied correctly. But I know a lot of moms could not live without wrapping, and the quality of the Moby wrap is really luxurious.
8. Babyletto Swivel Glider (Rocking Chair) & Ottoman
If you plan to nurse, rock your baby to sleep, or get a C-section, you need a swivel glider in your life.
We got the Babyletto Electronic Swivel Glider and Ottoman, and thank heavens we did. I ended up having an emergency C-section, and I could not sit up on my own for several weeks. The only way I was able to sleep and care for my newborn is because of this chair.
While it was a lifesaver during my C-section recoveries, we’ve continued to use it for several years, from reading books before bed to nursing to just relaxing as the kids play.
There are a lot of swivel glider options out there, but if you’re looking for something a little more sturdy that will last, I recommend this one from Babyletto.
9. Professional Photography
Getting professional photography was one of the best things I did (and continue to do).
I found an incredible photographer in my area and booked a full package for each child, which included maternity, newborn, 6-month, and 1-year photoshoots for around $1,000.
Now, I have all of these milestones to look back on, and I’m so thankful!!
As moms, we often get so caught up with taking photos of our cute kids that we end up having none of ourselves. Hiring a professional photographer ensures you capture these years of chaos to look back on later in life.
10. Britax Convertible Car Seat
Shopping for car seats is not fun (in my opinion). There are so many options, and they can get very expensive very fast. I personally found it a bit overwhelming.
I ended up taking recommendations from my friends and family and chose the Britax Convertible Car Seat. It has been amazing! It’s comfortable for my baby, very study, and, of course, convertible.
I also appreciate the extra safety measures, including the SafeCell Impact Potential, ClickTight Installation system (which provides an extra layer of side impact protection), and the Click & Safe Snug Harness Indicator.
If you’re in the market for a car seat you can use from newborn up to 65 pounds, this is my top recommendation!
11. Spruce Tree Bookcase
Books have always been a big part of my own life, and I’ve always been excited about reading to my children. I wanted to a fun way to display books to make reading time even more fun, and this Spruce Tree Bookcase fit the bill!
It’s adorable decor for a nursery, and my daughter loves “putting the books on the tree.” It’s definitely more expensive than floating shelves, but it’s one of those purchases I will never regret.
12. Ritual Prenatal Vitamins
Ritual’s Prenatal Multivitamins cost $39 for a 60-capsule bottle (basically a 1-month supply). That can be more than double the price compared to popular drugstore alternatives.
Their marketing campaigns touting no artificial colors, no synthetic fillers, and delayed-release capsule design… it finally got to me, and I decided to splurge on them. Normally, you can’t really “tell” if vitamins are working, but boy, do I have a story for you!
During my last two pregnancies, I was always iron-deficient. I’ve had to eat chicken liver like crazy to get my iron levels up.
This time around, I got my bloodwork done, and it’s the first time I’ve had plenty of iron. The only difference is that I’m taking Ritual prenatals.
There is something about these vitamins and how your body absorbs them. I’m no vitamin expert, but these are the real deal! My OB checked the bottle to ensure it had what I needed in pregnancy, and she was very pleased that these included Choline, which helps prevent neural tube defects.
As a side note, I also really like that these vitamins don’t taste bad or have a weird aftertaste. They have a citrus essence, so when you take them, you’re left with a lemon scent in the back of your throat. That’s especially helpful for those that deal with morning sickness and nausea.
13. Contours Double Stroller
After having a second child, I didn’t realize how crucial a double stroller would be, especially when going on vacation!
The double stroller has been perfect for taking both kids to the zoo, our local State park, and Disney.
We got the Contours brand and it’s been phenomenal. A splurge, but well worth it. I love that you can recline the seats when a little one falls asleep, and the shade is nice to block out the sun.
14. iRobot Roomba j7+
Before you say a robotic vacuum isn’t a baby item, hear me out. When I had my first daughter, my typical cleaning tasks got a serious kick in the pants. Forget a quick clean. It’s constant (still is).
More laundry, spit-up everywhere, bottles galore, you get the picture.
Taking the task of vacuuming the house off my table was a game-changer. The Roomba j7+ is probably my favorite possession. It vacuums the house and empties itself when it’s done. Can I get an amen?!
I know it’s expensive, but it’s so worth it.
