13 Baby Gear Picks That Grow With Your Baby (and Save You Money)

If you really love the look and features of a luxury stroller without the high price tag, Mockingbird’s Single-to-Double 2.0 is a great option. It has most of the high-end features you could want in a stroller, including versatile seat configurations whether you’ve got two under two or a baby + an older toddler. The leatherette handlebar feels luxe and the push is smooth. The spacious (yet sturdy) storage basket can hold your diaper bag and some extra essentials and the stroller folds easily with one hand. If you want to use this one from birth, you’ll want to add an infant car seat adapter or a bassinet attachment to your registry, too. Without those things, this stroller is suitable from six months to 50 pounds in the main stroller seat. (One important thing to note, the second add-on seat which attaches lower on the frame has a 45 pound weight limit.) You could potentially stroll with three kids, since the brand also makes a ride-on board for older toddlers, up to 55 pounds or 26 inches tall. 

If you’re looking for an affordable travel system that covers multiple stages without skimping on features, the Joie Ginger LX is a solid all-in-one option. This stroller starts as a pramette for newborns, then easily converts into a toddler stroller—no extra gear (like a bassinet) needed, which is kind of a big deal because most don't offer the lie-flat option right out of the box. It includes a lie-flat seat for infants (no separate bassinet required) and an adjustable handlebar so parents of all heights can push comfortably. The large canopy and UPF 50+ sunshade offer protection as your baby grows, and the one-hand fold makes it easy to pack up and store. It’s a great pick for families who want to stick to one stroller from day one through until your little one reaches 50 pounds, without blowing the budget.

The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is a smart, budget-friendly pick for parents who want a stroller that can adapt as their baby—and family—grows. It starts as a single stroller but is built to convert into a double, thanks to the second seat adapters that come with the stroller. You will just need to purchase the second seat or Carry Cot attachment when you’re ready. One standout feature is Slide2Me, which lets you adjust the seat height to bring baby closer—perfect for bonding, easier access or making space when using two seats. It’s a great option if you’re thinking ahead to life with multiple kiddos without wanting to commit to a bulky double stroller from the start.

One of the trendsetters in the luxury stroller market, the Vista V3 is one of our favorite high-end convertible strollers. Many parents prefer its front-to-back design over the side-to-side configuration of other doubles since it makes it easier to maneuver the stroller through tight or crowded spaces. It has a long life-span, working from birth with the bassinet attachment or snug seat insert (each sold separately), all the way up to 50 pounds. And adding to its super long-lasting lifespan if you decide to grow your family, it can hold up to three kids with all of the different configurations. You can add up to two seats and there’s also a  PiggyBack board for an older sibling to ride on. It does come with a pretty steep price tag, though many parents agree it’s worth the investment since they’ll get at least five years of use out of it. 

This is our gear editor’s favorite convertible car seat for good reason—it fits well in almost any vehicle and is easy to install, even for first-time parents. Designed to grow with your child from birth through big kid years, it includes an infant insert that makes it safe for babies as small as four pounds. It starts out as a rear-facing seat (with a four-position extension panel that adds up to five extra inches of legroom, so your little one can stay rear-facing longer—up to 50 pounds). Then it transitions to a forward-facing seat, and eventually converts into a high-back booster. It’s a smart, long-term choice that combines comfort, safety and adaptability all in one seat. 

The Britax One4Life is an even longer-lasting car seat built for safety, simplicity and serious staying power. Designed to be the only car seat you’ll need, it grows with your child from the newborn stage through the booster years. The maximum weight limit is 120 pounds—giving you around 10 years of use. It starts as a rear-facing infant seat, then converts to a forward-facing seat with a five-point harness and eventually becomes a high-back booster for big kids. Britax’s ClickTight installation system, which makes it easier to get a secure fit without second guessing. Packed with top-tier safety features, including a steel frame and side-impact protection, this seat gives parents peace of mind for the long haul.

The Nuna RAVA is a top pick for parents who want a car seat that’s both stylish and built to last. With some of the highest weight and height limits, this convertible seat grows with your child for years of use, with a weight limit of five to 65 pounds. It comes with an infant insert so you can use the RAVA from birth, though one important thing to note is this doesn’t convert to a booster later on—but that 65 pound weight maximum means you'll still that longevity. It features plush, breathable knit fabric that keeps things comfy and cool, along with easy-to-understand installation features that make setup more straightforward—even for first-timers. Parents also love its minimalist design that blends seamlessly into any car interior. The RAVA is definitely on the heavier side, so if you’re installing it once and leaving it, it’s a durable, high-quality choice.

