Preparing for a new baby is both exciting and nerve-racking. There is so much unknown, the least of which is making a baby registry. There are so many baby products on the market, and it is hard to know which to buy and which not to buy for your baby.
These are the items that I would not buy, especially not full price, for my baby. The people you have around you who are looking to pass things on will be an important factor in what you end up needing to buy. For all things, I would wait as long as you can to purchase to see if someone wants to pass things along.
Clothes
There is never any need to purchase clothes at full price. It is a waste of money. There is a very high chance that you can ask around and find more baby clothes than you know what to do with from people who are looking to get rid of them. If you can’t, you can find them for so cheap at the thrift store.
When looking for clothes, you do not need pants. If it is cold, put them in a full-body sleeper. Pants take so much longer to put on and get off. I would also recommend opting for zippers over buttons, especially for pajamas. The last thing you want to do in the middle of the night is figure out how to line up buttons.
Toys
Similar to clothes, people are always looking to get rid of baby toys. Babies don’t even need specific toys. I gave my baby a shoe box, and he played with it for 30 minutes. His other favorite toys include paper and cloth.
When they are really little, they just want something high contrast to look at. This does not need to be special cards with pictures. My son enjoyed a dress I had that was red with white dots. He stared at it for hours.
Books
Books are similar to clothes in that you never need to purchase them brand new. People love to give books at baby showers, and you can find so many second-hand. I enjoy the fact that they are not in perfect shape because it makes me feel less bad when they get ripped and chewed.
Blankets
This will depend on who you know, but I received so many lovely handmade blankets that there was no need to purchase anything thicker than a swaddle blanket. I don’t know what your situation is, but there is always someone who makes a blanket for all the babies.
Blankets are very easy to thrift as well and can easily be washed.
Baby Holding Contraptions
Baby holding contraptions are very specific to the baby in what they will like. My recommendation is to start off with one, preferably whichever you can find second-hand, and see if it works. If you get a swing and the baby hates it, you can look into a bouncer, but there is no reason to start with everything right away.
Changing Table
A changing table is so unnecessary. All you need is a mat. For the first two months, we put a folding mat on our bed to change the baby on. We got a hand-me-down changing pad, and we use it, but it is not needed. Sometimes it is easier to put him on the floor.
As a side note, ours came with sheets to put over top, and I stopped using them after about a week because I was tired of constantly changing them.
Nursing Cover
Originally, I didn’t ask for a nursing cover because I was going to make my own. I didn’t get around to it, so I stuck a safety pin in a swaddle blanket and called it good. It works fantastically, and I don’t have to worry about the cover being dirty. I have plenty more blankets I can use.
Diaper Pail
I could not believe how expensive the diaper pails were when I was looking at them. Especially since I knew we would primarily using cloth diapers, I couldn’t justify the cost. Instead, I got a small trash can with a lid. It worked wonderfully. We never had an issue with smell and now have another trash can we can use in other places of the house.
You can even throw diapers into the kitchen trash, or collect them in a grocery bag to take out at the end of the night.
Baby Bath
This was another hand-me-down item that I don’t think was necessary. To start with, he hated it. It is so big and can only be used for a limited amount of time. Come 4 months old, he was too big for it.
My baby preferred to be held in the shower when he was smaller, and now that he doesn’t get quite so cold, I lay him in the tub with an inch of water and call it good.
Special Soaps
I am of the opinion that we should not be putting anything on ourselves that we wouldn’t want to put on our baby. I wash and moisturize him with the same tallow soap and lotion I use on myself. His clothes get washed with the same laundry detergent as well. It makes it so much easier.
I hope you found this helpful as you are trying to decide how best to use your money in preparation for your baby. As always, utilize discernment in what you will need for your life situation. If there is anything you don’t believe to be necessary for a baby, I would love to know in a comment. You can read more of my pregnancy and postpartum advice here.
Did you know I sell soap?
Check out my homemade tallow soap on Etsy!