When it comes to baby gear and kids things, the question of “splurge or not” often leaves new parents debating whether high-priced items are truly worth the cost. Some premium products—like ergonomic strollers, convertible car seats, or specialized sleep systems—offer enhanced safety features, durability, and long-term usability that can justify their higher price tag for families who prioritize convenience and longevity. However, many basics such as clothes, bottles, and simple toys can be perfectly functional and safe at a much lower price point, especially since babies outgrow things quickly. Ultimately, it helps to weigh each purchase against your lifestyle, budget, and how often you’ll actually use the item; splurging on items you’ll use daily might make sense, while opting for budget-friendly alternatives on short-lived necessities can be a smart way to save without sacrificing quality.

Doona Car Seat Stroller

The Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller (and its various editions like the Flame Red, Vacation, or SensAlert bundles) is often praised by parents for its game-changing all-in-one design, instantly transforming from a safe infant car seat into a stroller with just a click — perfect for quick errands, travel, and city life without the hassle of separate pieces. I personally love the convenience it offers and how it simplifies transitions between car and stroll, making everyday outings smoother and less stressful. That said, it’s a premium piece of gear and not every family needs to spend that much — there are plenty of budget-friendly travel systems that still deliver safety, comfort, and practicality for daily use, like the Graco Gomax Travel System or Evenflo Shyft Travel System, which combine a stroller and car seat at a fraction of the price while still getting you out the door with your baby just fine.

Wonderfold Wagon

The WonderFold W4 Elite Quad Stroller Wagon and its siblings in the Wonderfold family (like the WonderFold W2 Luxe Double Stroller Wagon or the premium WonderFold W4 Luxe Pro Stroller Wagon) are beloved by many parents for how they transform outings with little ones into stress-free adventures — offering spacious seating for multiple kids, robust all-terrain wheels, generous storage, and easy folding for travel or errands. I have the W4 and I love how it lets us haul kids and gear comfortably, it handle a variety of surfaces with confidence, and make parks, beaches, and everyday errands more fun and functional.

Baby Brezza

I didn’t discover the Baby Brezza family of products until baby number two. I absolutely love my Baby Brezza SuperFast Sterilizer Dryer. It gives me so much peace of mind knowing it steam-sterilizes and fully dries bottles and pump parts quickly, without me having to constantly monitor it. When you’re washing bottles and pump parts multiple times a day, having everything sanitized and dry in one cycle just makes life feel so much more manageable.

I also love my Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced — it’s been a total game changer, especially for those middle-of-the-night feeds. Being able to press a button and have a perfectly mixed, warm bottle ready in seconds feels like a luxury I didn’t know I needed. They’re definitely splurge items, but for me, the convenience alone has made them completely worth it.

Dyson Cordless Vacuum

I love my Dyson cordless vacuum — it’s hands-down one of the best purchases I’ve made for keeping the house clean with minimal effort. The suction is incredible on both carpet and hard floors, the battery lasts long enough to do the whole house without cutting out, and the lightweight, cordless design means I actually enjoy vacuuming instead of dreading it. From picking up pet hair to tackling crumbs and everyday dust, it just makes cleaning feel effortless and even kind of fun.

That said, I know it’s a splurge for a lot of people, and there are smart ways to save if you’re on a budget. Picking up a refurbished Dyson cordless from a reputable seller can get you that powerful performance for significantly less, or great alternatives like a Shark cordless vacuum still deliver excellent suction and features at a friendlier price point. You don’t have to break the bank to get cordless convenience!

Lalo High Chair

Honestly, the Lalo high chair is just okay for me. Sure, it’s undeniably cute and looks great in photos — and the minimalist design can be super appealing if that’s your vibe — but at the end of the day it didn’t feel like it justified the high price tag. The build is decent but not dramatically better than much more affordable high chairs I’ve used, and I didn’t notice any game-changing features that made me feel like it was worth splurging on. For a premium price, I expected a bit more comfort, adjustability, or long-term versatility, so I personally felt like there were better value options out there that did the job just as well without making my wallet regret it. Another option I looked at and wish I went with instead was the Maxi-Cosi Moa similar high chair.

Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor

My thoughts on the Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor are a little mixed. I can absolutely see the appeal — the picture quality is amazing, the sleep tracking insights are detailed, and the breathing monitoring feature gives a lot of parents extra peace of mind. It’s clearly a high-tech, thoughtfully designed monitor with features that can feel really reassuring, especially for families who struggle with anxiety around sleep.