And if it’s way out of your budget, the one you have to empty yourself (Roomba i3) is still worth it.
15. Wonderfold Wagon
Get 10% off your purchase at WonderFold Wagon with code Rebekah!
While I still loved our double stroller, we had to upgrade to something bigger when we had our third child.
I found this W4 Luxe stroller wagon from Wonderfold Wagon, and we are massive fans.
It has turned typically stressful outings, like going to the mall or theme parks, and made them completely enjoyable.
I have a full review of this wagon on my blog, but the gist is if you have more than two kids, and they’re of relatively young ages, this will be a massive help.
Note: you can’t take it to Disney, but that’s the only place I’ve come across so far that has a ban on stroller wagons. Super silly. But Universal is just as fun! 😜
Related: The 15 Best Stroller Wagons of 2023
16. Willow Hands-Free Breast Pumps
Wearable, hands-free breast pumps were not a thing when I had my daughter 5 years ago.
Now, the technology has finally gotten to a place where they’re here and they’re good.
Gone are the days when you have to sit in a chair by the wall so you can plug your pump into the outlet. These wearable pumps from Willow are powerful and get just as much milk out as my tried-and-true Medela.
I could wear them when people were at our house, when doing laundry, or when cooking dinner. It made pumping so much more accessible, and I was able to build a freezer stash so much more easily than with my first baby.
This is also a godsend for women who work in an office. I work from home, but I’ve heard from other working moms that this allows them to pump at their desks while working!
I have a full review of the Willow pumps on my blog if you’d like to read more.
17. Monti Kids Play Sets
I’m just going to come out and say it: Monti Kids toys are the highest quality children’s toys on the market.
They are hands-down the most durable and thoughtfully made toys we have in our home.
I’m a big fan of Lovevery, but Monti Kids is darn good, too.
If you prefer a more traditional Montessori approach, Monti Kids is definitely the way to go.
Another big bonus of Monti Kids sets is you can resell them for around half of what you paid for them.
We just sold the very first kit since we’re done with it, and that was a huge (and nice) surprise!
18. Dreamland Baby Weighted Sleep Sacks
Get 15% off Dreamland Baby sleep sacks with code TWOMAMABEARS.
There are so many sleep sacks on the market, and we have a good array of them that we’ve tested, but the Dreamland Baby ones really stand out.
These sleep sacks are weighted, and they’re so soothing! My baby sleeps better than ever when he wears this, especially during naps. Here’s my quick unboxing video I posted on TikTok:
There’s new controversy about these since the AAP said weighted sleep sacks are not recommended, so I reached out to Dreamland Baby for their commentary:
The AAP guidelines are not a recall. There have been no adverse events in this product category. Over the last 3 years, DreamlandBaby has sold over 500,000 products and has never had a safety issue. The AAP is calling for standards to ensure no company makes a sleep sack that is too heavy. We are working closely with the ASTM to develop these standards.
Follow your instincts, but as for us, these sleep sacks are the best of the best.
19. BABYBJÖRN Bouncer
How can a baby bouncer be worth nearly $200?
I know, I had the same question.
But, somehow, the BABYBJÖRN bouncer is in fact worth the luxury price tag.
The design of the “floating” chair provides gentle, natural bouncing. The bouncer also provides proper neck and back support, so even newborns can relax in here while mom and dad get things done.
Once babies can really start moving and engaging with the bouncing feature, that movement stimulates their balance and motor skills.
We have tried other bouncers in the past, and none of them have been as beloved as this one.
My son would actually stay calm long enough for me to get things done like folding laundry and making dinner. I don’t know how I would’ve done those newborn days without this, especially with two toddlers also wreaking havoc!
Read More: Why 65% of Babies Love the BABYBJÖRN Bouncer
20. Autobrush Toothbrushes
I realize the Autobrush toothbrush may be more of a toddler purchase than a baby one, but my pediatrician always said to start brushing as soon as those teeth pop in (around 5-7 months).
With that in mind, Autobrush has the absolute best toothbrushes for toddlers and kids on the market. I used to think the Colgate one that comes with the app was the best, but then we tried Autobrush, and I am never going back.
You can start with the Autobrush teether, which is perfect for when those first baby teeth start coming in.
