The Stokke Tripp Trapp can be used all the way into adulthood. — Happikiddo
THE MONTHS leading to a baby’s delivery are mentally and financially challenging for new parents, who now have to decide what to buy for the infant’s comfort and for their ease. The needs of an infant all the way into toddlerhood change rapidly so it’s difficult to determine what should be bought, what can be skipped and what’s worth your hard-earned cash.
Here are some worthwhile buys which you can get either brand-new or preloved that will serve the child and parents for years to come.
Sit up
The Stokke Tripp Trapp wooden chair is the OG of worthy splurges. Designed in 1972 by industrial designer Peter Opsvik, it remains a bestseller until now for its intelligent and adjustable design.
Tagged as “the chair that grows with the child”, parents don’t need to get a new dining chair as an infant grows to be a toddler.
The design allows for freedom of movement with depth- and height-adjustable seat and footplates. Adjusted correctly, the child is ensured of comfortable and ergonomic seating position at any age.
There are accessories like harness, back rest and baby tray that can be removed as the infant grows, leaving just the chair he or she can use until adulthood.
Stroll along
When it comes to strollers, Babyzen Yoyo takes the cake for being light, compact and easily navigable. It comes in the 0+ version for infants and 6+ for babies six months and older.
The Yoyo2, the brand’s latest iteration, is certified for 22kg under European EN 1888 standard. That means it could still sit, on average, a 7-year-old-child.
Best for travelling and urban navigation, this light and compact stroller (at 6.2kg) fits the airline cabin storage and can be placed behind a car’s front seat. And if your child is on extended hospital stay, this one’s good to take him around the hospital on short strolls out of the ward.
Light and easy to fold, many parents swear by the Babyzen Yoyo. — Happikiddo
Smart storage
Local brand Hegen has air-tight containers for storing baby food and puree. From freezer or refrigerator, you can simply reheat the food during mealtimes. It’s leak-proof so there’s no spillage in your bag. The containers are stackable too, making storage easy. It has snap-on interconnecting buttons for enhanced stability.
And once your baby is off the baby food stage, you can use these containers in the kitchen for other things like sugar, milk, or canned fruits. And the best thing is you can buy the cover and rubber seal separately if they break, extending their lifespan.
From baby food to kitchen ingredients, these Hegen containers will continue to be useful even after the baby becomes a young child. — hegen.com
Carry on
Ergobaby’s Omni 360 baby carrier gives parents the option of babywearing from day one until the child is four, through a variety of ways from front-facing to back carry. The carrier positions the baby’s hips apart, which is the recommendation for babywearing to prevent hip dysplasia.
For adult, the lumbar support means better lower back protection. The carrier is also made to evenly distribute the baby’s weight so it doesn’t strain the back.
It comes in mesh fabric or cotton, so parents can choose the fabric suited for their climate. Cleaning is easy too; just pop it in the washing machine and air dry it after washing.
Firm and sturdy, this carrier is loved for its lumbar support. — ergobaby.com
Drying rack
This one’s not exactly a splurge since it’s only RM30, but the idea behind this drying rack by local brand Autumz is clever and the item can be used way after what it’s originally intended for. This foldable drying rack is made to dry a baby’s feeding accessories, sippy cups and teething toys.However, once a baby has passed that stage, parents can use this to dry plastic bottles, their lids and other small items. This ensures that the bottles are dry, without any evaporated water like when you dry them by placing them upside down by the kitchen sink. You can fold and keep this in the cabinet when not in use.
This is a clever way to dry plastic bottles and their lids. — autumnz.com
Mighty muslin
There are so many uses of a muslin cloth that it’s a must-have for all parents of newborns. It’s the ultimate swaddle material, keeping infants cool while reducing movements so they aren’t startled when they sleep.
You can use it as a makeshift blanket when going out, when the baby is in the stroller. When it gets too sunny, it serves as a shade against the sun. The loosely woven cotton fabric allows for ventilation while keeping babies comfortable.
When they have a fever, you can sponge bathe infants and babies with warm water using muslin cloth and it can also double up as towel for travelling. It doesn’t take up much space and dries off fast.
The versatility of muslin cloth makes it useful for infants and toddlers. — mothercare.com.my
