Unnecessary Baby Products
By: Keith
When you’re finished reading this article, be sure to read the continuation, Unnecessary Baby Products – Part 2
New parents almost always make the mistake of buying a bunch of gadgets for their babies that are totally unnecessary. Having kids is pretty expensive; there’s no disputing that. But, adding another family member would be expensive whether he was 1 month old or 40 years old. Generally speaking living is downright costly. We have been conditioned to believe, through a variety of marketing ploys, that newborns need to have a wide array of safety, fun, entertainment, and dietary products, and that if we do not provide those products that we are neglectful. Marketing is so effective in fact that even our own friends and family tell us we need these products. Parents spend, on average, $6,000 on baby gear in the first year alone. That figure does not include perfectly legitimate expenses like medical checkups. So, if anybody reading this is a new parent, pay attention because those of us who have been through it would like for you to avoid the pitfalls that so many of the rest of us have already made. My list of products we could all do without is as follows:
Changing table
My wife and I bought one and found out right away how silly it was. Parents find themselves changing diapers on the couch, bed, kitchen counter, dining room table, floor, coffee table, bla bla bla. Wherever the kid does his business is where he gets changed. You will, more frequently than not, end up changing your baby wherever it is most convenient at the moment. The specialized changing table does not get used enough to make the cost worthwhile.
Strollers
Strollers are actually quite necessary, but not big fancy fluffy ones. The cheaper ones are actually much better because they fold down smaller and steer better. Don’t get an umbrella stroller though; they have no support. But also avoid spend more than, say, 75 bucks. Your baby doesn’t care. Now, if you want to make a fashion statement then that’s a different matter, go for it. But don’t buy it because you think you need it.
Baby monitor
It might be just me on this one, but my kids were never out of my sight the first year of their lives, and that’s not an exaggeration. I slept with them and carried them everywhere with me. Some parents want their kids sleeping in a separate room right away. Even if that is the case, a baby monitor will not help much. The noises emitted from babies are monotonous and easily ignored. It lulls a parent into a false sense of security. I think they’re more dangerous than helpful. Baby monitors give parents the sense that they can prevent an accident when in fact it encourages neglectfulness. But, as with all advice, take it with a grain of salt. If your circumstances are such that you are convinced you can’t do without it, then that’s your business. But, always trust more in your own motherly and fatherly instinct, not the sounds of the monitor.
Bottle warmers and special cleaners
Does this really need any explanation? They never get used, and they take up space in the kitchen. Kids are an impatient lot. They won’t wait for you to clean and disinfect everything before screaming their heads off. Parents, for their part, are usually in such a rush that these sorts of products become laughable. You will certainly learn quickly how little time you are afforded as a parent. Bottle warmers and baby specific bottle cleaners are among the first to get tossed.
Baby Proofing Devices
This is a novel concept and all, but I’m an advocate of educating children on what is safe to touch and what is not. The only baby proofing we did in our house was for sharp table corners. But, sealing doors and making jars impossible to open is silly. By the time children are old enough to be moving around and getting into things they can be taught what they are allowed to play with and what is off limits. Not only are these things a waste of money, but they make houses stupidly frustrating to navigate for adults.
Diaper Genie
The Diaper Genie (and products like it) is supposed to seal away a dirty diaper for easy disposal later. They don’t work. Even if they did work parents get so accustomed to the smell of dirty diapers that they would forget to use it. Heck, dirty diapers become makeshift playthings for parents. “Hey, throw the bomb! I’ll slam dunk it in the trash out here!” That’s how it goes.
Diaper Bags
I used a backpack, it worked well for me. I had no complaints. Perhaps it’s because I’m a guy and I don’t care about style, but having the diaper bag seemed quite unnecessary. Some parents say a diaper bag is a vital accessory because of the handy little pockets designed for bottles and other tools. It wasn’t a problem for me to reach into a backpack to get what I needed. I guess it’s just a style preference. Still, if it’s a matter of saving money then it’s not necessary.
Cribs
Cribs are really expensive and unnecessary for one reason. There exist these little folding travel cribs that work just as well and cost a fraction. When kids are old enough to outgrow it then they are able to sleep in a normal bed. Cribs are aesthetic pieces of furniture more than anything. Besides, I would argue the best place for a baby to sleep is with his parents, not a crib. That topic, however, is a different article.
