This post shows you the 16 Overhyped Baby Items That You Don’t Need to Buy! As a first-time mom, it can be really challenging to stay on top of all the baby stuff that everyone is telling us to buy!
It’s like there’s this weird pressure to be ultimately prepared and to get so many baby items that you never heard about before! That’s why I declared war on overbuying silly stuff and doing everything I can to be a modern mom (who’s pretty tech savvy) but not a victim of consumerism trends.
Like every first-time mom, I spend a lot of time online researching everything about babies!
I read WHO and official guides from my hospital, talked to other moms, talked to my mom, who’s a pediatrician, and, of course, followed dozens of social media influencers.
Honestly, even some influencers were on the same page and have started promoting underconsumption-core, and the conclusion is that babies don’t need that much.
They need a safe space to sleep, clean clothes and diapers, and they need to be fed (it doesn’t matter if it’s formula or breastfeeding). And they need your love. That’s it.
And a lot of the so-called “must-haves” are either totally useless, way too expensive for what they do, or straight-up unsafe.
That’s why I created this list of baby items that you don’t need to buy.
1 Crib Decorations and Soft Bedding
As I mentioned, babies need a few things, and one of the most important ones is a safe space to sleep. You need a firm mattress and a safe crib or a cot.
What you don’t need are bumpers for your crib, canopies over the crib, fluffy pillows, and sleeping toys!
Not only are these things useless, but they are also dangerous for babies. Babies need to sleep in the empty crib or cot, so no bumpers, no pillows, no blankets, no plushies, no toys, nothing.
Aesthetics should never come before safety, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is super clear on this: soft bedding can increase the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It’s just not worth it.
2 Baby Shoes
I know that tiny baby shoes and booties are undeniably cute, but you really don’t need to buy them. As babies can’t walk, shoes are going to be absolutely useless.
Also, they can even interfere with natural development, as babies need the freedom to kick, curl their tiny toes, and explore different sensations with their feet.
Don’t waste your money, and don’t look for anatomical or supportive shoes for your baby for at least the first 9 months, as they are purely decorative.
Babies need socks, and that’s about it.
3 Anti-Slip Baby Socks
Now, when it comes to socks, I just want to add that until they start walking, babies don’t need anti-slip socks, as they have nothing to slip on!
They will just lie or sit, and even when they start crawling, you don’t need to buy them anti-slip socks.
Regular socks are just fine, and when it comes to first steps, remember that most babies have better balance and coordination when they are walking barefoot. So, anti-slip socks can definitely wait.
4 Bottle Warmers
I live in a small apartment, and I really struggle with space, so buying overpriced kitchen devices is something I tend to avoid.
Some parents do say that a bottle warmer helped them tremendously with time and organization, and most ads for bottle warmers will tell you that if you buy one, it’s going to save you 30 minutes per day.
It really sounds convenient to have a device that will heat up milk to the perfect temperature. But in reality, you can warm a bottle by placing it in a cup of warm water, and many babies will be fine with drinking milk at room temperature.
Bottle warmers are expensive, bulky, and unnecessary, as you’ll need to get rid of them once your baby outgrows them.
You can warm up the bottle for free.
5 Baby Wipe Warmers
From all of the things on this list, I really believe that the most ridiculous item is a baby wipe warmer!
For those of you who don’t know, a baby wipe warmer is a box that heats up baby wipes so they are not cold on your baby’s skin.
It’s ridiculous.
The marketing behind this is that babies will be more comfortable with a warm wipe, especially in the middle of the night. As if. Babies will be cranky when you wake them up, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Also, some people report that they actually dry out the wipes. So, they do more harm than good.
Don’t buy these and save your money.
6 Formula Dispensers / Formula Makers
I know this is a bit controversial, as some parents say they couldn’t live without these, but you don’t actually need a formula maker to feed your baby.
If you want to buy it and you have room, then go for it. It can certainly help. But you can actually prepare the baby formula for free.
What’s annoying about these is that they are quite expensive. They cost a couple of hundred bucks, and they are, again, just another baby item that you need to wash.
7 Expensive Baby Monitors
You don’t need an expensive baby monitor with night vision, temperature sensors, oxygen tracking, smartphone sync, and phone notifications, then AI, analytics, charts, and sheets! It’s insane!
You’ll get so overwhelmed with data, and you’ll burn out.
You’ll spend $300–400 for a tool that’s gonna burn you out and create panic alerts every time your baby sighs.
A simple audio and video monitor is enough. Everything else is unnecessary and expensive, and it will make you more anxious.
Unless your baby has a medical condition and your pediatrician recommends specific medical monitoring, skip the fancy monitors and don’t get caught up in the trap of following 24/7 data dashboards.
8 Diaper Genie
What a cool name — Diaper Genie! It sounds like a magical product that will take away all the inconveniences of diaper changes!
It’s marketed as a magical trash can that seals away the stink, and nothing will smell.
But the reality is that it still smells when you open it!
It requires special refill bags that are quite expensive.
You can just use a regular trash can, get some cheap but durable bags, and take out your trash often!
