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As a mom of two toddlers, I’ve learned a lot about baby products over the years. When preparing for our first little one, I registered for everything I thought we’d need, only to realize that many of those items had a short lifespan. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and register for everything you think is essential, but looking back, I wish I had done more research on “grow-with-you” baby items and really considered the gear we would need for a growing family. So many products seem crucial at the time but quickly become obsolete. If I had known about these versatile items, it would have saved me time, space, and even money.
Knowing we wanted to have multiple children, I should have thought more about how some items could adapt and grow with our family. Some gear is designed to evolve with your child’s changing needs, meaning you don’t have to keep buying new products for each stage. Whether it’s a crib that transitions to a toddler bed, a high chair that adjusts as your child grows, or a convertible car seat that can last for years, these “grow-with-you” items are an investment that can take you from one child to multiple without constantly needing to replace gear. Here are some of the best items I wish I had known about before building my registry—products that grow with your child and with your growing family.
Baby Registry Must-Haves for More Than One Kid, at a Glance
Best High Chair: Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair, $499
Best Diaper Bag: Dagne Dover Indi Backpack, $230
Best Stroller: Mockingbird Convertible Stroller, $450
Best Carseat: Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat, $279
Best Baby Monitor: Nanit Pro Baby Monitor $243.99 (was $299.99)
Best Toys: Lovevery Subscription, $80
Best Sound Machine: Hatch Rest, $59.99
Best Baby Hip Carrier: Tushbaby Hip Seat Baby Carrier, $84.99
Best Crib: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, $499.99
Best Sleep Sack: Kyte Sleep Bag 1.0, $59.99
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
The Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair is the ultimate “grow-with-baby” item, and it truly stands out compared to traditional high chairs. My four-year-old still uses hers at the dinner table, and it’s been a lasting investment that has grown with our family. The adjustable footrest and customizable height settings ensure that your child is always at the perfect level for eating, promoting proper posture. Plus, its minimalistic design blends seamlessly with any dining space, making it not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. While the price tag may be higher initially, the Tripp Trapp is worth every penny in the long run, offering years of use and value without the need to replace it as your child grows.
Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Bag
I spent the most time researching diaper bags, and I quickly learned that I made a mistake with my first child. I bought one that seemed large enough at the time, but once I had two kids, I realized I needed more space for extra clothes, snacks, and diapers. The Dagne Dover Diaper Bag ended up being the perfect solution for our growing family. The bag can hold a lot—it’s spacious enough to fit everything we need for both kids, with plenty of compartments to keep things organized. Trust me—get the large! You need the space. The neoprene fabric is not only comfortable to carry but also durable enough to handle daily wear. It even features a laptop compartment, which was a game-changer when I took it on a business trip. No one would have ever known it was a diaper bag! It’s so stylish that it will definitely become a bag for myself once the toddler stage is over.
Choosing the right baby monitor was a big decision for us, and I spent a lot of time researching before our first child arrived. We initially went with the Miku, which offered helpful sleep and breathing metrics that gave us peace of mind. But as our family grew, adding another monitor proved to be challenging, and the company changed its terms, now charging $20 per month for those metrics. That’s when we switched to the Nanit Pro Baby Monitor. It offers the same features as the Miku, including clear video, sleep tracking, and breathing motion monitoring, but with a much more affordable subscription at $5 per month. If you’re seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Vava baby monitor is another great choice. It offers reliable video and audio quality without the need for Wi-Fi or subscriptions.
Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat
With our first child, we exclusively used an infant seat and bought an extra base for the second car. However, we quickly realized that infant seats only hold up to a certain weight limit, and before we knew it, we had to buy another seat altogether! That’s when we opted for the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat for our second child from day one. This seat transitions smoothly from rear-facing to forward-facing and even becomes a booster seat as your child grows. It’s designed to last up to 10 years, making it a long-term solution and saving us from needing to buy multiple seats. We have four of these—yes, four—and I feel confident we will never need to buy another as our kids grow.
