Parenthood will change you. You can swear off all the Raffi and Paw Patrol you want, but at the end of the day, you, too, will be singing and bouncing along to The Wiggles to keep baby happy. While your child’s interests, playgroups, toys and gear will become a huge part of your life, a major takeaway from this year’s ABC Kids Expo is that there’s still plenty of room for functionality and style just for you.
Across the board, brands are creating nursery and baby gear that fits in with your home’s style and still offers functional value long after it’s served its infant-oriented purpose.
1. b.box Diaper Caddy
New to the US, b.box is all about fun and functional design. And this diaper caddy is the perfect subtle organizational tool for your nursery, featuring a space for a box of wipes, an adjacent divided section and a drawer for all your extra changing necessities. But it doesn’t scream ‘baby.’ As your child grows, replace that box of wipes with a box of tissues. Use it to store arts and crafts supplies down the road. Or keep it for yourself to organize your cosmetics. With five colors to choose from, there’s a style that’s perfect for your kids — or you. $60, bboxbaby.com
2. Dekor Diaper Pail
Some new parents say you can skip the diaper pail altogether. But they probably didn’t try Dekor. This hands-free pail just looks like a cool garbage can, and boasts the ability to really trap that dirty-diaper smell. Plus, disposing of a full pail is clean and easy; there’s a mechanism to rip off your pail’s plastic liner that allows it to work like produce bags in a supermarket. While the classic white and gray color is the most popular, the new Dekor Plus Kolor line adds some flair to your nursery. The best part? It really does become a trash can when your diaper duty days are over; just pop out the diaper insert and use it in the kitchen or bathroom. $45, BabiesRUs.com
3. ZoLi Baby Tumblers
For new parents terrified their cabinets will soon be stocked with Micky Mouse sippy cups or butterfly-patterned bottles: This is for you. ZoLi baby offers 9 oz. ceramic tumblers (Gulp) or 10 oz. double wall glass tumblers (Swirl) that are perfect for little hands — and perfect for hot or cold beverages. Coffee and wine, mom and dad? While the colorful stripe might be a giveaway that these are intended for kids, we’re thinking of it more as a way to liven up your kitchen. Plus, it’s much subtler than an Elsa-themed sippy cup. $25/$26 for 2, Zoli-inc.com
4. Siliskin Sippy Top
Refusing to invest in kid-friendly cups altogether? Also an option. The Siliskin Sippy Top 2 pack allows you to turn pretty much any cup or glass into a toddler-friendly sippy cup. The tops create a instant, no-spill sippy cups, and add a shock-absorption buffer to any glasses your child knocks over. Yep, they’re dishwasher safe. $9.95, Silikids.com
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