When it comes to baby gear, the options can feel overwhelming. As a stay-at-home mom who has navigated the world of baby + toddler essentials, I’m excited to share these items with you. I have personally researched, used, and absolutely loved all of them over the last three years. When I was pregnant and just starting to look into all of the things we would need as new parents, I went in with the mindset of investing in high quality pieces that would be able to grow with our family. These baby gear items all exceeded my expectations. (3 out of the 5 things listed here we still actively use today – 3 years later)!
1. Stokke Tripp Trapp
First on my list is the Stokke Tripp Trapp, an absolute game-changer in the world of high chairs. I originally purchased this because of its footplate. I learned early on that it’s important for babies just starting to eat (& everyone, really) to be positioned properly while eating. This means sitting with their hips, knees, and ankles all bent at 90 degrees, with arms able to rest supported on the table. The adjustable seat and footplate on this high chair allows kiddos of all ages to be able to sit in this position which was the biggest selling point for me.
However, I will say now that we’ve used this high chair for the past 2.5 years, I can truly say that we genuinely love it. Not only has it provided a comfortable place for our son to eat in our home, it also looks great with our dining table and decor (hello added bonus!). And it’s made from high-quality European beechwood, making it durable and easy to wipe down whenever the inevitable messes occur. The Tripp Trapp also grows with your child, from infancy through toddlerhood and beyond. (It’s safety-rated to hold up to 242.5 lbs!). Trust me, this chair is worth every penny for the functionality and longevity it offers.
Cons:
There are two cons that I feel I need to mention. 1) It does not fold up and 2) the tray is finicky with getting certain suction cup plates to stick to it. Once put together, the high chair is a solid wooden structure. You won’t be able to store it away from your table like you can with other high chairs. We have enough space in our dining area where we are able to leave the Tripp Trapp in its permanent ‘home’ as one of the seats at our table. But if space is limited for you then this might be a con.
The tray has a slight texture to it that prevents most standard suction cup plates and bowls from sticking to it. This is a con if you have a baby that likes to throw their plate during mealtime. However, I discovered through trial and error with different types of plates that certain ones work perfectly fine with the tray. I find it strange how that happens and still don’t fully understand why š¤£. But I’m here to share everything I’ve learned so that you don’t have to go through the same thing! This bamboo suction plate in particular worked GREAT for us for a long time. It always had a strong suction on the Tripp Trapp tray for every meal. Anecdotally, I’ve heard from other moms who also have the Tripp Trapp that bamboo plates in general are better able to suction to its tray than silicone.
2. UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Stroller
The UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Stroller is another essential piece of baby gear that I think every mom should consider. This stroller kept coming up as one of the most recommended baby items in my circle of mom friends and from other moms online. It comes with a bassinet for infants and a toddler seat. It can even accommodate a second child with the addition of a RumbleSeat. This was the biggest selling point for me because we knew from the beginning that we wanted to continue growing our family. So, the ability to add a second seat meant that we could use the same stroller with two or more kiddos.
The VISTA V2 offers a smooth ride with its all-wheel suspension and large tires. One of the best features of this stroller is the huge under-seat basket. I can fit my entire Fawn Design Diaper Bag. Plus my water bottle, a sweater, and an extra small bag with room to spare. As someone who loves taking walks with my little one, this stroller has been a lifesaver. It’s easy to maneuver, stylish, and incredibly durable.
CONS:
One thing I need to mention is the size. It’s pretty large if you’re comparing it to an umbrella stroller so it’s not the best for travel. It’s also a lot pricier than many of the other strollers on the market. So I would be weary of using it for travel for that reason as well. I would absolutely cringe if I were to check it on a flight and find that it’s all scratched up upon arrival. I would also worry about it being stolen, so for those reasons we ended up buying a budget friendly stroller on Amazon solely for travel. If you travel a lot I wouldn’t recommend the Vista as your stroller of choice for your trips. So you may want to consider other options.