Then, you can graduate to the toddler and kid-sized toothbrushes. My toddlers actually look forward to brushing their teeth with these. They play music, they vibrate, and it only takes 30 seconds as opposed to two minutes.
These may be expensive, but they’re a slam dunk for us.
21. Tushbaby Hip Carriers
Take 15% off your Tushbaby order with code TWOMAMABEARS!
Baby carriers can make regular outings so much more comfortable. It’s hard to carry a baby around town for an hour plus, but a baby carrier or hip carrier eases the back pain and makes it possible.
We love the Tushbaby hip carrier! It’s easy and fast to put on, and our baby is so comfy sitting on the little hip ledge.
Check out my full review here: Tushbaby Review: Is It Really Worth the Hype?
It’s not absurdly expensive, but it’s still somewhat of a nice-to-have purchase. We think it’s totally worth it!
22. 4moms Bathtub
We used a regular baby bathtub from Target for years, and it was fine. But I discovered the 4moms bathtub and was super intrigued by the clean water system and the temperature reading. So I splurged on it!
And OMG this bathtub is incredible. I wish I had it with my other two kiddos!
I always worried that the water was too hot, and the temperature reading on this takes all the stress away. It’s even color-coded so you can quickly see if the water’s cold, just right, or getting too hot. If it’s really hot, it starts beeping.
Like most baby products, we only used this for a number of months before our son outgrew it. But while we had it, I was so grateful.
Note: This tub seems to be out of stock a lot, so I looked for another great tub option. I found this one from Lalo, and it’s amazing because it actually converts into a sensory bin when your baby outgrows it!
23. Nuna RAVA™ Convertible Car Seat
With our first baby, we had the Britax Convertible Car Seat (mentioned earlier in this post). And we loved it!
We decided to try a new one (partially to test for blog posts like this one!), and we landed on the Nuna RAVA™.
It has all of the features you need from a luxury car seat, including:
- Exceeds American safety standards
- All steel frame and reinforced belt path for superior protection
- Fuss-free adjustments
- Their unique simply™ secure installation, which made installing this in our car a literal joy
- Energy-absorbing side impact protection
It has a ton of other great features, but let me tell you why this is our favorite car seat ever.
The freaking straps have a little side pocket. You can tuck the straps out of the way so you can lay your baby in the car seat without messing with the straps.
I HATE putting a baby in a car seat and then pulling the straps out from behind them and then having to readjust their positioning – putting an infant in a car seat, especially, is kind of terrifying. They’re so tiny and vulnerable.
Having that strap feature may seem like a small thing, but that feature alone makes this car seat worth the luxury price tag.
24. Magnetic Me Footie Pajamas
Buttons and snaps are maddening at 2 am when you’re changing a diaper for the umpteenth time.
Zippers had been my saving grace until I found Magnetic Me pajamas that have magnetic closures.
I talk about this in this TikTok video:
You simply place the two sides of the pajama together and they magnetically snap closed. There is no maneuvering at all.
These pajamas absolutely revolutionized the way I dealt with middle-of-the-night diaper changes.
We still love these, and my babe is 11 months old now!
A side bonus is the material is very stretchy and forgiving, so we have been able to use the same size for many months longer than the same size in other brands.
25. Munchkin UV Diaper Pail
Every single diaper genie we’ve had (three to date) has broken. Those things are so cheaply made. And don’t get me started on the Ubie diaper pail, which stinks to high heavens and also rusts.
The best diaper pail we’ve ever had is the Munchkin UV diaper pail. It still isn’t perfect (you have to somewhat push the diapers through the hole at the top versus just tossing them in), but it keeps smells at bay and has not broken.
If I were to buy a diaper pail for the first time all over again, this would be my first choice.
26. Simple Human Sensor Trash Can
As long as we’re talking about trash receptacles, I have to mention the Simple Human sensor trash can. I know it may seem like a stretch to mention a trash can on a baby products post, but hear me out.
Every second we can save as moms with babies is priceless. Being able to wave your hand over the trash can and having it open is absolutely incredible.
Whether you change your baby’s diaper on the living room floor and need to toss a diaper or you’re cleaning up after a messy baby lunch, this trash can makes clean-up that much easier.
People always ooh and ahh when we say “open can” and our trash can opens on demand. It’s just that cool.
