Baby items – where to start and how to get the best price

Marc Crosby 25th Apr 2024 No Comments

Reading Time: 9 minutes

In just a few weeks’ time, all being well, I’m going to become a father for the first time – a little baby boy is on the way.

Having been working for MoneyMagpie for 10 years now, the financial impact of this decision my partner and I have made has always weighed very heavy on my mind. Every parent knows having children is not cheap, so it’s vital that you get the best quality equipment for the best price possible.

And, indeed, what shocked me was the amount of things I needed to get in advance of having the child – you need a car seat installed, a pram ready to go, bottles ready to feed etc.

So, to help those like myself who are complete novices to the baby-raising game, I put a call out for products I could review to help give our readers a sense of how these things work and how these individual items compare.

I’m going to be adding to this article as I go because some of it only really becomes useful when the baby is born, but I’ve put together some thoughts below and will continue to expand with new items and new thoughts as my journey continues.

 

Inglesina Aptica XT

Since launching in the UK five years ago, leading Italian pram and travel system brand, Inglesina, has seen a rapid rise in popularity.  Inglesina is a family-run business that puts baby wellness at the forefront of what they do.

I got a chance to review the Inglesina upgraded Aptica XT model, which was released in early 2024, and it surpassed my expectations.

And don’t get me wrong, I had high expectations. Inglesina are one of the few brands who build the model in Italy itself, and the prams are made by hand, and checked by hand and machine.

I also knew the pre-existing model had already won numerous awards – including from Dadsnet, Made for Mums, Junior Design Awards and Project Baby -but the upgraded model improves on things further. Let’s go over the various elements to find out what makes the Aptica XT so special.

Wheels – The wheels are sturdy, puncture proof and built for all terrain. There is the option for different suspension depending on the type of walk you’re embarking on. Whether going for a town walk or a bumpy trek through woodland, the Aptica XT is built to handle it all. The wheels can also be removed to be cleaned – some silicone spray every six weeks should do the trick.

Carrycot and Welcome Pad – The Aptica XT also boasts a revolutionary and large carrycot, with a Welcome Pad mattress and an inclining base. The carrycot is lined with bamboo velvet and the base has plenty of ventilation to make sure your little one doesn’t overheat. The bamboo fibre helps prevent flat-head syndrome and is designed to ensure all pressure points are protected.

The ability to raise the Welcome Pad has been a lifesaver when my baby has had reflux. A small raise, with full supervision, makes sure my baby can sleep comfortably whilst also being upright enough to aid digestion.

Car seat – The car seat can be taken on and off the pram base with ease and comes with a full rotational base. You can recline the car seat so baby is laying flatter, which is preferable if they’ll be in the car seat for a while, and it’s easy to check it’s safely installed when inserting into the car.

Other benefits of the Aptica XT include a new, padded stroller seat offering a lighter, double breathable mesh layer to enable air circulation in the summer, and a padded Comfort Cover to protect against the cold in the winter. There’s also a stand you can put the carrycot on, so you can have that ready for when you’re bringing the pram in, take off the carrycot, pop it on the stand, and leave the pram in the hallway – all without waking little one up.

The pram is very easy to fold and unfold – which clearly marked buttons, and there’s even a little cup holder to attach to the frame.

At £1,695, it’s at the higher price end of the market, but if you’re looking to spend a fair chunk on a pram, then the Inglesina Aptica XT is well-worth considering. I’m over-the-moon with it.

 

Didofy stargazer bundle

This Stargazer Bundle is designed for effortless practicality and sustainable style, and is a premium multi-terrain travel system.

This 11-piece bundle offers incredible comfort, safety, ease and practicality for your family, all for the very reasonable price of £799.

We were lucky enough to get a sample to review, and it exceeded our expectations for a travel system in this price-range.

The key features include:

GravityFold – using innovative technology, the Stargazer can be folded and unfolded with one hand. Admittedly it takes a little getting used to before you’re able to do it one-handed (it took both hands and a bit of working out initially!), but once you get used to it, it couldn’t be simpler.

Sustainable – Now this we really love! The Stargazer’s fabrics are made exclusively from traceable, sustainable recycled PET bottles. 92 recycled PET bottles go into each stroller, and 73 per carrycot, whilst still giving the system that high quality, comfortable feel. What’s great is it still feels high-end – I think there can be the association that something recycled means compromising on the look or feel, but not at all. This feels high-end, the recycling element really just is a bonus.

All-Terrain – using the Didofy advanced four wheel suspension and All-Terrain tyres, the Stargazer is suitable for both rural and urban living.

Collapsible Carrycot – the quick and easy ‘two click’ foldable carrycot saves space at home and in the car boot. Suitable for overnight sleep, and featuring a rocking base to soothe and comfort little ones. This is a really nice touch because some travel systems don’t include this, particularly in this price range.

Pros

• Easy-to-use
• It looks really nice
• Being made recycled PET bottles is such a nice touch
• Wheels are a really decent size and feel very sturdy across a range-of terrains
• Drink holder is a nice touch
• Very reasonably priced
• Comes with everything you need (including a car seat)

Cons

• For those with tiny car boots (like mine), it can still be a struggle to squeeze into the car without taking off the wheels
• Car seat doesn’t have I-360 base

Leona² Luxe from Maxi Cosi

The Leona² Luxe is a special edition pushchair and is part of the Luxe collection with premium and stylish finishing and fabrics.

