Let’s admit it. As expectant moms (And I mean all new parent, by the way!), every little bit overwhelms us.
There’s always this fear of not measuring up and failing at parenting altogether. While that fear often goes away, trivial matters tend to trigger it.
One thing is when you hear different opinions from seasoned moms telling you what to buy and what not to buy in preparation for the coming of your little bundle of joy.
As much as I hate to confuse you, I have to share my opinion on this subject as well.
“You know what the great thing about babies is? They are like little bundles of hope. Like the future in a basket.”
~ Lish McBride
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[Before we proceed, here’s what you should do. Sign up for this online prenatal class by Hilary at Pulling Curls. Hilary is a labor and delivery nurse so she undoubtedly is the person to learn this from. After this class, I can assure you that you will feel confident enough to give birth to your precious baby.]
Moreover, I need to place greater emphasis on this one no matter what: There are a few things you don’t need to put on your baby registry.
What not to put on your Baby Registry
Breast pump
Hey! I am not saying that you won’t need a breast pump because YOU WILL NEED ONE! I promise you…
However, I don’t recommend that you put it on your baby registry. Most providers (if not all) will cover the cost of your breast pump. Make sure to reach out to your health insurance provider for an in-depth explanation of the coverage.
Wipe warmer
I got 2 of these as a gift.
My first baby was born in December and we live in freezing South Dakota!
With all honesty, I did use both of them because I hated the thought of him being cold. (Hey, cut me some slack! We live in SOUTH DAKOTA, remember?)
Having said that, if you live in a warmer area, skip this particular baby product. You will end up not using it.
Diaper pail
We personally purchased a decent diaper pail to use for our first-born but I was not happy with its capacity.
Aside from the fact that you will need to buy refills after refills of diaper pail bags, the maximum capacity of these diaper pails are not as good as regular trash cans.
Several sets of a particular brand of baby bottles
When I was pregnant with my first-born, I was so naive enough to think that a baby can just get accustomed to a particular baby bottle if you just let him use it on a regular basis.
I never had a baby bottle problems with my first as he was fine with what I used with him.
Then my second baby came and I got slap with the truth.
Unfortunately, as unbelievable as it can sound, your baby chooses his own baby bottle and will constantly deny a baby bottle he doesn’t like.
So I ended up buying a different set and my second baby took this brand without resistance!
Bottle warmer
My mother-in-law is so generous! She practically bought everything she thought we would use.
Unfortunately, I only used our bottle warmer for a few months.
Sterilizer
Using a sterilizer is tedious. Using the dishwasher to wash your pump or baby bottles on the other hand, SMART! Go for it.
Pacifiers
Pacifiers do have several advantages but like everything else, they do have pitfalls as well.
My kids and I personally chose not to use them. It was one of the wisest decisions we ever had.
Mittens
Disregard the mittens. Contrary to popular belief, babies don’t need mittens. They rarely do! [Read more about it here.]
Related post about baby registry: Your Ultimate Baby Registry [Printable Checklist]
Baby shoes
Your newborn baby won’t need shoes until he is walking. That won’t be happening very soon.
Some babies start walking as early as 8 months while some start late up to 18 months.
Crib bedding sets
Crib skirts and bumpers are not worth bothering about. To ensure your baby’s safety while sleeping, the only thing you will ever need is a fitted crib sheet.
Sound machine
No noise or sound machine necessary.
YouTube can do it all.
I suggest you play soothing nature sounds through it at bedtime to help your little ones drift off to sleep.
Want your other half to be more than just a support system? Let him sign up for this awesome childbirth class especially created for him. Alice Turner will teach him actionable tips so that he can effectively aid you with everything you need during labor, delivery, and beyond!
Bouncer
This is more of a preference. Some or many will argue with me on this.
As much as I agree that a bouncer is a nice-to-have, I don’t recommend it.
If you want it though, go ahead.
However, you have a choice. You can either go for a swing or a bouncer. If you have a swing on your baby registry, skip the bouncer. If you have a bouncer, skip the swing.
[For additional reading: Safe Sleep Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics]
Baby Monitor
Maternal instinct kicks in when your baby comes. Mothers will do anything to protect their young even when asleep.
Unless you live in a huge house, a baby monitor won’t be needed.
If you receive it as a gift without you even asking on the other hand, take it! (*winks)
Toys
Trust me! You don’t have to put this on your baby registry.
People will give you tons of toys even if you don’t ask for it. They will come non-stop. Toys are too cute to pass up, you know!
Note: It is totally okay to accept second-hand toys. As long as they don’t have any broken parts and are clean, accept them with open arms.
[By the way, you’re probably not sleeping well anymore. I know it isn’t easy carrying a baby in the tummy (I was there myself.) and it gets really uncomfortable at bedtime – so, you would want to grab yourself a pregnancy pillow to hopefully help with sleep. It sure was a life-saver for me when I was pregnant. I am certain it will do wonders for you too.]
Related article about stockpiling for baby: 29 Necessities to Stockpile Before Baby Arrives
Conclusion on What Not to Put on your Baby Registry
There are a couple of products on this list that are essential.
Take the breast pump for example. You will absolutely need one!
However, you need not put it on your baby registry as your insurance can definitely cover it. Please trust me on this one.
Plus, some of these items are so nice to have for the convenience they offer and can greatly make life as a new mom a little less stressful.
I recommend that you check if you can procure them without having yourself or any of your loved ones spend a dime. These items are completely fine obtained used.
There you have it! Share this to your family and friends before you leave.
Talk to you soon,
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