19 things your baby doesn't need

Mrs_Bennett · August 2014

Someone posted this on Facebook, I've got to agree with almost everything on the list. If you're a FTM making a registry, take note! If you're a STM, what do you agree/disagree with on this list?

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/19-things-your-baby-doesnt-actually-need?s=mobile

danakatiepfoltzer · August 2014

STM:
I disagree with 3 things:

1. paci wipes - yes, i know you could use the the little case but sometimes they fall anyway. i only used them away from home but they were life savers at times. at home, i just wash them in the sink
2. boogie wipes- i really only used them for intense colds but the saline and soft cloth were very effecitve in removing hard to get boogies especially when the nose was already raw. i will be buying them again this winter for ds
3. changing pad - yes the table does take up a lot of room but the changing pad is nice to have a washable, comfy surface for baby.

Everything else is unnecessary... although I do have the bath tub duckie/thermometer. I always made the water hotter than it said was "safe." but the duck was cute.

That's my two cents.

edit: and by "unncessary" i meant, it isn't mandatory in my book, but everyone is different. i know some people think boogie wipes are silly, but to me, they were the easiest and gentlest way to deal with colds. so to each her own, but this is just my list

danakatiepfoltzer · August 2014

ladyamanuet said:

The only thing on the list I am registering for is the diaper genie. All my friends with kids who also have dogs, who live in apartments and so don't take the trash to the dumpster every day, say it was the best way to keep the dogs from making a mess. So, we decided to do it.

I don't have one, but I used them at a daycare when I used to work at one. They are pretty good at keeping out the smell too. And we went thought a LOT of poop in one day

longcat07 · August 2014

boogie wipes...i still use these. i don't use them at home, but they're great for throwing in the diaper bag.

the traditional high chair (i actually have the same exact one in the photo, lol). you might not need one, but i actually preferred having one to using our little booster with a tray (which i used for travel). it was easier for me to have something separate from the table that was a little higher, so i wasn't bending over to feed the kid while seated in a normal, adult-sized chair.

the cutesy towels...i actually preferred having hooded towels for DS until he was older. regular towels DO work, but hooded ones are easier to use with squirmy babies in my experience.

the changing table. yes, you can change your baby on the bed or floor, and i thought that initially too. getting up and down off the floor immediately postpartum? haha, no. and bending over hte bed to change him 12-16 times a day got hard on my back, fast. so an elevated place to change my kid was definitely very nice to have. (didn't have to be a dedicated table, although having everything stored right there was very nice.)

i agree with the rest, with one caveat...baby shoes are not necessary, but i will absolutely spend money on them because they're so freakin' cute. plus, if you get the slipper kind, they are at least a little functional for keeping baby's feet warm.

danakatiepfoltzer · August 2014

longcat07 said:

boogie wipes...i still use these. i don't use them at home, but they're great for throwing in the diaper bag.

the traditional high chair (i actually have the same exact one in the photo, lol). you might not need one, but i actually preferred having one to using our little booster with a tray (which i used for travel). it was easier for me to have something separate from the table that was a little higher, so i wasn't bending over to feed the kid while seated in a normal, adult-sized chair.

the cutesy towels...i actually preferred having hooded towels for DS until he was older. regular towels DO work, but hooded ones are easier to use with squirmy babies in my experience.

the changing table. yes, you can change your baby on the bed or floor, and i thought that initially too. getting up and down off the floor immediately postpartum? haha, no. and bending over hte bed to change him 12-16 times a day got hard on my back, fast. so an elevated place to change my kid was definitely very nice to have. (didn't have to be a dedicated table, although having everything stored right there was very nice.)

i agree with the rest, with one caveat...baby shoes are not necessary, but i will absolutely spend money on them because they're so freakin' cute. plus, if you get the slipper kind, they are at least a little functional for keeping baby's feet warm.

I forgot the cutesy towels too. I used them and loved them, and will use them again.

rachel+family · August 2014

I agree with everything on this list! Except if I were formula feeding I would definitely want the baby brezza lol. Looks perfect for middle of the night feedings. We didn't formula feed number one, but if I ever needed to, I would want that fancy gadget for upstairs!

JosephsSweetie · August 2014

Yep. Other than the stuffed animals, we had none of those things.

