I remember when I was pregnant with my first baby girl listing all the things listing all the things I would need for her. Telling all my friends who were coming to her baby shower, what would be lovely as gifts. You panic don’t you? You think you need it all! You research prams, gadgets, products to help your baby sleep, baby clothes; you just want the best for your baby. Of course you do? It’s your first baby. You don’t know what to expect from a newborn. People can tell you and give you advice but you will never know until that baby arrives. So what does that mean? You often end up with a pile of newborn non-essentials. You soon realise by the time you are on baby number 2, that they don’t need half the stuff you thought!
Newborn Non-Essentials
This gave me the idea for this post. I racked my brains, asked the hubby and some off my blogger friends what newborn non-essentials did they buy first time around and this is what you should be crossing off your list.
– Kim from OddHogg reminded me how much of a waste of time buying tonnes of baby creams, bath products and lotions. Also a hair brush and comb set. I must admit I was bought all this and have not really used any! In the early days we bathed all our babies with no products and my hubby used to use a little coconut oil on their skin and bottoms. My current little boy gets his hair brushed with his sister’s tangle teaser! So don’t bother buying any unless really needed.
– Kate from Counting to Ten made me smile with her newborn non essential – a baby wipe warmer! I’d never heard of these and ok, a warm wipe must be nice but most babies hate having their bum changed and getting cold, so best to just get it done quickly!!
– Nappy bins were the suggestion from Jenna from Then There Were Three. Complete waste of time and I must agree. Whenever, we change a dirty nappy, it is put straight in the bin outside. I don’t think we like that smell indoors!
– A fancy changing station for the lounge. I must admit I browsed these thinking like looked good but I soon realised it would totally clutter up my lounge (I had a nappy box hidden away and used to hide the changing mat behind the sofa). Once your baby is rolling or like my little boy, trying to escape, they are redundant and the floor is much safer!! Save your pennies.
– Tonnes of fancy, expensive outfits says Nadia from Scandimummy. I always felt bad if any of my babies didn’t wear anything they were bought and this did happen a few times. Like Nadia says, they grow so fast and clothes barely last. In the early days, grows are the most comfortable and the amount of sick and poo can mean lots of changes! You don’t want fancy clothes then. We had one nice dress for a photograph session!!
– Kaiden from a Suffolk Dad thinks a Moses basket! They got one for their first thinking it would be great and easy to move around. But their little one outgrew it so quick that it was a complete waste of money. They decided to get one for their second baby, but once again it was such a waste. Their little one hates sleeping in it so it’s just taking up room.
– Some feel their baby bath wasn’t worth it! Rachel from Coffee, Cake, Kids put her little one straight into the main bath and Kate from The Less Refined Mind says forget the baby bath seat, as much less awkward to hold them! Similar is a top and tail bowl. We never used ours either like Jennie from Rice Cakes and Raisins.
– Carolin from Mummy Alarm felt her baby thermometer was a total waste. I have to agree as my Mum always told me how to check the temperature with my arm!
– Sarah from Mini me and Luxury sticks to the advice from the Lullaby Trust who now say any baby positioners and nests are not worth it, as they are not advised anymore. Better to be safe.
– I was bought a breast feeding pillow and I actually didn’t use it for breastfeeding! It was better to put around my 6 month old, when they tried to sit up! Erica from The Incidental Parent agrees, as just used a normal pillow for breastfeeding support.
– Baby Ugg boots says Lynne from New Mummy Blog and I so have to agree. I could never get them on and they fell off constantly.
This is a comprehensive list but could really save you so much time, effort and money! I often found with all my babies the simplest products are the best. Nothing will work miracles and get your newborn baby to sleep through the night. All they want is food, love, warmth, comfort and sleep.
I found waiting until I had my babies and see how the land laid. Was there something they really needed? Could we manage?
There are so many newborn non essentials out there and I hope this list helps you!
I never got the whole idea of baby wipe warmers! My non essential was a nappy bin…
This is such a handy list, as a first-time mum, you certainly are none the wiser about things that you will need and items that will be essential beyond diapers.
Haaaaa baby ugg boots – v. cute, but entirely pointless as they fall off the feet. This is a very insightful post, and so completely true! A baby wipe warmer?! That’s a new one to me!
It’s interesting to hear what products others feel are not necessary for new parents. I totally agree with the top and tail bowl we never had one for any of my little ones.
I had so many items that I didn’t need. My one purchase I recommend to anyone who will listen is a rocker for the Moses basket. It was a godsend!
I bought so much stuff when I was pregnant with my first that I didn’t need. She had so many clothes that she never wore and the bottle warmer was next to useless. lol
2nd time around I learned my lesson and didn’t buy half as much x
With us it was definitely the piles and piles of new clothes that never got worn because of how fast the babies grew. I hated giving them away/handing them down – even though someone would ultimately get some benefit from them, it still felt like such a waste.
Fantastic post!!! Looking back I didn’t buy many non-essentials… mainly because I didn’t have the money for them. Haha!
I think there is so much marketing out there to convince you to buy this, that and the other when all you need in reality are nappies, clothes and somewhere for them to sleep
Oh it’s so strange how many products on this list I found useful like the bath and the Moses basket. Actually the Moses basket was used until my little lady was seven months old.
Oh I disagree with the moses basket. We actually had 2 for Erin, one upstairs and downstairs. Having had a C-section this made life soooo much easier for us and it was a great thing to have bought.
Ahhh, I agree with these! I have never even heard of a baby wipe warmer, that’s madness!