That said, I was lucky to have healthy babies and didn’t personally feel the level of worry that made me need all the advanced tracking. While I appreciated the features and liked using it, I’m honestly not sure I would have splurged on it myself given the price. I was fortunate to receive it as a gift, and I’m grateful for that — but if I were shopping with my own budget in mind, I probably would have chosen a simpler, more affordable monitor that still covered the basics.

Tineco Wet/Dry Floor Cleaner

I absolutely love my Tineco iFloor Wet Dry Vacuum — it’s honestly one of those products that has totally changed how I clean my home. This thing vacuums and mops at the same time, so it picks up stuck-on messes, crumbs, pet hair, and spills all in one pass. My floors have never looked better with way less effort, and I actually enjoy cleaning instead of dreading it!

One important tip from my own experience: always clean out the dirty water tank after every mop session. I learned the hard way that if you let it sit, the tank can start to smell and it definitely makes the next clean less pleasant. Keep that tank rinsed and fresh, and this vacuum will be your best ally for sparkling floors!

Ergobaby Carrier

I love my Ergobaby carrier — it’s been an absolute lifesaver and totally changed how I get through my day with a little one! The support is incredible, so even after wearing it for long stretches I’m not sore, and the way it keeps my baby snug and secure lets me keep both hands free to actually get things done — whether it’s cooking, cleaning, walking the dog, or just juggling the million little tasks that come with life. It’s comfortable for both of us, easy to adjust as my baby grows, and honestly, I don’t know how I survived without it. If you want a carrier that makes daily life easier (not just tolerable), this one is absolutely worth the hype. I also love the Breeze version because here in Florida, overheating is always a concern — the mesh fabric keeps both me and my baby cool, making it much more comfortable for long walks or errands in the heat.

Nugget Couch

I absolutely love the Nugget couch — it’s honestly one of the best purchases we’ve made for our family! The way the pieces stack, rearrange, and transform into forts, loungers, or little obstacle courses has been such a joy for kids and adults. It’s soft, durable, and has brought so much more play and comfort into our everyday living space.

One real‑world tip I learned early on: start your cleanup routine from the very day you get it. If you don’t have a system for putting pieces back where they belong, pretty soon you’ll be tripping over couch segments all over the living room! But once you make a habit of snapping things back into place after playtime, the Nugget feels like an endlessly fun, cozy, and truly worthwhile piece of furniture.

Play Kits

I LOVE play kits because they strike the perfect balance between learning and fun — they’re packed with activities that feel like play but sneak in a ton of educational value, all without relying on screens. Kits from Kiwi Co, Lovevery, Little Passports, and Mindware Playful Chef are especially amazing — each one comes with carefully designed, hands-on activities that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and exploration. I love seeing my kids genuinely excited to learn, building skills without ever feeling like “homework.”

Here’s what makes each of my favorite play kits special and what your child can learn from them:

• Kiwi Co: Kiwi Co kits are fantastic for sparking curiosity with hands‑on science, technology, engineering, art, and math projects — whether your child is building a working catapult or designing a glowing circuit, they’ll be learning critical thinking and creativity with every step.
• Lovevery: Lovevery’s play kits are thoughtfully designed for each stage of early development, with sensory‑rich materials that support fine motor skills, language development, and cognitive growth — all packaged in activities that feel like pure, open‑ended play. These are perfect for infants and new parents. I also love that they are montessori style and all made of wood.
• Little Passports: Little Passports takes kids on a global adventure, introducing them to different countries, cultures, and traditions through maps, activities, and collectibles — it’s a fun way to build world knowledge, curiosity about places, and cultural empathy.
• Mindware Playful Chef: Mindware Playful Chef kits get kids into the kitchen with kid‑friendly recipes and activities that teach real culinary skills, math through measuring, and healthy eating habits — plus, they get to enjoy the tasty results of their own effort! I love their world exploration kits that let you travel the world through your tastebuds. My kids loved cooking dinner for the family and were so proud while learning about different cultures.

Together, these kits make learning feel like fun playtime — all screen‑free and full of discovery.

You can also check out my full Amazon list of splurge‑worthy parenting items for even more high‑quality gear that parents rave about — from premium strollers and carriers to smart monitors and home‑making helpers — all carefully curated to help you decide what’s truly worth the investment. https://amzn.to/3ZHUerh

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use and love, and all opinions are my own.