Baby Products…what you can scratch of your list to buy

So, the time is almost here, right? You are maybe four, six, or for some late planners eight and a halve months pregnant and you’ve spent weeks thinking of all the baby products you haven’t bought, might need, and are said to be indispensable for keeping a little newborn alive.

Indispensable, such a big word. 

I’ve been there, believe me. Preparing for my first newborn without much of the support and baby-shower advice around. Packing and unpacking my hospital bag months in advance (which did little for being prepared when I had to remind my husband, between contractions, to put it in the car four hours before I gave birth). I’ve done the Amazon lists, received the incredibly thorough excel spreadsheets from my sister-in-law, downloaded templates, searched resources, read books, you name it. 

So, a year and some days later, I feel I am prepared to give my five cents regarding what a new Mumma might not need, and therefore can forget about already in terms of baby products. 

You’re welcome.

1. Baby Shoes

There is little I can say here except the obvious: babies will NOT need or use shoes until they walk (and even then, it’s best to allow them to explore barefoot when possible) so any baby shoes you buy or get gifted will look adorable in their box and probably be used once or twice just to flaunt them and feel you actually used them before they grew out of them. Not my case with the incredibly adorable Jordan’s we got. Waited for ever to fit him and then tried them on only when baby had already outgrown them. #Sad, I know. 

2. Baby soap, baby shampoo, baby bubbles and all things soapy (definitely baby scented detergent)

I know there are a million brands with deliciously scented and beautifully branded soaps, but the reality is that it is recommended to “avoid using soap because this will dry out your baby’s skin. If needed, use a fragrance-free oil or a gentle non-soap cleanser at the end of the bath.” * So don’t spend all your money on toiletries and wait until your baby is at least two months to introduce a bath oil (if needed) which you will choose depending on their skin.  

*(Strangely I feel I need to say that the following is my opinion. Of course, maybe some mamas will swear over their baby soap, but in all honesty (and science) it is not necessary to put anything soapy on a baby) 

3. Baby Hairbrush

I can confidently say you will not be needing a baby brush. I have not used nor needed one in thirteen months. When we eventually need one, will our brushes not be good enough? 

4. Baby Wipe Warmer

This one always got me because I couldn’t believe there was a contraction to heat baby wipes. To me a wipe warmer just seemed like one more I had to maintain, organise, buy, and keep in my life. We’ve always used cold wipes on Mr R, maybe he wouldn’t agree with them being ok but so far there have been no complaints.  

5. Baby Bath Support

I did buy this. It looked like something I would need since one of my big fears was: How will I ever bathe this tiny creature by myself while keeping him above water? The truth is that the bath support is not needed because it doesn’t work that well: it keeps the baby above water thus allowing him to get cold. It’s always better to hold him with one hand as I was taught in hospital (forearm under head and hand grabbing on to their little arm). This helped me support him but also allowed him to experience bath time fully, which he now adores. 

6. Boogie wipes

(is this really a thing?), pacifier wipes, and any specialized wipe

It might just be me and my attempt to keep it simple, which is already hard around a baby, but who needs specialized wipes, and who has the time and skills to carry them around and pick the right one each time? My recommendation is to buy non-odorized water wipes and relax. If they don’t go well with your bubba, try a different brand, that should do the trick

7. PeePee Tee Pee

Mr R is 13 months and I just found out, in disbelief, this contraption existed. I’ve had friends that tried them with her boys and they actually don’t work.  So without even giving it a go, I’ll go ahead and put this in the category of unneeded baby items. It seems a strange thing to need, to have, and to store around. If you have a peeing-on-you baby, just keep nappies and wet wipes to the side and you’ll find that works just fine.   

8. Any kind of device to prop them up before they are sitting on their own

I acknowledge that it may be very helpful to prop up your child for a bit while you get stuff done. And believe me, I’ll never judge creative parents that find solutions which give them a bit of free time, but also these products are not great for a baby's development, as it is not good to sit them up before they are naturally ready for it. But this can be a topic for another post.

9. Baby pillow, blankets, bolsters, etc for the crib.

   You don’t need anything for your baby’s bed. For safety, do not put anything in with him/her, no pillows, blankets, toys… nothing.*

10. Baby Blankets

Baby blankets are something you will use, but not nearly as much as you think or have been told. Also, nor nearly as many as you will accumulate if you buy them and then get gifted some. Baby blankets are such a common and easy gift that I can almost assure you will get plenty so prepare with a couple and let your loved ones do the rest.  

This is it for now. Disagree? Leave me a comment below and let me know what you would add or delete from this list. Also, stay tuned for my list of pregnancy things you do not need…. So much longer, but maybe I managed a minimalistic pregnancy just because I was mostly in lockdown. 

Eda Sofía