I must admit baby gear is very cool these days. Some baby gear is so sleek it doesn’t even look like baby gear! In virtually every brick-and-mortar store, the baby section is my happy place. I browse and compare the strollers and car seats and wipes and baby carriers much longer than my big kids can stand. My favourite baby items combine ease-of-use, functionality, washability and style. This is Function Meets Fashion: Baby Edition.
Think about your baby gear. Not only does it have to serve its purpose… you have to look at it…everyday…for the next four to five years. If you buy something blah, you are going to feel blah for the next four to five years. Really. You need baby gear that makes you happy. That inspires you. That fits your modern family.
- Fisher-Price Calming Waters Vibration Tub
- Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station
- Huggies Designer Wipes Tubs
- Baby Hawk Mei Tai
- Maclaren BMW Triumph Special Edition
Doesn’t the funky pattern of that clutch energize you? Don’t the warm colours of that bath look inviting? Doesn’t the cool blue wipe tub make you feel calm? Doesn’t the pattern swirl of the baby carrier make you feel adventurous? Doesn’t the sleek design of that stroller make you feel confident?
YES (times five).
OK – we can say that patterns and prints and colours and shapes are important learning tools for our babies. It stimulates the senses. It encourages curiosity. It develops eye-tracking. It builds thinking and problem-solving skills. And if that’s the thinking that will get you through the cashier or virtual check-out then so-be-it! Really, practical pleasures should not need justification should they? Don’t explain away the function, the fashion or even the price. Nice looking baby gear does not have to cost a fortune (it’s just designed to look that way).
Our baby gear choices really do impact our emotions and general well-being. During the brutal 3 am feedings, I took comfort in the gentleness of our glider as I nursed my boy. When the baby blues hit (ouch!) our rugged baby jogger saved my sanity by getting us through the snow and out in the fresh air. In these busy toddler days, I’m happy to have a classic big bag, which makes me hands-free, so I can hang on to him.
And throughout the growing years (of my kids and myself) – the functionality of our baby gear has met the fashion I deserve in my everyday Momhood.
The ultimate test for Huggies® diapers & wipes is in real life – from messy first birthday parties to playground playdates. Put the new and improved products, including Huggies® Snug & Dry Diapers with NEW SureFit Design and Huggies Natural Care® Wipes with Triple Clean Layers, to the test in and out of the nursery. Become an Official Huggies® Tester at Huggies.com/Tester.
Awesome things that I would love to have to baby number 2 who is on the way in July!
I treated myself to fashionable/functional baby gear this last time around…I learnt my lesson with the first 2…that Mom is happier when she is surrounded with pretty things.
I love your picks!
Thanks Victoria. I tried to present a price cross section.
SO many great products, have a baby shower coming up and I need to get a gift
Baby Shower?! Build a diaper cake (tons of youtube tutorials available) and gift the huggies wipes with it. Someone did that for my son’s baby shower and I was blown away at how pretty it looked (and so practical!).
Love each and every one of these products and wish they had been around when my kids were babies, especially the vibrating tub!
I would almost have another baby just to enjoy the baby gear longer. Not actually ever happening of course 😉
Great picks! (btw – #3 and #4 are mixed up in the descriptions compared to picture) I am loving the baby carrier – awesome pattern!
Good catch Soozle…seriously between book editing, sick baby and sleep deprevation I missed that. And it’s very ironic bc I see those Huggies in ds’s room everyday AND I’ve been searching for that carrier for months!
we never had such cool kids stuff in my day