Top Ten Products that you DON'T need (Babies!)

HB58

It's 30 years since I was pregnant (where did the time go?!) and I have found reading this thread very interesting. I had never heard of some of the things talked about (like the Bumbo, for instance) so have had fun looking them up.

I would exhort any new, or expectant, parent not to rush out and spend a lot of money on things initially. Every baby, and family, is different and one person's 'must have' is someone else's 'waste of money'. Beg, borrow, steal, or buy secondhand before you even consider laying out a lot of money for all except the most essential (somewhere for babe to sleep, something to catch excretions and some sort of car seat/pram/buggy depending on your lifestyle).

Looking back, the things we did without were moses basket (although we did have a carrycot, wouldn't have one these days though knowing that they are not safe in cars!), baby bath (used a washing-up bowl when he was really tiny, then came in with one of us), shoes for the first 12 months (saw a paediatric podiatrist who advised against them, used 'padders' only for the first year).

Our baby walker was a godsend, bought secondhand and used when DS was frustrated at not being able to get around as he wished.We used loads of bibs because my son dribbled a lot, right from the start, so at least I could change the bib several times a day rather than his clothes. I also used tights under his trousers when the weather was very cold and he was at the stage where he kept pulling off his socks. He doesn't like to be reminded of that these days! LOL

I wish you all many happy years of parenting.

desperate2save

Great thread!!

Babies don't need all singing all dancing items! my best purchases have been muslins, cold water sterilisation including the dummy one for out and about and gro bag. Also wipes, I find them the biggest waste of money until child is older and only for out and about! Cotton wool balls for nappy changes even when are toddlers and even my change bag has a bag in there, and flannels for cleaning mucky faces and hands. When weaning why waste money on jars and pouches, they don't eat big amounts so why spend unnecessary money on completely different meals when eventually they will eat same as the family, start them off on our food from the start!

And colour matching big items for girl or boy? If you plan on having more why would you waste your money buying pink if your first is a girl then getting rid of it to buy blue if you have a boy for the second! What happens if you have a girl for the 3rd?

loopy_lass

my first grandchild is due in new year, my daughter asked me what do i REALLY need...
Growbags, great idea look out at boot sales, or ebay, so long as they in good condition and washed no problems.

washing up bowl, they fit in there for washes when tiny, once bigger take them in the bath with you and have a bouncy chair in the room once they are out and dried while you get sorted out. If you use a baby bath use it in your bath so you can just tip water out.
Muslin cloth for discrete breast feeding, mopping up dribbles, washing them, keeping the sun off them in pushchair or car by draping them as a screen of some kind.

baby grows, usual attire for a while, some lovely ones, use with coat/cardi

gloves and hats

bouncy chair

nappy bags

the no tears stuff works as it has anesthetic in it... yak,,,,, go green


hth

Andronyme

Wow ! You girls have stock up loads on baby stuff !

Feeding : Advent bottles (260ml) - Microwave sterilizer - Cold sterilising tablets - Booster seat - Aldi Nubi pots - soft spoons

Sleeping : Mose basket + rocking stand (second hand) - Cot bed 140 x 70 cm + changing topper (second hand) - Mattress - Video monitor (my partner's choise)

Toys : Jungle playmat + niece/nephew ''baby toys'' and ''baby books''

Others : bouncer seat (borrowed - he hates it !) - Baby carrier (USELESS ! unless you want to get some sport !) - Safety gate x2 - changing mat

I have bought him new draws and wardrobe but adult size. He has got a few wall sticker as decorations. When I bought his cot bed I have been given a full bedding set. When I bought my Graco Symbio travel system (with footmuff and rain cover) I have been given the mose basket rocking stand. I couldn't breastfeed him. My mum bought us half of the bottles, my mother in law bought us the microwave sterilizer (which had a dummy). We have been offered a voucher for mothercare on which we bought the jungle playmat. I received a lot of nappies, baby products, clothes on my surprise baby shower. I have got just enough toys to entertain him simply and they are my nieces and nephews, same for the books. I don't have a changing unit. I feed him homemade puree from veg to leftover meal (without salt) since he is 5 months (with GP agreement due to very bad reflux). Aldi does very good quality products for kids despite what you think, try them and if not happy send it back for refund. Scratch bibs are the worste, all in one bibs are really worth it.

Nappy, wipes and powder milk are expensive enough ! I don't see myself having any of those fancy stuff like the nappy dustbin, swing door, walker, bumper seat in the future. However I might concider a baby bath for my second one. And a new larger changing bag. I often first look at second hand and then concider new.

Miss_Samantha

Andronyme wrote: »

Feeding : Advent bottles (260ml) - Microwave sterilizer - Cold sterilising tablets

So true!

I guess that for the first one we just don't have any clue. Then for the second one we don't buy any of these things.

VfM4meplse

Brilliant thread, I've enjoyed reading it.

Craftingmama01

Nappy bin was definitely a waste of money they smell and the cassettes are really expensive. Best buy was a clip on high chair which clips onto the table directly, it was a real space saver.

ludhiyaparker

I think Toys . As they can't even hold them, let alone play with them .

airgead

Reading this thread it stand out how different all babies and individual needs are, so I will just share some general advice. If you plan on having more than one child, I suggest you buy unisex colours/designs from newborn onwards. Much easier to pass on to the next child.

(yes, we could have a whole discussion on gendered marketing and stereotypes, and yes, dress them in whatever colour you like and stand up to this nonsense, however, it exists and keeping things neutral is an easy way to get around it)

Also buy second hand where possible, charity shops are often awash with baby clothes as they are barely worn before the baby grown on to the next stage. I find from 0 up to about age 5-6 there are a ton of good quality, cheap clothes in charity shops.

We invested in a really good buggy which was carseat/carrycot all in one and was great on off-road tracks. This suited us as we lived in the middle of nowhere and had dogs to walk daily. It didn't matter that it was a bit cumbersome, as we we rarely took it on a bus, or carried it up flights of stairs etc. It lasted both children and we did a LOT of miles in it. But everyone's different, and it can be hard to know what will suit you/your surroundings/circumstance/lifestyle before your first is born, so I would hold back on all but the essentials until you get a handle on what will be most useful, and then borrow/buy second hand.

mrsbunny1979

Ikea sell white cotton hand towels for about 35p each. They aren't fantastic quality but I bought 20 of them, and used them as changing mats and covers for changing tables in public toilets. Just washed them until they started to feel a bit rough and then chucked them out.