You can get a shallow tray, fill it with baking soda, and put it at the bottom of the trash can, as baking soda absorbs the smell. It won’t be a magical solution, but at least it’s cheap.
9 Stroller Hooks
Now, this seems innocent enough, just a simple hook to hang your bag or shopping bags on the stroller handle.
But they are a safety risk! Hanging heavy stuff on the stroller handle can throw off the balance and tip the stroller backward.
Stroller manufacturers specifically don’t recommend hanging anything on stroller handles. A cup holder for your coffee, that’s the max. Everything else is a safety risk. Don’t buy these!
Instead, use the storage basket underneath or wear a backpack-style diaper bag. Your stroller and your baby will be much safer for it.
10 Fancy Baby Clothing (Especially for Girls)
I’m talking about the outfits with lace, bows, tulle skirts, stiff collars, animal appliqués, ruffles, glitter, and all the other unnecessary “fashion” details. These clothes might look adorable in photos, but in real life?
They’re scratchy, bulky, hard to put on, and just plain uncomfortable for your baby.
I like the idea of getting something special for birthdays and doing a cute photoshoot for a family album. But curating special outfits for everyday photoshoots is silly.
And the baby’s clothes shouldn’t be expensive. They should be comfortable, breathable, and clean.
Bows on headbands? Laces on sleeves? Little sewn-on ears that bunch up when the baby lies down? Nope.
Stick with soft, stretchy, simple basics. Your baby will be happier, and so will you, especially when it’s time to do laundry or change an outfit in a bathroom stall.
11 Baby Walker
These were really popular 20 years ago, but baby walkers are not safe for babies! In fact, they’ve been banned in Canada due to safety concerns. And for good reason.
Baby walkers are a major injury risk, but they also don’t help babies learn to walk faster. They actually delay proper muscle development because babies don’t learn how to balance their own body weight.
Most people love them because they keep the baby busy while you do chores and stuff around the house, but they are not worth the risk.
12 Fancy Bassinets (like SNOO)
Remember what I said about fancy baby monitors, baby analytics, dashboards, and tracking data? Well, SNOO and other fancy bassinets are all that, plus a huge financial burden!
High-end bassinets can cost several thousand dollars, and then there’s a monthly subscription service!
What do they do for that money? Other than sneaky marketing, they rock your baby, track nonsense data, hum, sing, play white noise, and sense your baby’s movements.
They come with a promise that you’ll sleep better if your baby sleeps better.
But babies outgrow bassinets in just 6 months. And when the average SNOO costs $1600, are they really worth that money? Of course not.
If you really want to get one, get a second-hand one or rent one for a few months.
Let me tell you, sleep is hard no matter what, so it’s better to stick to something simple and affordable.
13 Huge and Bulky Changing Tables
Changing tables somehow seem like a necessary item, especially for first-time moms, but they are just an overpriced shelf. You can really change your baby anywhere.
I bought a changing mat and placed it on a dresser, which serves as a makeshift changing table.
You can also change your baby on the bed, couch, floor, or wherever is convenient for you.
Dedicated changing tables take up a lot of space, they can be expensive, and once your baby outgrows them, there’s nothing you can do with them.
If you already have one and like it and use it, don’t take this personally. I’m just saying that most parents really don’t need them, especially if they want to save space and money and be environmentally conscious.
14 High-End Baby Bathtubs
Babies don’t need smart gadgets. No matter how hard the tech bros try to sell us these, we don’t need digital displays, messages, and phone syncs.
Babies need a regular plastic bathtub and a simple water thermometer. They are going to outgrow them pretty quickly, so don’t invest in anything expensive and bulky.
15 Newborn-Specific Toys
Newborns don’t need toys. During this stage, babies don’t reach, grab, or engage with the environment, so newborn toy sets are useless.
Remember, they are just beginning to process light, sound, and touch. They are much more interested in you, mom and dad, than in those musical toys with flashy lights.
You should save money, skip newborn toys, and get age-appropriate developmental toys when your babies are several months old.
Honestly, a black-and-white card or a high-contrast fabric book is more than enough stimulation for those early weeks.
Save your money (and space) for later when your baby is actually grabbing and exploring. For now, you’re the best toy they’ve got.
16 Baby Food Makers
The baby food maker looks so promising; steam, blend, and serve all in one! But guess what? You probably already have a steamer, blender, or food processor in your kitchen. That’s all you need.
These gadgets are marketed as some kind of baby nutrition miracle, but most parents either stop using them after a month or skip purees altogether and go straight to baby-led weaning.
The extra cleaning, the bulky appliance, and the single-use purpose? Not worth it.
Unless you’re super into batch cooking every puree from scratch, this one’s a pass. Your kitchen tools will work just fine.
If you read my post on underconsumption, you already know I’m all about keeping things practical and realistic. This list is basically part two: the gear that’s all hype, zero value. Let’s talk about what not to waste your money on.
What do you think about this? Let me know in the comments!
Shopping for baby items is a huge part of the Pre-Baby Talk. That’s why, when the baby comes, you’ll be ready and prepared for…
…all the love in the world.
Don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll always have these shopping tips handy!
This post showed you the 16 Overhyped Baby Items That You Don’t Need to Buy.
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