27. Force of Nature Cleaning System
Use code TWOMAMABEARS for a discount at Force of Nature!
I really started evaluating some of our household products after having babies. I wanted to make sure we weren’t introducing carcinogens and toxic chemicals in our home, especially with vulnerable babies around.
When I found Force of Nature, I was totally sold.
Force of Nature’s Starter Kit includes an appliance that converts salt, water, and vinegar into a powerful all-in-one cleaner. It’s non-toxic, planet-friendly, and kills 99.9% of germs (including COVID).
We recently got ours, and I am shocked at how well it cleans everything from carpet stains to our stainless steel fridge. It has a light swimming pool scent, which is also nice.
You can also use it to clean high chairs and baby toys!
28. Hatch Baby Smart Changing Table
We had concerns about our baby gaining weight when he was born, but our pediatrician was 45 minutes from our home.
We decided to invest in a smart changing table, which has the option of weighing your baby during diaper changes.
This saved us long drives to the pediatrician in those early months, which made the hefty price tag worth it. (Our newborn hated car rides.)
But after we stopped using the weighing feature, I grew to love that you don’t need a cover. There’s no washing of laundry required with this changing table. Just wipe it down and you’re good to go.
29. Kroger Delivery Membership (or Comparable)
Food prep and cooking take on a whole new level of difficulty when you have a baby in the house. If you can shave off some time related to this in some way, it’s probably worth it.
We’ve found that a grocery delivery service gives us the best bang for our buck when trying to save money and time on groceries.
Our favorite is Kroger, which offers free delivery for a year when you pay a $60 membership fee. For us, this membership paid for itself within 6 weeks, and we get to use it for the entire year. You’re not even allowed to tip as the drivers are Kroger employees, so that really keeps delivery costs down.
I also find myself saving a lot of money when ordering online because I don’t make any impulse purchases like I would at the store.
If you have an affordable grocery delivery service near you, definitely check it out!
30. Beli Vitamins
For a limited time, take 15% off your Beli Men’s vitamin order with code TWOMAMABEARS15!
I didn’t find Beli vitamins while I was pregnant, but I did learn of them after I had my third baby.
Although I’m pretty darn sure we’re done having kids, this is the brand I’d choose first if I were to get pregnant again. Ritual is also amazing, but I think Beli has a slight edge.
You can read more about Beli in my full, in-depth review: Beli Prenatal Vitamins Review: Are They the Best?
31. Hatch Sound Machine
The Hatch sound machine is indispensable. There are multiple sound types, color options, it’s rechargeable, and there are different volume settings.
We’ve taken this on vacation and didn’t even need to plug it into the wall for our first night since the charge lasts so long. It’s absolutely amazing – hands down the best sound machine we have ever had.
Our baby sleeps so soundly with this!
32. BEABA Baby Food Maker
I’ve always made the majority of my baby food from scratch. With my first two babies, I just used what I had, which was a steamer on the stovetop and a blender.
The big drawback was it felt like a huge production. It created a lot of dishes, and I felt like I needed to do big batches to make the effort and mess worth it.
With my third baby, I realized I would never have a few hours on a Saturday morning to dedicate to baby food making. That’s when I found the BEABA baby food maker, and it’s exactly what I was looking for!
You can make small batches of steamed baby food, and the single appliance steams and blends. With the version I purchased, none of the baby food touches plastic, which I love.
It creates minimal dishes and is so simple that I can make fresh baby food any morning of the week without feeling like it’s a ton of work.
The drawback is we really only used it for about 5 months because now our baby is more interested in what we’re eating as opposed to baby blends. That said, I want to start using it again to make pouches for when we’re on the go.
It’s dead easy to make pouch dupes of expensive baby food brands like Little Spoon or Yumi!
So honestly, I saw it as a luxury purchase that actually saved me a lot of money and gave me peace of mind that my baby was getting the freshest food possible.
33. ezpz Silicone Feeding Products
There are so many options when it comes to baby-feeding products, and there really are a lot of inexpensive ones that we love.
That said, if you want something a little luxurious, the ezpz feeding products are where it’s at.
These products are so thoughtfully designed to be age appropriate. Many brands just make products that they know will sell with no regard for development. ezpz is the total opposite – they invest a lot in educating moms like me about what’s developmentally appropriate.
