Steal, Splurge, or Skip? 10 Baby Items I’d Buy Again ( & ones I’d swap) After 15 Months

Fifteen months in with Taya, I’ve tested the cute, the clever, and the “do I really need this?” Here’s my honest breakdown of what I’d buy again, what I’d splurge on, and what I’d skip next time. Consider this your sister-to-sister gear chat: real pros/cons, how we used it, and what I’d do differently.

1) Baby Carrier: BabyBjörn → Artipoppe

Verdict: Start with a Steal, then Splurge

What I used:

BabyBjörn (about $179 CAD): dreamy for newborns—soft, lightweight, easy to clean, pretty colours. Perfect for the first months.

Artipoppe (about $560 CAD): I switched at 4 months when Taya felt heavier.

Pros/cons:

BabyBjörn pros: quick on/off, comfy for small babies.

BabyBjörn cons: no waist belt; as baby gains weight it tugs on neck/shoulders and gets painful on longer walks.

Artipoppe pros: supportive waist belt, safety bands on clips, strap roll-ups to tidy extra length, inward/forward/back carry, comfortable for long stretches, machine washable, lots of pretty patterns.

Artipoppe cons: would have been too big for the first few months with Taya, and the price hurts.. but I’ve used it for over a year and can confirm I would repurchase!

How we used it: neighbourhood walks, travel days, airport hands-free moments ( LOTS Of those!)

Bottom line: Borrow or go budget for the newborn phase, then invest in support for months 4+.

2) Stroller: UPPAbaby Vista

Verdict: Splurge

Why I love it: Big under-basket, travel-friendly fold, great attachments for all seasons and stages, expands to two seats or seat + bassinet/car seat, solid resale value. We’ve taken it on nine flights (including there-and-back to Australia) and it’s held up beautifully.

Cons: Toddler seat shoulder pads don’t fully detach for washing— but spot clean works.

How we use it: From day one with the bassinet & car seat, errands, playground runs, airport days, and everything in between.. it’s basically my grocery cart too!

Buying note: I bought the bassinet + frame secondhand like new ($750 CAD) and ordered a new toddler seat to refresh ($350 CAD).

3) High Chair: Maxi-Cosi Moa

Verdict: Cost effective

Why I love it: Easy to assemble, easy to wipe down, compact footprint, and it converts through multiple stages—high chair to booster to toddler mini chair with a little table. We’ve used it daily since 6 months.

Cons: I wish the straps fully detached to toss in the wash with the insert.

How we used it: Three meals a day, messy sensory fun, and it still looks neat in the dining area.

4) Baby Monitor: Hubble Club → Next time: CuboAI

Verdict: Budget starter → I’d upgrade

Hubble Club: It works, but the parent-unit battery doesn’t last overnight (needs to stay plugged in) and the camera angle is hard to lock precisely, and the app is super laggy. (Bought on sale for $99!)

Next time pick: CuboAI (about $299 on Amazon) for smarter features and better mounting/angles for peace of mind.

How we used it: Daily naps/overnights; ultimately kept it plugged in.

5) White Noise: Hatch Rest 2nd Gen (+ Hatch rest go Mini)

$89.99 on Amazon + $56.99 on Amazon

Verdict: Steal

Why I love it: App-controlled light/sound with routines for naps and bedtime, adjustable brightness and volume. We set predictable cues from day one and it stuck.

Cons: Needs to stay plugged in (not rechargeable).

Bonus: The Hatch Mini portable was amazing in the newborn months for naps on the go and stroller walks.

6) Bouncer: BabyBjörn Bouncer

Verdict: Steal

Why I love it: Lightweight, easy to wipe clean, packs flat for travel, and it’s surprisingly long-lived—we still use it as a comfy lounge spot.

How we used it: Hands-free moments to cook, shower, or drink hot coffee like a human. Now it’s chill spot for T to climb into on her own!

7) Plates & Bowls: Elk & Friends Ceramic (vs. Silicone for us)

Verdict: Splurge ceramic, Skip silicone (for us)

Why: The Elk & Friends ceramic plates/bowls are easy to clean, the divided sections help with variety, and the colors are cute without being loud. We reach for them daily. They have a silicone outer shell to protect from breaking but doesn’t touch the food!

Our silicone sets had great suction but left a silicone taste on Taya’s food—personal preference, but it was a no for us.

8) Shoes: Stonz Original Cruisers

Verdict: Splurge!

Why I love them: Supportive with a wide toe box, easy to put on, easy to clean. I’ve already repurchased in the next size—says everything.

How we used them: Playground, errands, travel days.

9) Diaper Bag Alternative: Lululemon New Crew Backpack

Verdict: Steal

Why I love it: My leather “diaper bag” looked chic but felt chaotic with too many pockets and zippers. The Lululemon New Crew backpack is simple, wipeable, roomy, of course durable, and doesn’t carry the “diaper bag” price tag. ($118 CAD)

How we used it: Daily outings, flights, and stuffed with snacks, wipes, and a change of clothes.

10) Bonus: Our Travel-Proof Trio

UPPAbaby Vista + Hatch Mini + Artipoppe made travel smoother than I expected. Storage, sleep cues, and carrier support were the difference between chaos and doable.

Ultimately every family and baby is different, but price-per-use and comfort were my two north stars. ⭐️