2nd time + moms: baby essentials and waste of $$

samsonator · October 2015

Hi all!

I always hear that many people buy way more baby stuff than they actually use. I'm curious what items you bought in preparation for baby but never really used?? Anything you didn't initially buy, but found out was essential? My husband and I are trying to see how much $$ we should save in the next couple months to be able to buy baby essentials after the new year. We probably won't have a baby shower.

Thanks!!

little_bren · October 2015

It somewhat depends on you. A friend told me this weekend that she wishes she hadn't bought a changing table but that she used her rocking chair constantly where as I'm the exact opposite. Some things are generally unnecessary. Most people would say a wipe warmer is Something to skip. We hated the diaper genie type things. They didn't help and they smelled disgusting. I would also be aware that it's okay and better to buy as you go. The baby won't need toys for months. The baby won't need a bumbo for months. Another thing... We found that we preferred putting DD in the shower with daddy. I'd undress her, hand her in, wait a minute then pull her out and lotion and diaper her etc. We didn't like the baby tub that much.

ETA: DONT BE SUCKED IN BY BRU... Much of it is a trap!

likeabel · October 2015

I'd strongly suggest signing up for emails at lucieslist.com! She has great suggestions for the things you actually need, amazing reviews and provides the best options in a few price categories for all the overwhelming categories like car seats and strollers.

She was my lifesaver during my first pregnancy!

etr152517 · October 2015

When we had our DS, we were living in a much smaller house and didn't have much space so that was a deciding factor in what we bought. I bought the baby seat that hooks to a table instead of a traditional high chair and was so glad I did. I also really liked our wipes warmer (he didn't seem to be as startled during late night diaper changes) and our ergo carrier. I used that everywhere instead of lugging around the car seat while out. It was so handy during grocery shopping or when I needed to get stuff done at home and he needed snuggle time.

Flutterby00 · October 2015

Baby shoes..I was such a sucker for them. So dang cute but never used them. Socks though...yes.

We stocked up on stuff to cloth diaper...but when the baby came I realized how hard it is and ended up selling. If you are interested in cloth diapering I'd recommend getting just a few of different kinds and then wait to see if it's something that really will work for your lifestyle.

We got a mamaroo. Biggest waste of money ever. He hated it!!!! Loved the simple bouncy and swing.

Clothes. Spend little on the early months clothes sizes. Borrow if possible. Likely a friend or neighbor has a bunch of barely worn newborn and 0-3 month sizes because they grow SO FAST. I have so many cute outfits that only were worn once.

I regret buying our big stroller system right away. A car seat and one of those frame strollers that it snaps into will work great for the first year for out and about. Maybe a separate jogger if you are into that. My all in one stroller is such a pain to load into the car.

We bought way too many swaddle blankets. Those A&A blankets seem like the shiz but in reality I used them as nursing covers and to cover the baby in car seat if out shopping. You get THE BEST blankets for swaddling at the hospital....stock up!! And the nursing cover....like I said the A&A blankets were great bc they were breathable. Spend your swaddle money on the kind with VELCRO!! They are amazing. No one will judge.

Spend money on your rocker. You will spend countless hours there. I wish mine reclined too. The Ottoman is nice but it can get in the way. Also on your moniter because you will use for years to come. Each baby and experience is different...but those are things I learned my first go-around!

FutureMrsCAF · October 2015

I can't think of anything we bought or received as gifts that we didn't use except for the massive amounts of clothes. We have way too many itty bitty clothes and I know DD didn't wear everything before she outgrew it. We probably got the least amount of use out of the Bumbo seat bc DD had some thicky thick thighs and she would get stuck in it. If you're looking to buy less stuff/have a small nursery, I recommend putting a changing pad on top of a dresser instead of getting a separate changing table.

fishwife799 · October 2015

Some of my must haves would be:
Baby carrier (Tula is my favorite)
Rock-n-play

Honestly other than the essentials (diapers, car seat, clothes etc.) and those couple things I feel like a lot of the baby gear is unnecessary.

VeraMali · October 2015

The Rock N Play is the number 1 essential for me. That thing is a life saver! I didn't invest in a changing table at first intending to just use the bed, couch, whatever BUT I ended up with a c section and was unable to bend like that or get up and down easy. The changing table brought DD up to a height where I could take care of her without hurting myself. A light weight travel system and a good baby monitor will make your life much easier. All that other stuff like bottle warmers, wipe warmers, fancy bottles and the like are just really ploys to eat your money.

vulpini · October 2015

The Moby wrap was a total waste of money for us. DS hated it. I hated dealing with all that fabric. The Ergo worked much better for me and DH liked using the Bjorn.

