I know there are endless “best of” and “must have” lists for your baby registry, but I want you to consider this one the “what I wish I knew then” list that will save you from the error of my ways! By the time my third baby came around, I realized how truly important it is to get long-lasting items for your baby – and even better if they grow with your family!
So, take advantage of my learning curve and use it to your benefit. Trust me, you will get plenty of adorable outfits and swaddles, but these 11 items will be investment pieces and will last your kiddo well into kindergarten and even beyond. And BONUS – this blog post will save you hours of research!
1. 6-in-1 Caden crib by Delta
Even though you may not need a crib immediately when your baby comes home, it’s usually one of the first things we think of needing! I love this wooden 6-in-1 crib from Delta Children that includes a trundle drawer for storage. It has beautiful lines, comes in 3 colors that will match any nursery theme, and can last until your baby is literally a teenager since it converts all the way into a full-size bed!
Pro Tip: After my first baby used her crib rail as a teether, I learned that I should protect that wood with crib rail guards. I love these beautiful linen ones from Etsy Seller LemonNursery.
2. Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen by Hatch
Staying on the theme of sleep, the Hatch Rest+ 2nd gen is a must-have in our house. When it comes to sleep, it does everything but rocking and diaper changes! The Hatch Rest+ is a sound machine and nightlight, plus it includes a time-to-rise setting, which helps create good sleep routines. My 6 and 8-year-olds still love and use their Hatch on a daily basis! The gentle light can be used during night feeding or diaper changes, and the settings can be changed remotely from their app, so you don’t have to bother a sleeping baby!
3. Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
Well, I never thought I would get excited over a high chair, but enter the Stokke Tripp Trapp! It has a small footprint, looks beautiful, and comes in 14 colors. It’s easy to clean, exceeds safety standards, and can hold up to 300 pounds! Baby can join you at the table and continue using the same chair appropriately for their age all the way through childhood, even into adulthood!
4. Graco 4Ever® DLX SnugLock® Grow™ 4-in-1 Car Seat
The Graco 4Ever® DLX SnugLock® Grow™ 4-in-1 Car Seat might be the best example of a “one and done” on this whole list. Safety is of utmost importance, and this car seat has endured and passed the most rigorous testing. You can trust it will keep your baby safe from the time they leave the hospital all the way until they can sit in the car with just a seat belt like a big kid! It’s easy to install using your car’s LATCH system and the built-in level indicator. And as a huge bonus – the cover is easy to remove and machine washable, but, even so, take it from me – go with the black!
5. Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack Diaper Bag
Trust me on this one – you’re going to want to be picky about your diaper bag. I bought a bag just for the looks, a cheapy one to replace the cute one, and a super trendy one before I settled on my holy grail – the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack! It has everything I was looking for. The pros of this bag are too many to name, but here are the most important ones: it’s spacious but not bulky, looks sleek and modern, the fold-out changing station is easy to wipe and machine washable, and can be carried with a shoulder strap or as a backpack!
6. UPPABaby Vista V2
Chances are, you and your kiddos are going to spend a ton of time with your stroller, and thankfully UPPABaby has created the ultimate grow-with-you stroller in the Vista V2! Its slim lines are perfect for a single baby, but it seamlessly grows to accommodate a 2nd and even a 3rd kiddo! The PiggyBack ride-along board is the perfect extra attachment for that kiddo who is too big to ride but still gets tired walking long distances! It strolls like a dream and has a large storage basket and an extendable canopy with 50+ UPF protection.
7. Vava Baby Monitor
When your baby is firstborn and comes home, you may find it almost impossible to put that sweet baby down! Eventually, they will start sleeping and even playing in their own rooms, but inevitably, you will still want to keep an eye on them. The Vava baby monitor is the next best thing to holding them in your arms with a beautiful 5″ display, two-way communication, and a 900-foot range. It can accommodate up to 4 cameras, so as your baby gets on the move and your family grows you can add more cameras in more rooms. Even now that my kids are a little older, I can’t tell you how many nights I still wake up to a “bump in the night,” and it gives me so much peace that I can check in on all the kids without having to run to their rooms!
8. Pop N’ Go Indoor/Outdoor playpen by the California Beach Co
This indoor/outdoor playpen by the California Beach Co. is one of those things that you don’t realize you need until you have it! It’s made for families on the go – giving little ones some relief from the sun under the 50+ UPF protection canopy and giving parents a safe, spacious place to wrangle little ones at busy parks, beaches, or on the soccer sidelines. It can also be used indoors to keep kiddos nearby while you do all the things you need to do! It comes in 4 colors, folds up tiny, and is effortlessly easy to assemble!
9. Ruggable washable rug
You might think an area rug might be silly to buy with the long-term in mind, but not with a Ruggable, washable rug. Area rugs are not cheap, so it’s not fun if you have to turn around and buy a new one every time there’s an accident. These rugs are not only stain and water-resistant, but they are machine washable! Ruggable has endless design options, but if you choose one that leans neutral, like this Verana White Opal Rug, it should fit whatever theme your kiddo wants as they grow and change!
10. Cuddle & Kind handmade heirloom stuffed animal
I truly believe that every child needs a special lovey, and the ones from Cuddle+Kind are my absolute favorite. Not only are they handmade with premium cotton to make them so super snuggly, but with every purchase, Cuddle+Kind provides 10 meals to kids in need- what better way to celebrate your new baby than to help one who needs it!
11. Vault, Baby Keepsake Box by Savor
This super sentimental Keepsake Box by Savor will initially be more for you as new parents than for your baby, but one day, they will be so thankful to have it! Savor has thought of everything, and it’s the perfect box to keep all of baby’s early memories and mementos safe for years to come. There are over 50 labels and spots to save everything from the first sonogram to the first lost tooth and everything in between!
New-mom learning curve
I hope this list allows you to learn from my new-mom learning curve and that you’re able to make long-lasting purchases on your first try! Add all these to your registry and I promise you’ll be giving them as recommendations before long! And, don’t forget to send all your family and friends to RegistryFinder.com so they can find all your registries in one convenient place!
Featured Image Courtesy of Etsy Seller CotandCot
