As a new parent, we never truly know what to expect. We aren’t always sure what our little one will need. Here are 10 things you don’t need on your baby registry.
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I can still recall the excitement of starting my baby registry! I was thrilled to start planning as soon as I found out we were having a baby. But as a new parent, I had no idea what I actually needed. Babies need so much and stores our out to sell you as much as possible. But there are definitely things babies don’t need. At least, you don’t need to actually put them on your baby registry. So today, I’m sharing 10 things you don’t need on your baby registry.
Some of these things sound like a good idea. But honestly, you might find yourself doing without them. Some of them aren’t practical, while others just don’t get used very often. Regardless, if you’re looking to trim down your registry, these are probably things you won’t miss.
10 Things You Don’t Need On Your Baby Registry
Wipe Warmer
I admit, I had one of these. I used to for nearly the entire time my first son was in diapers. But let me tell you that these things aren’t worth it. First, you have to buy the warmer and the pads that go inside. These pads act almost like a sponge. You keep it saturated with water to keep the wipes from drying out. The result is supposed to be a nice warm wipe for your baby’s tushy. It’s a nice idea.
In Real Life:
- It’s cold before it reaches your baby’s sweet rump
- The expensive pads need to be changed often
- You have to constantly add water to keep them from drying out
- Your child isn’t used to cold wipes when you are out of the house
- It can get mildew or mold
Baby Towels
I remember building my baby registry and adding several sets of towels. Yes, they are very soft and so it makes us feel to good to protect baby’s skin, right? After all, babies have sensitive skin. I used them fairly religiously for the first month or so. But as time progressed, I ended up using what was at hand and convenient. The caveat is that I still recommend getting baby wash cloths. That matters if you are worried about baby’s skin. But the bath towels really make no difference.
In Real Life
- You’ll end up using regular towels that are nearby
- They outgrow the towels very quickly
- Most are very thin and not very absorbent
Bottle Drying Rack
The bottle drying rack, a place to hang dry all the nipples, couplings, and bottles. It seems like a great idea and it is. But can I just be honest? I rarely used mine. First, more often than not, I ended up putting my bottles and accessories in the dishwasher. The dishwasher basket below was way more helpful. The dishwasher is easy! Furthermore, it washes the bottles with scalding hot water ensuring the bottles get well cleaned. I just the bottles and accessories in the top shelf. Even when I hand washed, the rack was rarely used.
In Real Life
- You use things that are more convenient like a drying mat or dishwasher
- It becomes a fixed fixture on your counter and looks like a bunch of clutter
- It doesn’t really lessen the time it takes to drip dry
Walker
Okay, I know I’m gonna ruffle some feathers here. Now before I go any further, let me tell you I’m pro-walker. There are a lot of people who will tell you they are unsafe. I’m not one of them and I won’t get into that here. My son has a clubfoot and was in boots and bar for the first year of his life. We put him in the walker a lot to strengthen his legs. It has really helped him catch up on his walking. However, this post is about what you don’t NEED. I’m going to tell you right now, your baby doesn’t need a walker. Children didn’t use them for centuries and it’s a totally modern invention.
In Real Life
- All children learn to walk organically by crawling and pulling themselves up to stand
- Children can have accidents if mommy uses it as a babysitter
- They’re bulky and take up a lot of room
- Your child may hate it!
Infant Shoes
It’s true. I recall buying a few pairs with my first son. After all, those tiny little shoes are just so adorable! But in real life, they don’t serve much purpose.
While we are at it, you actually don’t need to put any clothes on your baby registry. First, stores turn over clothing stock very quickly. I found it became unavailable on a registry before my shower approached. The second reason is because people actually buy you clothes without having to ask. It’s true. Ask women to shop for a baby shower and they can’t resist clothes. They won’t buy the ones on your registry anyway. They’ll buy the cute clothes they personally see, so don’t worry about putting it on your registry.
In Real Life
- Your child will likely prefer being barefoot until they are close to walking (usually around one).
- They’ll be in socks and constantly skip the shoes
A Changing Table
Don’t misunderstand me. You absolutely need a place to change your baby. But when I was pregnant, I assumed I needed a changing table. You don’t. You just need a surface to change your baby and that lots of places can be utilized for that. I ended up just using a dresser. I simply put the changing pad on top. When we were done with the diaper stage, it just became a dresser again.
In Real Life
- You’ll use a bed, sofa and any other soft surface at hand. You don’t need a whole extra piece of furniture.
- You can use a standard dresser and just put the changing pad on top
Baby Bath Products
Yes, your baby will need his or her own bath stuff. But let me be strait with you. Here is something I never knew until I became a mom. Your baby’s skin will react to all kinds of products! I don’t care if it is specially formulated for babies or if it says hypo-allergenic on the label. The truth of it is your baby’s skin will be unpredictable to fragrance, dyes, and other irritants.
In Real Life
- You will likely have to do a lot of testing, trying, and searching for the right products. Don’t worry about necessarily adding it your registry.
- Your best bet will be Free and Clear detergents. Skip Dreft.
Baby Bedding Sets
When I was pregnant with my first son, I was shocked to learn that there were actual bedding sets with quilts, pillows, bumpers, etc. All of those things pose a SIDS risk to your baby. You should keep the crib free from excess bedding and stuffed animals. So don’t worry about the costly baby beddings sets.
In Real Life
- All you need is a fitted crib sheet and waterproof mattress cover.
- Opt for a wearable blanket or sleep sack instead
Baby Hats
As you’ve probably seen in stores, they sell little infant hats to help your little one regulate their body temperature. There are lots of ways to keep your baby warm and a hat isn’t super necessary. But here is the thing, all hospitals send you home with one and frankly, I never found that I really needed anything more than that. In fact, both my boys hated having it on. They preferred being kept warm in other ways like swaddles and long sleeves.
In Real Life
- The hospital will give you one
- Your baby likely won’t care for it
Crib Mobile
Ask any of your moms and grandmothers and they will swear by a mobile. It’s true that babies love mobiles. It gives them something to focus on and babble to in the crib, which in turn helps them goo-goo their way to dreamland. But mobiles are becoming less popular due to the strangulation risk they pose. At least, that’s how I felt, when my oldest son managed to pull his down. I never put it back up and neither of my sons seemed to miss it.
In Real Life
- You can use other safe things to help your baby sleep like black out curtains and white noise makers.
- They can be dangerous if they aren’t secure.
That’s It
Here is my last disclaimer. You’re the mama. These are just my opinions. No one should judge you if you end up buying these things and find them helpful. Every mama is different and you’ll find the things that help you on your mom journey. I hope you have a happy and safe pregnancy. Good luck, mama!
Thats it! 10 things you don’t need on your baby registry.
Don’t forget to check out my Baby Registry Checklist. I’ve even included a FREE printable checklist to help get you started. Also, don’t forget to PIN this post for later and subscribe to my blog before leaving.
