Now that I am expecting my second child, I feel like I have a good sense of stuff you don’t need on your baby registry. Having to pick out things for the new baby, I am reminded of all of the baby items we bought and never used.
I hate wasting money on things so I thought I would share the items that were of no use to us on our baby registry.
I know that every baby and family is different. What worked for us (or didn’t work for us) might be just fine for you. Most of the items I am going to talk about are more luxury items, they work but there are cheaper alternatives. This is really important if you are wanting to save the most money on baby gear.
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Stuff you Don’t Need on your Baby Registry
Baby Wipe Warmer
This is probably the number one item people regret buying. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a wipe warmer for sale online or at yard sales that were never used.
Most babies won’t care if the wipe is warm, they just want a clean bottom. Plus, you can’t take this with you when you are out running errands. If you get your baby used to warm wipes, they are going to throw a fit if you wipe them with a cold wipe when you aren’t at home.
Baby Shoes
They are super cute but baby shoes are not very practical. They never stay on and babies don’t need shoes until they walk. Just buy some cute socks that look like shoes to keep their feet warm.
I like these booties that clasp shut. Look for ones with snaps or velcro to help them stay on.
Baby Robes
Something else that is cute but not very practical. We never used a baby robe. Once our baby was out of the tub, I simply dried her off and put her straight into her sleeper or onesie. I didn’t need something else to take on and off.
Nasal Aspirator
This is something you will need but I don’t recommend buying one from the stores. We bought a couple of different brands and they never worked that great. Instead, make sure you ask for a couple to take home when you are at the hospital. The teal blue nasal aspirators they have are amazing, nothing worked better for us.
Boogie wipes and any other type of saline nose wipe worked great in addition to the hospital nasal aspirator.
More Things to Skip on your Baby Registry
Baby Specific Laundry Detergent
You don’t need to buy a specific baby laundry detergent. There are so many brands of free and clear detergent on the market now so you can wash everyone’s clothes in the same detergent without irritating baby’s sensitive skin.
Look for detergents that are marked “free and clear” and unscented. My favorites are Seventh Generation and All Free and Clear Pure. They get out stains without having dyes, fragrances, and artificial brighteners. Just do a little bit of research to find an affordable laundry detergent for your family.
Infant Swings
My daughter loved her baby swing when she was an infant but I am so glad we got a model that lasted her longer than infancy so we were able to get our money’s worth out of it. Some babies love swings, some don’t so I recommend buying one as a last resort. If nothing else helps soothe them, it may be worth a try like it was for us.
I don’t recommend spending a ton of money on an infant swing, like a Mamaroo Infant Seat. They are around $250 and most babies grow out of it within 3-4 months. Look for a baby swing that will last them until they at least weigh 30 lbs.
We used something like this Graco baby swing that goes up to 24 months of age and costs half of what a Mamaroo does.
Crib Bedding Set
I honestly don’t know why they make these anymore. You can use them as decoration but they don’t have a very practical use. You are only supposed to have a fitted crib sheet and maybe a mattress protector in your baby’s crib. To keep them warm, use a sleep sack.
Do not put any blankets, pillows, bumpers, or stuffed animals in the crib as it can increase their risk of SIDS.
Diaper Genie
The diaper genie is not cheap and you have to buy specific liners for it. We bought a Dekor diaper pail that uses regular trash bags and can be turned into a normal trashcan once your baby is potty trained. You will get a lot more use out of a diaper pail like that.
Baby Food Maker
I’m sure you have seen those baby food maker kits that come with little storage containers and a tiny blender. It is so much easier (and cheaper) to just use a normal blender or food processor if you already have it. No need to buy something that is baby specific.
More Items to Keep off your Baby Registry
Brand New Baby Clothes
Yes, your baby needs clothes, but they don’t have to be brand new. A lot of people will gift you clothes if you are going to have a baby shower so there is no need to put them on your registry.
Some people get so many baby clothes, especially newborn sizes, that their baby outgrows them before they can even wear them.
As a second time mom, I have saved so much money by buying my baby’s clothes on Facebook Marketplace. I bought my son’s entire first year worth of clothes for $130 and they were all brand name (Nike, GAP, Ralph Lauren) and looked new. Some even still had the tags on them. It came out to less than 40 cents per item!
You can see my tips for finding the best deals on Facebook Marketplace to help you find brand new looking baby clothes for less than $1 an item!
Bottle Sterilizer
This is just something that will take up valuable counter space. You can easily sterilize your baby bottles and pacifiers in the dishwasher, microwave, or with a pot of boiling water. You can see the CDC recommendations for how to do all of these methods.
Bottle Drying Rack
Again, something that just takes up space. If you already have a dish rack or dish drying mat, just use that. The bottle drying rack doesn’t make them dry any faster.
Pocket Nanny
These little devices can help you keep track of feeding and diaper changes. I never understood this. Your baby will let you know when they are hungry and you can simply check the diaper to see if it needs to be changed.
If you need to keep track of something like when it is time to give them their medicine, you can simply do all of that on your phone. I just see this as something else that is bound to get lost.
Anything with Too Many Bells and Whistles
I see so many people spend money on baby items that are just not necessary. They may be nice to have but if you are looking to save money, go with the basic model. Leave out all of the bells and whistles.
You don’t need the baby bathtub with the digital scale and water temperature display. Just get a basic baby bath, check the water temp yourself, and you will get your baby’s weight at their next doctor visit.
Same thing with bassinets, you just need a safe place for your baby to sleep if you want them next to your bed. It doesn’t need to play music, light up, or vibrate. Some babies won’t even sleep in a bassinet so it is always good to buy a less expensive basic model than to spend $300 on something they won’t even use.
Like I mentioned before, some of these items you don’t need on your baby registry may come in handy for you while others may not. Every baby is different and has different needs. These are just the items that most people can live without.
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