Your to-do list is never longer than when you learn you’re expecting a baby. And one of the trickier tasks is ensuring you have what you need for that transition into parenthood. With so many baby products on the market that claim to be essential, and with parents, often, having some financial stress breathing down their necks (raising a kid is expensive, it turns out!) narrowing down what’s worth budgeting for isn’t always easy. This is especially true for baby products that carry large price tags.
So, how do you know which pricey baby product is worth the money? First things first: trust your gut. Sure, you might splurge on something that you later realize was unnecessary, or hold off on buying an item that you wish you’d taken the plunge on sooner once you have it, but more often than not, you’ll probably get it right, because you know your family and your needs the best.
That said, there are certain items that most parents we speak to will gush about, swearing that they’re worth their weight in gold. So whether you’re putting together your baby registry, doing some basic research, or trying to find the perfect gift for an expecting parent, check out these eight pricey baby products that parents (including yours truly) insist are worth the expense.