What was your best, if slightly expensive, item you purchased for baby?

[Sparksi]

We’re in a fortunate position at the moment where we have had some money gifted from relatives to buy for baby.

What would you treat yourself to if you could to make that first year a bit easier?

I’m looking at Tiba and Marl bags, but not sure if they are the best ones. We still need to choose and order our travel system, too, so it could go towards that.

Anything else you’d recommend?

I think they've all been mentioned but these were all good, solid buys that have gotten loads of use:

• Uppababy Vista
• Stoke Tripp Trapp
• Baby Bjorn bouncer
• Ergobaby carrier

The Vista would be top of my list, six years on our youngest is about to turn 4 and we haven't used it for a while and really shouldn't use it again. I'm so sad to be putting it away, and I haven't really felt that way about any other baby stuff.

If you're sorted for baby stuff you could look ahead and get a good scooter or balance bike but I'm guessing the person would rather you bought a "baby" thing rather than a "kid" thing, even though it'll come around quick enough.

Car seat base!

Next 2 Me crib.

Lifesaver

They didn’t do them when DC1 was born and she ALWAYS woke when I popped her back in her basket. The thought of having an open side so I could roll over, boob out, and roll away afterwards granted me endless hours of sleep when DC2 came along

Everything babybjorn is brilliant: the bouncer, high chair and carrier.
In retrospect I wish I would have also bought the next size Next to Me.

And yes loved the Next to Me with both children.

Tripp Trapp high chair. My children are teenagers and still sit in them (they convert to normal chairs eventually). Only issue is we ended up having to buy one for each child because they didn't want to give them up.

Never bothered with changing bags. Rucksack is better.

Totter & Tumble playmat has been our best expensive purchase.

Also stokke trip trap chair

A decent car mirror so you can see your baby from the drivers seat. Worth getting one with a light.

A decent full car window sunshade for the side the baby will be on.

One of those monitors to know the baby is still alive- I never had one but I was obsessive about checking with my first. It would have given so much comfort.

A nice buggy system. We used ours for two kids and ran it into the ground so easily got our money's worth.

A high end baby monitor with video. We went cheap and I regretted it.

Lactation consultant. Honestly if you want to BF try to keep money up your sleeve for this and use it if things aren’t working out. Feeding affects everything and unfortunately most NHS people are not trained in things like tongue tie.

Actual stuff: here are the things that were godsends: Sleepyhead (in those days there wasn’t the advice against using overnight); HelloBaby camera monitor; Babybjorn bouncer chair; Jumperoo (for 5+ months).

A car with a massive boot. And a holiday.

Oh and the Snoozeshade for the buggy! But I may be unusual in having a baby who would only nap in a moving buggy and in pitch black. FML

Another one for the Uppababy Vista. It was wonderful to push and I walked many miles with my little one in it, then passed it to a friend, who passed it to a friend, so it is still in use.

It wasn't that expensive, but the best baby item we got was the Babydan high chair https://www.babydan.co.uk/products/eating/high-chairs/danchair-by-babydan-nature?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgJyyBhCGARIsAK8LVLNT3AtzN8YRn2fbnpjMndEFd7QSsmtgiC9791H2LsbepyEugxYdO6YaAqQOEALw_wcB

We only paid about £60 for it, but that was 16 years ago! DD1 used it until she was about 3.5 at which point we needed it for her DD2. She used it for a similar amount of time, at which point it became a spare chair. We probably got rid of it (sold it) for about 5 years ago. It really is the one item that I feel got proper use!

Babybjorn bouncer chair, it was a ridiculous price for such a simple item. But we used it so much, my youngest used it until she was 3 (although the instructions say age 2). It folded up and stored easily. Removable, washable cover. It just worked.
Just read a few previous comments and surprised I'm not alone in this recommendation.

Ergobaby 360 is without a doubt my best baby purchase. Mine still looks brand new and it’s not had a day off since my eldest was born three years ago.

Runners up would be the Tripp Trapp, and Totter and Tumble playmat.

