If you’re on a baby budget you might be wondering what you don’t need to buy for your new baby.
It can be easy to get caught up in what you may need for your baby.
After all, new baby products come out daily. We see our friends, co-workers, and family with the newest baby products.
You probably have a handful of people who are telling you what you need to buy and what not to buy.
It can get a little confusing when you are trying to figure it all out.
Especially if you are having baby on a budget and only trying to get what you and your baby will need after delivery.
I’ve been through this process with three babies and each time one thing is clear, less is more.
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(This post contains affiliate links. All opinions, as always, are my own.)
5 Things You Don’t Need to Buy For Your New Baby
Your baby is going to grow fast, like the blink of an eye fast.
So, believe me when I say there are things that we buy or are gifted for our babies that we only end up using a handful of times.
Here are some of the things that come to mind in my experience. Let me say though that all moms are different and some may need certain items more than others.
1. Bassinet
I really wanted to have a bassinet for my second baby because I love having my babies in my room for the first few months.
There is such a convenience in having them only an arms reach on those sleepless nights.
We ended up getting a beautiful bassinet that I loved and used.
But, I wish we would have gotten a Play Yard instead because they are longer. My baby grew out of her bassinet so fast, but was able to sleep in her Pack n Play for a few more months.
The Play Yard is also portable, which is perfect for us because we are a traveling family.
For a growing family on a budget they are so practical because you can easily stow it away for the next baby. It’s not so easy to do that with a bassinet.
2. Breast Pump
Before you purchase an expensive Medela or Lansinoh pump do your research into getting a free breast pump.
It’s easy to get a free breast pump through insurance and they are the same quality pumps that you would spend hundreds of dollars on at the store.
It makes me sad thinking of all the moms that don’t know about this amazing program! What a great way to save money towards diapers or any other baby items.
See if you qualify for a free breast pump!
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3. Changing Pad/Table
With both babies I have never or rarely used a changing/pad or table. Most of the time they get a quick change in their crib, on my bed, or on the floor. I have a changing pad with the cutest pink cover for my baby that we never use.
A better option, for me at least, is a cute low cost changing mat that can be used for messy changes and on the go.
4. Fancy Diaper Trash Can
Alright, this might just be my opinion, but I was gifted a fancy diaper can with my first baby.
I hated the hassle of pulling out the diapers in a little sausage, which, by the way, completely grossed me out.
In my opinion a stainless steel trashcan with a lid is just as, if not more effective than most fancy diaper trashcans. You will probably save some money here too.
Especially since most of the fancy baby trash cans require you to purchase special trash bags for the can.
5. Shoes
It’s hard enough keeping socks on a newborn, shoes is a whole different story. Your newborn isn’t walking yet. So shoes, while they may be cute, are not must have items.
I always like to think that babies are expensive, but they don’t have to be. There are lots of areas to save a ton of money while raising your baby. One of those is taking a look at things you might not need.
Hopefully this list was helpful. If this isn’t your first baby think about your last.
Were there things you bought that you didn’t need or use much at all?
Maybe those are things you can leave off the list for this baby.
What is on your list of things you don’t need to buy for a new baby? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.
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Alice jane
Hi! I bought a Tommee tippee sterilising machine at around £60 before my baby was born. I’ve never used it as I have managed to breastfeed and on the odd occasion that I have needed a bottle for some expressed milk I used a Milton sterilise tank, much cheaper and easier to use. The TT machine just sits unused in the cupboard!
Sammy
Hi Alice! I totally agree that the cheaper bottle sterilizers do the same job without having to spend so much money. :)
Mackenzie Kelly
The ONLY one I agree with are the shoes.
I LOVED my bassinet night next to my bed, changing table rocked and didn’t kill my back, baby bath was great for my son, and my diaper genie kept the stink away! Everyone is different.
Sammy
Hi Mackenzie! You are so right, we are all different and each baby and mom has different needs. This is just meant to be a general guideline if you are looking for opinions on what to save money on. These are just my opinions based on my experience having my two babies. I personally think bassinets are great if you can afford both. However, with our budget the Pack N’ Play was more practical because we could use it like a bassinet and easily take it traveling.
Rose
I know this is a late reply, but as a mom of [soon to be (hopefully today!)] 6 who has done the pack’n’play bassinet 5 times. Don’t. Just don’t do it. Waste the money on a bassinet that will be used for a few months and then put in the garage/recycled for the next baby … I have been through 3 pack’n’plays. And every time hoped the outcome would be different. It wasn’t. The unstructured bottom of the bassinet sling allows warping of the particle board base. I have lived with it afterwards, but it is really so fR from ideal! You can save money by borrowing or buying the bassinet used.
Sammy
Hi Rose! I couldn’t agree more about the bassinet. They are very hard to store and most cannot be taken apart for travel. We loved our Pack N Play because we could easily take it down and throw it in the car for travel. When your baby is older they are easy to pack up and store in the garage for the next baby.
Kylie
Also the robeez type shoes are washable. I only had cheap kinds for my daughter so I threw them in the washing machine sometimes when they looked gross😃
Sammy
That’s a great tip Kylie! Toddler shoes can get dirty fast. I’ll have to try out Robeez with my daughter. Thanks for stopping by. :)
Ducks n a Row
So right! I love the “shoes” commentary … all these years after I had my baby I was starting to feel like I had done something wrong not having shows for him before he could stand. Now I feel lots better!
Sinea♥
Sammy
Hi Sinea! I’ve gotten negative comments before about my babies not having shoes on. But, honestly it’s our choice as moms. I made that decision based on research I had done and I never judge other moms who choose to put shoes on their babies. It’s a personal decision. It makes me feel good to hear that there are other mom’s like me. :)