Useless Products (things I never used)

Beth.1212 · September 2014

It's funny how one person's "never used" is another's "loved it"!

I didn't like/use:

Boppy for nursing (It didn't provide a stable enough surface, though I did use it a couple of times as a sitting aid when DS was older. I liked the "My Brest Friend" better, despite the ridiculous name.)

Breast pump and bottles (DS refused the bottle)

Fancy clothes (DS lived in sleep and plays / footed pjs 90% of the time for the first few months)

Scented products (DS was allergic, even to things like lavender)

Videos (per AAP recommendations, DS won't really get any screen time till he turns 2)

Here are some things I *didn't* get that I wished I had:

bouncer

Pack 'n play

Personally, I liked:

Baby bath

Baby towels (though I have one that doesn't absorb water and is useless, the others were good)

Burp cloths

Wipe warmer
Changing station (not a table, just a changing pad on top of a long dresser)
Nursing cover

Portable changing pad (this one provides good coverage and I use it all the time when I'm out)
Swaddle sacks

Sleep sacks (DS still uses a sleep sack at night - it's the only way he'll keep a "blanket" on)

Video monitor (still use it daily with DS)

ordinary1 · September 2014

I live in Wi. We used a shower cap type cover. Under that Annabelle wore a sweatshirt and a footie sleeper, and a hat. When it got really cold, I tucked a blanket around her after she was buckled in so it didn't go between her and the car seat. She never got too cold.

thejollyrancher · September 2014

@sarabell52‌ that is too funny! Goes to show every family--and baby--has different needs and likes!

MaryS001 · September 2014

natsgirl12 said:
I don't get the need for changing pad covers. They're gross. You get pee and poop on them almost immediately. I say skip them.

Also don't stock up on a ton of diapers. Yes you need a bunch to start but as baby grows the sizes will change quickly (depending on baby) and then you have a ton of diapers you can't use. Most of the time of the diapers are leaking it's time for a new size.

Car seat accessories that don't come with the car seat or aren't approved to use with your exact car seat are a no no. Don't get them.

That's all I can think of for now.

So wait... Instead of a cover you can wash, you'd rather get poop and pee directly on the changing pad that you can't wash? Maybe I'm germaphobic, but that sounds worse to me!! We had 2 covers so when one was in the wash, we could slip the other on, no prob. Worked for us.

t8keepr03 · September 2014

I am another diaper genie lover!You can get the up and up refills that are half the price as the diaper genie brand refills.

AF9211 · September 2014

MaryS001 said:

I don't get the need for changing pad covers. They're gross. You get pee and poop on them almost immediately. I say skip them. Also don't stock up on a ton of diapers. Yes you need a bunch to start but as baby grows the sizes will change quickly (depending on baby) and then you have a ton of diapers you can't use. Most of the time of the diapers are leaking it's time for a new size. Car seat accessories that don't come with the car seat or aren't approved to use with your exact car seat are a no no. Don't get them. That's all I can think of for now.
So wait... Instead of a cover you can wash, you'd rather get poop and pee directly on the changing pad that you can't wash? Maybe I'm germaphobic, but that sounds worse to me!! We had 2 covers so when one was in the wash, we could slip the other on, no prob. Worked for us.

And aren't changing pads usually plastic? Ours is. I wouldn't wanna be undressed and laid down on a cold plastic coated changing pad in the middle of the night if I was a LO. If you're going with a changing table, I'd definitely get at least 2 changing pad covers.

Beth.1212 · September 2014

AF9211 said:

MaryS001 said:

I don't get the need for changing pad covers. They're gross. You get pee and poop on them almost immediately. I say skip them. Also don't stock up on a ton of diapers. Yes you need a bunch to start but as baby grows the sizes will change quickly (depending on baby) and then you have a ton of diapers you can't use. Most of the time of the diapers are leaking it's time for a new size. Car seat accessories that don't come with the car seat or aren't approved to use with your exact car seat are a no no. Don't get them. That's all I can think of for now.
So wait... Instead of a cover you can wash, you'd rather get poop and pee directly on the changing pad that you can't wash? Maybe I'm germaphobic, but that sounds worse to me!! We had 2 covers so when one was in the wash, we could slip the other on, no prob. Worked for us.