Beauxbaton · August 2014

I agree. Not of it is necessary. But we use the boogie wipes in the diaper bag. And we used to use the paci wipes, but he never much took a pacifier. And we have a diaper genie thing. Which we still use.

Milagros315 · August 2014

A bunch of those things seem obviously unnecessary and nothing I would have considered anyway.

I'm a FTM, but so many people have recommended a diaper genie or similar. They've all said they thought it was pointless, but ended up loving it especially in the beginning when the baby is going through a shit to of diapers a day.

I also like the Ikea high chair. My nieces have used it for years and it seems super convent. For $20, I doubt it's a purchase we'll regret.

GromMom · August 2014

I'll say yes to most but we ended up getting the high chair from MIL's house because LO would rock back and forth and nearly knock himself over in a regular chair with a booster, which was scary (the one we has has really wide leg placement so it seems safer

and the changing table. Now if you're young and able to bend over, then all the power to you for changing your baby on the floor and on the bed. If you have a bad back you'll need something tall enough to change baby at, we got a dresser and then put a changing pad on it so we can use it for something later too.

MusicFanatic · August 2014

I honestly had no idea boogie wipes, formula mixers (wtf?), pacifier wipes and bath thermometers even existed.

LaBellaVida · August 2014

I agree with most.

High Chair, yeah I needed one.

I like boogie wipes, I hate putting baby wipes on his face. I don't use them around the house though, I throw them in my diaper bag. I use a wet wash cloth at home.

I like my fancy pants stroller.

Everything else, not needed.

cassied7 · August 2014

I agree with all but three. 1- traditional high chair. I LOVE my high chair. It's technically a 3 in 1 high chair, but it is big and clunky. We bring it to all family dinners anyways lol. 2- changing table. DS is 16 months and I still use it. If I am home, we will walk all the way upstairs to use it every time he needs a diaper. It's the only place he will sit still. 3- diaper genie! Still use this too, and I will use it for our next babe. I've been to friends houses who don't have them, and IMO, it makes a HUGE difference. Question though...what the hell is a Pee Pee Teepee??????????????

danakatiepfoltzer · August 2014

cassied7 said:
I agree with all but three. 1- traditional high chair. I LOVE my high chair. It's technically a 3 in 1 high chair, but it is big and clunky. We bring it to all family dinners anyways lol. 2- changing table. DS is 16 months and I still use it. If I am home, we will walk all the way upstairs to use it every time he needs a diaper. It's the only place he will sit still. 3- diaper genie! Still use this too, and I will use it for our next babe. I've been to friends houses who don't have them, and IMO, it makes a HUGE difference.

Question though...what the hell is a Pee Pee Teepee??????????????

Peepee teepee is a cloth tent (I guess that's the right word?) you put on a nb boy's penis so he doesn't pee on you during diaper change. A wipe is way more convenient

cassied7 · August 2014

@danakatiepfoltzer‌ thanks! That is too funny!

Lola918 · August 2014

Do you guys have registries already?! And showers planned? Am I totally behind?

Beauxbaton · August 2014

danakatiepfoltzer said:

cassied7 said:
I agree with all but three. 1- traditional high chair. I LOVE my high chair. It's technically a 3 in 1 high chair, but it is big and clunky. We bring it to all family dinners anyways lol. 2- changing table. DS is 16 months and I still use it. If I am home, we will walk all the way upstairs to use it every time he needs a diaper. It's the only place he will sit still. 3- diaper genie! Still use this too, and I will use it for our next babe. I've been to friends houses who don't have them, and IMO, it makes a HUGE difference.

Question though...what the hell is a Pee Pee Teepee??????????????
Peepee teepee is a cloth tent (I guess that's the right word?) you put on a nb boy's penis so he doesn't pee on you during diaper change. A wipe is way more convenient

----
I've also heard that the pee stream can knock em off. Either way, its pretty easy to tell when a nb boy is about to pee

MusicFanatic · August 2014

Lola918 said:

Do you guys have registries already?! And showers planned? Am I totally behind?

I have a registry. I worked on it more after my u/s hardcore.

My best friend and mom are planning shower. I don't really have anything to do w/ it, but I know they've started to plan.

lavet22 · August 2014

YES! I totally agree!!!

