30 Splurge Items WTE Parents Say Are Worth the Money

Updated: March 8, 2022
WTE Parents Splurge Items

Whether you're putting the finishing touches on your baby registry or simply looking for some new solutions to everyday challenges, choosing the right baby or parenting product can be game-changing. And while we often opt for budget-friendly items, it's okay to splurge every once in a while. To help us decide what's really life-altering, we turned to the experts: parents just like you.

We recently shared an Instagram post asking parents about the expensive items they don't regret buying. From a stroller we're seeing everywhere to a supportive and reliable baby carrier, these are the items What to Expect parents can't live without. Read on for their top products, along with some personal testimonials about why these products are so worth the investment. 

Why Trust Us?

An award-winning stroller

Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller

Uppababy Vista V2
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$1,100
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$1,100
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$1,100
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$1,100
See Now Nordstrom
Nordstrom
$1,100
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Why We Love It

If you're walking around and see someone pushing a stroller, it's usually the Uppababy Vista V2. The uber popular stroller brand is a favorite among WTE parents and editors alike, and it most recently earned the 2022 WTE Mom Must-Have Award. Parents are mainly impressed by the high-quality materials, maneuverability of it (read: a smooth ride for you and baby), how lightweight it is and the adjustable handle height. One mom even shared that it's perfect for short or tall parents because of the ability to change the length of the handle.

A car seat-stroller combo

Doona Car Seat & Stroller

Doona Car Seat and Stroller
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$550
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$550
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The Tot
$550
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Why We
Love it
Community
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Why We Love It

We love when a baby product can serve multiple purposes. The Doona does just that, as it acts as both a car seat and stroller. Simply remove the car seat from your car, press a button and boom! It transforms into a stroller.

Community Reviews

"My little one outgrew it after a year but I LOVED it!"

"Seriously best investment by far!"

A wearable breast pump

Willow Pump Wearable Breast Pump

Willow Hands-Free Portable Pump
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$500
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$500
See Now Target
Target
$500
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$500
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The Tot
$500
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Why We
Love it
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Why We Love It

Pumping moms rave about the Willow, which has proven to be particularly helpful for working moms due to its wire-free design. Some even say they've pumped during their commute. All you do is put the hands-free pump in your bra and it provides seven levels of suction to meet your needs. It also connects to an app, which tracks your pumping sessions.

Community Reviews

"I was really nervous about it too but it is awesome!! I really didn’t have any problems working it. If [it's] not working you get a notification on your phone that says why it’s not working [and] how to fix it. The ONLY bad thing about it is you can only pump 4 ounces at a time. But just dump it [and] keep going. I have a fast let down and this keeps up with it. I love it and would recommend it to anyone!"

"I’ve used it through 2 breastfeeding journeys! I bought it in 2018 when it was new so I have the 1st generation. I only use several times a week when at work, but with my job it’s very convenient for me. Very different with each breastfeeding journey. This second time I felt like I stopped responding to my Medela and the Willow would empty me"

"A must for pumping or working mamas! It’s the only reason I was able to continue breastfeeding"

A breast pump with an app feature

Elvie Double Electric Wearable Smart Breast Pump

Elvie Breast Pump
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$539
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$550
See Now Target
Target
$550
See Now Walmart
Walmart
$499
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$550
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Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

Another wearable pump is the WTE award-winning Elvie. Both moms in our community and our editors love the convenience of pumping without wires or bulky pumps. Just place it in your bra and you can pump with ease. Plus, you can connect to the corresponding app for extra info and feeding reports.

Community Reviews

"I can do dishes or little things when I start pumping which has been clutch!!"

A "smart" bassinet

Happiest Baby Snoo Smart Sleeper

Happiest Baby Snoo
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$1,595
See Now Target
Target
$1,596
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$1,595
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Happiest Baby
$1,595
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Love it
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Why We Love It

Time and time again, parents tell us that their baby only sleeps in the Snoo. And if you plan to sleep when your baby does, this is a tried and true baby product that helps everyone in your family catch those Zzzs. If you don't want to splurge and buy the product, renting is available for $150 per month.

Community Reviews

"I wish I’d had it for my first baby!!!"

"Hands down, 100% recommend! Saved any sanity I had left after not sleeping for months. My only regret is not having it sooner!!"

"Snoo, worth every cent and can resell. I even rented one when I went away and couldn’t bring it"

An award-winning breast pump

Spectra Baby S1 Plus Double Electric Breast Pump

Spectra 2 Breast Pump
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$200
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$200
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Target
$200
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$200
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Why We Love It

A well-known favorite breast pump is the Spectra S1 breast pump, and the popular brand received the award for best breast pump brand in the Mom Must-Have Awards. It's bulkier, especially compared to the wearable options, but it's only 3 pounds and super silent. The pump also has different expression modes, which helps moms get more milk per pumping session.

