(Note: this is a guest post, so the "I" in the post is the author, not the blog owner).
21 Unnecessary Baby Products That Are a Waste of Money
We as parents are such big suckers for any baby product that we think will help our baby or make our lives easier.
But the thing is, there are a lot of unnecessary baby commodities marketed to suckers like us that are a colossal waste of money and time.
We think we need it but in the midst of caring for our baby, especially a newborn, you'll realize that you don't really need these items, at all!
So to save you some time and money, here are some of the top useless baby products that you'll regret buying in the first place.
Unnecessary Baby Products That Are a Waste of Money
Peepee Teepee
This is absolutely an unnecessary baby product. If you need to cover up your baby boy's penis to avoid getting wet while changing them, you can just use a wipe or a small towel. A peepee teepee is another item that will contribute to your mountain of laundry.
Diaper changing gloves
Imagine trying to reach for these gloves in the middle of the night, in a dim or pitch dark room with your baby, hoping not to wake them up. It's not convenient, very cold and clinical and it's just downright silly. If you don't want to touch your baby's butt or change them in the first place, then get a nanny to do it!
Diaper rash cream applicator
Applying a diaper rash cream to your baby's skin only takes a few seconds. Which is shorter than the time you'll spend reaching for this diaper rash cream applicator, putting some diaper cream on it then applying it to your baby. Then cleaning it after every use! It's just big-time and money waster.
Wipe warmer
I understand the appeal as some babies can be quite sensitive, especially in the bum area. But for the most part, having a wipe warmer is more of a nuisance as most parents said they had to deal with more clutter, lid malfunctions, and cleaning and maintenance. So having one is just not worth it.
Crib bedding set
The only thing your baby needs to sleep comfortably in a crib or bassinet or any sleeping area is a mattress and its cover. That's it. They don't need a quilt, a dust ruffle, or even a decorated mattress sheet.
Pillows and blankets
The AAP recommends letting your baby sleep on a bare, flat surface with no pillows whatsoever. Pillows and blankets can be a safety hazard and can potentially suffocate your baby. Your little one will not be strong enough to move them away so better be safe than sorry and keep these away from your baby.
Stuffed toys
Stuffed animals should also be kept out of a baby's sleeping area, according to the AAP. And a baby doesn't really need it. It can also be a choking hazard if he or she is teething and accidentally bites and swallows any loose buttons or items from the stuffed toy.
Baby Powder
Talcum-based baby powder was marketed as a way to prevent diaper rash and for controlling odor and moisture. That was a big hit amongst the older generation, especially for moms who were worried about their babies having diaper rash.
But times are different now and necessary research has been done against the use of talcum-based powder. According to the AAP, it can cause breathing problems and even severe lung damage in babies.
So turn away and say no to baby powder of any kind.
Bathrobes
Your baby sure does look cute in it, especially if the bathrobe came with some adorable design. But it's just an unnecessary expense that your baby doesn't need and won't even care for.
Bath thermometer
I bought one personally and I've only used it once. Mainly because, it's faster to test the water's temperature the old-fashioned way - using my hand and my elbow. So you don't need a bath thermometer, it's just another useless baby product.
Knee Pads
You might think that you're protecting your baby's knees but you're actually hindering their progress. Your little ones will learn so much about their environment and would eventually process that they need to be more careful when crawling on any type of floor. And the only way for them to learn that is to lose the knee pads.
Newborn sized clothes
You will probably only need newborn-size clothes for a maximum of 3 days. The first few months of taking care of a newborn will be a blur and next thing you know, all the newborn-size clothes don't fit anymore, making them completely useless.
Designer baby clothes
Babies can quickly outgrow any item of clothing. And if you bought them a lot of designer clothes, your little one will probably wear them once or not at all! Keeping track of everything in your baby's life, aside from managing your own life, can be tiring and stressful. And you don't want to spend any effort and time in making sure they've worn the expensive designer baby clothes you got for them. So save yourself some time and money and just don't get any.
Baby clothes hanger
You'll be too exhausted to take care of your baby, keeping track of their milestones and all their other needs. And the last thing you'd want to do is to hang their seemingly thousands of teeny-tiny clothes one by one on baby clothes hangers. So remove this from your list of must-have baby items.
Baby shoes and baby socks
They look adorable on your little one but I have yet to see a baby make full use of their shoes and socks. If it's chilly and you live in a cold country, I get it but for the most part, you don't really need one.
Hairbrush
My baby had a full head of hair the minute she was out of me and for at least a year or two, I didn't need to brush her hair. It was naturally straight and soft so I didn't see the need to buy one. And if you have a baby who has barely any hair, then you don't need a hairbrush or any comb at all!
Baby cologne
This is not recommended as one: the smell can be overwhelming for your baby, two: your baby could have an allergic reaction to it, and three: a baby's smell is the best smell in the world and I'm 100% sure all parents would agree with me on this. So a baby cologne is an absolute, unnecessary baby product.
Bottle warmer
It's a luxury to have one and if money is tight, all you need is a bowl or a big cup of hot water to warm up the bottle. So skip this as it's an unnecessary baby item.
Formula mixer
Using your hand to scoop some milk formula and shake the bottle is way easier and more efficient than using a small tool that can potentially break or malfunction at any time. So formula mixers are just a waste of money and should be in a pile of useless baby products.
Pacifier wipes
You don't need a special wipe that's exclusive for cleaning a pacifier. A simple wash at the sink or wipe with a tissue will do. You can also just get some backup pacifiers and take one out when you need to replace the one that dropped on the floor.
Netted Fruit Feeder
I've bought a few for my kid before which I've regretted cause one: my kid didn't really enjoy her fruits when placed inside these feeders and two: it's just so much easier to give my kid the fruit without trying to squeeze it in the netted fruit feeder. So these are not a necessity to have and you and your baby will be absolutely okay without them.
FAQ on Useless Baby Products
What are must-have baby items?
Must-have baby items include diapers, wet wipes, diaper rash cream, crib (or an alternative), waterproof mattress cover, baby carrier, onesies, baby bathtub, bath towel, and baby bath wash. These are the very bare essentials you'll need if you want to save on baby products.
What do new parents need the most?
New parents need only the essential baby products PLUS a lot of emotional and physical support in taking care of their baby. They need to know that they're not alone in experiencing all the hardships and challenges that come with a baby. They also need a lot of help in looking after their baby so they can recharge and rest when they absolutely need to.
Final Thoughts on Unnecessary Baby Products
I know that urge of needing to buy a baby item, especially if you're sleep-deprived and its advertisement looked super relatable.
But before hitting that buy button, ask yourself first these questions:
Can you imagine using this item every day?
Will it be easy to use, clean, and maintain these items?
Is this item really important or is there something else that you can spend your money on that's more valuable?
If you answered NO to all these questions, then consider that item as an unnecessary baby product.
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