And aren't changing pads usually plastic? Ours is. I wouldn't wanna be undressed and laid down on a cold plastic coated changing pad in the middle of the night if I was a LO. If you're going with a changing table, I'd definitely get at least 2 changing pad covers.

I agree - if you want a changing pad (which I totally recommend) then it's important to cover it, both for LO's comfort and to extend the life of the pad.

My LO would pee at least half of the time when we were changing him when he was really little (maybe the first 4 months or so?) and I ended up getting these liners that I would leave on top of the changing pad. I started with 3 and really liked them, and I think I ended up getting 6. It really cut down on the changing pad related laundry. Just a tip - if there was "solid" waste on it, I'd clean what I could easily get off with a wipe to make sure that the rest got thoroughly clean in the laundry.

natsgirl12 · September 2014

We bought a very nice, organic changing pad. It's comfy for baby, not very cold and very easy to clean. I guess that most changing pads are pretty crappy, which is why we spent so much money on ours.

https://www.amazon.com/Naturepedic-Organic-Cotton-Contoured-Changing/dp/B001AV40Z4/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=20F33YC28C8R4&coliid=I1CJCTR5O302XW

wendy46001 · September 2014

Things i never used:

diaper gene: we had a small trash can w/lid that we emptied frequently (cheaper and smells better)

any type of bottle warmer, room temp water/bmilk worked best for feeding

video monitor, the old sound only worked great for us

Things i bought ten of trying to find the right type

bottles

pacis

teething rings

Things i needed that someone else said the didnt use (DD has serious reflux)

burp cloths, she'd go through like 5 to 10 a day

bouncy seat/bumbo, after a feeding she needed to sit up and liked both

pack n play w/changer, we had it in our bedroom for night sleeping. it was great to just flip it up and change her without having to worry about it leaking on her bedding

changing pad, guess i'm just one of those people who dont want to change the baby on my couch. Also goes under i'm too old to get my arse on the floor ever time we need to change

MaryS001 · September 2014

Just to clarify, I said we didn't need a changing table. Changing pad, on the other hand, is a must-have for us!!

michelle142 · September 2014

Things we didn't use:

- Changing Pad/Table - 98% of the time we changed him on the floor. I think Grandma was the only one to use the changing pad (one that just sat on top of a low dresser)

- Bouncer - DS loathed that thing. Maybe this baby will like it though.

- Bottle warmer

- Wipe warmer

- Bumbo

- Adorably expensive outfits - completely unnecessary since they got pooped on or spit up on within 10 minutes of putting them on

- Diaper Genie - we used a Diaper Champ which takes regular garbage bags, no expensive refills. For cloth we use a flip top garbage pail with a pail liner.

Things we would have been lost without:

- RNP

- Burp rags - DS was a HUGE spitter so we went through 5 or 6 a day sometimes.

- Plain onesies for layering

- Shower cap style car seat cover - a must in WI winters.

- Video Monitor - great for the super paranoid Mom.

michelle142 · September 2014

@sugahcookie01 like this:

It goes over the top of the carseat, rather than behind the straps and the baby.

ETA link: https://jjcolecollections.com/car-seat-cover

ETA2 description: This cover is called a shower cap style because it has elasticized edges and it fits over the car seat once the baby is already safely strapped inside. It doesn't intefere with the harness or the safety of the seat in anyway.

ordinary1 · September 2014

It pops on over the car seat but only on top. It doesn't go underneath the baby at all.

smg2302 · September 2014

Things DD never liked:

Bumbo chair- we will try again with this LO but I'm not optimistic.
Zipper pajamas- for us, you have to unzip from the top down and she would cold during diaper changes. We preferred snap pajamas to only undo her bottoms.
Being swaddled in general.
A normal highchair. She has always liked being "part of the family" so we have her in a booster at the kitchen table.

