23 Baby Products You Don’t Really Need

Baby gear can add up quickly. Between registry lists, recommendations from friends, social media favorites, and store displays, it can start to feel like you need every baby product on the market to be prepared.

The truth is, some baby products are helpful for certain families, but they are not must-haves for everyone. If you are working with a budget, short on space, or trying to keep your registry simple, there are plenty of items you can skip or swap for something you already own.

Here are 23 baby products you may not really need, plus practical alternatives that can save money and space.

Key Takeaways

Not every baby product is a true must-have.
Many baby items are nice to have, but not necessary for every family.
Budget, space, lifestyle, and personal preference should guide your registry.
Some products can be replaced with simpler items you already own.
Safe sleep products and feeding items should always follow current safety guidance.

23 Baby Products You Can Skip

Some of these products may still be helpful for certain families. The point is not that they are “bad,” but that they are not always essential.

1. Wipe Warmer

23 Baby Products You Don’t Really Need — **Use Instead:** Wipe container and holder

A wipe warmer may sound convenient, but it’s not a must-have for most families. Room-temperature wipes work just fine for diaper changes, whether you’re at home or on the go. If you decide to use a wipe warmer, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and pay attention to any recalls or safety notices.

Another thing to consider is that babies who become accustomed to warm wipes may not enjoy room-temperature wipes as much when you’re away from home. Overall, I think this is one product that’s easy to skip.

Related: The Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist for New Parents

2. Diaper Stacker

THIS: Drawer with diapers — **Use Instead:** Drawer with diapers

NOT THAT: Diaper Stacker — **Can Skip:** Diaper Stacker

Filling this thing up with diapers and then fumbling to get them out is actually more of a pain than a help. I recommend putting your baby’s diapers in a drawer near your changing pad or in a basket you can take around the house as a portable caddy.

3. Pee-pee Teepee

THIS: Baby Wipe — **Use Instead:** Baby Wipe

NOT THAT: Pee-pee Teepee — **Can Skip:** Pee-pee Teepee

For most parents, this is one product that’s easy to skip. If you want to avoid getting peed on while changing your son’s diaper, just put a wipe to cover your baby’s penis while you are changing him. You don’t need a Pee-pee Teepee. I’ve also heard plenty of stories about little boys launching their Pee-pee Teepee across the room, so they don’t even always work.

4. A Changing Table

Save your money and get a changing pad and secure it to a low dresser. This way, you can still use the dresser even after your child is out of diapers. A separate changing table can take up valuable nursery space and may only be useful for a relatively short time. Unless you have another baby. Most of the time, when you’re changing diapers, you won’t go to the nursery to change them every time. Especially if your home has stairs. Most parents do what’s convenient and change diapers on the floor or on a bed.

THIS: Dresser for changing table — **Use Instead:** Dresser for a changing table

NOT THAT: Changing table — **Can Skip:** Changing table

5. A Diaper Genie

THIS: Trash can — **Use Instead:** Trash can

NOT THAT: Diaper genie — **Can Skip:** Diaper genie

If you tend to take out your trash daily, I recommend using your regular trash can to toss out your baby’s wet and dirty diapers. I mean, honestly, do you want to keep those dirty diapers in your house for a couple of days? I would think not. Diaper genies (or whatever you use) do help keep smells at bay, but not if you let the diapers sit and pile up inside for a while. Gross. If you empty your trash regularly, you may find that a regular trash can works just as well. But if you’re especially concerned about odors or don’t take the trash out every day, a diaper pail may still be worth considering.

6. Diaper Bag

THIS: Your purse - can be used for YEARS! — **Use Instead:** A purse with an organizer

NOT THAT: Diaper bag — **Can Skip:** Diaper bag

It’s important to have all of baby’s things with you as you are on the go, but you don’t necessarily need one of the super-expensive diaper bags out there. Some diaper bags might be pretty to look at, but most of them don’t have any special features beyond a lot of pockets that make them particularly special. If you’d rather invest in something you’ll use for years, just buy a nice purse for yourself. That way, you can continue to use it even after you need a diaper bag. Or you can use one of your big purses (and maybe an organizer), and you’re good to go!

