What baby items are a waste of money?

[soontobedad]

Long time lurker here who has taken away some great advice in stealth mode, but recently found out news that's going to make me become an active member here I have a feeling. I just found out we are going to have a baby!! it's kind of scary, but exciting at the same time. I figured all of you would have some good advice for a first time to be father like me.

I've been seeing all these long lists of things we need to get a baby, but many of the lists seem like overkill. What are some of the things that the books and articles say you should buy, but are really nothing more than a waste of money?

[boredpanda]

New brand name baby clothes. They will grow out of them long before they wear out and in their early years won't wear them more than a few times at most. We could have lived without buying anything the first couple of years since so many were given by relatives as gifts. If you do need to buy something, get used or ask friends for old hand me downs. It will save you a bundle.

[Green43]

Stuffed animals, more than about 10 books (use library), diaper genie (smells like death after the first month)just keep a small trash can with the scented bags near the diaper changing station and dump often. We didnt have alot of luck with bibs, the kids managed to get it all over them anyway, just wash the outfit. And for what its worth we never heated the bottles either, get your child used to drinking room temp formula (if you go that route). The next time you are on the road or in a store and your child is thirsty you will thank me for that one. Congrats and good luck.

On edit: DO get yourself some rechargeable batteries you will save a ton as everything children get runs on batteries. Buy yourself if you dont have already a good cordless drill, nothing comes assembled and a drill and a set of screwdriver bits will help tremendously.

[frugalredhead]

Bottle warmer and wipe warmer. Start with the cheapest diapers possible and then if they don't work, get the more expensive ones. I've heard great things about the Target and Walmart brands, I used Luvs, and loved them! Ditto on the cute new clothes. Check out your local area facebook groups or consignment stores for good deals on clothes. Agree on the diaper genie as well - just buy the scented bags from Dollar Tree - they worked awesome! Don't bother with the full crib sets, just get some cute sheets and a matching blanket. They can't use the comforter and bumpers anyway!

[richiejohn]

Do not keep Baby products like diapers,Baby oil,baby powder,milk powder etc in bulk.

[snafu]

How wonderful to anticipate a baby. The problem is some infants like to be swaddled, some do not. Some moms like a certain product or a specific brand, others find them useless at best...and it goes on and on. Have a quick look at baby needs on You Tube keeping seasonality in mind. The stores want you to buy as that helps their bottom line. The only thing I've seen new moms agree on are sewn-on mittens on jammies, they don't agree on snap or zipper closures or diaper service or disposables.

Ask friends to save coupons. Babies grow so fast some clothes don't make more than one wearing! Leave cute and fiddly in the store, you'll be too busy and too exhausted for special care items.

[happygirl]

I'm really surprised to hear others say the diaper genie isn't worth the money. Maybe you weren't using it correctly? My daughter and I have them in our homes (I'm an involved grandma and have my grandchild regularly) and there is no odor of messy diapers with them. I had a covered trash can with scented bags when my children were babies and yuck, I dreaded the moment I had to take the lid off!

I think a diaper genie (two if you live in a two story home) is worth the money. I don't think bottle warmers or wipe warmers are necessary. We found it best not to wander into the baby clothes section if it could be avoided because the little outfits are so adorable, but unnecessary in most cases.

[breathemusic]

While I've never had kids myself, I've seen SO many friends and family members have kids and then say that they wish they hadn't spend a ton of money, well, almost everything expensive that babies use. The jumpers that hang in a doorway or electronic rocking bed things, etc. Some babies LOVE certain types of movements and some HATE it and will just cry and scream. Plus, they outgrow things quickly. So most of that stuff is best to pick up used at a yard sale or thrift store. But even better... if you are close to someone else who also has a baby and has something that you can try out before you buy it to see if your baby likes it, then that is also a good recommendation. If you do have to buy expensive stuff, buy it after the baby is born so you're within the return window (minus the obvious stuff you need before hand, like a crib, etc.)

Realistically, besides food, diapers, a bed, a few clothes, and a few toys, babies really need way less than what we think. I mean, people have been raising babies for centuries without all that crap. Some of it might actually make your life easier, which is awesome, but much of it really doesn't. At least this has been my observations and what I hear all the moms around me say.

[Mjenn]

I think most baby stuff is unnecessary. We got a good carseat and stroller. We got a nice, cheap crib at Ikea. THose were the only items i bought new, because of safety issues. Got a few things used and a lot of clothes as gifts. My Achilles heel is books, but really diapers were our biggest expenditure. I had a lot of maternity leave so didn't use formula or a fancy pump, but that decision is one that shouldn't be finance based if possible.

There is a lot of pressure to buy a lot of crap, just say no, baby will be fine and won't know the difference.

[MooseBucks]

I agree with buying your carseat and crib new and most other items used. If breastfeeding is an option go with that as you will save the formula $$. We got almost all of our kids clothes for free from family or from 2nd hand stores. Check garage sales and facebook sites for jumpers, playmats, books etc.

[Snydley]

What you really need: diapers, a way to feed your baby, and a Miracle Blanket (THE swaddling blanket that actually calms them down and extends their sleep).

So much is totally unnecessary. I wish I didn't get 90% of all that crap.

[GoodSteward]

Yur doing it wrong. Think of this as a corporate thing. Long term investment. Have more children to make use of it all!!

I have 4 now. That 140$ car seat I bought last year that helps my child not cry as much in car(we travel a lot) will now get used all over again with the new baby we had last week. now, it's like buying two 70$ cheaper seats.

A lot of stuff feels like a waste, but just depends on the baby, and really it is just part of the baby experience. We got most of what we have from yard sales and used online. Very few items were bought new. The two most expensive I bought new was a 90$ bouncer (it'll get used again!! wOO lol) and that 140$ car seat.

[GoodSteward]

Also, we bought a 400$ crib from Burlington coat factory when they had a clearance sale. Got it for 99$. It's extremely nice!

[StormRichards]

Yur doing it wrong. Think of this as a corporate thing. Long term investment. Have more children to make use of it all!!

I have 4 now. That 140$ car seat I bought last year that helps my child not cry as much in car(we travel a lot) will now get used all over again with the new baby we had last week. now, it's like buying two 70$ cheaper seats.

A lot of stuff feels like a waste, but just depends on the baby, and really it is just part of the baby experience. We got most of what we have from yard sales and used online. Very few items were bought new. The two most expensive I bought new was a 90$ bouncer (it'll get used again!! wOO lol) and that 140$ car seat.

Congratulations on the new baby.

We were fortunate enough to get several of the convenience & big ticket items from the multiple baby showers that we had thrown for us. One with family and friends, and each of us had a surprise one thrown for us at work. That was unexpected and a huge help.

Among those gifts were many items that I never would have spent money on. Some were really helpful and others just didn't improve our lives at all.

[clatoden99]

Wipe warmers, organic cotton swaddlers, diamond encrusted pacifiers, mahogany cribs, and the like are a complete and total waste of money.
Regardless of income level, kids are better off with more durable or disposable items, and the money is better saved and invested down the line into experiences for the child (travel, amusement, entertainment).

I have seen one too many cases where kids were brought to tears because they were just being kids and had an accident with ripping/spoiling their overly expensive outfits; and in turn their parents went ballistic for shelling out THAT much money.
Well, why was something expensive given to a child?