Lovevery toys take the guesswork out of choosing age-appropriate toys for your child. With their subscription, you receive new Play Kits tailored to each developmental stage through age four, ensuring your little one always has the right tools for learning and play. The best part? Once you have these high-quality, durable toys for one child, they can be passed down and enjoyed by younger siblings as your family grows. My oldest still plays with toys from the early baby stages, proving just how engaging and long-lasting they are. Bonus—these toys don’t flash bright colors or make loud noises. Montessori-inspired play for the win!
The Hatch has been an essential part of our bedtime routine. My kids have loved sleeping with white noise since infancy, and it has helped create a calm, consistent environment for them. When my oldest started dropping her nap, we used the Hatch to signal when rest time was over by changing it to her favorite color. The customizable settings for sound, brightness, and color are perfect for soothing them to sleep and providing a clear cue when it’s time to wake up. This versatile product grows with your child, making it a staple through every stage. Plus, we have the travel version, which makes it easy to take on trips and maintain their sleep routine. (The adult version is great, too!)
Tushbaby Hip Seat Baby Carrier
As our youngest grew, using a wrap or traditional carrier began to take a toll on my shoulders, and my muscles would give out if I carried her for too long. That’s when we discovered the Tushbaby hip carrier. It’s so much easier on my body, distributing the weight across my hips rather than my shoulders and arms. Our daughter loved facing outward as a baby, and with the Tushbaby, she was able to enjoy the view without feeling constrained like she did in traditional carriers. It’s even been helpful for my back as she entered the toddler stage. Plus, the built-in storage for diapers and other essentials made it even more practical. It’s been a total lifesaver, making carrying her comfortable for both of us!
Mockingbird Convertible Stroller
“We’re in love with the Mockingbird stroller. I tried a couple of other brands, and always found myself going back to the Mockingbird because it’s comparatively so lightweight and straightforward to use. Plus, I love the brand’s stroller accessories, like the Parent Organizer (where I place my phone, coffee, and sunglasses when we go on strolls) and the Snack Tray. I’ve been using the Mockingbird since my daughter was a week old—we just bought a car seat adapter so we could click in her car seat, or used the stroller bassinet attachment, since she was too little for the normal stroller seat. As a first time mom, there was a bit of a learning curve, but once I understand which part gets used when, all of it came together so easily. If we have another kid, it easily transforms into a stroller for two! It’s just a very smooth, easy stroller—and it’s compact enough to fit in my Subaru Outback.” -Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster Editorial Director
If you’re looking for an alternative to a stroller, you might want to consider the Veer Wagon. My children now prefer it over their stroller, and it’s easy to see why—it’s perfect for everything from family outings to trips to the park. The all-terrain wheels make it easy to navigate any surface, while the adjustable handle ensures a smooth ride for parents. The attachments are endless, from an infant seat adapter to an extra storage basket, and with the nap system, you can even convert the wagon into an on-the-go sleeping solution for your little one. It can also transform into a large, bassinet-style seating area. Plus, it folds up so compactly that it’s easy to store and travel with, making it a convenient option for any adventure.
Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
“I knew I wanted a crib that could transition into a toddler bed when my daughter got older. Babyletto’s Hudson not only gives you that option (it goes from crib, to toddler bed, to daybed), but it’s a stunning design, too. The modern aesthetic makes Mila’s room look really put together and stylish, and it was really easy to put together when I was pregnant. I think my daughter loves it too, because she sleeps so well, I never had to actually sleep train her.” -Vaynshteyn
“We recently transitioned my 7-month-old from her Snoo to sleep sacks. Kyte’s not only are supremely soft and easy to take off and put on, but they have the cutest colors and patterns. I’ve gotten my daughter the ‘medium’ sizes so that the sacks fit her for longer. I confirmed with Katie that Baby can easily share with your toddler, too.” -Vaynshteyn