I couldn’t tell you how many silly baby registry items we thought we had to have that turned out to be total duds—a waste of money. The survey for my books turned up similar comments from other parents who wished they had been more prudent with their dollars. Many also wanted to share (in hindsight) that the infant phase is a very short time in a child’s life, yet it can be difficult to look beyond that stage while pregnant and eagerly anticipating a child.
Here is a collective list of things that you might totally regret buying.
1) Healthcare and Grooming Kits
These kits get larger and larger each year, yet they are filled with completely useless items. Will baby need a plastic medicine spoon? A toothbrush? A wide-toothed comb for fine baby hair? Or a tiny plastic bottle for medicine? No. Once baby arrives, you should only use the medicine dropper that comes with baby’s medicine. Also, the kit suction bulbs are too hard for newborn noses (use the bulb from the hospital), and the kit thermometers are junk. Buy a hairbrush, nail clippers, and higher-quality thermometer separately, and skip the kit altogether.
2) Expensive Crib Bedding Sets
The AAP has banned crib bumper pads, blankets, quilts, and pillows from cribs for years. So why in the world are companies still selling 4- to 13-piece crib sets comprised of these items? With crib comforters, quilts, and decorative pillows? Because parents buy them. The companies don’t care that you can’t actually use them. Instead, buy separate fitted crib sheets and accessorize baby’s nursery with colorful paint, window treatments, and wall decals.
3) Bassinet or Bedside Sleeper
Save your money and don’t register for a bassinet or infant bedside sleeper (they are small and will only last a few months). For baby’s first weeks, consider a firm portable travel crib or a Graco Pack ‘n Play for co-sleeping or bedside sleeping (many Pack ‘n Play models come with a bassinet insert), a product that you already need for travel that will last through toddler-hood.
4) Moses Basket
This item pops up on useless baby product surveys across the globe. Babies get heavy fast—too heavy to carry any great distance in a Moses basket without a river flowing beneath.
5) Baby Shoes
Who can resist that teeny-tiny pair of Nikes? Though seriously, even LeBron’s kids didn’t need high tops at three months old. In fact, your baby will likely kick them off as soon as you put them on. Save your money and buy high quality socks for ages 0-6 months.
6) Baby Bathrobe
Cut out the middleman. Baby will likely go straight from her towel and into pajamas.
7) Ear Thermometer
Ear thermometers are not as effective for infants (especially when babies have an ear infection, see WebMD article), and they are definitely not worth the $40-60 price tag. Instead, try an Exergen Temporal Scanner and a rectal thermometer, which works well on younger babies.
8) Infant Winter Coats and Snowsuits
Hand-me-downs and consignment sales are great sources for infant winter gear and bunting, especially for urban families who walk everywhere. However, baby does not need a waterproof snowsuit, as those will not work with car seats and stroller straps. Return bulky, infant-sized coats and exchange them for fuzzy one-piece suits (with legs for the car seat), or use a fleece jacket and pants while covering baby with a blanket.
9) Disposable Breast Pads
Why add more trash to our landfills with a product that makes your boobs itch mightily with the slightest bit of dried milk on them? Insert washable pads into your nursing bra for reusable comfort.
10) Too Many Clothes
It is hard to resist buying outfits for your first baby. However, newborns sleep 14-16 hours per day (comfort is king.) When baby is not sleeping, she will be feeding, playing, and spitting up on her clothes.
11) Too Many Baby Blankets
I would not register for any blankets. It’s a fact: older people cannot resist buying soft, fuzzy blankets for a new baby. Maybe it’s their Heparin talking, but if you have a large family, expect lots of baby blankets.
12) Too Many Bottles and Pacifiers
You may appreciate sampling a few bottles and pacifiers to see what your infant prefers before investing in a whole collection of a specific brand. Otherwise, expect your partner to freak out when 15 different bottles and 45 different bottle parts are falling out of the kitchen cabinets, or drying on your countertop.
13) Too Many Mom-to-be Labeled Items
Special pregnancy pillows, lotions, belly oils, stretch mark creams, foot scrub, lollipops, nursing tea, and more. Just add the words “maternity” or “pregnant,” much like “wedding,” and the prices go up for everything.
For those on a tighter budget, here are some other larger items that can be chopped from a registry:
14) Changing Table
Longer babies may outgrow a changing table in 12 months. Opt for using the top of a dresser with a changing pad instead.
15) Diaper Genie
I must admit this one came from surveys, as my super sniffer made a Diaper Genie a “must have” item for our family. However, some parents are disappointed with the small size of the diaper genie and the high cost of refill bags. Save money with a covered trashcan that uses regular bags.
16) Bottle Warmer
This item can be convenient for warming formula, or pumped breast milk. However, if your baby has a stay-at-home mom who almost exclusively nurses, or if baby is used to room temp bottles, then a bottle warmer may be a waste of money.
17) Too Many Slings and Baby Carriers
Try out the Moby Wrap, Ergobaby, etc. at a baby store, and decide which one is useful for you. When prioritizing this type of item, choose a front carrier, such as an Ergobaby, over a wrap or sling. Baby will not want to be buried in a warm, fabric pouch for very long, especially in the summer.
18) A Big, Bulky Infant Swing
Some babies love them, some babies cry in them, and all parents cheer loudly on the day their bulky infant swing gets packed up and shipped out of the house.