Baby Products You Don't Need

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

05 Feb 2009 10:34 AM

Yesterday, I was looking over the baby gift registry for a friend of mine, and I couldn't help but smile. You could tell that the couple was caught up in baby mania, that euphoric state that you get when you first visit the baby store and are in the middle of your nesting period. You go crazy, because you just have to have all of those cute matching things to make your nursery perfect. At the same time, you find that once the baby has arrived, you are short on the essentials that you really need.

As an experienced mom of three (my youngest is two years old), I would love to share my insight on the baby products that you don't need. Of course, I don't expect you to listen to me fully, since sometime you just have to have that thing because it is cute. But with a friendly smirk, I'll share with you what I know.

Baby wipe warmers

This goes up there in my hall of fame as one of the most useless devices. They can overheat the wipes and actually burn them in some cases. as a newborn, a warm washcloth works wonderfully for diaper wipes. Older kids don't seem to mind a room temperature wipe.

Elaborate outfits

Go ahead and pick out one elaborate outfit for going home day or visiting day, but leave the rest on the rack. The more elaborate the outfit, the harder it will be to get on and the quicker it will be outgrown. Instead invest in some simple onsies, footie pajamas/playset and sleeping bags.

Dust ruffles

Sure they are cute and can bring a nursery together in no time, but they are also harborers of what else, dust? Unless you want to have to take the crib apart to wash the dust ruffle at least once a week, don't bother with it.

Diaper Disposal Systems

If you don't want your house to smell, the best disposal system for a dirty diaper is to place it in a plastic bag and then dispose of it in your outside garbage. In my experience and the experience of my friends, there is no system on the market that is odor free, no matter what the claims.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

Related Articles:

Baby Gifts for Tough Times

New Uses for Old Baby Blankets

Make Your Own Diaper Cake

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

mrmnmom82 (3365) 05 Feb 2009 12:13 PM

I have to agree with the last one especially. The diaper genie was more ofa hastle than help. I just got a garbage can with a lid.

thequeenofthecastle (413) 05 Feb 2009 12:40 PM

I second that. I have 2 kids in diapers right now.. and it definitely is not worth adding the extra expense of diaper gene and accessories to my list of diapering expenses. They don't work. Bag it up and get it out of your house in a timely fashion and it's not going to be a problem.

ruthann8 (6378) 05 Feb 2009 12:54 PM

I have to disagree with the last one! We have the diaper champ. It is easy to use and take regular kitchen trash bags. We have two, one on the main floor and one in her closet on the second floor. We empty them one a week when it's trash time. We have yet to have a smell issue. But I will add I have friends with the diaper gene and I hate them.

Heidi (5269) 05 Feb 2009 09:15 PM

I'll be the voice of dissent--I loved my diaper genie, but when it broke after 2.5 years it didn't get replaced.

Heidi (5269) 05 Feb 2009 09:16 PM

I forgot to add--we have a diaper pail that's "supposed" to keep the smell out and DH empties it almost every day due to odor whereas with the Diaper Genie we only had to unload it every week or so (whenever it was full)