How to Find Baby Equipment You Will Use for Years
As the first parent with an obsession with product evaluations that I understand should be questioned , I spent an absurd portion of my pregnancy researching baby equipment. I needed the safest diapers, the perfect newborn bath, and the musical mobile phone that was guaranteed to change my life.
Then my daughter was born; in the whirlwind of infancy, she grew and grew (I found babies are prone to this). Before I knew it, I was packing all the things I bought thinking, “What the hell? I hardly had a chance to use it. “
Baby gear usually has a limited lifespan, but Natalie Gordon, Founder and CEO of Babylist Universal Baby Receptionist, tells me you can stretch your funds (and minimize clutter) by buying products that “grow” with your baby in their first year his life and beyond. Gordon, whose team tests baby products from nail clippers to swings to millions of families using the site, shares five products that will make your life easier for years to come.
Stokke Tripp Trapp Highchair
“Just having this sleek and simple children’s furniture is enough for many young parents,” says Gordon. “But this highchair is designed to be more than just beautiful – it is designed to support your baby as it grows. You can adjust the seat and footrest to fit everything from a child (with a baby kit, sold separately) to a 250 pound adult. “
Luke Children’s rest Night light and sound machine
Gordon explains: “When you have a newborn baby, the Hatch Baby Rest uses sound and light to create a ‘personalized sleeping environment’ for your baby that you can program with your phone. It also makes routines infinitely easier; One quick press turns it from a soothing white noise machine into a night light, indispensable for night feeding. Later, when your child grows up to rise early, program the Good to Wake Up light to signal when to get out of bed and wake Mom and Dad. You will be incredibly grateful for the extra sleep you get. “
Three Stage Activity Center Skip Hop Explore & More Baby’s View
“One purchase – years of play,” says Gordon. “This hub of activity transforms with your child to meet the needs of children as they grow. For babies, it’s perfect for offline play (so you can do the dishes or take a much-needed shower). It turns into a playstation that your child can travel on while learning to walk, and finally into a sleek, one-piece kids’ table perfect for teas and coloring. “
Baby cot Babyletto Hudson
“This convertible crib isn’t just pretty,” Gordon tells me. “Behind these mid-century modern lines lies a practical solution for the growing child. This crib comes with a kit that converts it into a toddler crib that fits babies up to 50 pounds. You can also buy a conversion kit to convert it into a full daybed. In theory, this bed could see your child all the way to college! Pro tip: For any crib you want to remodel, buy the kit around the same time you buy the crib. Cribs are no longer available and you won’t want to scour the internet to find a conversion kit. “
CCTV camera Nest
Gordon says, “Okay, technically the Nest Cam is not a baby monitor. This is a home security camera that we consider to be one of our favorite baby monitors at Babylist. It turns out that features that are great for home security are perfect for baby monitors – from streaming on your smartphone to two-way communication so you can comfort your little one from anywhere. As your baby grows and you no longer need a baby monitor, you can use it to keep an eye on your pet, in the yard or in an empty house while you are away. “