LaBellaVida · August 2014

It's a tee pee for boys. During diaper changes it is used to cover their penis so they don't pee.

I'm fast at changes. No need for them, but I used a baby wipe.

Jessie_ea · August 2014

I agree with most of those, but we did have a traditional high chair, actually it's the one in the picture, I liked it because I could carry it to the bathroom and have him sit in it and play while I showered once he got too big for his swing. We had a large kitchen though so I could see how it would be in the way if you were limited on space. I also like the boogie wipes because they're soft and good at getting dried snot off. I don't think a changing table is necessary, but like another poster mentioned I didn't want to get up and down off of the floor so we did have a changing pad and just set it on top of the dresser.

UberBiz · August 2014

Without reading the other responses:

3. Bottle warmer - When my FI and I were split up for about 3 months (long story), he was staying in his cabin behind his parents' trailer. He had no plumbing there and therefore no running water. The bottle warmer was a necessity for him. I realize this is an extreme example, but it certain cases it does come in handy. I wanted to get one purely on the fact that I might need to make a bottle in the middle of the night and it takes FOREVER for the upstairs sink to run water hot enough for it to warm a bottle. It's just more efficient in some case.

4. I absolutely love having a real high chair. I got a cheap fold-up one so if I need space, I can fold it up and put it away. No biggie.

7. Diaper stacker. I had one on the side of the pack n play for the first few months when my son was sleeping in there. I would change diapers in the motn, and it was convenient to have the diapers right there, and ours had a space on the top to hold a bucket of wipes as well. Easy and convenient.

9. stuffed animals. yes I had them, and no they didn't fill up his crib right away. If you want them, and are going to get them anyway, why wait 6 months?

The rest of the items I totally lived without.

LaBellaVida · August 2014

Oh. I also have a wipe warmer than I love.
I know it's not needed, but nice to have. I hate hearing my sweet new baby cry over a cold wipe on his bum!

[Deleted User] · August 2014

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Latham12 · August 2014

I disagree with a lot of this: we loved having a wipe warmer bc DD would pee if we used a cold wipe. We like our diaper stacker a lot. A good stroller makes ALL the difference. We couldn't live without a changing table, we have 2. I have back problems so I can't change on the floor or bend over easily. Definitely still use our high chair at every meal, but we got one that clips onto a chair and became a booster. Loved our bottle warmer for heating up breastmilk bc if you microwave it, which lots of people do bc microwaving water and putting a bottle in it takes forever when baby is SCREAMING, but microwaves kill the BM nutrients. And last but not least, definitely love cute baby clothes!! I didn't dress DD in footy pjs all day, I loved and still do, dressing her up!

SpaceGirlSpiff · August 2014

I disagree with a few on the principle of even if they were "unnecessary" they were still used A LOT in our house so I think of them as in between necessary and completely useless...the majority of the list I'd call useless except for the following points:

Boogie wipes, I much prefer those for sensitive noses and/or dried on boogers compared to wipes... I'll use wipes if I don't have them of course, but I find the saline helps loosen it up much better and I think it's also gentler for him.

I liked the baby/toddler hooded towels ... I guess they're not NECESSARY per say, but they got plenty of use....smaller towel for smaller body, easier to manipulate/work with, and I like that it has the hood built in to keep him cozy and warm

Rather than a full-on high chair, we used the space saver one that clips onto one of the dining room chairs...just to throw out another alternative besides the one that clips onto the table like it suggests... I liked it.

We used a diaper Genie (well actually we used the Arm and Hammer version diaper pail).. we live in an upstairs apartment and I wasn't going to go trekking downstairs to the garbage to throw out poop diapers every single day. But no, it's not necessary... convenient, especially for particular situations, so it's USEFUL.. but you can survive without it.

Everything else either was NEVER used by us, or really didn't need to be.

AlfiesMOM · August 2014

I agree 100% with Shoes, Bath Thermometer, Bottle Warmer, Baby Food Maker, Diaper Genie, Wipe Warmer, and Pacifier Wipes... all useless! I could not disagree more with boogie wipes they really work and we still use them a ton!

liladelphia215 · August 2014

I was a boogie wipes fan too. Yes, you could use a wet paper towel, but paper towels are rough... and wet tissues fall apart. I only used them for the tough sticky boogies so I didn't waste too much money.

