With a newborn baby on the way, it’s easy to get lost in the wonder of all things delicate and tiny. You log on to a baby supplies site and are bombarded with 101 things that all look pretty handy in helping you deal with the new person who will soon be part of your lives.
Particularly with your first baby, there is always a huge temptation to buy every gadget and product there is for your little one, but many of those items you purchase may be an unnecessary expense.
These include…
A changing table
The £100 you’re preparing to spend on this piece of furniture could be better off spent on actual essentials such as nappies or wipes.
A wipe clean mat for a few pounds will work just fine and can be moved around the house as you need it, freeing up money for the many, many nappies you’re going to go through in the next few months and years!
A nappy bin
Speaking of nappies, you may be considering a special nappy bin to magically plastic wrap and seal them, but in fact, they’re really not essential and the cassettes cost a bomb.
Just buy a cheap roll of biodegradable diaper bags to tie off the stink and get a small standard bin that you empty often. It will look just as neat and will be a lot easier on the purse strings.
Better yet, consider cloth nappies, which are better for the environment and will save you a small fortune over time.
Lovely outfits and shoes
Those mini Vans will probably never make it out of the box, let alone on baby’s feet. They don’t *need* shoes until they start trying to get mobile out and about, so if you’re looking to cut costs, skip the shoes!
The same goes for outfits. The constant baby vomit and nappy accidents means you’re best off sticking to sleep-suits in plain colours. They’re just as cute, are easier to boil wash, and you can just keep a couple of outfits for if you’re going out or heading to a special occasion.
A top and tail bowl
It’s important to clean baby’s face (top) and bottom (tail) with separate cloths and water, so as not to transfer bacteria.
A top and tail tray gives you two separate compartments for that purpose, but in reality it’s just £5-10 spent on something two bowls could do just as well.
And if you’re really looking to save money, remember you don’t actually need a baby bath either – you could use the main bath, or even the sink.
Scratch mittens
As cute as these may be, and as much sense as they seem to make, they do not stay on! You’re best off sticking to purchasing socks and utilising them for both feet and hands.
Baby shampoos and bath products
Before you go out and stock up on these before baby is born, most midwives advise against using these products on your newborn.
Pure water should do the trick fine for the first few weeks. When they’re ready for a ‘proper’ wash, stick to paraben free alternatives where possible.
Travel cot
Unless you travel frequently, this definitely isn’t a necessity. If you’re considering a holiday or trip away, most destinations will offer you a cot for your baby, so you won’t need to bring your own anyway.
What items did you splash out on for your newborn that you’ve since realised you didn’t need? Did they feel like a waste or take up valuable space?
Images via Shutterstock © Dmitry Kalinovsky, Perutskyi Petro, bikeriderlondon, hin255, Panom Pensawang, Madis Uudam.
Colette B says
A great post – I agree with almost all of them particularly scratch mits and baby baths! For us the travel cot has been a life saver and we’ve had way more than our £50 worth of value over the last 6 years but I agree, if you don’t go away much it could easily be lived wihoutl
Su Tyler says
Agree with all 7! It seems today that there are more and more ‘essentials’ that are needed. All of it led by the media and ‘mummy one upmanship’
Back when I had my boys 30 years ago, all i had was a changing mat – you got down on the floor and changed nappies! Top and tail was two different colour tupperware pots.
I would actually add a further 2 to the list..
1. Moses basket – what’s wrong with a cot? Most of them have the ability to raise the mattress up.
2. Mummy bags – Changing bags. What’s wrong with a good big handbag or general rucksack that can bought for a quarter of the price!
Oh actually might add another – a high chair at the grandparents – unless they look after the grandkids regularly. I paid £80 on a lovely chicco one and have used it about a dozen times in 4 years!
Jessica says
So true:) If only I’d read this all those years ago I could have saved myself a fortune!