6 Baby Products You Might Not Need

Photo: Pink Sherbet Photography

If you are pregnant or have just given birth to your first little one, perhaps you are overwhelmed with all you feel like you need to buy for the new baby. The baby industry is booming and markets a huge variety of products, but oftentimes it’s difficult to sort through what you’ll really use and what will go to waste. While all parents have different opinions about which baby products are helpful and which are not, which products help you save money, and which do not. Here is a list of products that you and your baby could probably do without:

1. Baby oil and lotion. For as many commercials as you see marketing these types of baby skin products, the truth is that babies don’t need any help with keeping their skin soft—their bodies take care of it naturally. There is really no reason to lather these types of products on your baby, unless they have dry skin or another specific condition that needs to be treated.
2. Lots of clothes in small sizes. For those of you who just love shopping for baby showers (or for your own children), passing up sweet, tiny baby clothes in newborn sizes can be difficult. While these items are certainly very cute, your newborn baby will probably only wear a particular outfit a couple of times before outgrowing it. If you want to stock up on a particular clothes size, consider buying bulk in the 18-24 month range. Your child will not be growing as quickly and will be able to stay in the same clothes for a longer period of time.
3. Baby shoes. Tiny little baby booties or shoes can also be an enticing purchase, but the practicality of your baby actually wearing them probably isn’t worth the money. Babies really don’t need shoes until they learn to be on their feet, and oftentimes they won’t wear them consistently until they are walking on their own. Save money on baby shoes and put it toward something you know your baby will use every day.
4. Baby wipes warmer. This product can certainly be considered a ‘luxury’ baby item and really is not necessary for your baby’s happiness. A cool wipe is perfectly suitable for any and all diaper changes, and if your baby gets too used to only having warm wipes, he or she might not enjoy cool wipes if you have to change him outside of your home.
5. Baby bath toys. By the time your baby is old enough to play with toys in the bathtub, you’ll probably have plenty of items around your home he or she can play with. Teething rings, plastic toys, spoons, ladles, and cups are all fun bath toys that don’t require an extra purchase (or an extra cabinet for storage!)
6. An abundance of small baby blankets. While newborns certainly need some small blankets for their first few months, your baby will soon outgrow these once he or she becomes more mobile. Instead of stocking up on small swaddling blankets, make sure you buy one or two larger blankets that will be able to cover up your child when he or she is one or two.

While babies are certainly a lot of work, they really don’t need much more than parents who love them, an ample supply of milk, and a way to keep their temperature controlled (clothes, nappies, blankets, etc.). Talk with friends or relatives about which items they really used and which they didn’t. You might be surprised at how simple raising a little one can be!

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