Our Snap-n-Go and then our reclining nicer umbrella stroller were FAR more useful then our big stroller. I only use that monster for walks in the neighborhood and to the park and a couple times at the zoo. We live in the suburbs, so we mostly drive around and fitting into the trunk easily is the most important stroller feature for us. I also regret not getting something that can convert to a double stroller because now I need to buy something else.

I bought and still buy and sell a lot of baby and kid stuff used on a local mom Facebook group and on craigslist. People are always selling baby swings and bouncers because they are only useful for about 6 months and take up a lot of storage space. Pack and plays are always listed for sale too. You don't need to spend a lot on baby gear your baby might hate.

NicknShan · October 2015

We used our Mamaroo a lot. It was our only peace of mind... :-) But it was short lived. It only lasted until 6-7 months? So it was a high cost indeed (luckily it was a shower gift).

If you are going back to work or know you will be pumping, invest in a lot of bottles that fit your pump, a good cooler/ice pack to transport them, and I got the microwave bottle sterilizer and bottle warmer. Also - invest in the handless pumping bra.

I also got a baby brezza. Again, I used this a lot because I sent food with him to day care every day, but I could have done without it. If you get something that makes baby food - get the one that steams.

I actually wish I would've gotten a food pouch maker over the baby brezza. My DS is two and still loves pouches.

Get one pack of A+A blankets. You will use them for everything.

We have WAY too many toys for <12 months of age. They grow fast and are barely used. They just clutter.

Those are the ones that stick out in my mind!

AmberLiz99 · October 2015

Things I didn't need, or did without:
Crib bedding set
Wipe warmer
Swing
Expensive stroller set

Things I loved:
Boppy pillow
A&A muslin blankets
Sleep sacks (I make my own)
Baby carrier
Snap and go stroller frame
Bouncy seat

I suggest buying a lot of things used. They only use a lot of it for a few months

Wyattnash00 · October 2015

Agree with a lot on here. Wish I had this list! Every baby is different, mine hated bouncers. And someone gave us a huge one that we put together before arrival and took up half of our family room. We live in a 1200 square foot house. For us, absolutely necessary for first few months: Pnp (we got one with a changer and a little bassinet), he slept in our room in the pnp for 6 months, changed him on there. I also am a changer on the floor or bed, throw a blanket down and good to go. His room went unused for months. A&A blankets, I'm obsessed, we had like 12, I still use them. A floor mat gym (blanking on the name), pretty much the only 'toy' used for 6 months The boppy lounger (a little different then the pillow), he slept there a lot. Diapers Baby bathtub with mesh liner (LO was little and i was scared shitless of giving him a bath, this tub helps)! Not needed: Target is always close, I wish I did more of the 'get as you go'. Bouncers, swings, see if you can borrow first, a lot of money if LO doesn't like theres a lot I could add to the not needed list:)

BLM10 · October 2015

It allll depends on you and your family.

With my first, we had every item imaginable.

We never used the wipes warmer (dried them out) or the bottle warmer (too slow), baby bathtub was awkward, he didn't love the swing, and most of the toys were useless.

He did love the bouncy seat, we used the pack and play for a lot of diaper changes and naps and later as a ball pit, and the Boppy and highchair were necessities.

We are buying less clothing for this one, no gear up front aside from a carseat and crib. We are also using cloth diapers from the start rather than after several months of Pampers.

Rosehip15 · October 2015

BLM10 said:

We are buying less clothing for this one, no gear up front aside from a carseat and crib.

This. If you're planning to nurse, you don't need any feeding gear. And honestly, no matter what, I wouldn't stock up on zillions of bottles, etc., anyway. It can take trial & error to find the right bottle. Baby doesn't need toys for months. I never really used monitors - babies slept in my room while infants, and then I've never lived in such a huge house that I couldn't hear them pretty promptly.

As for swings/bouncy seats/etc, if you can get hand-me-downs, great. Otherwise, I'd buy them as you go. My daughter loved both. My son literally tried to throw himself out of them - hated every second. I was glad I hadn't put out any money on them.

I never used diaper bags either - just stick the essentials in a ziploc bag & carry a big purse.