A washable mattress

Newton Baby Crib Mattress and Toddler Bed

Newton Infant and Toddler Mattress
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$300
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$300
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Nordstrom
$300
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Why We Love It

Parents love this mattress from Newton, as it's completely washable (even the core!) and really breathable, so they feel secure when their little ones are able to roll over and choose to sleep on their stomachs. It's also recyclable when you no longer need it. 

An ward-winning baby carrier

Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier

Ergobaby Omni 360
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$180
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$169
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$179
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$169
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Nordstrom
$180
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Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

Running errands or traveling with your little one will require a trusty baby carrier. You want one that's comfortable for you and cozy and secure for your baby. The Ergobaby Omni 360 earned its WTE award for its multiple carrying positions (four total), storage pocket, supportive neck pillow and more.

Community Reviews

"It’s the perfect model. It has a good back support, a little hood for baby and a little bag to carry things like keys."

"I even got a second one when I had my 2nd baby and carried a newborn in the front and a 2-year-old on my back ... they loved it and so did I!"

"Love how you can use it right away for newborns, easy to breastfeed in, and the back support."

A changing table that tracks baby's growth

Hatch Baby Grow Smart Changing Pad and Scale

Hatch Baby Grow Smart Changing Pad and Scale
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$150
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$150
See Now Target
Target
$150
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$150
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Why We Love It

The dual use of the Hatch Baby Grow makes it a winner in our parents' books. As you're changing your baby, this smart product also weighs your little one. This helps you track baby's weight without hassle and gives you peace of mind during every change.

A bounce babies love

Baby Björn Bouncer

Baby Bjorn Bouncer Balance Soft
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$200
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$200
See Now Target
Target
$200
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$200
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Why We Love It

When you need to put down baby for a few minutes, the Baby Björn Bouncer Balance Soft is a safe resting spot. The real game-changing features are that it's ergonomic, has three different positions as a bouncer (allowing you to move it more upright as your baby gains neck and head control) and your baby can eventually learn how to bounce independently in it — no plug or batteries required. The toy bar (sold separately) also engages your little one if you want some extra stimulation.

A celeb-approved car seat

Nuna Pipa Flame Retardant Free Car Seat & Base

Nuna Pipa Car Seat
Buying Options:
Nordstrom
Nordstrom
$320
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$320
See Now The_Tot
The Tot
$320
See Now Saks_Fifth_Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue
$320
See Now Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
$320
See Now
Why We Love It

This celeb-favorite car seat has been used by Serena Williams, Beyonce´ and Jessica Alba (to name a few). WTE parents love that it's super lightweight (just 8 pounds), can be installed with or without a car seat base, is free of flame retardant chemicals and has a convenient carrying handle. 

A versatile stroller

Mockingbird Single Stroller

Mockingbird Stroller
Buying Options:
Mockingbird
Mockingbird
$395
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Why We Love It

Ideal for families on the go, the Mockingbird is known for its impressive versatility. The UPF 50+ all-weather canopy will keep your baby covered, in rain or shine, and you can fold it up with just one hand. The modular stroller is compatible with most car seats, there's generous storage space and you can have baby face in or out.

A jogging stroller

Thule Urban Glide 2 All-Terrain & Jogging Stroller

Thule Urban Glide 2 Jogging Stroller
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$700
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$700
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Albee Baby
$700
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$650
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Bloomingdale's
$700
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Why We Love It

Whether you're heading out for a run with baby or simply anticipate some bumpy sidewalks on your next outing, you'll love the Thule jogging stroller. It's relatively lightweight (just over 25 pounds) and supports babies from birth to 75 pounds. The rear suspension makes it a comfortable and smooth ride for both you and baby, and the one-handed folding system makes it perfect for travel.

An all-terrain, all-weather stroller

Bob Gear Alterrain Pro Jogging Stroller

Bob Gear Alterrain Pro Jogging Stroller
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$680
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$680
See Now Target
Target
$680
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$680
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$680
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Why We Love It

Another parent-favorite jogging stroller is this one from Bob. With its unique SmoothShox suspension, you and your baby will glide on any terrain. It comes with a water- and rain-proof UPF 50+ canopy, and the one-handed fold helps you collapse it in seconds. Parents love walking, hiking and of course, jogging, with this stroller.

Community Reviews

"We live in the mountains where the roads are gravel. The one thins we couldn’t live without was the Bob stroller. We take our son on hikes with it!"

