I do a lot of hand quilting, with the occasional machine quilted project thrown in. I've found that hand quilting is just as sturdy.
However, I think I bond more with a hand quilted item than a machine quilted one - for after all, I've spent a lot more time working on the quilt. So if you think you're going to be bothered when you see your quilt used (loved!) to the point of disintegration, then maybe save the hand quilting for something else and machine quilt the baby quilt. It will be loved just as much.
Janet