What Baby Products You Don’t Need

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Are you transitioning into motherhood, expecting your newborn, but also overwhelmed with all the “stuff” and baby gear that you “need?” Check out this list for what baby gear you don’t need, so you can focus on the items that will save you time and sleep.

If you’re practicing minimalism, or are just overwhelmed with the amount of gear targeted at you, the expectant mother, check this list out. 😊 Coming soon is a list of what baby gear you should buy used, or as a hand me down to save you time and money.

Have a toddler at home too? Check out this list on 4 items I don’t by my toddler!

1. Bottle Warmer

You can heat up bottles with hot water. I found the bottle warmer just created clutter on my counter, and mine broke soon after purchase anyways.

Disclaimer: I breastfed, so I have no knowledge on heating formula and an efficient way to do this.

2. Newborn Clothes

Yes, you might need a few newborn clothes, but babies do grow out of these quickly. You can always put a baby in a larger outfit. You can’t fit a large baby, in a smaller outfit.

Disclaimer: I delivered two 8 lb babies, so newborn clothes were maybe worn once (if that).

3. Newborn Baby Shoes

A baby does not walk, so shoes are more for aesthetic value and non-essential.

4. Bows or hair accessories (for girl)

Bows and hair accessories usually don’t stay on a baby’s head long. There is no need to purchase these, but please let people buy these as gifts.

5. Baby Wipe Warmer

Your baby can have a cool wipe. It’s okay mamma!

6. Car Seat Cover

Sometimes these covers don’t always let in enough air flow. This product can be skipped. Plus it allows you to interact with your baby, which helps for baby’s development.

7. Swaddling Blankets

Mastering the swaddle is difficult. I never mastered it myself, and frankly found it never worked. My babies would push their little hands out so fast that I was left exasperated and defeated late into the night. Instead, I used sleep sacks. These were essential.

8. Lanolin Ointment

This is nipple cream. You can instead use coconut oil (which I already buy in bulk in lieu of lotion), Coconut oil is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It actually prevents against thrush for the mom and baby, which proved to be helpful with my 2nd baby.

9. Bottle Drying Rack

Don’t buy this. It’s just not essential and usually made out of plastic. The drying rack in your sink works just fine.

10. Baby Food Maker

Not necessary, if you already have a blender. This way you don’t have another product cluttering your counter space.

11. Mobile

A mobile will never save you sleep. In fact, you should aim to keep your crib clear for the baby’s safety. You can skip this product.

12. Baby Hair Brush

I never needed this. You can use a soft comb, or just your fingers when you bathe or shampoo your baby’s hair.

Final Thoughts on Baby Products You Don’t Need

It’s refreshing to think of what you don’t need as an expectant mother instead of another overwhelming list of products “that you’ll absolutely need!” Embrace this time in your life, where you have no idea what you’re doing, and seek out those close friends who have already entered motherhood. These friends of mine have given me the best and most truthful wisdom, more than any new baby product could ever provide.

Join the Discussion

What baby products do you think are useless? Add them in the comments!

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Author

-Maria Halcumb
B.A. in Secondary Education, English, and Physical Education
M.A. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and Reading Specialist