"The Bob joggers (double or single) if you’re a walker or runner or adventurer. Very worth the hefty price tag"

"We go on walks [with it] everyday for everyone’s sanity!"

A beloved baby "swing"

4Moms MamaRoo

4moms Mamaroo
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$300
See Now Target
Target
$300
See Now 4moms
4moms
$300
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Why We Love It

Year after year, this award-winning baby swing is a busy parents dream. If you need to quickly do the dishes or just want a safe resting spot for your baby, the MamaRoo will become your best friend. It has five different motions, five speeds and four built-in sounds. But what makes this product so unique is that it's Bluetooth compatible, so you can connect it to your phone and play any music you'd like.

A bluetooth-connected bassinet

4Moms MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet

4Moms MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$375
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$375
See Now Target
Target
$375
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$375
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$375
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Why We Love It

With similar features to the MamaRoo4 swing, the 4Moms bassinet is a new essential for WTE parents. It has the same motions, speeds and sounds, plus the Bluetooth connection for your personalized sound options — but in bassinet form.

A rotating car seat

Cybex Sirona S SensorSafe Convertible Car Seat

Cybex Sirona S Sensorsafe Convertible Car Seat
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$500
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$500
See Now Target
Target
$500
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$500
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Nordstrom
$500
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Why We Love It

Though you should keep your baby rear-facing for as long as possible, the Cybex Sirona S has a 360-degree rotatable function to make it forward-facing, so you can use this car seat even after your little one surpasses 50 pounds. It also has a chest clip made with SensorSafe technology that tells you if your baby is unbuckled.

A sterilizer that also dries bottles

Baby Brezza Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer Machine Advanced

Baby Brezza Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer Advanced
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$140
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$140
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$140
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Nordstrom
$140
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Love it
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Reviews
Why We Love It

Sometimes, you're just too tired to hand-dry baby's bottles. This smart device takes the hassle out of one chore, as it sterilizes and then dries up to eight bottles and two pump parts with each session.

Community Reviews

"The new Baby Brezza Sterilizer and Dryer (it fits 8 bottles and is 33% faster at drying than the old model). Best $120 I spent! When my son was unexpectedly in the NICU and I was pumping, my husband could easily sanitize my parts for me to use when i got home, as well as all the bottles for me when breastfeeding was painful due to tongue tie. Saved so much time and stress, and i use it daily to dry hand washed parts/bottles. BUY IT!"

A lightweight stroller

GB Pockit Stroller

GB Pockit Stroller
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$200
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$200
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Love it
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Why We Love It

Perhaps the most popular lightweight stroller on the market, the GB Pockit is a must for parents who need a light, travel-friendly option. It's just 9.5 pounds and collapses to a jaw-dropping 14 x 12 x 7 inches. It also comes with a canopy and storage area, making it a no-frills stroller with everything you really need.

Community Reviews

"The Pockit stroller. Amazing. It literally folds down small enough to go into a backpack, in the overhead bins on planes and under the seats on planes and buses."

A monitor with perfect picture

Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor and Wall Mount

Nanit Pro Baby Monitor and Wall Mount
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$300
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$300
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Target
$300
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Why We Love It

For a reliable baby monitor, many parents trust the Nanit Pro. With its wall mount, this monitor gives you the perfect HD view of your little one (hopefully) snoozing. It also has two-way audio so you can talk to your baby and monitors motion and the temperature in the nursery.

Community Reviews

"It’s so much easier to have access on your phone and my daughter still uses the white sound features nightly. I also love running errands when my daughter is napping and can easily check in on her (with my husband home). I now buy the Nanit for all of my close pregnant friends!"

- MamaInMIA

"Obsessed with my Nanit."

- ZnE1016

A chic high chair

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$279
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$280
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Target
$279
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The Tot
$279
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$280
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Why We Love It

Made for babies 6 months to 3 years old, this adaptable high chair fits your growing baby at every stage and can function as a big kid chair, too. The wooden chair is designed in Europe and has a sleek, modern feel. Plus, it's easy to wipe clean and can even support an adult (up to 300 pounds).

Community Reviews

"Yes! Especially in our tiny NYC apartment where everything needs to be collapsible"

A stroller with side storage

Bugaboo Donkey5 Mono Complete Stroller

Bugaboo Donkey5
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$1,500
See Now Nordstrom
Nordstrom
$1,399
See Now Bugaboo
Bugaboo
$1,500
See Now
Why We Love It

The luxury brand Bugaboo is super popular among WTE parents, many of whom use their Donkey5 stroller every day. The real magic with this convertible stroller is that it can transform into a double stroller with additional seats, perfect for siblings (sold separately). And unlike most strollers on the market, this one has a handy side storage space for holding your essentials.

