With Little Bβs first birthday at the end of the month itβs time to put away some of his outgrown clothes to make room for the next stage. With BB I religiously packed away her old clothes at the end of each three-month phase, but with Little B Iβve been putting new clothes on top of old ones until I canβt close the drawer anymore.
Iβve found allsorts at the bottom, including numerous items I bought for BB which were brand new and remained in their packets. Theyβre still in their packets.
So along withΒ a list of things they don’t tell you about breastfeeding, I’ve compiled a list of 5 baby items you really DON’T need:
1. Individual scratch mittens. Unless you plan to bind them onto your babyβs wrist with duct tape, individual scratch mitts are completely useless. They just fall off. Buy babygros with mittens integrated into the cuffs instead.
2. Hats. The midwife might whip a hat onto your babyβs head before sheβs even cut the cord but what with small inventions such as double glazing and central heating these are also completely superfluous. Weβre not born in caves, people.
3. A huge pile of fluffy baby towels. You need one, possibly two if youβre unlucky enough to have a poonami at bath time. To be honest the free Persil ones I got in my bounty pack were enough.
4. Baby nail clippers. I have never once used the pair I bought from Mothercare when heavily pregnant with BB. Not once. Anyone whoβs ever had to cut newborn finger nailsΒ will know why.
5. A baby bath. Within days this will consigned to a corner of the bathroom where it will gather dust, hair of questionable origin and drips of toothpaste. Youβll clean it when you clean the bathroom, and after several months it will eventually occur to your sleep deprived mind to put it in the garage.
Linking up with…
Agree. In fact there are so many things that adult versions will do, like towels, or use a hand towel. When they are older don’t buy a duvet to go on a toddler bed. Buy a single duvet with covers that an older child will approve of, then put it sideways with half under the mattress. It is great because it never slips down at night (or skip the toddler bed). Great practical advice. Kirsten
That’s a great duvet tip – I’ll remember that thanks!
Hmmm… I actually used all but the first pretty regularly, BUT this is a perfect example of how all parents are different and you don’t know what will fit you best until you are actually in the process of parenting π
How interesting! Hats off to you for mastering the tiny nail clippers!!
Yes! I love posts that tell parents what not to buy! I don’t get the little mittens…why can’t we let little babies feel their faces? We also used normal nail clippers on our baby or occasionally my teeth.
The only item on your list I came to love was our stand-alone baby bath tub. Thanks for sharing #fromtheheart
I also used to nibble their nails – I wouldn’t go near BB’s with my mouth these days though!
This is a great list. I used to use socks instead of mitts as mitts always came off! But babygrows with mitts are great! xx
Socks are a great idea! Hadn’t heard of that one!x
I would also add most of their clothes, and those daft shoes you can get them. Mine lived in a babygrow/vest for his first few weeks – it was summer and babies tend to sleep a lot. As an adult, sleeping in a big outfit can be uncomfortable at the best of times but then we go ahead and inflict it on our baby. Still, we learn by our mistakes π
I know – Little B has half the clothes BB did as they’re just not necessary!x
….popped over from #MyFavouritePost….
Thank you!
Yes to all of these and I especially agree with the towels! I’d also add blankets. Unless you live in Sweden, no baby needs fifteen blankets and a dozen fluffy towels. Even then, baby probably still doesn’t need fifteen. We got so many blankets before my daughter was born and we live in Brazil. I think I used one blanket couple times on windy days. #fromtheheart
YES – I have a ton of blankets never used!x
There are so many things that are marketed to first time parents who worry they won’t have something they need. Hopefully this saves someone some money! Great share #fromtheheart
Another thing I should have put on the list is those jugs that ‘fit round the forehead’ for washing hair – hopefully my post will save someone some money!x
Most of these things are a combination of clever marketing and new mums not wanting to miss anything. Hats was a strange one though – here in the UK, if it’s winter it’s pretty cold and most babies do wear hats π #myfavouritepost
Debbie
When I had a ‘bed’ birth with BB a hat was on her head before I had a chance to blink but after Little B’s water birth there wasn’t a hat in sight. I do find the idea of hats indoors a bit unnecessary I have to say!x
Brilliant! I had a big debate with my mother about towels. She insisted that the baby could not have towels that had touched adult skin and when I wouldn’t budge she bought me a brand new set of designer towels (I didn’t even know people designed towels, I mean rectangle right?) So now I have a lovely set of guest towels. Thanks for sharing #fromtheheart
I’ve never heard of designer towels! Lucky you!x
This is so true! I found so many things I never used for my little one when he was born! You want to get everything there is in mothercare and then you now realise that you have probably wasted a LOT of money on things you will never need…yet we still do it haha X
I know, I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry!x
I totally agree with this list… being a mummy to 2, I still haven’t learned a lesson, I still bought some mittens which was lucky if only used twice. #justanotherlinky
I’m guilty of buying the unnecessary too!
Agree with all of these, and have about a thousand other things I could add to the list!! It’s funny how with your first you buy EVERTHING and with our fifth, he had nothing at all!!! Thanks for sharing! #justanotherlinky
Wow you’re on your fifth! Bet you can teach me a thing or two!
I love these! I did a similar one a few months ago and one of my items was actually a pram! If I was to have another I would not be buying a fancy schmancy pram! I just didn’t use mine and always opted for a sling.
Funnily enough I actually used my baby nail clippers! I must be weird! But I will admit, I did cut my sons thumb the first time I used them and spent the entire day thinking “oh my god! His life is not safe in my hands!”
That’s interesting because I wouldn’t have been without my pram – it only lasted 3 months because then they wanted to sit up but I used it every single day!
lol… cause of a newbie mum, I bought everything that made for baby in the market, including these 5 stuffs.
And I bet you didn’t use half of them!x
Great list! There’s so much that’s marketed to parents that’s just a gimmick! I love the idea for the full-size duvet in comments above — great advice! Visiting from #justanotherlinky
Yes the duvet tip IS a good one!
Totally agree. Especially with scratch mits. In fact I ended up with a pile of beautiful but unworn outfits, simply because if they didn’t have scratch mits built in then they weren’t getting worn.
Brill post. :0)
Glad you like it – I was the same, we only used the outfits with integral scratch mitts toox
Totally agree with all of these!! Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
No problem x
So true! Also – little tiny baby shoes for feet that wont walk for a year. Pointless! #justanotherinky
Yes – shoes are definitely pointless. But some are so cute!x
hm nice it’s ok
I think Baby nail clippers are still needed, lbabies may hurt themselves when they are crying or angry. It’s very important to keep nails clean and short.