I wouldn’t buy a changing bag - a normal backpack is ideal and has much more longevity!

A air conditioning unit for the heat waves. I thought I was going to die breastfeeding a newborn in the heatwaves. Dehydrated and clammy doesn’t even come close to covering it! Their sleep goes so rubbish in the heat too. Best money ever.

The mellowmat- memory foam playmat for sitting /falling head first!

a lightweight stroller along side the travel system. saves your back.

I didn’t use a changing bag/ I just used one of my rucksacks with packing cubes in it.

Agreed

Oh definitely the babybjorn chair.
folds completely flat , was the only chair my child was comfortable in initially. It’s good if they have reflux too.

you can wash the cover. Yeah it’s handy. We loved it.

I didn’t buy this but I wish I did; a really accurate thermometer. Believe you me you will get use out of that for years. I bought a less expensive inaccurate one, thought I could struggle through- no.

the best purchase was a video monitor. It was a gift - so useful.

That would have been the best money I ever spent for DS2 if I had the money. He was such a terrible sleeper. I was bf though so wouldn’t have worked but I applaud anyone who gets a night nanny as the impact of lack of sleep affects every part of you and those early months with your baby. I think back to my mat leave with DS2 and have to shake the memories from my head as they weren’t great days. Fortunately he turned into the most wonderful child and he’s genuinely never caused me a day’s trouble once he was over 2 (he’s 20 this year). If I had the money though I’d buy a pram I loved. When I have my first grandchild I’m going to gift a sum of money to my DD or DIL and tell them to buy the pram they want! My ex was so tight with money on things like baby equipment and I so wanted a bugaboo and never got one. So I’ll make sure my DD / DIL buy a nice pram (should they wish to do so!)

Mine was a foldable back carrier. Its bag was big enough for napies etc so it was the only thing I had to carry. It meant the dc could walk for as long as they wanted, but be carried easily when they got tired.

It meant I didn't have to worry about dragging a pram everywhere with me. I think it bought me freedom to explore with the dc.

Can you remember the name or link to it?

Nuby rapid cool
A giant rocking nursing chair. Still use it at 2 years as a lovely chair for rocking snuggles in the evening. My boy also loves rocking on it himself and I think it’s really helped his core. He’s very strong.
360 car seat

And my wish list: Bugaboo butterfly

Currently sat watching my third child sleep in the baby born bouncer (with toy bar) that was bought second hand for my first! Honestly I’d never buy one new but even preloved they can be pricey but are worth it (I’ll admit I also have a second different brand one downstairs that’s colourfull and has lights&noise and more bashable toys that ds loves in the day time. But to rest/sleep/play for a long time in it’s the BB all the way).

Buggys - I’ve had several. I’ve loved that I didn’t buy any brand new. So none were too precious to sell/swap if needed. It’s meant I could change them as my needs changed (ie single-double, big buggy to running buggy plus a yo-yo/travel stroller).

I BF so didn’t need to spend much. BUT did spend on a hospital grade pump (once feeding was working and established and I knew I wanted to try do it for some time). This time I got silver cups and wow - they were worth it! Wish I’d had them yonks ago!! Hotmilk is lovely for nice feeding bras too.

I’m sure it will be controversial - but living far away from family. Something we’ve prioritized is a babysitting pot. Having a date night arranged every few weeks (even if it’s a lunchtime) has been brilliant for our relationship.

I think on reflection what I’ve felt really lucky to have as a parent, is the ability to meet my kids changing needs. Ie. When I’m panicking because suddenly they’ll only drink from one type of sippy cup - having the funds to be able to buy two of those without worrying about it. I know it’s not an “obvious grandparent” type gift - but oddly someone gave me a voucher for the (very overpriced) but local kids shop. And it was such a relief to be able to just pop in and get needed bits from time to time!

Random- A good picnic blanket with a nice waterproof backing!! A presentable rucksack.

JoJo mama buggy clips (the ones that have a full clip to close). I’ve tried so many brands and these are great!

As young toddlers - a good brand three wheeled scooter (mini micro or globber etc).