Advertisers want us to believe that the products I’ve listed above are necessary and vital to the proper development of babies. But the reality is that, if money is an issue, these things can be done without. There are enough unavoidable expenses in life, such as education and medical, that we should not be worried about trivial baby products that are sold and pushed for the simple purpose of getting our money, not for helping our babies. Kids need love and attention, they do not generally need fancy and expensive products. Not all baby gear gets a thumbs down from me; there are products that are quite useful. That, again is, another article. My above criticisms are not intended to advocate a Spartan lifestyle. I am only saying that, when money is tight, we should recognize the things that are not worth the cost.
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This is an excellent list (I agree with everything on it).
We do, however, use a video monitor for our 3-year-old. She has slept in her own room since she was about a year and a half – and it’s nice to be able to “check in” on her without actually disturbing her sleep. It’s more of a “luxury product” than a necessity though…
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Stephanie, A video monitor? That’s pretty interesting. I can see the use in that because you can physically look at the child rather than just relying on sound. But, yeah, it’s probably a luxury thing. You’ve read a couple of my article; thank you
While reading your post I found myself smiling and nodding in agreement. We bought this awesome Stroller. It weighed a ton and it folded down to the size of a very large suitcase. It also wasn’t very maneuverable. Looked great though
HAHAHA, yeah, that’s how it goes. So many of these things tend to be more effort than they’re worth
Thanks for commenting!
Oh I SOOOOOOO agree. I sold my crib after baby number 2 because we never used it anyway, and now I’m on number 4, and we only had a port-a-crib. And rarely use that either. And I no longer own a single item that you listed as unecessary, and quite happy. I also dont’ buy many toys for her, because she’d rather get into my tupperware and pans anyway. (She’s 13 months)
Makes for a simpler life if you’re strapped or not.
Thanks for the comment Mitzi
We only have two kids, but I started to feel some of the same things about the products we buy. For our older boy we went overboard and bought a bunch of unnecessary stuff. When number two came we realized what a waste of money a lot of it is. I imagine with 4 kids that feeling was especially strong with you 
Thanks again.
Hi Keith, I was reading your posts and agree 100% about these items. I was wondering though if you could steer me a little more clearer about the right stroller to buy. There are so many models out there it gets confusing. So if you wouldn’t mind giving me some models to check out I would greatly appriciate it!
Dawn: Thanks for stopping in and commenting. It’s been a few years since my boys were in a stroller so I’m not sure what advances in stroller technology there has been since then (I can’t imagine much has changed). We got our first stroller at Baby’s R Us for something like 50 bucks. It was a Graco and it worked without fail for both the kids. I don’t like the umbrella strollers because they’re nothing more than hammocks on wheels and it’s not good for the back. But, the super expensive ones are equally silly because there’s no sense in getting all the doo dings when all you really need is a solid stroller that gets the job done. Now, there’s also the uses you’re going to need it for. We only used it at the mall and walking around town and such. We had another running stroller (double) that I used for my Marathon training (20 miles pushing kids is interesting). Running strollers can be 600 bucks, but I got a used one on craigslist for 100 bucks (it was a 1997 model) that worked just as well as the fancy ones. If you want a jogging stroller then BabyJogger is the best brand by far. It’s also the most expensive but you can find them used like I did and save a bundle.
Be comforted by the fact that there are a billion different kinds of strollers that all do the same basic thing. I like Graco strollers because they make the full range, from cheap to very expensive and they’re all quality (I don’t make money from Graco for saying that). It’s just the brand I used that worked for me and that never let me down. Hope that helps a little. Good luck!
Thanks! I was actually just looking at the Graco Mosaic stroller which is lightweight and can be used as a travelsystem. Just not sure about the $250 price tag for it and the car seat! There is just so many I get pretty confused about what is really a need or a want. I really would like to know what our parents used and got away with. Especially with the economy now a days. I like to buy good products that I only have to buy once and that seems to be a big issue with baby stuff.
Nice article. I will have to disagree with the baby monitor. I have one and even though I don’t use it much, it can bring you peace of mind.
Parents like me who is just new in parenting world maybe encourage in buying some unnecessary baby products, that is why I am searching any helps or tips to find what are the most important baby products to buy.
