You need to remember that life insurance is not an investment and should not be compared to putting the same amount of money in mutual funds, etc. What is does for a child is:

1. Protect insurability
2. Guarantee coverage for the rest of their life
3. Protect parents against an unexpected death
4. Provide a building block for other life insurance as they get older

I feel the best feature is protecting someone's insurability. Consider buying a policy from a mutual life company like State Farm, New York Life, or Northwestern Mutual.