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Building a baby registry starts out fun and gets overwhelming fast. You compare swaddles, read a dozen must-have lists, and eventually most of us end up stuck on the same big-ticket items, wondering which ones are worth the money and which ones will spend a year in the garage.

A splurge is worth it when it makes your days easier for months, not just the newborn weeks. That means a stroller that can handle a morning jog and a market run, a car seat that magically turns into a stroller when your baby finally falls asleep in the car, or a pump that lets you answer emails while it works. The best ones also grow with your child, like a mattress with a toddler side or a high chair that ends up at the kitchen table for years.

These pricier items are also the ones to leave on your registry for a group gift. Most registry sites let friends and family chip in toward a single item, and a coworker who would never spend $800 on her own is usually happy to put $50 toward a stroller. Here are the splurge-worthy baby registry items we think are worth every penny.

LE Mattress Crib BreatheSafe Lifestyle08 - Motherly
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$299

Lullaby Earth’s Breathe Safe Breathable Crib Mattress starts with what pediatric sleep guidance asks of every crib mattress: a firm, flat surface. It’s also EWG Verified and made without vinyl, polyurethane foam, fiberglass or chemical flame retardants. A removable 3D fabric cover lets air move freely between your baby and the mattress, and it goes straight into the washing machine after a blowout. Underneath, the mattress is blissfully waterproof. And when your baby becomes a toddler, just flip it from the firm infant side to the more cushiony toddler side, and you won’t need to buy another mattress.

Use code MOTHERLY20 for 20% off sitewide through December 31, 2026.

Thule Urban Glide 3 - Motherly
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$799

The Urban Glide 3 is made for families who want one stroller for both runs and errands. Its big front wheel swivels for steering around the grocery store, then locks in place when you head out for a jog. A handbrake built into the handlebar helps you control your speed on downhills, and air-filled tires with rear suspension smooth out rough pavement and trails. It folds with one hand, and the handlebar adjusts for parents of different heights. The seat fits kids from 6 months up to 49 pounds. Before then, you can add a Thule bassinet ($300) or car seat adapters (both sold separately). It’s a big purchase to make for yourself, so it’s a good one for a group of friends to split.

baby stroller
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$850

The original Doona earned its cult following by turning a car seat into a stroller in one click. The Doona X took everything we loved and made it even better. The stroller now reclines to three positions (Sit, Relax and Lean Back), so a sleeping baby doesn’t have to stay bolt upright through a long errand. The harness and headrest adjust as your baby grows without any rethreading, and the new shock absorbers and step-on brake make it sturdier on rough sidewalks. Thule-level trail running isn’t the point here, though. The Doona X is for parents who are constantly in and out of the car, or who fly with a baby, since it’s FAA-approved for air travel. The canopy is larger too, with UPF 50+ sun protection. Because you’ll eventually outgrow it, it’s a good candidate for a group gift.

Canopy Nursey Humidifier - Motherly
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$148

From mitigating eczema and battling respiratory illness to simply helping baby sleep better, a humidifier is registry must-have—and the Canopy humidifier is one of our top picks. For starters, it’s easier to keep clean than most. It’s mist-free, so you won’t find a film of white dust on the dresser. And don’t worry about complicated cleaning–it uses a fan and a filter designed to discourage mold, and the tank, tray and other water-touching parts go straight into the dishwasher. The 2.5-liter tank runs up to 36 hours and covers a room up to 500 square feet, which is plenty for a nursery. It also doubles as a soft nightlight for 3 a.m. feeds, and it comes with an aroma kit that keeps oils out of the water entirely. Plan on replacing the filter about every 6 weeks. An 8-pack, roughly a year’s supply, costs around $125.

Willow 360 - Motherly
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$349.99 $499

If you’re planning to breastfeed, a pump that fits entirely inside your bra can give you back a lot of your day. The Willow 360 has no tubes, cords or external motor, so you can pump while you answer emails, chase a toddler or lie down for a minute. With Willow’s self-sealing bags it’s leak-proof at any angle, and that includes bending over. Smart Suction senses your letdown and switches from stimulation to expression on its own, with seven suction levels to choose from. Sensors send your milk volume to the Willow app in real time, so you don’t have to guess how much you got. A charge lasts up to five sessions, and every purchase comes with a 1:1 virtual fitting session to make sure your flange size is right. That session is worth more than it sounds, since a bad fit is super uncomfortable.

Baby Bjorn Carrier Harmony - Motherly

$220

A good carrier means your baby gets the closeness they’re craving and you get your hands back for coffee, laundry or the toddler who also needs you. The Baby Björn Harmony works from 7 pounds with no separate newborn insert and keeps going until about age 3, which covers a lot of years. It carries in four positions: a dedicated newborn position, facing in, facing out once your baby can hold up their head and on your back once they’re older. A padded waist belt and lower back support help spread the weight, and you’ll be glad of them by the time your baby is 25 pounds. The 3D mesh version breathes, which matters if you run warm or live somewhere humid. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute recognizes it as hip healthy, it goes in the washing machine, and BabyBjörn backs it with a 10-year guarantee.

Stokke Tripp Trapp
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$349

With a beautiful Scandinavian design, the totally iconic Tripp Trapp Chair seamlessly blends into any home design. It features an ergonomic seating position and an adjustable back and footplate so kids can comfortably sit at the table for years to come. For use starting at six months, the included baby set offers stable support. Eventually, that kit can be removed and it’s a chair that even adults can use. While it’s an investment, think of it as a piece of furniture versus another baby item.

guava travel crib - Motherly
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$249.95 $299.95

Most portable cribs are heavy and awkward enough that families end up leaving them at Grandma’s. On the other side of the spectrum, Guava Family’s Lotus Travel Crib weighs 15 pounds and packs into a padded backpack, so you can carry it through the airport hands-free with a baby on your hip. A zippered side door lets you lean in to settle a fussy baby without dangling over the rail. Unzip it during the day and the crib doubles as a play space for a crawler. It works from newborn until your child can climb out (around age 3). It meets the federal safety standard for play yards and is GREENGUARD Gold certified, which helps when your kid will be breathing it in at night.