Just for fun I'd love to hear what everyone else has bought or been given that they hated or found useless. When I was pregnant I read a lot of lists of baby must haves and top registry items. I made quite a few purchasing discussions based on those lists. Here are the things I found useless, hated or regretted- 0-3 month size sleepers. People kept buying these for us but it's summer, we don't have AC and his room never gets below 77. He sleeps in a onsie and sleep sack. I have a stack of unused sleepers, including fleece ones!
- Breast pump (controversial i know) but LO is EBF and I'm on mat leave for a year. The few times I've used the pump it's messed with my supply and created an overactive letdown. My current freezer stash is 2.5oz and I don't plan on increasing it. Maybe I'll use it in future if I have to leave him for any length of time??
- Swaddle sacks. He always kicked himself out of the leg pocket section. We found it easier to use A&A type swaddle cloths and do them up nice and tight, now he's in sleep sacks
- Our travel system. We have the Baby Trend ELX jogger travel system and while I love the stroller the car seat was awful for the first few months. The seat has a really steep incline so he was always far too upright. It's ok now he has better head control but as a NB his head used to fall dangerously forward. We put too much focus on the stroller and not enough on the car seat.I wish we had spent a little more and got the BOB/ Britax combo
- Disposable breast pads. Have whole box sitting in the closet unused. For the first few weeks I liked the reusable cotton ones and after that I haven't needed any at all. i hated how they felt and made crinkly noises, like wearing a period pad in my bra
- Soft carriers. We have a ring sling and moby. DS just about tolerates being worn in he structured carrier (Lillebaby) but only if I'm moving, as soon as I stop or sit down it's fuss and cry. He cries as soon as he's put in the moby or ring sling. As a NB he was happier hanging out in his bouncy chair than being worn
So lets hear your hated, regretted or never used baby items
Re: Just for fun - things you never used, hate or regret
Baby clothes. I didn't buy much but I feel awful for the people who did and ds wore once. I even have stuff up to a year I know won't get worn.
Cloth diapering items. Didn't need two wet bags. Don't need snappis (don't catch flannel or my cotton flats. I made them myself). Now I'm getting better inserts and pockets for nighttime.
Swing. Ds thought it was just a cool seat to sit in. Selling that too.
Pump. Mm I'm here nor there. I've slacked on making my supply.
Receiving blankets. Too damn hot.
Stuffed animals. Stupid gift to sit on a shelf.
I'm adding things I love too.
I love our baby trend system. We stopped using the bucket seat and he loves sitting up right.
Love love our ergo. Made naps possible.
Love kickee pants pajamas. Soft light bamboo. Perfect for summer.
One thing I didn't think I'd love is the bumbo. Ds loves sitting in that while we eat dinner.
Video monitor. Just got it and it was so nice just to look over to check on him.
Boomerang nursing pillow. Saved my life and bf. So comfortable and supportive.
We have way too many onesies, receiving blankets, and socks. But most were gifts so I'm not too fussed about it.
I have nearly a full box of disposable breast pads, I think I used four.
I have to say, I think we did a pretty good job of buying what we need. We didn't buy too much in advance but instead went out and picked stuff up as needed.
-Sleep Sheep, DD wakes up when it turns off, should have registered for a white noise machine.
-Soothies, they don't stay in and DD hates them.
-All the clothes! Didn't register for ANY got a ton of crap
Regret:
-Not getting a co-sleeper
-Pricey Motherhood Maternity tanks, the ones I got from Walmart are my favorite.
LOVE: our crazy expensive glider, the kicknplay, Lillebaby carrier (better than ergo) and all the books☺️
We have a Lillebaby too and love it! There's no way we could use an ergo until DS is big enough to sit with legs out since he's hated froggy position since he was about 4 weeks but we just adjusted the Lillebaby for the infant legs out carry and he'll tolerate it as long as I'm moving.
1st BFP-8/17/12! Missed Miscarriage discovered @ 8 week US. D&C.
2nd BFP-2/13/13! Blighted Ovum discovered @ 8 week US. Natural miscarriage.
3rd BFP-5/22/13! By early June, progesterone plummeting. Another loss.
August 2013 - started Donor Egg process, but surprise BFP with my own eggs.
Dear Son born 5/28/14
I also love the A&A swaddles, so I've had no need for all the standard receiving blankets.
We registered for/ received that battery operated device to track the last feeding, nap and diaper change but we never moved away from using pen & paper.
1st BFP-8/17/12! Missed Miscarriage discovered @ 8 week US. D&C.
2nd BFP-2/13/13! Blighted Ovum discovered @ 8 week US. Natural miscarriage.
3rd BFP-5/22/13! By early June, progesterone plummeting. Another loss.
August 2013 - started Donor Egg process, but surprise BFP with my own eggs.
Dear Son born 5/28/14
- Medela pumping bustier - bought 2 and the zipper broke on both. The Lansinoh one is much better.