Even the sizes of the spoons and forks graduate based on age to ensure a baby is getting the appropriate amount of food and can grip it successfully.
I love these products, not only for the developmental benefits but because they’re easy to clean and many of them suction to the table for less throw-age of food (totally just made up that word).
We didn’t exclusively invest in ezpz products, but the tiny collection we have is beloved!
Related: Is the ezpz Happy Mat Worth the Hype?
34. Lovevery Play Gym
We used the Lovevery play gym almost every day for about the first 6 months of my son’s life. It was the perfect area for him to lay on his back and look at stimulating images, and it was also perfect for tummy time.
There are lots of bells and whistles on this play gym that keep it fresh and exciting for your little one.
I will say it’s marketed for use up to 12 months, but we honestly stopped using it mostly around the 6-month mark. My son likes to crawl all over the place, so staying on the play gym mat just wasn’t of interest to him.
Related: I Used the Lovevery Play Gym for a Year – Here’s What I Think
That said, for the many months we used it, I absolutely loved it and totally thought it was worth the splurge.
My older kids also had some fun with it!
35. Bogg Bag
This may be another questionable “baby” item, but I’d almost lump this into the diaper bag category. The Bogg Bag is specifically perfect for going to the pool or beach.
It’s super roomy, so you can stuff all your swimsuits, change of clothes, sunscreen, towels, diapers, wipes – it’ll all fit.
And when you get home, you can hose it down if there were any messes. It’s super practical and gets a lot of use when we know we’ll be around water.
It’s definitely a luxury purchase, but I actually think this makes a perfect gift! I never wanted to buy it for myself because of the price tag, so I put it on my birthday wishlist, and my mom gifted it to me.
36. Newton Baby Mattress
The Newton baby mattress was on my wishlist for a long time before I finally splurged and went for it. The crib mattress we had was a hand-me-down that was ripping and was really heavy and hard to lift. Changing the sheets was a huge hassle!
But more importantly, the Newton mattress boasts tons of safety and convenience features that I was really excited about.
It’s 100% breathable and washable, and it has a removable cover included. The inside looks like ramen noodles, which is bizarre but also cool. We absolutely love this, and it’s super comfy!
37. Ember’s Baby Bottle System
Ember’s new self-warming baby bottle system sets out to make feeding babies a lot easier. This system warms milk or formula with the touch of a button and keeps it cool until you need it.
Warming the milk could not be easier. Just fill the bottle with milk and set it on top of the smart warming puck. I believe it’s magnetized because it popped right on and started warming as soon as I pressed the button in the app.
This Ember bottle system is a game-changer for moms, whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Affordability is obviously a huge issue here – $400 for essentially two baby bottles is a bit jaw-dropping. When I got the announcement email, I honestly expected it to be closer to $200.
However, for many moms – especially ones that are exclusively breastfeeding – the value of never having to worry about heating milk again may be worth that premium price tag.
Read the full review: Ember’s Self-Warming Baby Bottle System Review
5 Expensive Baby Items Not Worth the Money
I would be remiss if I didn’t include some pretty expensive baby items that I didn’t think were worth the money. Keep in mind that my experience with a product may be different from yours. It’s true that all babies are different!
1. Nanit Baby Monitor
The Nanit baby monitor is SUPER cool and high-tech. I really enjoyed the sleep analytics and all the neat bells and whistles – until it stopped working due to WiFi issues.
If your WiFi ever goes out, you’re out of luck. The Nanit monitor relies on WiFi, and even though they make it seem like there’s a backup if the WiFi goes out, they are lying to you! There’s not.
We used to live in an area with only Satellite internet. During a bad storm, our internet went out in the middle of the night. Around 3 am, I heard – across the house – our daughter crying. The monitor was frozen.
I was traumatized! How long had she been crying?! She was only a month or two old at this time.
I had it out with Nanit because they advertise the product like it will still work if you have an internet outage, but that was not our experience.
We ditched the Nanit and have relied on monitors that do not require the internet to function, and we have never looked back.
2. Ubbi Diaper Pial
The Ubbi Diaper Pail is about twice the price of the popular Playtex Diaper Genie. While it won’t cost you an arm and a leg, it is still expensive for what it is.