3. Nuna PIPA Lite LX Car Seat
The Nuna PIPA Lite LX Car Seat + Base is an awesome first car seat for your baby. What sold me on this car seat is the fact that it is the lightest on the market (weighing in at only 7.6 lb!). When you’re toting around a rapidly growing newborn, you’re going to want a car seat that’s light!
This infant car seat might be lightweight, but it’s not for lack of quality. It’s packed with features to keep your baby safe and comfortable while they’re snug inside! Nuna’s proprietary UPF 50+ Dream Drape provides extra protection from the elements. The carrying handle is made from a luxe leatherette, and it boasts a five-point harness for security. Install is a breeze with the True Lock base system and color-coded installation indicators so you can be sure the seat is properly secured. We used this car seat from day one (starting with driving home from the hospital). I can’t recommend it enough for its top-notch safety features and ease of use.
One last thing I want to mention is that if you decide to also purchase the UPPAbaby Vista V2, Nuna makes a PIPA Car Seat Adapater for UPPAbaby Strollers. This made outings with a newborn so easy because we could just grab the entire car seat from the car with our son inside and simply click it into place on our stroller base! Instant stroller without having to transfer a sleeping baby which was GOLDEN in those early months!
CONS:
Height and weight limits are 4ā32 lb. & up to 32ā. So if you have a long baby like I did, chances are they will hit the max height fairly quickly. We switched out of this car seat around 8 months old.
4. Nuna RAVA Car Seat
As your baby grows, transitioning to the Nuna RAVA Car Seat is a seamless next step. This convertible car seat can be used rear-facing and then forward-facing as your child grows. Like I said above, we switched L to this seat when he was around 8 months old and it was a seamless transition. It boasts a steel frame, energy-absorbing foam, and extended legroom for maximum comfort and safety. The RAVA’s recline angle guides and hassle-free installation make it a parent favorite. This is one of my favorite baby gear purchases; knowing my little one is safe and comfy during our car rides is priceless.
Cons:
While the cover is completely removable making it convenient for washing, it’s a bit of a pain to put back together once you’re done cleaning it. I had to rely on YouTube videos for the first few times. And even now, I still feel like I could use more practice with it. It can be finicky with the edges and food can become trapped underneath the cover. Just be prepared to clean out the occasional cheddar bunny or pretzel stick under there if you let your kiddo eat in the car!
5. Baby Bjorn Bouncer
Last but certainly not least, the Baby Bjorn Bouncer needs an honorable mention in this list. I used this bouncer so much in the first year+ of my son’s life. It’s lightweight and portable, making it easy to move around the house. I used to set him in the bathroom with me while I showered in those early months. The natural rocking motion is perfect for soothing and entertaining your baby. Additionally, the fabric seat is machine washable, which is always a plus! This bouncer has been a favorite in our home, providing endless hours of comfort and joy.
Cons:
I honestly can’t think of many for this one. It folds up pretty much completely flat if you need to store it away. However, it doesn’t take up too much space even if you decide to leave it out like I did. We used it daily when my son was smaller, so it was just easier to leave it out.
The bouncer (which is the only way we used it) accommodates babies up to 20 pounds. Apparently you can flip the cover to convert the bouncer into a chair for littles (up to 29 lbs) who are able to sit upright unassisted, but we never did. I honestly had no idea you could do this until now. With that said, I don’t think my wiggly toddler would want to sit in it anyway. My son reached 20 lb at around 20 months old so I’d say we got a pretty good amount of use out of it.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are my top baby gear picks that have made parenting just a little bit easier (especially in those foggy early months). Each of these items has made a significant difference in our daily lives, offering safety, convenience, and comfort. Investing in high-quality baby gear is one of the best decisions I made when I embarked on this parenthood journey, and these products are worth every penny.
I hope this list helps you find the best baby gear for your family. Happy shopping, and just remember- you’ve got this!!
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