Related: What to Pack In Your Diaper Bag

7. Baby Timers

THIS: Pen and paper for logging — **Use Instead:** Pen and paper for logging

THIS: Phone app for logging — **Use Instead:** Phone app for logging

NOT THAT: Baby timer — **Can Skip:** Baby timer

Years ago, dedicated baby timers were much more common. It’s a portable device that tracks a baby’s feeding, changing, and sleeping schedules. It’s a great idea, but you don’t need to spend $30 on a timer when you can just as easily keep track of all of those things with a simple pen and paper. There are also tons of apps that do the exact same thing at a fraction of the cost.

8. Bassinet

THIS: Pack and Play — **Use Instead:** Pack and Play

NOT THAT: Bassinet — **Can Skip:** Bassinet

Bassinets are beautiful and can be a wonderful option during the newborn stage, but they’re not essential for every family. Since babies outgrow them fairly quickly, some parents choose to skip them and use a Pack and Play with a bassinet insert or another safe sleep space instead.

Some babies love sleeping in a bassinet, while others outgrow it quickly or prefer a different sleep space. If you’re trying to simplify your registry or save money, a Pack and Play with a bassinet insert can serve the same purpose for many families and often gets used much longer.

Related: SIDS Awareness: Why Safe Sleep Matters

9. Expensive Crib Bedding

THIS: Just a fitted sheet and bed skirt. No bumpers or thick blanket. — **Use Instead:** Just a fitted sheet and bed skirt. No bumpers or thick blanket.

NOT THAT: Full crib bedding — **Can Skip:** Full crib bedding

For safe sleep, babies should sleep on a firm, flat mattress with only a fitted sheet. Skip crib bumpers, loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and thick crib bedding, as these can increase the risk of sleep-related injuries. Cute fitted sheets are really all you need to create a beautiful nursery.

10. Baby Bathtub

THIS: Bathe with you — **Use Instead:** Bathe with you

NOT THAT: Baby bath tub — **Can Skip:** Baby bath tub

If you have a sink or a regular bathtub that works well for your family, you may not need a separate baby bathtub. Some parents love them, while others find they outgrow them quickly.

Related: 8 Bath Safety Tips for Bathing Baby

11. Bath Thermometer

THIS: Testing the water yourself — **Use Instead:** Testing the water yourself

NOT THAT: Water thermometer — **Can Skip:** Water thermometer

Yes, these things are helpful, and it can be nice to know the actual temperature of the water, but you really don’t need them. Just test the water with the inside of your elbow to see if it is warm enough or too warm for your baby.

12. Hooded Towels

THIS: Your towels — **Use Instead:** Your towels

NOT THAT: Baby towel — **Can Skip:** Baby towel

The towels you use for yourself will be just fine for your babies. Yes, yours don’t have cute themes or animals on them, but they get the job done. If you already have soft bath towels at home, they’ll work just fine. Hooded towels are cute, but they’re definitely more of a nice-to-have than a necessity.

13. Baby Detergent

THIS: Free and clear detergent — **Use Instead:** Free and clear detergent

NOT THAT: Special baby detergent — **Can Skip:** Special baby detergent

Some parents may think they need a special type of detergent just for their baby. You really don’t. All you need is a brand that is “free and clear,” meaning that it has no perfumes or dyes that might irritate baby’s skin. Choosing a regular, free, and clear product will save you money and time because you can throw your baby’s laundry in with the rest of the family’s dirty clothes.

Related: Baby Registry Must-Haves: The Best Baby Items for New Parents

14. Lots of Newborn-Sized Clothes

THIS: Only a few newborn sizes — **Use Instead:** Just a few newborn outfits

It’s so fun to buy clothes for your newborn, but I hate to break it to you… They won’t be in newborn sizes for very long, if at all! Some babies are born already wearing sizes 0-3 months! Only purchase a few newborn options; otherwise, you will have a bunch of clothes that your baby grew out of that they never wore.