Hey super dad its me again the only one who must disagree with u =)) I found ur other blog sooooo nice I thought I would read this one as well. I do agree with most of this but one thing I use every day is a bottle brush. Its very handy and I cant ever see paying a fortune for it. My baby also takes her naps in her crib and sleeps next to me at night in a portable. I bought smart though bc hers turns into a day-bed canopy when she gets older.
Ohhh… this was nice
. Thanks
I am lovin the diaper pack pic. That is sweet. there is nothing like hauling a polkadot pink bag around.
I agree with most of the article but, I did like the baby monitor. It was the only way I could relax whilst I wasn’t in the same room!
if these things are unnecessary, then why do they exist in the market for us to buy? I have been a mother blessed with 3 kids. All of the things mentioned above are really great help to me.
Sheila: I guess I need to buy everything that’s being sold since it’s all necessary. Not sure I have enough money or space for every single item that’s being sold on earth. Obviously you can’t mean that if it’s being sold then it must be necessary, right?
Think wisely before you buy things for your baby, don’t just buy things that aren’t needed.
David: You’re absolutely right. Thinking before buying is really the key here. So many people assume they need things that they just don’t. It causes them to buy stuff that might never get any use.
think before choosing the best items for your babies. choose only the thing that is useful.
before buying things for our babies we should think if the item we want to buy is necessary for them.
I think overdoing the baby proof stuff is really irritating. I saw an episode of “Neat” on FitTV, where the MOTHER’S room had to sacrifice a beautiful ottoman chest because the host claimed that her son would jam his fingers into it by attempting to open it. I am not saying that the ottoman chest is more important than the child, but the fact that the child can walk and probably 3-4 years old, he should already know what can be touched and what can’t. It should also be the parent’s job.
I do not know about the table corner bumpers, but they do seem useful for some people, but my family grew up with rounded edges, so no one really got hurt. I (I was told by my mother), my sister, and my cousins NEVER went to reach for jars, vases, bottles, stove tops, cabinets, or outlets as babies.
Plus I laughed in Baby Mama where she got these toilet locks installed.. and I would be annoyed to go into a house that looks like a daycare rather than a HOUSE.
Wow.. didn’t actually have any of those you use listed apart from a stroller..but it wasn’t a fancy one like you talk about just something I got for five quid from a jumble sale. I used my sling more though anyway but it was useful as a shopping cart
I am very glad I didn’t get suckered into buying stuff. I did have a changing mat but rarely even used that and my son sleeps with us (he is 3 now) and when he was first born he was always on someone until we went to bed or put nearby and never in another room which is why I never had a baby monitor. I preferred him being in the same room or close enough that I could dart and get him as soon as he stirred instead of encouraging him to go into a big out cry for help.
At the risk of being booed, I wanna throw another one in here: DIAPERS past the first birthday!!! Holy cow, I can’t imagine why anyone anyone would purposely wait ’til a kid is 2 (or older!!!) to start toilet training! And yet, more and more, I’ve been finding out that parents my age (late 20′s, early 30′s) are not only waiting ’til closer to the 2nd birthday, but some are also waiting ’til the kids are 3, 4, and occasionally even closer to 5!!! I have a 5 year old who was fully day AND night trained by the time she was 17 months, and I can’t imagine any kid older than that still being in diapers.
Totally agree with the changing table, but I LOVED my Diaper Genie 2!
For my nephews birthday last summer we walked the kids over to the local park to play soccer. We took a cooler with jugs of water and juice and orange slices. After they played soccer for a while we came back to the house for mini pizzas (pitas with toppings) and cupcakes to decorate and eat. The whole family is dedicated to doing their part for the environment, so his brothers and sisters made a birthday sign on their oversized white board.
Wow…way off…Most of the items on your list are on my “must have” list. In love with my diaper genie, monitor is on at all times, and the crib? Really!?!? My son has slept every night of his life in his crib…unless he’s sick…sleeping in bed with us only means sleepless nights and a cranky baby the next day. I’d be lost without my diaper bag.
And I forgot you mentioned changing table!!!! Which most sites I find deam unnecessary…but every diaper I have changed in my home has been on that changing table!!! Even my husband, who told me I would never use it, uses it for EVERY SINGLE DIAPER!!!
Di: Keep in mind that unnecessary does not always mean useless. We have a problem in our society of being deceived by marketing and peer pressure into confusing necessary with perhaps handy in some situations. Just because your husband, for instance, uses the changing table does not make it necessary.