Today we’re featuring our favorite splurge items for newborns. See our non-splurge registry favorites for newborns here.

1] Arm’s Reach Co-sleeper – We went back and forth between the co-sleeper and a regular pack n’ play. We’re so happy we chose the co-sleeper. It does all that a pack n’ play does + more. The bonus? It snuggles up against our bed. At night, I could glance over at Em and see her without getting out of bed. During the first couple of somewhat paranoid months, this eased my mind. Also, it rocks for nursing at night because I didn’t have to get out of bed. At all. I stashed diapers, wipes, changing pad, burp cloth + a change of clothes in the side pocket so that I could also change her in the middle of the night without getting out of bed. Em is about 10 months old and we still use this as our travel bed since it folds up nicely. I’m also glad we got the original size because we get more use out of it since Em would have outgrown the mini one by now.

2] Video Monitor – Originally, we intended to just get a sound monitor but after I kept reading how valuable video was, we changed our minds and put this monitor on our list. So happy we did. When we hear her, we can pop on the monitor to evaluate if we indeed need to go into her room. She never really left my side as a newborn, and I use this more now than I did when she was just born, but definitely great to have at the beginning.

3] Soothing Center – At first, we thought when Em was born that she was too small for it. However, we realized we could tilt it back a bit for her not to be slumped in it. The center comes with an awesome swaddle blanket that lets you swaddle the infant AND strap them in once they are swaddled. On the blanket, there’s holes for the straps to go through. It swings a couple of ways + has lots of sound options including a place to put your ipod to listen to your own music. The first few weeks, Em slept solely in this swing.

4] Not Rational Hansel Diaper Bag – Not really a registry item but truly a total splurge, nevertheless. I looked forever for a diaper bag that didn’t scream diaper bag. I knew I wanted to have a bag that made me feel fashionable. This leather bag is perfect. Not only is it gorgeous, squishy leather, it’s actually meant to be a diaper bag. So, the interior is wipeable. It also has snaps to hang it on the back of the stroller and snaps to hook stuff to it. It has four deep, outside pockets for easy access and bottles fit in them. And yes, that long strap is removable. Its squishy leather means that it isn’t rigid and heavy. And let’s face it, with all that you are toting around you don’t want the bag to be heavy. Plus, it’s a bag I can use long after I no longer need a diaper bag.