10 Baby Things You Don't Need

I saw this today and thought I just had to share. I wish someone had given this advice to me when I had my first. I can't imagine the savings over time with as many kids as we've had.

10 Baby Things You Don't Need
by Michelle Kennedy Hogan
Save yourself the space and cash

When I became pregnant with my first child, I had beenbabysitting for a wealthy family for quite some time. They had every gadget you could possibly imagine for raising a child. They also had every glossy magazine available, detailing everyshiny new gadget I would "need" in order to have my baby. I was 20 years old and a little overwhelmed by the finery. How would I ever afford it all? I soon learned that yard sales were the best places to find all of the gadgets I would need. Between the sales and the baby shower, I was outfitted. I had every gadget a mother could possibly need to take care of her baby.

It wasn't until baby number two arrived a little over a year later that I realized that I needed very few of those gadgets, and I had a yard sale myself to rid myself of the clutter that was overtaking my apartment. Save yourself the space and cash. Here is a list of 10 things you absolutely do not need in order to have a baby. There are many others, but this should get your started.

1. Baby Lotion/Baby Cleanser - I've received a number of bottles of these items through the years and I must admit that they do smell pretty good. However, not only does your new baby not need to smell any better (they already smell really good), but also take a look at the list of what's in the bottle. No, it is not just baby goodness. Indeed, I can't pronounce 90 percent of what's in it. Buy a nice bar of natural soap from your local co-op if baby is really that dirty, but a little warm water will do just fine for baby's already very soft skin.
Savings: $10 (plus refills) -
I have to admit I use tons of bubble bath and lotion on my kids, but since we live in a dry climate they need it. However, I do not use these things until there about 6 months and since I have a closet full of Mary Kay - I usually save lots of money by going there instead of the store.

2. Diaper Genie - OK, well, you won't be using disposable diapers anyway, right? But if you did use disposables, this thing has got to be one of the most wasteful, ugly things on the planet. It produces what can only be described as a giant doody caterpillar when full and I have no idea what you do with it after that.
Savings: $30 (plus refills)
I agree wholeheartedly! Not only that, but they stink to high heaven, even though they claim not to.

3. Changing Table - I had one of these for my oldest, but I soon learned that I changed 99 percent of his diapers on either the floor or the couch. Instead, make yourself up a little basket with the appropriate changing needs (diaper covers, diapers, washcloths, etc.) and keep it next to the sofa. Especially in those first weeks, you spend a lot of time on the couch as most of your time is spent nursing, changing diapers, and trying to catch a nap! Forget the table. Someday you'll just stand there looking at it, trying to think of something else to turn it into and then giving up and passing it along to someone else who really doesn't need it either.
Savings: $100 (at least)
Again, totally true. I don't think I've used a changing table since my first and I have baskets in two strategic places in the house loaded with wipes, diapers, diaper cream, etc.

4. Disposable Diapers - Do you have to ask? I swear it's not that hard!
Savings $20-$30 a week ($1500 a year for at least two years)
I have to admit I've been lazy on this one. I did cloth diapers for my first two. I even made my own wipes (cleaner than the wash cloths in my opinion), but I've found that as the babies grow things get a bit more messy and disposables are so highly engineered these days and are more capable of not making a mess. There's still quite a large savings if you use cloth for the first three months or so.

5. Baby Wipes - Buy two dozen super soft wash cloths and either a small "Rubbermaid" style container or some resealable bags. Put six to ten well-rung out wet washcloths into the container. Close it. Voila! You have baby wipes. Just toss in the diaper pail when used. Bring a plastic grocery bag on trips with you for dirty cloth diapers and wipes.
Savings: $5 a week. ($260 a year)
Again, great idea, but I think changes will need to be made to this plan at about 6 months to a year.

6. Nursing Pillow - I swear that your favorite pillow from the couch works just as well. So does a rolled up towel or blanket in a pinch!
Savings: $20-$50
I've had two nursing pillows from shower gifts and I've hardly ever used either of them. With the twins it was nearly impossible to use a pillow. Just too much going on. Hopefully, this is also giving people some good baby shower gift ideas.

7. Nursing Bras - They're expensive and make you feel silly. The little clasps are a pain. Get sports bras or just plain jersey knit underwires from your favorite discount store.
Saving: $20-$50 each
I didn't learn this one until my fourth, sheesh! Talk about creating more hassle. Definately, don't bother.

8. A "Diaper" Bag - If you must have all the pockets and little goodies, go ahead. But if you have a tote bag in the closet (LL Bean boat totes work great! Of course, you'll want to find them at a yard sale.) from the library or anywhere else, then just use that. Want the changing pad? You can buy them separately or make one from one-inch foam cut to size from the fabric store and a quick pillow case cover if you hate to sew!
Save the $40-$80 for your first night out alone!
I love some "gadgety" things. Pockets, compartments, you name it - and they get cooler and cooler every year. But, even though I love it, I still have the same diaper bag from the very first child.

9. Hooded Towel - They're cute, but unnecessary. Need I say more? Your baby does not need animal ears on his towel to be cute. I swear, the kid will be cute enough. Just get a clean towel from the closet. He'll get dry either way.
Savings: $10-$30
Agreed. I've had so many hooded towels and tiny bathrobs handed down to me - I don't know what to do with them all.

10. A Vibrating Infant Seat - They're silly and loud! If you think your baby is dying to vibrate in his infant seat (and you just want to put him down for a while), run the washing machine (full, of course) and put the seat on top of it. Just make sure you don't leave! He could vibrate right off the top! Fold some laundry (if you're feeling ambitious) or just read abook (a book? what's a book?).
Savings: $35 or more
I have to disagree with this one. The two main things I just CAN'T live without are a bouncy seat (most come with vibration) and a swing. Without these items I could never get anything done in the first three months. And the whole dryer thing, who wants to take that chance?

In place of number 10 - I'd like to add a wipe warmer. What a complete waste of time and money. You have to buy one of those pads so that the wipes don't burn and they only seem to last about a week and only come on packs of 2. I thought this would be so great with number 4, but I used it maybe for two weeks and was done. Even in the winter time, my kids haven't suffered from cold wipes.
Savings: $25 or more (with the refills)

There you go. Ten things you absolutely don't need when youhave a baby. I promise.
Go ahead, add it all up. Babies aren't as expensive and some people say :).
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Michelle Kennedy Hogan is the mother of six and the editor of Organically Inclined, http://www.blogger.com/. Her newbook, "100 Ways to Save Money Right Now" is available indigital and print formats. She and her husband John homeschool their children, work from home and practice sustainable living on an organic farm in Vermont. I'm jealous!