For pacifier wipes, I just used baby wipes.

One thing I wished I did was go with the space saver high chair and if we were having more kids after this one, I'd still get one. But since this is our last baby, I'm going to save the money and use our full sized high chair. It's only for like 18 months-2 years.

We did have a changing table dresser and loved it. if I got poop on the pad, no big deal.. I didn't have to wash sheets nor figure out how to get poo out of the carpet. I never left her on the table alone for a second. Not even to turn around to get something.

I didn't have the rest of this stuff and never felt the need. We did get a ducky at my shower that the bottom would say HOT if the bath water was too hot. It was nice. I love to take HOT baths, so for the first few weeks, getting a bath that was not too hot, not too cold was a little challenging.

moonfaerie · August 2014

I agree with most of the list, but items I do like having are:

1) Full-size high chair. I love that I can wheel it into the kitchen so baby can hang out while I do dishes or cook, if baby is the cry-if-I-can't-see--my-mommy type. I like that I can angle it to how it's comfortable for me to feed baby, and at a better height. I like that the tray on mine can be removed and put in the dishwasher. Space is not an issue for us, so having it out is NBD.

2) Boogie wipes. Not necessary, but definitely better at removing hard, stuck-on boogers, and gentler for baby's nose. I only use them for bad illnesses, so a pack lasts a rather long for me. I don't feel that it's a waste of money, and it's nice that they are gentler on baby's nose which is usually already irritated from constant wiping when I use them.

3) Cute baby towels. Again, not necessary, but they're cute and a bit easier to work with since they are smaller, and the hoods help keeps them on baby while being moved around. I don't see them as a waste of money either, since they get regular use. My older kids still love hooded towels and I have no problem buying larger ones for them to use as they grow. (Jumping Beans are surprisingly my favorites, so far. Way softer than PBK, which surprised me.)

4) Changing table. I'm on the fence about this one. I honestly never changed DD2 on our changing table, and changed DD3 on it maybe a couple of times. For DD1, I used it because we lived in a one-story house at the time, and it was NBD to go to her room for diaper changes. For DD2, I used the bed, floor, or sofa, since we had moved to a two-story and going upstairs to her room wasn't as convenient. With DD3, I had a newer pack n play with attachments and often used the changer attachment at first, so that is sort of like having a changing table, but I never used the changing table that was actually in her room. It is nice to have a surface with a small pad that can easily be washed if something gets on it, rather than washing our bed sheets or having to clean the sofa.

5) Diaper genie. I most liked this when I had 2u2 and went through lots of diapers. But, I got rid of ours when DD3 turned 1 and I don't miss it. She is still in diapers and I just bag her poopy diapers and put them in the regular trash can, which gets emptied more often than the genie ever did. I can see why some parents would like to have a dedicated diaper receptacle, and I also see how it's a waste. I don't like having to buy replacement things for them. Ours had a filter that had to replaced every so often, and the Genie brand has special bags. I'm not into spending the extra $ on such things now.

llambrose · August 2014

I would say yes to most of them but personally I used and will use again
1) Diaper Genie, we loved it, kept the smell down in her room, we didn't have to carry dirty diapers out to the trash in the kitchen where they would then be susceptible to dogs going after them, plus I recycle a lot so we do not take our trash out very often.

2) Changing table with pad, I used it for every diaper change until she was 2, we loved it! We had her contained, she couldn't squirm away, it was more comfortable for us than siting on the floor, we were able to have everything that we needed right there in the drawers. I do not get how people don't use them.

3) Hooded towels, granted, not necessary but they are a better size for baby and I liked being able to use the hood to keep her head warm.

4) Full size high chair, we used one, it was on wheels and folds up so it wasn't really a problem, our table is only 4 chairs so we needed the space.

errica720 · August 2014

I loved my high chair, but it was rather large so for this one (#2) I am getting a space saver one from a friend.

I like boogie wipes and would totally recommend using them.

I still use a diaper stacker.

My son loves stuffed animals now, but wasn't interested in them as a baby (he's almost 3 now).

I still use cutesy towels

I still use changing table a lot of the time.

I used Dreft for #1 and will use it for #2 for a bit and then go to the free & clear. I just like Dreft

I still use diaper genie when he uses diapers and I will def use one again for this one. I actually keep on upstairs and one downstairs.