Things we love:
Swing that plugs in to the wall.
Baby tub with sling- ours went in our sink and made it so we could use both hands for the baby. I was always scared she would slip out of my hands.
Diaper genie.
Boppy pillow.
Our changing table was/is attached to our crib. We used it/still use it and dd is 16 months.

natsgirl12 · September 2014

ordinary1 said:
It pops on over the car seat but only on top. It doesn't go underneath the baby at all.

If your car seat manufacturer makes a product approved for your seat it can be safe and not be only on top of the seat. Maxi-cosi makes a footmuff product for its mico infant seat. The straps go right through it and is approved for usage with the seat.

ETA: sorry @ordinary1‌! I misread your post. You were describing the specific product. I didn't get that at first.

srcr2011 · September 2014

I loved my travel size changing mat. I hated changing DS on the dirty pubic bathroom changing tables and this was a life saver for us. It folds up to the size of diapers/wipe holder except thicker of course.

https://changingmat.net/wp-content/uploads/aes/Changing-Mat_450.jpg

- I never uses the bottle warmer I registered for - Not once. I don't know why I even registered for it, I EBF lol.
- Don't get the baby bullet. Use the blender
-Ugh to the burp clothes. DS spit up soooo much, I used the receiving blankets from the hospital instead. (They gave us like 10 in our room and since we paid for them, we took them all) I folded it so it was not so wide, but long. It covered our backs when burping him. It also doubled as a nursing cover. It was perfect at cleaning up the spit up too. I always has 2-3 in his diaper bag just for that purpose.
-Thumbs down on the baby towels. So thin, didn't absorb anything. They are cute, but soooo not worth it. I did like the wash clothes though because they were softer than regular ones.

FlutterOfYoshis · September 2014

Please forgive my FTM newb question: I've noticed people here saying about trying out multiple bottle and diaper brands since you don't know what your baby will like. How would you recommend approaching this when making a registry? Get a gift pack and/or bulk sets in multiple sizes of one of the "better" brands and make exchanges later if needed OR register for a variety of brands in only the smallest sizes/packs you'll use more immediately? (Please let me know if my question is unclear, I can explain more wordily if need-be.)

jennjilljo · September 2014

@FlutterOfYoshis‌ I signed up for free samples and accepted bottles from friends on top of redistributed for the 2-3 packs of the top brands with the different types of nipples.

FlutterOfYoshis · September 2014

@jennhillhoite Where did you sign up for free samples? I'm just now looking through the baby bargains sticky thread, so I apologize if it's already been posted somewhere and I've missed it.

jennjilljo · September 2014

@FlutterOfYoshis‌ if you go to manufacturers websites and formula websites they sometimes allow you to sign up for a free product sample. That's how I got all of mine except for the ones that were in the hospital care package.

Dannylion24 · September 2014

Pregnant w my 4th here and I'm also hit or miss with the lists so I'll just throw my two cents into the ring for whatever it's worth (I know many are repeats);

Nose sucker; love it. The kind w the tube that mom or dad actually sucks air out of on the other end, lol. There's a filter so nothing yucky comes through and it's a thousand times more effective than the bulb syringes. I know, so wierd! but awesome! I think ours is called a nosefrida ?

Diaper genie: total waste, we use a small trash can w grocery bag liners near changing table and I just tie up the bag and take it to the big trashcan when Little has a dirty diaper.

Portable changing table; love it. I have one from ikea and use it religiously. I'm 5'9 and 5 months pregnant w an 11 month old so floor changes would be really challenging. I also keep a big supply of clothes, wipes, diapers, socks, blankets, and bibs under the table in it's pockets so I have everything at my fingertips downstairs.

Reclining baby bather; love it. Never used a baby tub w the baby, just put the mesh recliner in the regular tub or sink and my Little loved it - used it from newborn till 7 months.

Rock n Play; love it, in fact I'm obsessed w ours. My current baby slept so much better from the get go, and I really think it had do to the incline and rocking capability of the RNP.

'Shower cap' (love that description!) style carseat cover; love it - was amazing and so easy to slip on and off this winter. Perfect for excess sun, rain, wind, and flurries!

Swaddlers; waste, tried w all 3 babes and haven't had any takers. Mine have all fought the swaddle.