I'm pretty minimalist, but I found that infants are overwhelming enough. I don't need piles of gear to maintain, clean, organize, etc. on top of it!

colesmom33 · October 2015

I agree the wipe warmer was a waste. Also, the high chair. We used a bumbo until he could get out of it and now we have a chair that straps onto another chair. He hated his high chair, We also had a lot of clothes he never wore. Keep the tags on, a lot of places will let you return them later. Shoes were such a waste! My MIL bought shoes for EVERY outfit she bought, so we had about 20 pairs he never wore. Once he could grab his feet, he would take them off.

Things I would buy: Jammies that zip - we never had enough and you don't want to mess with buttons or snaps when your changing diapers in the middle of the night. We never had enough socks, either! We used both his swing and the bouncer. Gripe Water saved us more than once! It's so nice when they are colicky. I also agree with a good, comfortable rocker. Honestly, I would stock up on diapers in every size. It was especially nice during maternity leave, not to have to run get diapers all the time.

Wyattnash00 · October 2015

I second the gripe water! And the snap and go car seat/stroller, so easy!

matthewsdm · October 2015

It's really tough to say on this. I think it depends a lot on your house, what baby likes, how much you travel, etc. My biggest recommendation, save the receipts and boxes until after baby is born! This way, if you find yourself not using something, you have the option to return and buy diapers or something else that definitely won't go to waste.

SchruteBucks · October 2015

For us, it was all pretty much unnecessary. I breastfeed, cloth diaper and bedshare so the only must haves for us are a few onesies and sleepers, a cozy blanket, some nail scissors, a stash of cloth diapers and cloth wipes, a diaper bag, purse or bag big enough for a change of clothes, blanket and diapers, carseat, and a baby bathtub. Something we loved that was very helpful was the Nosefrida. Not a necessity but definitely better than the bulb aspirators.

colesmom33 · October 2015

I forgot one! The Nose Frida! When you look at the box, it is the most disgusting thing ever and I made so much fun of it until my son got RSV! It is a life saver! I highly recommend getting one! (Although, I admit, I always make my DH do it, I don't think I could ever actually do it without dry heaving a little bit!)

Gwyneddlesliegrace · October 2015

I'm a minimalist to the extreme. We never used our cribs, bathtubs, etc. I bf, bed share and cloth diaper. With a few swaddle blankets, onsies and a woven wrap you're good to go.

Rosehip15 · October 2015

SchruteBucks said:

some nail scissors.

Yes. Those baby nails are SHARP! But if you already have a pair, they should be fine. You don't necessarily need cute baby ones.

FutureMrsCAF · October 2015

Nosefrida is amazing!!! With the bulb, you have to keep removing it from their nose, and there's no way to truly empty it. Nosefrida is much more effective and much more sanitary.

Also, I should add to my previous post that the baby swing was the only way DD napped until she was about 5 months old. It was definitely a life saver.

jennjebaby · October 2015

I think it depends on each family. For example for me the boppy pillow was a waste of money. However, the diaper genie i love it. Smell doesnt come out of it and it can stack a lot of diapers. The swaddle blankets she never liked them. She wanted to be free and out of them. She loved her swing and jumper and ofcourse less clothes this time around. These are some things that I could think of.

Ohhh and not to buy those expensive bathtubes at babies r us . Just a newborn/infant one in walmart can do the trick.

cattlebride · October 2015

DD loved her swing. I wish I would've bought it right off the bat.

Things we bought or received as a gift that we didn't use much.
Diaper warmer
Diaper genie
Baby food (we went straight to mashed up tabel food around 8-9 months we bf until then.)
Clothes (don't buy brand new, there is so much great stuff out there and they grow so fast)

emucoleman · October 2015

Like PPs have said, it totally depends on you and your baby. Before DD was born, people would always tell me, "Oh, don't get that, you won't need it." And then sometimes I did end up getting it and loving it. Like our changing table... I actually got it as a hand-me-down from my sister, I wasn't planning on buying one. Now I'm so glad! I love that thing. But not everyone likes them.

It's really okay to buy as you go. Get the essentials, get plenty of diapers, and then see what other gear you want after the baby is born.

hockeyfan42 · October 2015

Things I loved:
Video monitor!!! (Still use it!)
Space saver high chair
Changing table
Boppy
Raised infant tub
Jogging stroller (those wheels can go anywhere)
Umbrella stroller (we still use the same $10 target cheapy and DD is nearly 4)
Bouncy seat

Things that were a waste:
Pack n play (she hated it! Only used it at MIL's house anyway)
Baby swing
Shoes
Bumbo