15 Items Babies Don’t Need

Hey hey, baby mommas! ha! If you’ve been following along, then you’ll know that today’s post is the third installment to my “what baby needs” series! I hope that today’s post will be especially helpful – because in a market that’s over-saturated with items that you surely will need for baby (…or not…ahem…), then this post is just all about the things babies don’t need!

In case you missed it, check out this post on the top must-have baby items, and read here about baby items that will make your life easier!

Let’s be honest. Buying baby stuff is super fun. There are plenty of things that baby actually does need. But they don’t need every little gizmo and gadget even if it looks super cool. Let’s get real: this kid is going to get more and more expensive as time goes by. So live frugally while you can!

*This post is not sponsored. However, it does contain affiliate links where, if clicked (and you make a purchase), I will make a very tiny commission to keep this site up and running. See more details below.*

1. 800 baby blankets – While it is nice to have some baby blankets, do you really need that many of them? It seems that these are a popular item to get as gifts. That is great, but then you end up with a giant pile of them and only using a couple. Personally, I did use receiving blankets the most because they are good for swaddling. I also used them as burp cloths. They are definitely handy. But one bigger pack of them should do just fine. And a few warmer fluffy blankets are great as well. But I do think that this is one case where you can have way too many of something you don’t need.

2. A baby food processor – I did make a lot of my baby food myself and I was thrilled that I had a food processor to help me do so. However, you do not need a fancy one that is marketed just for baby! Why? Because chances are that if you are going to make food for your baby, then you might be wanting to make other foods, juices and purees also. So why not just purchase a regular food processor that costs much less? I used mine for baby food, but I’d also use it for making dips, etc.

I have loved my Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus DLC-2A Food Processor for years. It’s small, easy to clean, and very fuss-free. And best of all, it’s half the price as one that’s marketed for babies only. Maybe it doesn’t come with the little food prep trays, but I used ice cube trays that are dirt cheap! Easy peasy. Don’t fall into the “I have to buy it because it’s at the baby store” trap. Unless it’s on sale, I’d say – pass!

3. Diaper caddy – If you’re like me, then you love anything with pockets and slots and things that are even remotely organizer-y. But again, if you look for something labeled as “diaper caddy” which is basically a glorified basket with a handle, you will be paying somewhere around $25! While they are cute and handy, it’s really not a necessity.

In my little one’s room, I keep a simple basket full of diapers and a bin next to it with diaper cream, wipes, etc. in it. These can simply be purchased at the Dollar Store! And if you have more than one floor in your home like I do, then having another one can be handy to store somewhere close. But I don’t think you’ll break if it doesn’t have a handle on it. Do you want to pay an extra $20 for a handle? I doubt it!

4. Changing pad cover – When I first became a momma, I had the nursery all set up with everything matching and perfect and picture-esque right down to the changing pad cover. Until the baby came and crapped all over that beautiful fabric. Not only is it one more thing to have to scrub, but why use it when the changing pad is already easy enough to clean?

I will admit that I do have a changing pad cover on my newest little one’s changing pad, but it’s because I found a great deal on one and the center is actually coated plastic so it’s just as easy to clean as the pad itself. If you insist on buying one, then I’d highly recommend one like the Circo® Grey Wipeable Changing Pad Cover so that you are not removing it all the time and washing it. But you can save yourself some moolah and not get one at all if you don’t have to!

5. Changing table – Speaking of changing pads, the actual table itself is something that you can totally forgo if you want. There are other ways that you can change the baby if you don’t want to sit on the floor. Instead, you can just put a changing pad on top of a table or dresser – it works just the same since you won’t leave baby on it and walk away anyways. BUT you do not have to buy a fancy changing table that matches your crib. Those suckers can get super costly! I actually do have a changing table only because we didn’t use a dresser before and the one that we got doubles as a shelf if you remove the changing pad.

6. Fancy wipes case – This is just one of those things that can be super cute and matchy-matchy and fun. But let’s get real. It’s just another thing baby doesn’t need. Wipes are wipes, and to be honest, half of the time they are sold in adorable disposable cases all on their own now anyways. Why take them out of their packaging if they already have a super handy flip top?

7. Baby oils and lotions – I may be in the minority here, but I’m not a fan of all the lotions and oils that are marketed for baby soft skin. Um…isn’t that what baby already has? The only time I have ever used lotion on my kiddos as babies were times when either: a) they had some dry skin patches, and b) they had cradle cap. I have never used products that were made specifically for babies unless they were gifted to me.

Personally, I find that coconut oil is a wonderful remedy to dry skin. It’s about as natural as it gets, so I don’t feel the need to purchase something specific for baby. Also, just because something is marketed for baby does NOT mean that it is safe. There are lots of chemicals in some of them, so I urge you to check it out before you purchase. I also wrote about a product that I love in a former post right here that works great for cradle cap and is all natural!

8. Baby wash cloths/towels – I have some of these because they were gifts and I do use them. But do I really need them? Nope. A wash cloth is a wash cloth. And a towel is a towel. I do like the hooded towels, but buying several of them is just silly because they will outgrow them quickly. You can totally skip these.

9. Bottle sterilizer – alright, so if you don’t have a dishwasher with a sterilizing option, then it does get harder to sterilize. However, keep in mind that most of these are small (yet still pricey) and do not clean that many bottles at once. So if your bottles are small, sterilizing them yourself is the way to go. All you’ll need is a large pot to boil them in (which you likely already have) and voila! All done! Just saved yourself some big buckaroos!

10. Bottle drying rack – This could be handy if you have tons of bottles and not a lot of counter space. But I’ll just point out that it costs nothing to dry your bottles while sitting on a clean towel on the counter top, or while sitting in the dish drainer. Why waste your money?

11. Nursing tops – If you’re a breastfeeding mom, then you know how important it is to own nursing-accessible clothing. But have you seen how much these things cost? WOAH. I think I own one whole actual nursing tank. And it was on clearance at Target.

I think the key here is just planning ahead with how you dress. If you dress in layers, then you’ll never have to wonder about accessibility. I always wore a tank under all my shirts so that if you lift up your top layer, then your stomach area will always be covered and you are able to nurse very discreetly if you need to. I would recommend wearing nursing bras though, because trying to work with a regular one like that is almost impossible!

12. Newborn size diapers – I think everyone should have a pack or two of these. And if your baby comes early or is smaller, then of course, you will need more. But if you birth a mini toddler like I did, then your kid will wear size newborn diapers maybe about a week, if that. Actually, my first child was of a normal birth weight and she only wore size newborn diapers for 2 weeks. Moral of the story: don’t buy too many of these if you aren’t sure. Hospitals actually often provide some in this size for you when you leave so it may be all that you need!

13. Lots of newborn clothing – this is pretty much ditto to the above. Having some of this size is a good idea just in case you deliver early or know that your baby is going to be on the smaller side. But otherwise, starting off with size 0-3 months is a great idea because they don’t often wear a size newborn for long!

14. Wipes warmer – This is a product that I would 100% skip all together. I’m sure it’s no fun for baby to have a cold, wet wipe across his bum every two hours, but I assure you that he will get used to it. And you will not want to wait for that thing to warm up when you get up 800 times in the night to change him in the early days, I guarantee that.

15. A fancy high chair – This might be another instance where I’m in the minority. But I’ve never purchased a free-standing high chair for my kids. Why, you ask? Because I don’t need another baby contraption in my house. There’s one in every nook and cranny already. And we have a large table and lots of chairs.

Both of my kids have used the Deluxe Diner Reclining Feeding Seat and I have never had an issue with it. It’s a lot cheaper than a free-standing high chair, and it straps directly onto our dining room chair. This particular one also converts to a booster seat later and has different settings. It’s easy to take with you when traveling, too! Definitely a win.

So there we go! My top 15 list of baby items that you don’t need! What do you think mommas and mommas-to-be…anything that I left out? Do you agree with my list? Comment below!

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