Finding out you're pregnant can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming, especially for first-time parents, who will consider almost everything an essential, per Very Well Family. Such parents would appear busy, especially shopping for their baby's essential needs. Putting a registry together can be fun but can also be stressful. There are various baby products on the market; obviously, you only need some.
Some "must-haves" baby items are impractical, unnecessary, time-consuming, and unsafe. Many online and brick-and-mortar retailers may have you convinced that you need such products they offer. Hence, parents need to understand and identify necessary things and unnecessary ones. It's normal for you to get tempted by baby items that you think would look adorable on your child or make parenting easier.
Raising a child is very expensive; thus, you also need to save money not only for yourself but also for your child's future needs. Moreover, there are impractical baby registry items that many parents can only use for a short time and that parents end up never using.
Here are some products you and your newborn might be able to live without:
Diaper Genie
Dr. Ancil Abney, a pediatrician at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, recommends parents not buy this product as regular trash can do what a diaper genie can do. Also, fancy trash cans with motors might look very cool but are usually harder to clean. Thus, it is better to save the money to spend on actual diapers rather than on impractical products like this.
Wipe warmers
Experts agree that this product is unnecessary as it is unlikely to make a difference for your newborn. Dr. Abney noted safety concerns and added that babies have very sensitive skin. This product may not seem hot for you, but it's too hot for babies. Sarah Huff, senior manager of customer and community and baby gear product expert at BabyQuip, agrees and states that Wipe warmers can harm baby's skin and are not recommended.
Pajamas with snaps
Huff advises parents, especially first-timers, not to use pajamas without zippers as it can be very time-consuming, adding that buttons or snaps are parents' worst enemy, especially in the middle of the night when you have to change the baby's diaper or clothes. Zippers make everything easier and faster.
Sleeping Baby added that baby items that do not unfasten easily should be avoided. Consider how practical baby clothes will be when you suddenly need to change diapers at 4 a.m.
Newborn-only items
Carol Flaster of Westport, Conn., suggests avoiding purchasing products specifically designed for newborns that can only be used for a short period. When buying, consider that your baby will grow fast, and such products will only take up space in your home.
Fluffy bedding and accessories
Dr. Abney says to avoid buying fluffy items as these are not advised for babies, especially newborns. Moreover, it can pose a suffocation risk for tiny babies under four months old. She explains that babies need to be able to turn over quickly before big fluffy baby items are used, as they may not be able to break away from it if it gets in their faces.
According to Parents, such baby items can also increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS and should be kept out of the crib.
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