I didn't have a wipe warmer for #1 and wished I did when I would wipe his little butt with a cold wipe and he would flinch and cry! I got one for #2

melmarie4 · August 2014

I'm a FTM, but even if everyone told i don't need those cute hooded towels, I would still buy them! They're so adorable! Can't wait to pick some out for my registry

RuppAFWife · August 2014

Second Time Mom.

I'm getting a highchair because our dinning room table doesn't fit with one of those ones that clamp on, I wish it did though. Also, I just don't like the ones that strap to the seat.

I'm getting a baby food blender. I've tried using the big blender and to me it's just not the same although a food processor might be but I don't have one of those.

Used bottles about a hand full of time with my first so can't really comment on those things.

lars1226 · August 2014

Another vote for boogie wipes, regular wipes hurt if you're sick and your nose is sore from constant blowing/wiping.

I also liked paci wipes, not for cleaning the paci but for pumping at work. I used them to wipe off pump parts between sessions so I didn't have to wash them 3 times a day.

danakatiepfoltzer · August 2014

lars1226 said:
Another vote for boogie wipes, regular wipes hurt if you're sick and your nose is sore from constant blowing/wiping.

I also liked paci wipes, not for cleaning the paci but for pumping at work. I used them to wipe off pump parts between sessions so I didn't have to wash them 3 times a day.

That's brilliant!

HamptonsMama · August 2014

Second Time Mom

I disagree with a bunch of these.

We love our wipes warmer and I couldn't imagine having a baby in the winter and not using it.

The hooded towels are just easier to wrap little ones up in.

A good stroller is a must!

While I don't like the actual "baby food makers" I did use my Cuisinart Hand Mixer with the mini food processor attachment. It worked great and I never had an issue with it.

We still use the changing table (pad on the dresser) for DD who is almost 2.

DD has sensitive skin and we still use Dreft for all her clothes, towels and bedding. She had reactions to the free and clear when we tried to switch her at 1.

We do use the space saver high chair and are planning on getting one for this little guy.

Good luck FTMs...and if you want something, register for it! It's your baby!

lars1226 · August 2014

@danakatiepfoltzer Seriously, it was such a revelation when a lactation consultant told me to use paci wipes instead of washing. It saved so much time and made pumping less annoying.

edit sorry your name is clicky, it's really long and I just copy/pasted

caraleeb · August 2014

uhm cute baby towels are adorable and a must on my list. not necessary but so so cute!

i had a compact wooden highchair and loved it.

GromMom · August 2014

Question about wipe warmers don't thosejust dry out wipes? I also would worry about it being the perfect temp for bacteria to grow. IF the wipes seemed cold I'd just warm them between my hands for a moment before changing lo. I don't live somewhere that it gets cold in the winter though.

musicgal05 · August 2014

Loved our high chair, great for wheeling DD around the kitchen while cooking or cleaning so she could see what I was doing and be more "involved". --As involved as a baby can be with these activities...

The auto-closing pacifiers were something we didn't find out about right away. But they are awesome! I only know they exist for the older baby pacifiers, but can I assume they make them for the infant ages as well?

The diaper waste pail. We absolutely needed ours. Because we're procrastinators/lazy and would have hated taking our trash out to the dumpster every single dang day. Apartment living back then made it especially annoying. In our 3 story townhouse, I still hate taking the bag of diapers all the way down two flights of stairs to our garage to set them out, so, Diaper Genie is a necessity for us! (We actually have a Diaper Dekor Plus, but whatevs.)

And finally, although cutesy towels are unnecessary, the towels with hoods on them are awesome. We had a friend make one for us using a hand towel and regular sized towel, and it's basically the only one we ever use for DD. Keeps her toasty warm!

danakatiepfoltzer · August 2014

GromMom said:
Question about wipe warmers don't thosejust dry out wipes? I also would worry about it being the perfect temp for bacteria to grow. IF the wipes seemed cold I'd just warm them between my hands for a moment before changing lo. I don't live somewhere that it gets cold in the winter though.

Kind of what I thought in regards to drying out. In regards to bacteria, I think the alcohol in the wipes might prevent that. Homemade wipes are a different story and can only be made in small batches for that reason

I used to just put the wipe by the heater for a few seconds right before I used it

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