The Omni Deluxe can be used right from day one (no infant insert required) and works until your child is about 45 pounds. It has four carry positions—facing inward, facing outward, back and hip—and lots of room for adjustments to get just the right fit. It’s super comfortable and easy to get on and off without any help.

This structured carrier from WildBird—known for its beautiful ring slings—is made with breathable linen fabric. While most people phase out of ring slings when their little one gets heavier, the Aerial lasts through toddlerhood (fitting from 7 to 45 pounds). The shoulder and lumbar straps are padded, making them super comfortable to wear whether you’re front or back-carrying. It also has inclusive sizing (XS-XL or L-4XL), so it’ll fit parents with all kinds of body types.

The iconic Stokke Tripp Trapp is the ultimate “grow with you” high chair—and a favorite for families who want one seat to last through every stage. While it comes with a higher price tag, it’s built to be used for years. With the infant seat attachment (sold separately), it’s suitable from birth, allowing baby to be included at the table during meals (even though they’re not partaking). As your child grows, it transitions into a toddler chair and eventually becomes a comfortable seat for older kids, teens or even adults—it holds up to 242 pounds! Its sleek, Scandinavian design fits seamlessly at the table, and the adjustable seat and footrest ensure ergonomic support at every stage. It’s a true long-term investment in both form and function.

Mockingbird’s high chair was thoughtfully designed to work from infancy (six months) to the big kid era and also make mealtime cleanup a bit easier. The chair has a smooth, curved design—aka free of nooks and crannies for crumbs to hide in—and the straps are made of silicone so they’re easy to wipe down. Best of all, you can use it from six months up to 150 pounds—and you don’t need any tools to convert it! Once your baby outgrows the high chair, simply slide that part off and you’ve got a durable chair that slides right up to your dining table.

Labeled by our gear editor as the most versatile pick, this high chair is designed to grow with your child through seven different stages—from first bites to big kid meals. It starts as a traditional high chair with a tray, then transitions into a booster seat, toddler chair and even a table-and-chair setup for preschoolers. One standout feature? It can seat two kids at once—perfect if you have a baby and a toddler. The high chair portion converts into a booster seat for your younger kiddo and the frame turns into a toddler chair. It’s a space-saving, budget-friendly option that really stretches your gear investment.

I think it’s safe to say most of the parents on our team use this sound machine. It doubles as an OK-to-wake clock for when they’re older, using gentle lights and sounds to signal when it’s time to wind down for bedtime or when it’s okay to get up in the morning—making it a helpful tool for establishing sleep routines and promoting independent sleep habits. This version also comes with a base that charges the unit (which comes in handy if your power cuts off in the middle of the night).

A diaper bag that’ll fit all of the things and look good doing it is a must. The Midi Harper from Mina Baie is made with high-quality leather and packed with tons of organization to fit everything you need, whether you’re in the newborn or toddler stage. You’ll also be able to use this backpack as a personal purse or work bag when your diaper bag days are over.

This wagon is great for any family, whether you live in the city, suburbs or just spend a ton of time outdoors. The stroller-like push makes it easy to maneuver around tight corners in your neighborhood and the all-terrain wheels can handle the rockiest trail. You can use it from birth with your baby’s infant car seat (adapters sold separately) and there are a ton of accessories to customize it for your toddler as they grow, like a snack tray, padded seat cover for comfort and even a nap system.

A play gym is a great idea for younger babies but is often outgrown quickly. This one goes the distance until your little one is about a year old, then converts to a play fort for imaginative play.

From a standing activity center to a play station to a toddler table, this toy will earn its spot in your play space for years. We also love the modern aesthetic.

The Nugget Comfort Couch may look like a simple piece of foam furniture, but it’s one of those magical kid items that somehow becomes everything: a fort, a crash pad, a reading nook, a quiet-time corner and even a guest bed for little sleepers. It’s made of four foam pieces—two rectangles (the base and support) and two triangles (great for stacking or climbing)—that can be rearranged in endless ways. What starts out as a soft spot for tummy time and crawling quickly turns into active play for toddlers and imaginative builds for bigger kids.

This ultra-modern, ultra-cool tricycle is a definite splurge, but it’s also the only one you’ll need from the time your little one starts riding until they’re about three years old. It converts from a parent-powered trike to one your toddler can ride all on their own. It even folds to easily fit into the trunk of a car.