Our first child was lucky to get a Diaper Genie hand-me-down, but we needed a second one for our next child. We were gifted the Ubbi at our baby shower, and I was really excited to have the “best” diaper pail on the market!
It was nice at first, but once our baby started eating solid foods, we realized there’s really no odor control with this diaper pail. When you open it to drop in a diaper, all the smells from inside waft out. You have to hold your breath!!
The second issue is the quality. The metal underneath the paint is not being prepped properly, so it will start to rust, and the paint will start to peel back after about a year of use.
This is one of those circumstances where the cheaper option – the Playtex Diaper Genie – is actually better than more expensive alternatives. The Playtex version doesn’t stink (it has a layer of odor protection inside), and it doesn’t rust or wear down.
3. 4moms mamaRoo
The 4moms mamaRoo is an infant seat that bounces up and down and sways from side to side. The selling point of this particular baby contraption is that it mimics how parents move when comforting their babies. It also includes noises that mimic womb-like conditions, which is really soothing for babies.
I have mixed feelings about the mamaRoo. Our daughter tolerated it somewhat, but it was never her favorite baby seat. She preferred the low-tech Fisher-Price bouncer, which literally costs a quarter of what the mamaRoo does.
The worst part is the mamaRoo just stopped working one day. For such an expensive baby rocker to quit after only a couple of years of use was pretty disappointing.
I’m not ruling out the mamaRoo completely, because different babies like different things, but I’m not eager to recommend it to new moms.
4. HALO bassinet
The HALO bassinet was a hand-me-down gift from family, and it was a godsend with our first child. Our daughter slept wonderfully in it, but the reason I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend it is that it was a complete fail for our second child.
He could not tolerate the lack of movement, which is why we quickly bought a SNOO.
While the HALO is a great bedside bassinet, it’s not going to work for all babies. I haven’t tried it, but 4moms has a new bassinet that comes with movement, and it’s in the same price range as the HALO. It might be worth trying as a cheaper alternative to the SNOO if your baby needs movement to be soothed.
5. Baby Food Pouches From the Store
Last but not least is baby food pouches from the store. Yes, I’ve bought these on occasion, but in general, it’s so easy to make your own baby food, and it’ll save you a ton of money!
I bought this little Infantino squeeze station and have made my own baby food for both of my kids.
All you have to do, in most cases, is steam the food and blend it up! It took me about 30 minutes on a Saturday, and I had baby food for 2-3 weeks (I froze whatever would not be eaten in the next 4-5 days).
If you want to get really creative, you can find interesting food combinations from the expensive baby food makers (I always got ideas from Yumi).
One of our favorite combinations was butternut squash, apple, coconut milk, ginger, and nutmeg. Another was peas, pears, and mint.
Of course, you can keep it simple and stick to single ingredients like apricot, peach, zucchini, or butternut squash. In any case, you can make a lot more baby food for the money!
What are the most expensive things a baby needs?
After I wrote this article with all of my expensive baby item recommendations, I wanted to take a step back and really think about what your baby needs.
That’s going to vary from parent to parent, but I think there’s a small grouping of items that are most common in homes with new babies.
The most expensive things a baby needs include a crib, car seat, stroller, and diapers. If I were going to expand on that list, I’d also include a baby monitor, breast pump, changing table/dresser, high chair, and swivel glider.
Scroll Back To Top for 15 baby items that are worth the money
It can get overwhelming, but you can buy things in stages, and you can often find high-quality used items online or at your local thrift shop. Don’t forget to check the Facebook marketplace, especially for furniture.
For the crib, I think it’s worthwhile to consider a convertible crib that can adjust as your baby grows. We have this one from buybuyBABY and love it!
And when it comes to diapers, the gift that keeps on giving, we used Luvs. To us, it was a lower-cost alternative to Pampers and worked well for both of my kids. I’ve tried more expensive alternatives like Seventh Generation, but they made my kiddos get rashes. I also tried Pampers and Huggies and loved them both, but Luvs is considerably cheaper.
Finally, you can usually get a breast pump through insurance, though it may not be the exact one you want.
I hope this helps you plan for the more expensive items you may need for your upcoming baby!
Conclusion
There you have it – 35 expensive baby items worth the money, and 5 that left me wanting more.
What expensive baby items have you purchased for your baby that you loved? Share in the comments section below!
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