Overwhelmed by all those baby must-have lists? Here’s a great list of 10 baby items you don’t need! You might be surprised by a few!
There are tons of lists out there that tell you things you “must have” for your baby (yes, I have a few). Most of the time, the authors claim that they just can’t live without the things on their list and how those things have changed their lives and made parenting sooo much easier. Things that might be cute or sound like a good idea, but that aren’t very functional, are completely unnecessary, or that you can get along with just fine. Well I’ve had three kids and not to brag, but I think I know a thing or two about what baby items you actually need, and what baby items you don’t need. Today I’m going to share ten things you don’t need for your baby.
1. The Nose Frida. Okay first of all, gross. Second of all, bulb nasal aspirators have been doing this exact same thing for years, you don’t need to buy filters, and you won’t get grossed out doing it. So no, you do not need to go buy a Nose Frida. I’ve never had one with any of my three and we’ve been just fine.
2. A wipe warmer. I see the appeal of these, and yes, I did use one for a while with my first baby, but they are so unnecessary. It’s not mean to use a room-temperature wipe on your baby’s bum, and they will be fine if the wipes you are using aren’t warmed up. Do you warm up your toilet paper? No. Because that would be weird. Don’t buy a wipe warmer.
3. A diaper pail. Yes, it’s nice to have one of these. Especially when you have more than two in diapers. But throwing stinky diapers in your trash outside or tying it up in a plastic bag and throwing it away inside works just fine. I survived two babies before getting one (it was the one thing I asked for with my third) and my nose managed just fine. So unless you have extra cash to spend or a very kind mother, don’t buy one of these.
4. Baby shoes. Guys. Just don’t. They are cute, but so unnecessary. They might look cute, but they are a waste of money (said the girl who bought two pairs of baby Nikes for her son that he almost NEVER wore). Plus their feet grow so dang fast that they only get to wear them a few times anyway. Boooo baby shoes.
5. Baby detergent. Unless your baby has sensitive skin, you are totally fine using regular detergent for your baby’s clothes. Yes, baby detergent smells super good, but it’s really not a must-have.
6. Changing table. I have never bought a changing table. GASP. I know. We just use a changing pad on top of a dresser or a blanket on the floor. It works just fine, and we can continue using the dresser once our kids are done with diapers.
7. A bottle sterilizer or bottle warmer. Guys. Don’t waste your money on something dish soap and hot water from the microwave can do.
8. A baby Keurig. The most ridiculous baby item I have ever seen that you absolutely do not need is a machine that is like a Keurig but makes bottles of formula. You really can’t just scoop it and shake it yourself? I officially look down on you if you buy one of these. Shame.
9. A baby food maker. I get it if you want to make your own baby food, but just use a blender or food processor. That’s basically all a baby food maker is. Don’t go spend money on something you basically already have just because it has the name “baby” in it.
10. A playmat. I’m sure some babies like these, but we’ve had one for all three of our babies and none of them has liked it much. My kids have liked their bouncers and jumpers way more, and I would recommend one of those 1,000 times over a playmat.
Yes, babies do need a lot of things, but there are lots of baby items you don’t need (even if that popular mommy blogger says you do need them). Be smart about what you buy for your baby, don’t get overwhelmed, and use common sense when you are preparing. And if one of these things on your list is something you still want, then by all means go for it. Unless it’s the baby Keurig. Never do that.
Ros Emely@stressfreemommies says
Love this list and totally agree with you on most of it. I did use the bottle sterilizer for my first born and I loved it. But I didn’t use it for my twins, lol. So, you can live without it. Also, my kids loved the playmat, so it really depends on your baby. But, I definitely agree with you on the bottle warmer (never had one), wipe warmer (don’t see the point), shoes and everything else you mentioned.Some baby items you really don’t need and you can save those extra bucks 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
Yes, you definitely don’t NEED any of these things, even if some of them are nice to have. Thanks for sharing!!
Mfish says
I have three and I LOVE the ease of a changing table mat! We just have one on top of the dresser, but we use it constantly. :). And diaper pails aren’t too useful, unless you live in an apartment where the trash is half a block down the road and have three littles. Lol. Totally agree with the wipes warmer and baby shoes though. 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
We have a changing pad on top of a dresser, too, and it works great! Plus I can use the dresser forever!!!
Tayler Morrell says
Rhys started moving at 2.5 months old, so we never needed a playmat for him. But Evelyn needed something to entertain her while I did chores, so we got one for her and she LOVES it (and Rhys does too…he’ll un hook the toys from it and play with them in his little imagined stories). But I definitely agree on the nose frida–GROSS
Chelsea Johnson says
Little J and Little A seem to be more interested in unhooking the toys on the playmat, too!
Jennifer says
Amen, sister. We were lucky enough to stay away from most of these. We did get the playmat and the wipe warmer, though, and I wasn’t super impressed either. He only liked his playmat after I altered it, and the wipe warmer basically became a fancy-looking box to put wipes in. It’s been unplugged for over a year, and my son really doesn’t care that his wipes are room temperature!
Chelsea Johnson says
Right? If your baby has no idea what a warm wipe feels like he’s not going to care!
Katie says
Haha, it always makes me laugh to read these lists because everyone has such different opinions. I actually use and love quite a few of these products (not the nose frida but another version. The bulb never did it for us, but my boys had some pretty nasty respiratory issues that required deep auctioning)It’s always fun to see what works for people and what doesn’t 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
The lists really are all so different!! Thanks, Katie!
Britt Hanson says
The only thing I disagree with is the nose frida! But the rest? Yep, don’t need ’em, even a little bit 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
See maybe because I’ve never used it I just don’t get it? Thanks, Britt!
Emma says
I bought my first child so many shoes before she was even born — all of which ended up in a Goodwill box after only being worn once! It’s my biggest regret as some of those were designer! LOL
Chelsea Johnson says
Right? And you realize how silly they are and you’re like darn!!!
Sarah says
Yes, yes, yes to all of this! There’s so much nonsense I would have left off my baby registry if I knew better. Oh well, live and learn!
Chelsea Johnson says
Right? We were so silly as first-time moms!!
Sylee G. says
The only item on this list that I disagree with the baby Kuerig. Here is my reason. I have three boys ages 21, 19, and 16. This past summer, I acquired my newborn niece, who was born a drug baby. It’s been 16 years since I’ve done any baby raising and I thought that ship had long sailed for me. Both my husband and work full time as law enforcement officers and go to college online part time, along with church and raising teenagers. This baby kuerig thing was a GOD SENT, especially in the middle of the night!! I can’t tell how thankful I was for a quickly made bottle, while I was still half asleep with a screaming baby, detoxing from drugs. Best part, she learned what the machine sounded like. So as soon as she hears it, she stops crying. I know it’s a frivolous expense but for my sanity, I’ll take it!!
Chelsea Johnson says
I’m glad it worked for you! I think in situations like this, it’s helpful, but for the vast majority of mamas, it’s not a necessity!
Michelle says
Different strokes! Change table saved my back, times 3! And you would not believe what we pulled out of my daughter’s nose with the help a nose suction device that the little bulb did nothing for! Lol! But i agree that a lot of baby products are frivolous. You just need to find what works for you and your babes:)
Chelsea Johnson says
Yes, I definitely agree! Thanks for sharing, Michelle!