Bougie Baby Items Worth the Splurge

If I had a dollar for every bottle I’ve washed since becoming a mom, I could probably buy a dozen of these washing machines — and honestly, I might. The Grownsy washer cleans six bottles at a time and sits on your counter right next to your sink, where it dumps the dirty water through a hose. This sanity-saving machine washes, sterilizes, and dries your baby’s bottles (and pacifiers and pump parts and sippy cups…) all in one go. Unlike a regular dishwasher, which can leave behind residue, doesn’t always dry properly, and often warps delicate bottle parts, the Grownsy is designed specifically for baby gear — meaning every item comes out truly clean, dry, and ready for use. The peace of mind this appliance brings — knowing everything is clean, germ-free, and ready for the next feeding — is priceless.

I’m still in the newborn haze, so it’ll probably be a while before I fully grasp how this smart bassinet helped me transition into motherhood. But what I can say is that my son developed good sleep habits — like falling asleep on his own and being comfortable in the bassinet while awake — very early on, and I’m betting that the Snoo helped him get there. In those early days as I recovered from childbirth, we never had to rock a restless or distraught baby to sleep, because the Snoo did it for us. 

The main complaint people have about the Snoo (besides the price) is that when it’s time for the baby to transition into a crib, there’s an unpleasant weaning stage. But Happiest Baby has developed weaning settings to help with that, and many parents sleep-train their babies around that time anyway, so the anticipation might be all for naught. The way I see it, even if transitioning him into an appropriately sized crib eventually is absolute hell, at least I got more rest when I needed it most. 

Of all the baby-related expenses you can quickly rack up, a convertible crib is one of the few items that genuinely earns its keep over the long haul. Yes, it’s more expensive upfront — but you’re not just buying a crib. You’re buying a toddler bed, a daybed, and in many cases, even a full-size bed frame for later on. It’s the ultimate grow-with-you piece of furniture that can carry your child from newborn nursery to big-kid room without multiple shopping trips (or breakdowns in the middle of a hardware store). 

The Babyletto Yuzu is a favorite for design-forward parents, offering eight configurations — including a midi size that fits nicely in our tiny apartment nursery and is safe for babies up to 2 years old — with all the conversion kits included (because no one wants to realize mid-transition that you need to buy yet another thing). For a more classic look with a little extra function, the Bellini Aspen 4-in-1 Convertible Crib adds a spacious underdrawer for stashing spare sheets, sleep sacks, or the pacifiers you’ll lose nightly. Both are built to last, meaning you’ll get years of use — and way more value than you would from a trendy mini crib or pack-and-play that’s outgrown in a flash. And you actually don’t have to spend exorbitant amounts of money for a solid convertible crib: This 5-in-1 number from trusted brand Graco has 10k rave reviews, will look good with any nursery decor, and is under $200. 

I know it sounds ridiculous to overspend on baby clothes that are going to be spit up on, pooped through, and outgrown in what feels like five minutes — but hear me out. My son wears a mix of organic, hypoallergenic pieces from brands like Kyte Baby, Arquia, and Mori, and regular cotton basics, and his skin is consistently clear, calm, and completely unbothered. (None of the belly redness or weird arm rashes my friends warned me about.) Made of materials like organic bamboo and premium Peruvian Pima cotton, these higher-priced onesies are buttery-soft, breathable, and clearly made for sensitive little bodies. Throw a few of these on your registry or seek out sales — Nordstrom Rack has some of these brands seriously discounted — and you’ll quickly see (and feel) the difference.

While it might be tempting to only buy what you need right now, a convertible stroller is a truly worthy investment that’ll keep on giving for years. Instead of replacing the entire system as your baby grows, you only have to switch out the seat. The best ones click seamlessly from infant car seat to toddler seat to (gasp) double stroller mode, in case baby number two comes into the picture. 

Case in point: the Peg Perego Ypsi system. It’s sleek, sturdy, and stylish in a distinctly European way, and it folds down small enough to fit in a city apartment closet. And unlike a lot of strollers that require a master’s degree to convert or collapse, this one won’t leave you sweating and cursing. Is it pricey? Yes. But, in some cases, it’s less expensive than buying a brand new setup every few years. 

One of the realities of parenthood I found hardest to accept was the need for multiple sitting/strolling devices. But unfortunately, there was no getting around that in NYC — where for an infant, you need a carseat, a lightweight foldable stroller for the subway/bus, and a bassinet stroller. That is, unless you have a Doona, which is a life hack disguised as baby gear. With the push of one button, your infant car seat instantly transforms into a stroller (and back again just as fast), so you never have to disturb a sleeping baby or wrestle with bulky frames. It’s FAA-approved, so whether you’re taking a flight or a quick Uber ride, you’ll only need the one stroller. It can also be used safely beyond infancy, so eventually, you can use it as your only stroller if you so choose. (Ask your doctor what they recommend though.) City dwellers swear by its nimble build: It’s small enough to fit through crowded cafés yet sturdy on uneven sidewalks. Sure, it’s heavier than a bare infant seat and lacks storage space — but if you’re all about ditching gear changeovers and saving your sanity on the go, it’s a splurge with serious payoff.

When it comes to keeping your baby safely secured — and giving you the ability to reclaim a sliver of your independence — a high-quality baby carrier is worth every penny. The BabyBjörn Harmony isn’t just a cozy spot for your little one — it’s a carefully engineered cocoon that locks them in ergonomic alignment, supports their head and hips, and keeps their airway clear while they’re nestled against your chest. With breathable mesh that hugs your baby and adjustable support that shifts as they grow, this isn’t a piece of gear that fails after a few months — it’s a safety-first workhorse you’ll likely lean on for years. And if that weren’t enough, padded straps, a pressure-relieving waist belt, and a sleek Scandinavian build mean you actually enjoy wearing it — not dread hauling around a floppy sack of fabric that falls off your shoulder mid-walk. 

I didn’t set out to become a Tubby Todd evangelist, but here we are. I tried their skincare products on myself before my baby arrived, and their gentle yet impactful performance secured my seal of approval. Their All Over Ointment is the cream I reach for to calm his irritated skin, and you only need a tiny drop each time (which extends the lifespan, making your dollar reach farther). The best part? It acts fast. I’m talking visible improvement within hours, and that’s saying something when you’re dealing with persistent drool rash, dry skin, or mysterious red blotches that just appear out of nowhere. The Tubby Todd line is used by all the members of our household — and the brand recently debuted products just for moms. Pricey? Yep. Worth it? Every drop.