15. Clothes That Go Over Your Baby’s Head

THIS: Snap up onesies — **Use Instead:** Snap up onesies

NOT THAT: Over the head onesies — **Can Skip:** Over-the-head onesies

If you didn’t know this before, you will now. Babies hate clothes and onesies that have to go over their heads. Instead of buying clothes that have to go over their head, find clothes that snap up the front, back, or side. You both will be so much happier.

16. Designer Baby Clothes

THIS: Target newborn outfit — **Use Instead:** Affordable everyday clothes

NOT THAT: Dolce Gabana baby dress — **Can Skip:** Dolce Gabbana baby outfit

Babies outgrow their clothes so quickly that they may only wear that designer outfit once. When I see a onesie that costs $75 or a newborn dress for $300, I have a hard time justifying the expense. You’re usually better off buying affordable everyday clothes since babies grow so quickly and tend to go through multiple outfit changes each day.

17. Baby Shoes

NOT THAT: Baby shoes — **Can Skip:** Baby shoes

Before babies are walking, shoes are mostly for looks. Babies don’t usually start walking until they are between 9 and 18 months old. That means those adorable little baby shoes are mostly for photos until your baby starts walking. Until then, a good pair of socks is usually all your baby needs.

18. Small 4-ounce and 5-ounce bottles.

THIS: Bigger sized bottles — **Use Instead:** Bigger bottles

NOT THAT: Smaller bottles — **Can Skip:** Smaller bottles

Instead of getting the smaller-sized starter set of bottles, go for the larger bottles like 8 oz, 9 oz, or 10 oz from the get-go. The bigger bottles work just as well with slow-flow nipples as their smaller counterparts, and your little one is eventually going to need them anyway, so you’ll avoid having to buy more sets of bottles.

19. Bottle Warmer

THIS: Warm bottle in bowl — **Use Instead:** Warm water in a bowl or mug

NOT THAT: Bottle warmer — **Can Skip:** Bottle warmer

Bottle warmers can be nice when you need to heat up some milk quickly. But really, it’s not so hard to warm your baby’s bottle in a bowl or a big cup of hot water. If you’re trying to save money, warming a bottle in a bowl or mug of warm water is a simple alternative. That said, many parents who bottle-feed frequently appreciate the convenience of a bottle warmer, so it comes down to your routine and budget.

20. Formula Mixer

THIS: Do it yourself — **Use Instead:** Hand-mix bottles

NOT THAT: Baby formula maker — **Can Skip:** Baby formula mixer

Automatic formula mixers are certainly convenient, but shaking a baby bottle isn’t so hard. If you’re looking to save money, mixing bottles yourself is a perfectly practical option.

21. Baby Food Processor

THIS: Blender — **Use Instead:** Blender

NOT THAT: Baby Food Processor — **Can Skip:** Baby Food Processor

A dedicated baby food processor isn’t necessary for most families. Aside from the extra cost, these little appliances clutter up your kitchen counter and cabinets. A regular mini food processor will do the exact same thing as the baby version, and you can use it well after your little one is off baby food. Or, do you have a blender at home? If so, congratulations! You’ve already got a baby food maker.

22. Pacifier Wipes

THIS: Self closing pacifier — **Use Instead:** Self-closing pacifier

NOT THAT: Pacifier wipes — **Can Skip:** Pacifier wipes

Instead of buying pack after pack of these pacifier wipes, it’s easier and more affordable to use a self-closing pacifier when you and your baby are away from home. If you don’t have self-closing ones, you can always bring more than one pacifier.

23. A Pricey Stroller

THIS: Less expensive stroller — **Use Instead:** Less expensive stroller

NOT THAT: More expensive stroller — **Can Skip:** More expensive stroller

I love a cool stroller, but you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good one. As long as it fits your budget and lifestyle, it’s the perfect stroller for you! The best stroller isn’t always the most expensive one. It’s the one that fits your family’s lifestyle, budget, and how you plan to use it.

If you love some of these products and they fit your budget, there is nothing wrong with using them. Every family is different, and what feels unnecessary to one parent may be helpful to another.

But if you are trying to save money, simplify your registry, or avoid filling your home with baby gear you may barely use, these are good places to start. Focus on what is safe, practical, and realistic for your family.