10 Non-Essential Baby Items: AKA Wasted Space

The excitement of getting ready for baby (and the frantic craziness of nesting) is something every mama experiences. I remember less than fondly some of my trips shopping before baby number two was born. Specifically, the insane freak-out over baby socks. 

When our daughter's due date was three weeks away I had the sudden realization that we did not have baby socks. Our son was a winter baby, so obviously we had gotten his tiny feet socks way back when. But she was going to be a summer baby… Did they wear socks? How many socks should one get for a baby that is born in the middle of a heat wave in Canada? What if that Canadian summer suddenly turned into a snowstorm (yes, it has happened before)? For two weeks I could not stop thinking about the sock dilemna. The next thing I know we were wandering through Babies R' Us stocking up on wipes, washcloths, pacifiers, when I came across the bins full of baby socks. I don't remember much about what happened after, but when I got home I finally felt like I was ready to have our baby. A few months after she was born I opened up her drawer to put away the quickly outgrown onesies and found 2 DOZEN SOCKS. Why the heck did I buy 2 dozen socks?! She didn't even wear them, her feet were too chubby! Exhibit A: the non-essential baby item, aka wasted space (and money).

So, here is a list of the ten most useless baby items from mamas just like you…

1. PeePee Teepee: Labelled as a must-have diapering item for newborn boys, the cone shaped fabric covers to stop little baby sprinkles during diaper changes. We received a package of these and thought they were hilarious, but they were never used. One mama shared that their PeePee Teepee serves it's purpose as curtain rod decorations.

2. Hooded Towels: Yes, I know that they come with the matching washcloths and that they "keep baby's head warm". But you could also just use one of your regular, old bath towels to dry your wet baby off – They don't care if it's got a cute duck on the hood.

3. Wipe Warmers: Exactly what it sounds like, your wipes are warmed to the perfect temperature to give the perfect bum wiping every time. Now if it was -10 degrees in your home, then yeah that's a great idea! But you can also use your hand to warm up a cold wipe, or turn up your thermostat. 

4. Diaper Stacker/Organizer: The plastic shelf that you put your disposable diapers into to keep them ready for diaper changes, while also making the nursery look organized. Let's be honest, it will probably get used a couple of times before you get tired of refilling it every eight diaper changes. Then you will just pull a diaper out of the plastic sleeve it comes in. It's okay.

5. 1 000 onesies: Your drawers do not need to be overflowing with onesies. Yes, baby may have a poopsplosion all over their back, legs, and stomach, but you shouldn't need more than ten… twelve at the most.

6. 1 Million Baby Blankets: Seriously, this has to be one of the most popular baby shower gifts. But let's leave buying the tiny blankets to the parents. Otherwise you end up with a whole closet of fluffy, crocheted, and quilted blankets. 

7. Baby shoes: They're cute, but kick or fall off at any possible moment. Nothing will make you more frustrated than constantly searching for the missing shoe.

8. Baby Bullet (or other baby food makers): Chances are you have a blender at home already, or a Magic Bullet. Why get one that has a cute face on it to make baby food? I can assure you, it doesn't make the food any more nutritious or easily. You can get the containers and ice cube trays at the dollar store that come with the baby version, and save $30. 

9. Nursing Pillows: They seem like a great idea, but don't work as well as a normal pillow. Their shape is weird, and they are too low. Many moms store them in closets until they serve a purpose by propping up babies that are learning to sit. 

10. Bumbo: One baby item that some moms love, and others hate. Many babies sit in them during mommy's shower time, and other day-to-day moments. Other babies hate them, sit only briefly in them before completely losing their minds, or are just too chunky for them. Our babies were definitely too chunky, and after several times of getting their legs stuck in the slots we decided to cut our losses with the expensive foam-plastic chair. 

Special thanks to Walmart Canada for sponsoring our Baby Basics program! Walmart is your one stop shop for all of your baby needs, online and in-store (Did you know that walmart.ca offers free shipping, anywhere, anytime, with no minimum purchase requirements…really they do! This is a huge value, often you pay more for shipping on an item than the actually amount you spent! ).

Our next Every Little Steps Baby Basics Program will be on February 5th and 12th!