Which baby items did you find unnecessary..

Yeti · 12-03-2012, 11:50

Hello

There are so many bits and bobs, expensive items and different gadgets and gizmos marketed at new parents/ parents-to-be. So I'm keen to hear what parents have found to be a waste of money and unecessary. And also, what items turned out to be most useful.

Thanks!

Bubble3082 · 12-03-2012, 12:05

All of the toys

Newborns really aren't interested at all in toys, and even when they're older they prefer the packaging. Baby bath too - my daughter preferred the big bath from 2 weeks, though I know a lot of babies feel ssfer in smaller baths. I loved the foetal heart monitors that are available for home use - I think it helps with bonding whilst still pregnant, but it can panic you if babys in a difficult position so you canmt pick up their heartbeat xx

shazeroo · 12-03-2012, 12:22

clothes!

All my kids had loads of clothes, alot of them given as gifts, but I never used them.
They mostly stayed in sleep suits. I only dressed them in outfits If we were visiting family.
I found that they were alot easier to hold in sleep suits,quicker to change and they wash and dry really quick.

Plus they grow so quick you end up spending a load of money on outfits they only wear once or twice.

LJB23 · 12-03-2012, 13:03

bottle warmer, much quicker to use a jug and kettle or simply give the milk at room temperature. I would however reccomend a swaddle wrap or grow bag.

Lpsmum · 12-03-2012, 17:08

Yep I agree with clothes.
Sleeping bags are great, we never used blankets but then both of mine were born bigger than average. I loved my breast feeding pillow and don't think I would've continued without it with my first. And a nice comfy chair in baby's room for feeding/rocking/cuddling.

honeyb35 · 12-03-2012, 19:08

baby bath - although that was admittedly more because I really struggled to empty it! I used a washing up bowl for the first few months, then had one of those seats to lay baby in the big bath

changing tables - never used one, could never afford it nor have anywhere to put it, but they scare me anyway, just lay them on the floor or a bed!
baby bottle warmer - STUPIDLY long warm up time! Luckily my eldest daughter would have milk any which way, and youngest girl never had a bottle - only my son was awkward!
Those baby wipe warmers make me laugh - can't say I ever considered using one, same as those nappy wrappers, just stick it in a nappy bag and throw it in the bin!
I was actually reading an article about this on yahoo the other day, they mentioned something called a 'pee pee tee pee', basically a tent to stick over boy bits to stop the cascade of wee - a couple of times of that and you soon learn to whip old nappy out, new nappy on in the blink of an eye!

Moosey · 12-03-2012, 19:36

Bottle warmer, scratch mitts, vests, blankets for the bed (little one only likes sleeping bags), toys, bibs - a lot of stuff basically that we just don't use.

pottedplant · 12-03-2012, 19:44

Nappy bin (that made sausage like links out of disposables) and like others have said the bottle warmer . Baby bath- too heavy to empty. never had a monitor.

Loved my changing table (as right height so not too far to bend over), sling (for carrying around in the house) and little bouncy chair thing.

fabgirl · 13-03-2012, 09:32

top and tail bowl, i use a tupperware dish!!
baby shoes??? they never stay on.
room thermometer my instinct is better i was paranoid with 1st child checking it every hour.

i love my changing unit i never had one with first but have used it every day with second baby.
also loving sling so practical.

cryinglion · 13-03-2012, 11:01

I had a load of baby lotion, soap, shampoo, nappy cream, cotton wool, cotton buds etc. that was never used. My husband usually did bath time when they were tiny and he used baby oil to massage them before their bath and a liquid baby bath/shampoo all in one from tesco. Everything else was left in the back of the cupboard and may well still be there.

All babies are different. My second one loved the battery operated swing and would drop off to sleep and remain contented in it for ages. The youngest didn't like it at all so it was given away.

The right sling is important. I had a baby bjorn sling for the first two that was hardly ever used as it hurt my shoulders and back. I got a karri me sling for the third and used it constantly until he was nearly a year old. It was still being used occasionally for a good while after that and it was invaluable on flights.

alison jane · 17-03-2012, 18:09

Baby monitors were a complete waste of money, it doesn't matter what room your in you will hear your baby crying! I also wasted money on a baby carrier, after about 5 minutes my back was hurting so he ended up in the pram anyways. A really good buy though for when your child can hold their own head up is a Bumbo seat, my kids loved it and they come in really handy.

Lpsmum · 17-03-2012, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by alison jane

Baby monitors were a complete waste of money, it doesn't matter what room your in you will hear your baby crying! I also wasted money on a baby carrier, after about 5 minutes my back was hurting so he ended up in the pram anyways. A really good buy though for when your child can hold their own head up is a Bumbo seat, my kids loved it and they come in really handy.

Ha,ha isn't it funny. I'd say the opposite to this. I loved my baby carrier (especially with the eldest in the pushchair and baby in sling), used the monitors to death, but found the bumbo a complete waste of money

kirstyp86 · 17-03-2012, 19:41

Waste of money - Baby Bath, Nappy Bins, Bottle Warmer, Bumbo
Good buys - Bath seat (for when they can hold their head - gives you 2 hands to wash them)! Muslin cloths!!

minxymoo1 · 23-03-2012, 20:23

Alfie is 10 weeks and still lOves his baby bath! I admit it's to heavy to carry when full - even my husband struggled! But from 2 weeks we but baby bath in our bath with a baby sear in it. He's always been happy and content in it and now bigger he can push himself up the baby seat by pushing against the bath - he finds it so funny!x

smog · 24-03-2012, 14:06

Waste of time: steriliser, bottle warmer, booties (poor grandma!), baby bath, moses basket stand, dummies (mine all breast fed and just spat them out), changing station - floor much much safer - just use a padded mat.

Invaluable: muslins and terry nappies (you can use them for mopping up with even if babies aren't wearing them), bucket with lid (for smelly & sicky stuff), sling - not the baby bjorn ones, but the ones with a waist strap, lots of vests and babygros - not too many fancy clothes, plenty of cot sheets, bath rest for a big bath, sunshade for pushchair - cannot believe how many people don't have one of these, so useful for keeping sun out of their eyes.

LJB23 · 24-03-2012, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by smog

Waste of time: steriliser, bottle warmer, booties (poor grandma!), baby bath, moses basket stand, dummies (mine all breast fed and just spat them out), changing station - floor much much safer - just use a padded mat.

Invaluable: muslins and terry nappies (you can use them for mopping up with even if babies aren't wearing them), bucket with lid (for smelly & sicky stuff), sling - not the baby bjorn ones, but the ones with a waist strap, lots of vests and babygros - not too many fancy clothes, plenty of cot sheets, bath rest for a big bath, sunshade for pushchair - cannot believe how many people don't have one of these, so useful for keeping sun out of their eyes.

I love my steriliser, hate to think I would have to use them tablets, such a pain, much easier to bung the bottles in microwave for 5 mins. And there so cheap. I agree about the sun shade though, hate to see babies with sun in their eyes or worst still my pet hate when people lay manky blankets and towels over the hood, not only must baby be boiling hot but, well it looks a bloody mess!