- Certain bows. I've found that I'm very picky about the bows I put on her. It's not so much the size that bothers me but the quality. Some look so cheap!
- Newborn and 0-3 sleepers. We've been using gowns since day 1 and prefer them so much more!
Love:
- A&A blankets - the best!
- Swaddle Me - LO loves to be wrapped up!
- Sound machine - DH and I sleep better with it too
- Tommee Tippee pacifiers. She wouldn't calm down one day and wouldn't keep the gumdrop paci in her mouth. Grabbed the Tommee Tippee out of a drawer and shoved it in. Loves it! Realized later that it was the 6-12 month one, but she loves it so I don't want to change
Happy Endings
Swaddlers - I bought several swaddling blankets and velcro swaddlers for DS, but he hated all but the Summer Infant SwaddlePod, and even that one only lasted a month before he graduated to wearable blankets. DD hated being confined and wouldn't even tolerate the SwaddlePod past day 5.
Swing - Could've done without. I'm glad we bought a cheap one so it didn't feel like so much of a waste.
Pacifiers - For DS I bought one of every pacifier ever made. He never took one until 6 months when he randomly found one in his toybox. Now he's almost 3 and we can't get him to stop. Thank goodness DD isn't interested in pacis (even though DH keeps trying to give her one).
My Brest Friend - My body shape could be to blame, but I find it uncomfortable and awkward. I'm so glad I bought it on clearance. I still haven't found anything more comfortable to nurse with than my Boppy.
Burp cloths - I don't like most burp cloths. Seems like most are either too bulky or not absorbent enough. I use soft washcloths, hand towels, or flannel receiving blankets instead.
Lansinoh manual breast pump - Uncomfortable, inconvenient, inefficient, a huge PITA to clean. Huge waste of $35.
Snap-up sleepers - Learned this lesson with DS. Wiggly baby + snaps @ 3 a.m. = grumpy mommy. Zippers are so much easier.
Hats and shoes - Both of my babies hated hats (DS only just started tolerating one at 2.5 yrs), and I've never seen the point of shoes before the baby can stand. They all got put away unused.
DS: 11/8/11 | 9 lb 7 oz, 22 in
DD: 5/22/14 | 9 lb 9 oz, 21.5 in
I think our "loves" have changed a lot depending on stage.
Useless things?
We got WAY too many blankets... Florida baby born in may?! Not necessary.
Similarly, baby hats. Huge waste and borderline unsafe in this heat!. The only kind of hat we needed (a sun hat) we didn't get. Oh well.
Stuffed animals... Feel guilty passing them on but they're taking up space!
Socks (see above re hats) but I suppose those will still fit when it's cool.
Favorite things?
Noise machine
Bedtime Bath
SwaddleMes were great until we transitioned her out
Lansioh Pumping Bra
Rock and Play
Bumbo - DD loves to sit up and I get some hands free time!
Baby Bjorn
Winter clothes for a May baby? I don't know what people are thinking when they buy 0-3 winter clothes and fleece swaddles. They've been donated.
Stuffed animals. Hate these stupid things and I have no where to put them.
Shoes. Hello my kid can't walk! It's hot and I barely put socks on him.
My breast friend pillow- I liked this a lot in the beginning but then I realized I really didn't need it to BF das baby.
Things we loveeeee:
Swing-DS loves hanging out in his swing.
Bouncer- another life saver. He smiles as soon as he's put in it.
Skip hop foam playmat- they were a bit pricey but I love them and DS has a good time staring at the animals.
Uppababy Vista/Mesa- I'm absolutely in love with the stroller and car seat. Both are worth every penny and are perfect for living in Brooklyn.
Rock and play- our boy hates his bassinet from the minute we got home and spent many nights sleeping on top of DH and I. We bought the rock n play and this is where he has been sleeping at night when he isn't in bed with me. He doesn't like being flat on his back and this was the only way I could get him to sleep on it.
Carter's bodysuits- I really am obsessed with this brand. They for really well and are great quality for the price.
I.also dont like huggies lil snugglers. The cinced back annoys the crap out of me. The straps always get stuck on her skin when i go to pull the old diaper out and then Its hard to.roll it up bc it automatically closes in the back bc of the stretchy back.
Could have done without the swing. She likes it but im always scared to use it to long so.that she doesnt get addicted.
Love our play mat and infant to.toddler rocker. She loves them both so.much!
Travel system - we got the Graco Classic connect car seat and stroller. I don't mind the car seat, but I hate the classic connect stroller options, it sucks on gravel (we live on a gravel road). I wish we would have got a different system. I've had to go out and buy a different stroller so we can go on walks.
Bouncer - DD isn't a fan. I'm hoping any other babies we have will like it so it doesn't seem like such a waste.