Others items we've liked; bumbo, portable swing, muslin blankets, huggies diapers, Walmart brand sensitive wipes, triple paste diaper cream, sound machine, boppy baby pillow, zippered sleepers (I mentioned those in a previous post), and Johnson & Johnson disposable washcloths that come premoistened w baby shampoo.

Best of luck to all the mommas as they figure out what works best w their little bundles of joy!

chicagojackie · September 2014

BUY ALL THE BABY STUFF

Ducktale · September 2014

So back to this BundleMe thing, is it possible to just cut out the part that goes under baby and use it like the shower cap type? (I was gifted a used one for free, I'd rather alter this than buy a whole new cover)

Also people don't like baby towels...so what do you use to dry off baby? Our regular towels would be crazy huge for a newborn.

Dannylion24 · September 2014

Ducktale said:
So back to this BundleMe thing, is it possible to just cut out the part that goes under baby and use it like the shower cap type? (I was gifted a used one for free, I'd rather alter this than buy a whole new cover)

Also people don't like baby towels...so what do you use to dry off baby? Our regular towels would be crazy huge for a newborn.

I've used large hand towels before for my babes ... But I also do use hooded baby towels.

And I can't speak for altering an existing car seat cover, but the shower cap style cover I used is Eddie Bauer, sold at target, & was only around $15. Super inexpensive compared to others and it works great.

Good luck!

ordinary1 · September 2014

I used the hooded towels from BRU and loved them. Annabelle recently outgrew them, sadly. I bought an A&A towel, and will be trying it out tomorrow.

michelle142 · September 2014

@Dannylion24 tell me more about this Reclining baby bather please?

I hated the stupid baby tub that we had for DS so I'm in the market for a new one.

michelle142 · September 2014

Ducktale said:

So back to this BundleMe thing, is it possible to just cut out the part that goes under baby and use it like the shower cap type? (I was gifted a used one for free, I'd rather alter this than buy a whole new cover)

Also people don't like baby towels...so what do you use to dry off baby? Our regular towels would be crazy huge for a newborn.

We used the bigger toddler sized hooded towels. The material is a lot more sturdy than the flimsy baby towels.

Dannylion24 · September 2014

michelle142 said:
@Dannylion24 tell me more about this Reclining baby bather please?

I hated the stupid baby tub that we had for DS so I'm in the market for a new one.

Sure, @michelle142‌ ! I attached (I think I did it right - first time) a few pictures... The Amazon description and my own Little at a few weeks old. Loved the one made by Summer. You can remove the mesh and toss in washer to keep soap residue away.

michelle142 · September 2014

Dannylion24 said:

@Dannylion24 tell me more about this Reclining baby bather please?

I hated the stupid baby tub that we had for DS so I'm in the market for a new one.
Sure, @michelle142‌ ! I attached (I think I did it right - first time) a few pictures... The Amazon description and my own Little at a few weeks old. Loved the one made by Summer. You can remove the mesh and toss in washer to keep soap residue away.

Perfect - thank you!

kerrycharpe · September 2014

planning to purchase small packs of a handful of different diaper brands (Pampers Swaddlers rocked with DD, but that was literally 10 years ago) Ditto with bottles - 1 or 2 of brands I narrow down.

DD fought the swaddle and could work her way out of every blanket variation I tried. I'm still buying a Miracle swaddler for this baby and will happily try again.

DD hated every form of baby containment there is except her swing. Most of them were very useful to a lot of other parents and a lot of kids hate the swing. I'm opting to buy many of the 6-8 months-and-under items secondhand, knowing that baby girl may very well refuse to use them!

Every kid is different - just don't get too attached to things or spend a fortune bc kiddo may have different plans!

M2M85 · September 2014

We used the gumbo quit a bit until our LO grew out of it. We also use a zipadee zip sleep sack that we love. Bottle & wipe warmer are a big waste of $ in my opinion. We never warmed the bottle & our LO was fine with it being room temp bc of that. Made traveling much easier!

Want a personalized experience?

Useless Products (things I never used)

Re: Useless Products (things I never used)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards