9 Baby Items I Thought Were Essential (But Totally Weren't) and My Personal Must-Haves
Aug 14
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Bringing a new baby into the world is an amazing journey filled with joy and excitement. However, it can also lead to being bombarded with an overwhelming amount of STUFF. As a new mom, I quickly learned that many of the baby products I thought would be lifesavers ended up being completely unnecessary. Selling our home when our daughter was an infant and moving into a camping trailer was a true reality check for all the things I did (and didn't) need for our baby. After navigating those first couple years of motherhood and now expecting Baby #2 , I have gathered my experience into a list of ten baby items I thought I needed but did perfectly fine without, alongside the minimal must-haves that truly made a difference.
Nursery
While it isn't exactly a baby "item," I thought I'd start off with a bang. This one may be a bit controversial, and I certainly would've thought it was crazy when I was excitedly prepping and decorating our spare bedroom for our first baby. While the nursery was certainly a beautiful and useful storage space for all the baby things I thought I needed, our child never slept or spent any time in her special room. I quickly realized how unnecessary it was when we sold our house and began living 24/7 in a trailer that was essentially one room (and we did just fine!). Babies just want to eat, sleep, and play wherever Mom and Dad are.
2. Wipe Warmer
Everyone I knew swore by the wipe warmer and I assumed it must be a baby necessity of the highest rank. I worried that cold wipes on a winter's night would be cruel - leading my baby to howl with discomfort and never fall back to sleep do to the shock. I was gifted THREE wipe warmers before my daughter was born (and I didn't even have one on my registry). Turns out babies are remarkably adaptable and my child never seemed to notice or care about the temperature of the wipes. A regular old room-temperature pack of wipes worked perfectly well, saving me money and space without really sacrificing my baby's comfort.
3. Diaper Genie or Diaper Pail
The fancy Diaper Genie looked like a must-have for keeping odors at bay. In reality, I found that a simple trash can with a lid served us just as well. Not only was it easier to empty, but it also didn’t require buying special bags. According to a survey, about 70% of parents reported being satisfied with just a regular trash can. I recently found our old diaper pail in our storage unit, and after living without it just fine for over two years, decided to donate it.
4. Fancy Baby Clothes and Hair Accessories
While dressing your baby in adorable outfits is tempting, practicality often takes precedence. Babies grow rapidly and tend to have messy diaper blowouts or spit-up frequently. Simple, comfortable zippered onesies and cotton tops and bottoms that could be easily mixed and matched became my go-to items. I found that these not only made for easy changes but also ensured maximum comfort for my baby.
At the time my daughter was born, giant hair bows and other hair accessories were all the rage as well. I stocked up on these, thinking they would be a daily part of her outfit. She absolutely hated having them on her head, as many babies probably do, and they were never worn.
5. Baby Bath Tub
I thought a fancy baby bath tub would simplify bath time. Still, I discovered that a sponge bath on a towel worked just as well and was less stressful for me with a newborn. As my baby grew, we transitioned to using the kitchen sink. Just using the sink made bathtime quick and easy, and reducing clutter in the bathroom was an added bonus.
6. Bottle Warmer
Even though I planned to mostly breastfeed, I knew there would be times when my husband or other caregivers would need to feed the baby when I returned back to work. I assumed a bottle warmer was a necessity for making sure that the bottle quickly reached just the right temperature for baby. Instead, I learned that everyone preferred running a bottle under warm water or putting the bottle in a cup of warm water instead. These cheap and easy methods work just fine and don't have to take up real estate on your kitchen counter.
7. Bassinet and Crib
I had a bassinet, crib, and pack-n-play just to cover all of my sleeping bases with my first child. The only one I ever used was the pack-n-play, which is the only one I'm keeping for Baby #2. Although my first child slept with us most of the time, the pack-in-play was my favorite inexpensive and portable option for a separate sleeping space for baby when I needed it.
8. Changing Table and Pad
Originally, I thought a dedicated changing pad on a dedicated changing table was a must-have. I soon realized after moving into the trailer that a washable blanket on the floor or the bed, or literally anywhere, worked just as well. This setup saved space and allowed for changing my baby anywhere it was convenient.
9. Tons of Baby Toys
I had all kinds of toys on my registry for my first baby. Rattles, stuffed animals, silicone teething toys, stacking toys, special tummy-time toys, etc. Don't get me wrong, baby toys are tons of fun to pick out and they can be a good way to keep you and baby entertained or provide comfort. However, I found that my baby was just as happy and entertained playing with things around the house and observing what was going on around her. We are often marketed to that babies need all of these toys and gadgets to develop optimally, when in reality their connection with you and the world around them is the most important.
Runner-Ups: Pacifiers and Swaddles
I hesitated to include these because I know some mothers find pacifiers and swaddles to be necessary and useful. The reason that I'm tentatively adding them as bonuses is because they were things I assumed ALL babies used and needed. As a result, I stocked up on several brands and varieties of pacifiers (and cute pacifier clips on Etsy), just for my child to never accept one. Anytime she was crying or fussy, it was because she was hungry, tired, or poopy...all things that the pacifier didn't fix. Similarly, I also acquired swaddles of all different types and sizes, just for my baby to also hate being swaddled. My reason for adding these to the list is not to say you won't need them, but to keep in mind that all babies are different. What may work for the majority of other babies that you've been around may not work for yours, or vise versa. Its a lot of trial and error, so don't be hard on yourself if it takes time and mistakes to figure out your baby's preferences.
My Minimal Baby Must-Haves
Now that we've covered what wasn't essential (for me), let’s focus on the must-haves that genuinely made a difference in our daily lives.
(Please keep in mind that none of the links are sponsored or affiliated in any way, these are just products that I personally loved and used!)
1. Bath Thermometer
One of my favorite baby items that can be easy to overlook is a simple bath thermometer. I am terrible at being able to guesstimate proper water temperature, so this one was a lifesaver for me. We used ours' every bathtime for over two years, until our child was able to communicate what was too hot and too cold for her.
This is the one we used and love:
Baby Bath Tub Water Thermometer
2. Baby Carrier
A comfortable baby carrier allows for hands-free convenience while keeping your baby close. This is perfect for grocery shopping or moving around the house when you need to get things done. It not only promotes bonding but can also help soothe a fussy baby effectively.
I love this one for its budget-friendliness, versatility, and ability to grow with baby:
3. Diapers and Wipes
Kind of a no-brainer, but having a good supply of diapers and wipes is crucial. Research shows that parents typically change an average of 8 to 12 diapers a day in the early months. It's wise to find a brand that suits your baby's skin and stock up on it.
4. A Good Breast Pump (if breastfeeding)
For breastfeeding moms, a reliable breast pump can be invaluable. It enables you to build a stash for those moments when you need a break or have to be away from your baby. If you have health insurance, check and see if you can get a pump and storage bags sent to you for free! I was able to get a free pump through insurance that I was really pleased with.
If you're in the market, this was my favorite electric pump (I tried both this one and a hands-free, rechargeble pump). This one was the most comfortable, quiet, and effective:
5. Baby Lounger
A baby lounger was one thing I used and loved daily in the first several months. It was great for cosleeping, and provided a safe and comfortable space for baby wherever she was placed (with close supervision of course).
This is similar to the one I have:
6. Blankets
Soft, breathable blankets serve multiple purposes. Even though my baby hated being swaddled, I did love having some simple muslin swaddle blankets that could be used for tummy time, diaper changes, towels, nursing covers, you name it! Their versatility makes them a must-have in any baby’s essentials. They can also provide comfort during nap times.
7. Baby Thermometer
Having a reliable baby thermometer is vital for monitoring your baby’s health. Choose one that's user-friendly and gives quick readings, allowing you to calmly keep tabs on your baby's well-being.
This one is our family's favorite for its ease and accuracy:
Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer
8. Burp Rags
I've seen some lists that say that burp rags are unnecessary baby items - but for me they were absolute lifesavers. This one is probably heavily dependent on if your baby spits up frequently, but mine sure did! I went through several burp rags a day, and the little tiny ones you can often find at the store did not provide the kind of coverage and absorption I needed. A friend gifted me some plain cotton cloth diapers after my first child was born, and they were by far the MVP of burp rags. Burp rags can also be used as general cleaning rags when they are no longer needed for baby, making them more than just a single-use baby item.
These are my favorite:
Final Thoughts
Navigating the world of baby products can be overwhelming. However, focusing on minimal must-haves rather than items that are not truly essential can simplify your experience. Every baby is unique, and what works for one family may not work for another. Embrace your parenting journey, and remember that joy often comes from simplicity. Happy parenting!