A high chair that grows with baby

Graco Floor2Table 7-in-1 High Chair

Graco Floor2Table 7-in-1 High Chair
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$150
See Now Walmart
Walmart
$150
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Albee Baby
$150
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Kohls
$160
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Why We Love It

Another WTE award winner is this high chair from Graco. With a whopping seven different configurations (including a big kid chair and table!), this high chair is an investment parents never regret. It comes with two different trays to accommodate each stage, and you'll love how easy it is to wipe clean after mealtime.

Community Reviews

"The Graco 7-in-1 Floor2Table high chair...it's the best ever"

A stroller frame that works with any car seat

Babyzen YoYo² Stroller Frame

Babyzen Yoyo Stroller Frame
Buying Options:
buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$480
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$480
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$480
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Nordstrom
$480
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Why We Love It

This versatile stroller frame is made to go with the Yoyo+ Newborn Pack and Color Pack 6+ (sold separately). It's also compatible with a variety of car seats, and it really gives you the option to mix and match with your other baby gear essentials. The frame is lightweight, easy to wipe clean and has a large UPF canopy to block the sun.

A compact travel system

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Travel System

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Travel System
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$650
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$650
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Albee Baby
$650
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Target
$650
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$650
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Why We Love It

Many parents opt to buy a travel system for an easily compatible set that includes a car seat and stroller. This one from Baby Jogger is a reliable option, especially for adventurous parents and their babies. The stroller is made for all types of terrain, and the car seat is "taxi-safe," meaning you don't have to use a car seat base to install it in a cab or Uber.

Community Reviews

"Love how it is a hand brake instead of foot brake and how they are all terrain, used it on the beach with no problems."

A changing table that keeps baby still

Keekaroo Peanut Changer

Keekaroo Peanut Changer
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$130
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$130
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$130
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Why We Love It

Your wriggly baby and diaper changes aren't the best combination, but this changer from Keekaroo is here to save the day. With a comfortable safety strap, you'll know baby is secure as you put on a fresh diaper. The pad is made of a soft polyurethane, so it cushions your baby and is super easy to clean.

A baby monitor that streams to your phone

Owlet Cam Smart HD Video Baby Monitor

Owlet Cam Video Baby Monitor
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$149
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$150
See Now Target
Target
$150
See Now Walmart
Walmart
$149
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$150
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Why We Love It

The Owlet gives parents a 130-degree view of their babies, and you can soothe baby from afar with the two-way audio function. It's a splurge, but more affordable than comparable luxury baby monitors on the market. It also streams directly to your Owlet app, so you can monitor baby and receive notifications about movement and sound from wherever. Some parents even opt for the two-camera pack for better viewing or to place in another room.

Community Reviews

"I wouldn’t sleep a wink without it"

"Baby girl decided at 7 weeks old that the only place she wanted to sleep was her crib. ... The owl cam puts my mind at ease."

A car seat that grows with baby

Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational Convertible Car Seat

Evenflo Gold Revolve 360 Car Seat
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$380
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$380
See Now Target
Target
$380
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Albee Baby
$380
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Walmart
$380
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Why We Love It

You can count on this car seat for up to 10 years. With three modes and its 360-degree rotating feature, it effortlessly grows with your baby. It's also water-resistant, JPMA certified and the seat pad is machine-washable. What more do you really need?

An ultra-sleek stroller

Bugaboo Fox 2 Classic Complete All-Terrain Stroller

Bugaboo Fox 2 Stroller
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$1,235
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$1,300
See Now Albee_Baby
Albee Baby
$1,299
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$1,430
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Why We Love It

Another splurge-worthy stroller from Bugaboo is the Fox 2. It's lightweight and compact, and fit for all terrains with its all-wheel suspension. The oversized canopy protects baby from the sun and there's plenty of underseat storage to hold everything you need while on the go. Like all Bugaboo strollers, it has an ultra-sleek design and comes in a variety of chic color combinations.

A spacious, ultra-chic diaper bag

Itzy Ritzy Boss Diaper Bag Backpack

Itzy Ritzy Boss Diaper Bag Backpack
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$149
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$160
See Now Target
Target
$160
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$160
See Now Nordstrom
Nordstrom
$150
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Why We Love It

When you swap out your purse for a diaper bag, you want it to have both style and convenience. The Itzy Ritzy Boss backpack does just that, as it has plenty of storage space and several front and side pockets. Store diapers, pacifiers, an on-the-go changing pad and so much more in this on-trend bag.