On nine bajillion websites out there you’ll find lists entitled “The Ultimate Baby ProductΒ Checklist” and “Baby GearΒ You Cannot Live Without,” but what I learned is that these lists are really catered to the individual tastes of the author. While all babies need the proper essentials to eat, sleep, burp, have their diaper changed, and veg out, a product that works for one mom certainly doesn’t always work for another. There is just SO MUCH STUFF to buy for the first year, so I am all for saving money here and there if there are things we can do without. Here are some baby and post-partum products that I *thought* I mightΒ need while I was pregnant that I didn’t really need so much or at all or could replace with other household items I already have. *Disclaimer: this list is highly cateredΒ for MYΒ own individual taste andΒ you might think these items are essential for you! And that’s cool, so no judgment here! :)
1. Baby Comb and Brush Set – a regular toothbrush works just fine and is way smaller!
2. A breastfeeding pillow – I bought a Boppy pillow secondhand when I was pregnant and even purchased a cute little elephant print cover to go along with it. I used it about two times before I realized it was the most ridiculous looking contraption. Maybe I was just lucky and had breastfeeding success, but I quickly learned how to breastfeed without it. Breastfeeding is hard enough – having one more “item” to grab and sit down with and tote with me all over the house was just not practical. It was hard enough to remember to bring a burp cloth and a glass of water with me whenever I sat down to breastfeed. It’s such a space hog too! I’d say skip it until you really think that you need it.
3. A nursing cover – Don’t you think they just attract MORE attention to you while you’re breastfeeding? Again, it’s just one more item to have to “remember” to bring with you to breastfeed when you have a screaming baby on your hands. I think they sort of look like a tablecloth too. I have had much more luck covering myself discreetly with a blanket or my own wrap-style sweater.
4. A shopping cart cover – Oliver is just barely starting to sit up on his own so we haven’t had the chance to use one but I’m glad I didn’t buy one. Because really, in addition to bringing theΒ baby and myΒ reusable bags, I can’t imagine having to remember to lug one more thing into the grocery store from the parking lot.
5. Hooded baby towels – This is not to say that I don’t use my hooded towels. I have a few and I do use them and they are quite cute. However, wrapping a regular adult towel around a baby after a bath works just as well, if not better!
6. Several nursing bras and tanks – OK, I do have one nursing bra that I really love and wear all the time, but I could do without all the ones that I purchased. Sometimes, there’s nothing easierΒ than the good ol’ yank down of the shirt and bra. Also, please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks all the straps and snaps and clasps that come with nursing tanks and bras areΒ SO uncomfortable??Β 
7. Nipple cream – Again, maybe it’s just because I had breastfeeding success, but I never felt the need to apply this stuff which made me smell like I had rolled around in the dirtΒ and stained my bras. The nurse at my hospital told me there is no better ointment than your own breastmilk, and I totally agree with her. Some moms however, swear by this stuff. I’d say have your hubby run out and buy it for you if you really needΒ it because this stuff ain’t cheap!
8. Bottle Warmer -Β Can you imagine hogging the precious space on your kitchen countertop with one of these? A good ol’ glass of hot water does the trickΒ just fine.
That being said, there are also products I had no idea I would need and turned out to be essentials, so I’ll have to post about those too!
Anything you would add to this list?
