What not to buy? 17 Baby Products That Parents Can Skip!!

Congratulations!! You are going to be a parent or might be preparing for a new baby. Parents love saving money but newborn is surprisingly expensive.

I am sure, you will be promised by hundreds of baby products that will make parenting easier, when go to any baby store or exploring online.

And you may get these questions while buying something for your baby: What the product is and why parents think they need it for the baby? Do we really skip this baby product? How long the baby will play with this product? What is the simple and cheaper alternate?

Some baby products are genuinely useful but others may end up sitting unused after few weeks. So, you do not need everything as “must-have”. If you are making your baby’s shopping list, you must look at 17 Baby Products That Parents Can Skip!! and solution for these products.

What not to buy for your Baby?

1. Mittens

Mittens often bought to prevent babies from scratching. Otherwise, babies really do not need mittens as an everyday essential. But market is working like every newborn outfit must have mittens.

Newborns tells us by eating his hands that he is hungry. While breastfeeding or bottle feed, when baby touches a mother’s breast or anywhere, they are trying to recognize, making a bond and regulate their nervous system. So, hands should be free as much as possible and always trim or cut their soft nails time to time for babies milestone.

Around 3-4 months, mouthing starts and that’s how babies strengthens their mouth muscles and wakes up the immune cells from the gut. And this is how baby prevents vomiting, when they starts solids.

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2. Powder

Is Baby Powder really a baby-care essential?? It may seem traditional to you because it was using in old days even some parents are still using it.

But you need to know that Talcum powders have the risk of mixing asbestos and being carcinogenic. The tiny particles can go from your babies nose to inhalation, to lungs and blocks sweat gland ducts. This is the reason, we should not use baby powder.

In fact, we should focus on their skin’s barrier. Keep the skin moisturized, well ventilated with the help of fan, cooler, AC and cross ventilation.

If your are using talcum powder for diaper area, there is a very simple way to keep that area clean and dry. Clean the area gently with homemade wet wipes and allow the skin to dry before putting on a fresh diaper.

And somehow, your baby develops persistent diaper irritation, it is better to invest in a good diaper cream (I found Sebamed Diaper Cream is the best to prevent diaper rash) and pediatrician rather than relying on powder.

3. Pillow

Pillows may look comfortable but babies do not need pillows at least 3 years for sleep because the space between the head and shoulders are not considerable that you need to make a bridge.

But, if you still want a pillow for the baby to make the head in a round shape. Then buy a Rai or Mustard seed pillow from amazon.

Also, consider Sleep hygiene for a baby. Do not place random things around the baby to risk his life. Prioritize a suitable mattress and fitted sheet.

4. Padded Crib Bumpers

Parents do care for their babies and sometimes, they buy such baby products which are merely unnecessary. Padded crib bumpers are meant to look crib softer and more decorative. Because some parents believe that padded crib bumpers will protect babies from hitting the crib rails.

But one thing you need to know that the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that soft objects that includes crib bumpers should not be around infant’s sleep space. Instead of padded crib bumper, invest in a crib or bassinet, firm mattress, fitted sheet or a sleep sack for your baby.

5. Inclined Sleepers

An Inclined sleeper may look cute and comfortable, but an inclined surface is not meant for an infant that parents should choose.

Baby will be uncomfortable. Do not assume that these sort of baby products are safe just because some of your friends or relatives has it. Instead of inclined sleeper, invest in a firm, flat and approved for infant sleep.

6. Fancy Baby Towel

Hooded baby towels looks adorable, but you do not need an entire collection of themed towels. Get a few soft and absorbent muslin or organic based towels for the baby’s soft skin, which is easy to wash should be enough.

I know you are a new parent and wants best for your child but you should save your money for other baby products you will use everyday. Consider small number of easy to wash towels.

7. Walker

Consider what your baby actually needs according to their milestone, not because of you see things in every baby shopping list.

Some people have this misconception about Walkers that we put our baby in the walker and he started walking. But the baby is walking the way he should be.

Walkers are not helping your baby to walk fast but can injure your child. So, this is a baby products that parents can skip.

8.Baby Shoes

Newborns who are not walking actually do not need shoes. It is just a fashion accessory. Better to invest in soft, comfortable socks orweather-appropriate booties.

Let the baby explore on different textures– hard, flat and soft.

By walking on different textures, baby will start learning sensory things like how to make a grip and learns to balance. Once your child starts walking, proper footwear becomes much more relevant.

9. Too Many Toys & Clothes

Newborns just want their mother at this stage. During the early months, your baby is trying to learn from your voice, physical touch, everyday interaction and movement.

