Baby Products You Really Don’t Need (From a Mom Who Bought Them Anyway)

Let’s be real: when you’re preparing for a baby, the internet will convince you that you need everything. Registries get filled, Amazon carts overflow, and before you know it, your nursery looks like a BuyBuy Baby showroom.

But now that I’ve survived the newborn stage and made it into toddlerhood, I’ve learned that there are quite a few “must-haves” that just… weren’t. Here are the baby products we bought, tried, or were gifted—and never really needed.

1. Baby Towels & Wash Cloths

They’re soft, they’re cute, they usually come with little animal hoods—but you know what? So are your regular towels and wash cloths. We ended up using our everyday ones more often, mostly because they were right there. Your baby won’t care whether they’re wrapped in a bunny towel or your favorite Target bath sheet.

2. Electric Nasal Aspirator

Maybe this works for some babies, but mine took one look at this whirring nose vacuum and lost her mind. Full panic. We got more mileage out of using our fingers to fish out boogies, or blowing in one nostril to relieve congestion (I know it sounds disgusting, but it works)—or better yet, we just waited for her to sneeze.

3. Burp Cloths

These seem practical until you realize they’re only helpful if you actually remember to use them. We didn’t. When spit-up happened (and it did happen), we grabbed whatever was closest: paper towels, a baby blanket, or even a sleeve. Sorry, fancy monogrammed burp cloths. You were cute but ultimately irrelevant.

4. Wipe Warmers

Wipe warmers seem like a thoughtful purchase until you leave the house and realize: the world does not offer warm wipes. And now your baby expects one. Set yourself (and their little tush) up for success from the start by skipping this one. Room-temp wipes get the job done just fine.

5. Car Seat Cameras

I get it—peace of mind, safety, visibility. But hear me out: your job while driving is to drive. If you’re concerned about your baby, it’s okay (and safer) to pull over. We had a car seat mirror and even that felt like a distraction sometimes. Skip the tech and trust your instincts (and your rearview mirror).

6. Baby Shoes

Unless your baby is walking outdoors, shoes are more for us than for them. Footed onesies or little joggers with built-in feet do the trick. The shoes are adorable but also unnecessary (and let’s be honest, nearly impossible to keep on a squirmy infant).

7. Baby Socks

On the topic of things that don’t stay on: socks. These tiny foot tubes will disappear faster than your pre-baby sleep schedule. Plus, barefoot babies are better able to grip and explore the floor once they start moving. Unless you're headed into the snow, skip 'em—or at least don’t stress about always having a matching pair.

8. Special Baby

DetergentsYou don’t need a separate detergent for baby clothes. Just use something gentle, unscented, and free of dyes—for everyone’s laundry. Your baby is going to be all over you, your bed, your clothes, the couch… so it makes more sense to make the whole laundry routine baby-friendly, not just theirs.

9. Special Utensils & Plates

Sure, those suction plates and baby forks are cute, but guess what? 9 times out of 10, your baby will try to steal food off your plate anyway. We bought the divided plates, the bendy spoons, all of it—and we still ended up handing her bites from our forks and letting her eat straight off the high chair tray. You’ll survive with the basics.

10. Diaper Pails

Okay, this one’s borderline. Diaper pails are nice, but not a must. When we travel, we never have one, and it’s fine. A regular trash can with a lid works perfectly—as long as you take the trash out regularly. No need to invest in an expensive bin that needs special bags and smells weird anyway.

Final Thoughts:

So much of parenting is trial and error. And sometimes, you won’t know what works for your baby until you’re in the thick of it. But if you’re trying to pare down your registry, save money, or just avoid clutter, start with these. Your baby won’t miss them—and neither will you.

What did you buy that you totally didn’t need? Let me know in the comments!