What New Parents Need to Know About: What NOT to Buy!

In a previous post, we listed all the things that you might want to have handy for when baby comes home from the hospital. We touched a little on a few of the things you can definitely do without but since then, that list has gotten a lot longer, and new parents are getting confused!

Sure, some items are pure adorable, so it does come down to NEED versus WANT, but there is just so much out there that you are being marketed, we thought it was time to help you to decide what you really DON’T need to buy for baby!

Items already mentioned in the earlier post

• Baby wipe warmer
• Bottle warmer
• Shoes for baby

Socks

Infant socks are the cutest, aren’t they? What they are not is practical, at least not as socks. Invariably, they get kicked off and don’t do a good job of keeping tiny toes warm. You’re better off with footie pajamas, if you’re worried about baby being cold.

That said, the socks CAN be useful for covering up hands so that baby doesn’t scratch him or herself in the face. They tend to stay on a little better than those tiny baby mittens, particularly if you opt for the baby version of your husband’s tube socks!

Over the head clothes

Trying to get things over baby’s head is NOT an official workout program, but it could quickly become one! Infant necks are not strong, which makes it hard to pop the top over their head! Everyone loves a cute onesie but limit the number of over the head clothes until baby’s neck control is a little stronger, around 4 months old.

Expensive baby clothes

Even royal babies wear run of the mill stuff at the beginning, at least when they’re not in the camera’s view. That’s because babies spit up with alarming regularity, so any nice, designer clothes are quickly ruined by stale milk.

Baby towels

Baby sized towels, particularly the hooded ones. are cute but definitely not necessary. Regular adult towels will do the trick of drying baby after bath.

The only time separate towels make sense is if your baby’s skin is sensitive and you want to wash them with a different detergent than the rest of the family’s towels. Even then, you can buy full size ones that they will grow into!

Baby powder

This isn’t just one of those things you shouldn’t buy because it’s not helpful; you should avoid it because it can be harmful! Too much of it floating in the air and baby can breathe in the particles, which are not good for their lungs!

Crib bedding set

Your baby shouldn’t have a pillow, or a blanket or bumper pads, but these items make up the bulk of the snazzy crib bedding sets on the market today. All of these things present suffocation and choking risks to an infant. All you need is fitted sheets for your crib mattress and you’re good to go!

Baby bath robe

This is one of those items that could be classified as parental torture device! It’s hard enough getting wiggly babies into their regular clothes, let alone a layer that is meant for lazing around post-bath and pre-bed! Skip it. Odds are, someone will give you one anyway!

Pee pee teepees

These are tent shaped little covers so that when you change your baby boy, you don’t get a surprise sprinkle. Guess what? A small washcloth or towel works better! These tiny tents don’t typically stay on and if you want to be able to clean up after a “shower”, your towel will be far more effective!

Baby food makers

It’s called a blender. Adding yet one more thing to your kitchen countertop that needs to be cleaned? No. Just… No.

If you want some of these things, there’s nothing wrong with that and your postpartum doula won’t look down on you one bit! BUT if you’re working on a budget and don’t want to buy things that you’ll end up not using? Take the advice of parents who have been there and done that, save your money and enjoy your new arrival!