Things You Don’t Need for Your Baby (Save Your Money!)

You love your new baby. Retailers love that you love your new baby. They also love selling you 57 “must-haves” you’ll use twice and then trip over for months. Let’s cut through it. You need food, sleep, diapers, and a way to clean spit-up off literally everything. The rest? Mostly marketing. Here’s what you can skip and what to do instead—so you save cash and space (and your sanity).

Wipe Warmers and Bottle Warmers

You know what warms wipes? Your hands. You know what warms bottles? Warm water in a mug for 3 minutes. Boom. Skip the single-use gadgets that hog outlets and die right when you need them.

But my baby hates cold wipes!

Totally fair. Try:

• Hold the wipe in your palm for a few seconds.
• Use thicker wipes so they feel gentler.
• Change quickly and distract with singing or a toy.

FYI: Babies adjust fast. The warmer won’t make or break diaper changes.

Fancy Baby Bedding Sets

Those gorgeous crib sets on Pinterest? Mostly decorative and mostly useless. Safe sleep guidelines call for a fitted sheet and nothing else—no bumpers, quilts, pillows, or plushies. The rest collects dust and guilt when you never use it.

What you actually need

• Two or three fitted crib sheets (so you can swap at 2 a.m.).
• Waterproof mattress protector (leaks happen; you’ll thank me).
• Sleep sacks instead of loose blankets.

That’s it. The baby won’t care that the sheet doesn’t match the curtains. Promise.

Newborn Shoes (and 12 Pairs of Socks)

Newborns don’t walk. Shocking, I know. Shoes = mini foot prisons that fall off in the car seat and get lost at Target. Even socks make a break for it at every opportunity.

Better options

• Footed sleepers for cozy toes without the vanishing-sock drama.
• Soft booties with gentle elastic for outings, if you want a look.
• One pair of cute shoes for photos, IMO. That’s your splurge.

Diaper Pail Systems That Need Specialty Bags

High-maintenance pails sound magical online. In real life, you’re buying expensive trash bags forever and wrestling with complicated lids mid-explosion. Not ideal.

A simpler setup

• Regular trash can with a tight lid + standard bags.
• Baking soda or deodorizer in the bottom.
• Take the trash out more often (every 1–2 days).
• Cloth diapers? Use a wet bag—wash every 2–3 days.

Your wallet will be thrilled. Your nose won’t notice a difference.

The “Newborn” Wardrobe Explosion

Tiny outfits spark joy. They also spark laundry. Babies grow faster than your cart fills at 2 a.m. Newborn size fits for like five minutes. You’ll end up with tags still on.

How much clothing do you actually need?

• 8–10 footed sleepers (day and night, easy changes).
• 4–6 onesies for layering.
• 2–3 hats if it’s chilly and scratch mitts if needed.
• Swaddles or blankets if you use them.

Buy a couple of newborn pieces, then mostly 0–3 months. Gift receipts are your friend. IMO, skip the complicated outfits with ten snaps and a dream.

Multiple Swings, Seats, and Bouncers

You don’t need a baby amusement park. One safe place to set the baby down will do. Babies love to keep you humble—what works for one won’t impress another.

Smart approach

• Pick one: a bouncer, swing, or lounger with a washable cover.
• Borrow before you buy if you can. Test drive = fewer regrets.
• Use the floor with a play mat for tummy time and stretching.

Bonus: Less clutter means fewer toe-stubs at midnight.

High-Tech Baby Monitors With All the Things

Breathing trackers, heart rate graphs, sleep scores… Most of it fuels anxiety more than safety. Unless your pediatrician recommends it, you don’t need medical-grade data.

What matters in a monitor

• Clear audio and reliable connection.
• Decent night vision if you want video.
• Local (non-Wi-Fi) option if you have spotty internet or prefer privacy.

Everything else? Nice-to-have, not must-have. Your gut still works.

Specialty Baby Detergent and Bath Products

Cute packaging, premium price, same result. Most babies do fine with any fragrance-free, dye-free detergent and a gentle baby wash. You’re washing out spit-up, not restoring a Renaissance painting.

Keep it simple

• Free & Clear detergent for the whole family.
• Mild baby wash/shampoo (one bottle does both).
• Unscented lotion for dry patches.

If your baby has eczema, talk to your pediatrician before you buy a special line of 14 products.

Changing Table Furniture

A dedicated changing dresser looks cute until you realize it’s a regular dresser with a pad on top—except pricier. You can turn any sturdy dresser into a changing station with a non-slip pad and a basket for supplies.

Mini checklist

• Contoured changing pad + non-slip mat.
• Basket or caddy for diapers, wipes, cream.
• Waterproof pad covers (get two or three).

That setup follows you room to room. Your back and your budget will thank you.

Gimmicky Feeding Gear

You don’t need a sterilizer that looks like a spaceship. Boiling water or the dishwasher works for bottles and pump parts. As for formula makers? Convenient, yes; essential, no.

Practical feeding kit

• 6–8 bottles with slow-flow nipples.
• Bottle brush and drying rack (a regular one is fine).
• Insulated bag for on-the-go formula or pumped milk.

Save the counter space for coffee. You’ll need it.

Stroller Overkill

You found the all-terrain, double-convertible, bassinet-compatible stroller with cup holders for everyone and their neighbor. Cool. But do you need it? Maybe not. Think lifestyle first, features second.

Ask yourself

• City sidewalks or suburban trunk life? Lightweight matters if you carry it.
• Public transit? One-hand fold is your new religion.
• Jogging? Then yes, get the jogger. Otherwise, skip it.

Often, a simple frame stroller for the infant car seat + a lightweight stroller later beats one mega-stroller you dread lifting.

FAQ

What’s actually worth splurging on?

Spend on a safe car seat that installs easily in your car, a breathable mattress with good support, and a comfortable carrier you’ll wear daily. If nursing, a quality pump (if you need one) saves time and frustration.

Should I buy everything before the baby arrives?

Nope. Start with essentials and add as you learn your baby’s preferences. Babies have opinions about bottles, swaddles, and swings. Wait and see before you commit to a full lineup.

How do I avoid buying duplicates?

Make a shared registry with clear notes, update it as gifts come in, and keep receipts. Open and wash a few items first; leave tags on the rest until you know what you’ll actually use.

Is secondhand baby gear safe?

Yes—with checks. Verify car seat expiration and crash history (if unsure, buy new). For cribs, ensure current safety standards and no missing hardware. Wash textiles, and inspect anything with straps, buckles, or foam for wear.

What about baby-proofing gadgets right away?

Newborns don’t crawl. Hold off until rolling and scooting begin. Start with outlet covers and a couple cabinet locks when mobility hits. No need to bubble-wrap the house on day one.

Do I need a bassinet and a crib?

Not necessarily. A crib from day one works great if your room has space. A bassinet adds convenience for room-sharing and portability, but it’s optional and short-lived.

Bottom Line

Babies need care, not clutter. Focus on the workhorses: safe sleep space, car seat, diapers, basic clothes, a way to feed, and one place to set the baby down. Everything else? Add if you truly need it, skip if you don’t. Your wallet, your home, and your future midnight self will all breathe easier—IMO, the best gift you can give your new family.