I’ve got to be honest, I’m not a confident parker and so the cars I own tend to be on the smaller side. Most of the time this isn’t an issue, but when it comes to fitting a pram into my boot…well, that can be a problem. A lot of prams take up quite a bit of space!

Thankfully, Maxi Cosi have me covered with this pushchair, which can be folded down and easily fit into a small little boot like mine. The compact size also makes it ideal for travel, and can be stored in a travel bag.

The ultra-compact Leona² Luxe is also designed for comfort with its bigger puncture-proof wheels, super-absorbent suspension, uber-comfy seating and an extended canopy.

Obviously there is a bit of a trade-off – a smaller pram with smaller wheels can’t quite compete with the bigger models when it comes to trickier terrain – but when it comes to generally getting about, it does the trick.

It also is easy-to fold, has a reversible seat with height adjustable backrest and can be used from birth to 4 years old.

For just £399.99 it’s not as expensive as some of its chunkier competitors. If you’re like me and don’t have a huge amount of space for an all-terrain pushchair, the Leona² Luxe is worth looking into.

 

Air purifier

With all the news around air pollution, it’s not surprised that more parents are considering an air purifier for their child’s room.

We were lucky enough to sample The Purification Pal from Solenco UK. One of the first thing we noticed was the low running costs (uses just 30-45w) and filters that last for 4,320 hours, making it a great solution for health conscious parents keen to give their baby the best start in life.

With a 4-stage purification system the Purification Pal captures up to 99.975% of particles/allergens, helping to protect little ones from respiratory illnesses and bugs and making sleep for parents that little bit easier!

We’ve seen loads of parent reviews saying they’ve noticed a real difference with their child’s chest conditions since purchasing a Solenco air purifier, so that’s a really encouraging sign it’s doing the job!

The air purifier has a timer, a soft night light (perfect for night feeding), four speed settings and low noise output (vital at night when you don’t want to wake the little one), so it’s a great companion for a nursery. It also has fun interchangeable and reusable animal face stickers which is a lovely way to personalise it, and lots of fun for perhaps an older sibling, or the baby when it is a little older!

And at £69.99 on Amazon, it’s not a massive outlay either.

 

EZVIZ BM1 Baby Monitor

The EZVIZ BM1 Baby Monitor is the latest innovation from EZVIZ.  The BM1 transforms advanced camera and AI technology into a visually pleasant, user-friendly and baby-safe helper that simplifies daily parenting tasks.  The camera sends immediate notifications when it detects crying.  It also has out-of-crib alerts and baby activity detection (powered by human shape algorithm).  The monitor also auto-plays soothing music and has clear night vision without a visible red light.  The camera has a view from anywhere and there is also a hear and talk function, enabling a parent to communicate with the baby from another part of the home. The BM1 is easy to set up, has an all-night battery and supports microSD cards. It is also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

The EZVIZ BM1 comes in two colour versions, pink with bunny ears and blue with teddy bear ears.  It is made with baby-safe non-toxic silicone and no sharp edges and with 100% wire-free setup, the Baby Monitor 1 keeps curious hands or walking toddlers away from dangerous cords. The monitor can be clipped to a cot or crib with an adjustable bracket and can also be removed from the bracket and placed on a table near a play area or similar. It is also perfect for taking on a trip or for a stay-over with the grandparents.

For me personally, having that peace of mind to know if anything is wrong, I’ll be immediately notified, is so reassuring and makes sleeping that bit easier.

Available from Amazon for £99.99 and EZVIZ for £129.99, currently £99.99

 

Breast pump

The V2 wearable breast pump is a great option for achieving your breastfeeding goals. Weighing only 120g each, it is lightweight and portable. With a large suction -288（±5) mmHg, it offers better suction than one-piece breast pumps and better mobility than traditional two-sided pumps. Its close-fitting design provides maximum comfort and doesn’t require hand support, making it ideal for on-the-go mums.

The pump retails at £199.99, so it’s a relatively substantial purchase. If you’re still pregnant, it’s possible you might not need a pump, but for many mothers the help it offers is invaluable.

It’s early days for me yet, so we haven’t had a chance to trial out the pump, but I’ll be feeding back as soon as I have.

 

Sienna Twist

The Amana Sienna Twist boasts unbeatable safety, comfort, and adaptability. In fact, it’s so good, your child can use it from birth all the way to 12 years old (which is a great way to save money in the long-term.)

The soft bamboo newborn insert gives your baby the coziest welcome, ensuring comfort during the early months.

It’s key features include:

• A 360 swivel base – it makes accessing the seat super-easy, and doesn’t requite you to contort your body
• Side Protection System – which gives you peace of mind knowing there is extra protection for your child
• ISOFIX system for easy install – I’m not a natural when it comes to installing things like car seats, but the ISOFIX system makes things so much simpler.
• Made from sustainable material – which is always a great added bonus.

At £199.99, it’s a high-end product, without a hefty price tag.

 

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.