10 Useless Baby Products

There are so many baby products on the market and a new mom can quickly become confused about what to purchase. Here is a list of 10 items I wish I didn’t waste money on.

  1. Prince Lionheart Crib Rail Teether: My son quickly learned how to take these off so he could bite the railing anyway. I purchased 3 sets to cover his the entire crib and they were a complete waste of money!
  2. Skip Hop Toolbox Diaper Caddy: I am a freak about changing diapers in my son’s room and keeping the mess in one area, so this product was useless to me. I liked the modern design of the caddy, but in my opinion it isn’t worth the hype.
  3. Halo SleepSack Cotton Swaddler: My son hated these swaddlers and I wish I never would have put them on my registry. A good swaddle with a receiving blanket was the preferred swaddling method in our home for the first 3 months (and much more economical considering the quantity of blankets we received as gifts).
  4. Color Change Duck for Bath Water Temperature: The word HOT always seems to be indicated. Very cute, but not a practical way to gauge whether the water is too hot for baby. Use your hand or elbow and save the money.
  5. Crib bedding sets: What was I thinking registering for bedding that cost almost $200? Seriously, my son didn’t even sleep in his crib until he was 3 months old, then the second he began rolling over the crib bumper was a suffocation hazard and came out. Also, we never used the quilt so it was a complete waste. Parents, instead purchase a really cute fitted sheet and dust ruffle. Also, check out the new breathable crib bumpers that are much safer and will prevent your child from getting his or her legs stuck in the crib openings
  6. Baby Powder: Who doesn’t love the smell of baby powder? My husband and I learned in a Parenting class not to use it because it poses a risk if inhaled by an infant. Talc is a key ingredient in baby powders and it can be harmful if inhaled. Ever notice what all those fancy gift baskets contain…you guessed it, baby powder that should never be used!
  7. Wrist Rattles: Even though these are super adorable, my son scratched his face with the velcro fastener. If you do receive or purchase these, be very careful with them.
  8. Fancy Burp Clothes: Let’s face it, despite how cute these designer burp clothes are, they are still used to clean spit up and spills! I received several designer sets of burp clothes and didn’t feel comfortable using them because they were too “pretty”. My favorite burp clothes were good old fashion cloth diapers (very soft, absorbent and affordable)!
  9. Baby Bath Robe: We purchased my son an infant bath robe and it was a complete waste of money since it didn’t even cover his legs. Instead, opt for a nice warm hooded towel and keep your baby snugly warm after a bath. Now my son is a toddler and the best bath wraps (economical and quality wise) have been purchased at Kohl’s (thanks to a tip from another mother). I found mine on sale for $9.99 (note, the are located in the towel section).
  10. Baby Bath Tub: We purchased a baby bath tub and my son absolutely hated it (and so did we). Thankfully, another mom told us about an inexpensive baby bath sling that worked perfectly until he could sit up on his own. You just place it inside your tub and fill the water a few inches. There are no worries about dumping water and making a mess since you just pull the plug on your own tub. This would have been perfect when we first brought him home for sponge baths (instead we laid towels down on our counter). The mesh is machine washable which is a big plus.

Keep in mind, I am basing my opinion on my personal experience with these particular products. Other parents may actually disagree with my thoughts. Please also take a look at my recommended Top 10 Baby Products for Baby and Mom.

Are there products you consider a waste of money that should be added to this list? If so, let other moms know by leaving a comment.

Thanks for stopping by The Unemployed Mom!

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