Around 3-4 month, you can introduce toys to your baby. As your baby grows, consider some grasping, sensory play, fine motor skills, movement and problem-solving toys. 8 Educational Toys for your Growing Baby

When you see any outfit and want to buy for new born. The problem solved??

Newborns grows quickly and some babies do not fit in newborn sizes. So, buy clothes in different sizes and take care of the baby clothes.

10. Knee Pads

Baby knee pads for crawling may look useful, but mostly babies do not need them. Just because everyone has it, you should not buy. It is a baby product that parents can skip and spent money on other baby basic products.

If baby will not feel any pain, friction or pressure, how the baby will grow?

The child takes friction and pressure on his feet, hands and knees and this is how he learns to balance himself. Let them explore with safe surface on variety of textures.

11. Nibbler

Food nibbler is convenient but it is not an essential feeding product. It can be introduce early and prevent choking. But the important factor in introducing fruits is fiber whereas when you put fruit or any steamed vegetable in a nibbler, the fiber is left behind. Baby is having only sugar and water inside.

Do not even give juices, give them a whole fruit so they develops a habit of chewing. Focus on appropriately prepared foods and age-appropriate stainless steel feeding utensils instead.

12. Helmet

What is the benefit of Helmet for a baby? How much damage has been done while crawling and balancing?

While purchasing anything for the baby, always check for the benefit and risk. A little will hurt the baby and that is completely ok. Because this is how the baby will understand that, this is the way I got hurt so, I will not try to do it again and start to learn balance in a different way.

Some parents buy helmets because they are worried about baby’s head during everyday play. But in a controlled environment like home, baby do not need such accessories as it will hindered their movement interaction and baby will start feeling scared.

In fact, specialized helmets are used for medical or development reasons. It is completely recommended by professional doctors and a baby product that parents can skip.

13. Food Processor

Once your baby starts solids, you defiantly starts seeing baby based food processor, container, blenders, steamers or warmer kind of things and some families love them. But in reality, there is no need to grind everything and.

Boil or stem it, soften it and then mash it with a spoon, fork or hand and start giving it to the baby. I applied this way for my daughter and was worth, when she starts solids. To prevent choking, keep an eye on the baby.

A special baby food processor may be convenient, but it is not necessary for everyone. If you already have blender or food processor at home, do not make mess in your kitchen.

14. Baby Skincare Products

Before investing in any baby skincare product, always do the patch test for any allergy.

Parents can easily collect baby oils, baby lotions, baby creams and other baby products. But babies do not need a bathroom shelf full of products.

Start with a simple and gentle cleansing baby product and other basic care when there is a genuine need for your baby.

15. Expensive Bottle Warmers

Now a days, having a baby means you must have good space and cute baby products. Bottle warmer can be convenient, but not a must-have essential for every family.

Before investing in bottle warmer, watch your feeding routine or you genuinely need it. Bottle warmers are kind of baby products that parents can skip easily as it is life-changing to another appliance taking up your counter space.

16. Too Many Feeding Accessories

Market is full of baby products- Suction bowls, food multiple bib styles, special spoons or plates and other baby feeding essentials. No doubt, some of them are genuinely useful.

Buy basic feeding items and let your baby discover what he needs for feeding according to their age. Later on, buy more accessories when you discover your baby really needs them.

17. Clothes With Uncomfortable Details

Soft and breathable clothing is important for newborns. Unnecessary details will make the baby cranky all the time. So, this one is important for you if, you are a new parent or buy lots of baby clothes.
An outfit may look cute and beautiful but will be very frustrating, when it comes to diaper change especially at night hours. And for the cranky or colic baby, you must buy soft and comfortable baby outfits.
Before buying any outfit always look for the soft & breathable fabric, appropriate size and easy openings.

FAQs Before Buying Baby Products?

Before clicking “Add To Cart”, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do we really need this?

Not at all, “It is just a trend”.

2. Do I already own something that does the same job?

If the answer is yes, save your money. As baby industry turns ordinary household objects into baby must have essentials.

3. Is it safe or suitable for my baby’s age?

Always look for age-appropriate, safe, weight and manufacturer instructions.

4. What should I buy instead?

Start with simple baby essentials checklist rather than filling your home with unnecessary baby products.

5. How often will we use it?

Once or twice then you should think twice.

6. Will my baby outgrow quickly?

Babies preferences change very fast because their brains, senses and developmental needs grow rapidly. A product that costs you much is not worth which is only useful for three weeks.

Being a parent, you should learn the biggest lesson that baby essentials and their shopping lists are not the same thing. So, do not let market decides what you and your baby needs. The goal is not that you should avoid having baby products. It is to choose such baby products that are safe, age-appropriate and genuinely useful.