See which items I'd recommend and which ones I'd skip.
Building your baby registry as a first-time parent can be extremely overwhelming. I did so much research on baby items, convinced there was a "right answer" for everything. Turns out - there's not. Now that my baby is a year and a half old, I can confidently say which baby products were worth it and which ones I'd skip.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.
Chicco Corso Travel System- 10/10
Pros:
- Car seat and stroller travel system
- Stroller works with and without the car seat
- Large weight range
- Sleek design
- Front and back facing options
- Cup holder
- Multiple installation options
- Fits in most cars
Cons:
- Doesn't fold when stroller is back facing
Would recommend
I can't say enough great things about this travel system! We've gotten so many compliments on the stroller and it's still being put to good use at18 months.
HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0 - 9/10
Pros:
- Detachable bassinet
- Lowering wall (and lock)
- Adjustable height
- 360 rotations
- Simple
- Good value
Cons:
- Large footprint / possible tripping hazard
Would recommend
Overall, we loved this bassinet. Being able to quickly detach the top piece so baby could sleep anywhere was a must for us. The only downside was our bed is fairly low to the ground and the bassinet legs did not fit underneath. It was a bit of a tripping hazard, but we adjusted.
Shop here.
Munchkin Step Diaper Pail - 8/10
Pros:
- Odor control
- Baking soda puck
- Foot pedal
- Reputable brand
Cons:
- Bag refills and baking soda puck refills can add up ($)
- Like any diaper pail, it never feels like it holds enough diapers
Would recommend
After extensive research, I found people choose this diaper pail for its odor control. The other diaper pail I saw recommended frequently was the Ubbi baby, because you can use regular trash bags. When it came down to smell vs cost for us, we chose smell. I haven't found the refills to be too expensive, so overall I'd say it's worth it.
Ingenuity InLighten Soothing Swing - 5/10
Pros:
- Remote controlled
- Large weight range
- Light up mobile
Cons:
- Hardly used
- Large footprint
- Unnecessary features
What I'd get instead
There's nothing objectively wrong with this baby swing. But was it an essential? Not at all. If you want a baby swing, I'd opt for something simpler. A few songs and settings should do the trick. This one by Bright Starts is smaller, portable, and half the price.
If you want the bells and whistles: Shop here.
Baby Delight bouncer - 9/10
Pros:
- Stylish look
- Adjustable recline
- Washable cover
- Travel bag
- Good value
Cons:
- Cover shrank in the dryer over time
Would recommend
This was arguably our most-used baby item. A bouncer truly is an essential for ages 2-6 months and this one worked great. Next time, I'd probably skip the dryer though.
Chicco Polly Foldable High Chair - 7/10
Pros:
- Wipeable seat pad
- Wheels
- Foldable
- Removable top tray with cup holder
- Adjustable footrest
- Recline settings
Cons:
- Several crevices for crumbs to get stuck
- Harness runs large
Would recommend
I like this highchair! I can remove the seat pad and wash it in the sink with soap and water; no washing machine necessary. It has a sleek look and fits well in our kitchen. My biggest complaint is the crumbs. While I haven't tried it personally, I do wonder if a simpler model like this would be better for loose food.
Skip Hop MOBY Bathtub- 4/10
Pros:
- Works as a stand-alone tub if you don't have one
- Adjustable baby sling
Cons:
- Hard to clean
- Doesn't have a non-slip bottom (inside or outside the tub)
- Didn't get used in "stage 3"
What I'd get instead
If you have a bathtub, I'd skip this one and opt for a simple bath seat. Once your baby can sit up independently, you'll just put them in the regular tub anyway. So, the sling and plug are just extra parts to keep clean.
If you want the bells and whistles: Shop here.