Clothes - I'm grateful people bought us things... but many bought summer clothes in 6 and 9 mo. sizes. She may get into 6 mo. before the weather turns, but 9 mo. won't happen.
Boppy - I could never get it to work right for breastfeeding. I like it for propping LO up though when she just wants to sit and look around.
Loves:
A+A blankets - They're big and have so many uses.
Receiving blankets - I had to go buy more, they've been the best for spit ups.
Skip Hop play gym - We replaced our Fischer Price gym with the Skip Hop. DD doesn't slide on the play mat during tummy time, and she likes the toys that came with much better.
Rock N Play - We'd be lost without it. It's the only place she'll sleep for naps, unless I'm holding her. It'll be a sad day when she outgrows it.
Swaddle Me - DD hates her arms swaddled, but she likes when we wrap her middle. They've been great for night, just put on a long sleeve onesie underneath, and she was happy.
My brest friend pillow - only continued nursing for a week after i bought it. now i pump and the pump doesn't need to be cradled
clothes - I bought too many 3 month clothes when he already had received a ton as gifts. Now I'm always trying to make sure all outfits and onesies are worn enough times when really all I want to do is dress him in his Carter's stuff-on-the-butt outfits every damn day.
Loves
AA blankets. so multi purpose.
Carter's stuff on the butt outfits. cutest baby clothing idea ever!
All my pumping stuff. The Medela PISA and hands free pump bras are why I have been able to pump so well and feed my baby breast milk despite unsuccessful nursing.
Boppy. At first I regretted it because it sucked for nursing but as a little seat it's great. I can feed my son while I pump, which happens more than I realized it would.
Other useless items:
Any bottle "system". We ended up using the Medela ones that came with my pump.
Hand made knitted blankets. We got SO MANY! It's way to hot for them, they're not super soft against the skin, and I'm afraid DD will inhale tiny strands of loose yarn since everything is going in her mouth these days.
Things we love:
The swing. Thank God for the swing.
A&A blankets
Ergo swaddle sacks- they're the only kind she can't break out of.
Bath sling- so much easier than an infant tub.
Our Pnp changing table. She outgrew the napper a while ago, but we still use the changing table part. I'll be sad when that has to go.
Hats: ds barely wore any
Nursing pads: never needed them and have only leaked once when I fell asleep on my very full boob at the beginning
Swaddle me: yeah Velcro sleep sacks? My child busted out of those like Hercules t minus 10 seconds and he was free
Orthodontic soothers or bottles: ds was having non of that flat on one side crap...no way no how lol
Interesting. I've been putting ds in it all week at our dinner time and saw a huge improvement in his sitting. I had to put one hand on his side to keep him upright. Didn't haven't to last night. I don't know where I read they were bad.
Uppababy Vista/Mesa - priciest item we bought but I'm in love with it. I have zero complaints about the car seat or stroller. DD recently was transitioned to the toddler seat with the infant insert and loves sitting up and looking around.
Best Chair Glider- we ordered from BBB in the fabric we wanted. Most comfortable chair. I nurse there all the time.
Cosleeper- someone let us borrow one. We returned the RNP and had such an easy transition to the crib.
Baby Einstein Aquarium- DD stares and coos at it forever in her crib. It's become part of our bedtime routine.
Meh List:
Mittens- DD never wore them.
A shit ton of bath crap. I live in a small house with minimal storage. WTF am I supposed to do with all these Aveeno and J&J gift sets?
*we were team green so luckily everyone stuck with our registry list and I didn't receive a ton of clothes.
Christmas is going to be a shit show this year. Sigh. First grand baby craziness.
I love the ubba baby strollers. Always give those a second look. The price tag was just ridiculous.
Breast pads
The little hats
Socks (which I still try to use if I remember I have them)
Pnp with newborn sleeper (she sleeps in her rep or the larger part of the pnp)
Receiving blankets. I try to make use of them but I just don't use them
Hats
Sleep gowns and pajamas
Stuffed animals
Too many clothes - especially long sleeves and pants. It's summer. Luckily we never bought any.
Pacifiers - DS never uses them.
Crib sleep wedge - we thought it'd help DS transition to the crib. Nope.
Blankets - again, it's summer. Plus he can't use them in the crib anyway.
Loves:
Swing - wouldn't sleep without it
PNP w/ napper and changing table - we don't have to run upstairs all the time to put him down or change him
Swaddle me and halo sleepsacks - DS won't sleep unless swaddled and we could never figure it out with a blanket.
As a PP said, if you're going to buy us a gift, get us formula, diapers or wipes!
1st BFP-8/17/12! Missed Miscarriage discovered @ 8 week US. D&C.
2nd BFP-2/13/13! Blighted Ovum discovered @ 8 week US. Natural miscarriage.
3rd BFP-5/22/13! By early June, progesterone plummeting. Another loss.
August 2013 - started Donor Egg process, but surprise BFP with my own eggs.
Dear Son born 5/28/14