Wondering what baby essentials are truly necessary? The reality might surprise you: not many! Forget about those extravagant items like wipe warmers and baby lullabies; my kids not only survived but thrived without them. It turns out, you can toss aside most of those registry items without a second thought.
- Bibs: For reasons I can’t quite fathom—maybe sheer laziness—I can count on one hand the times my kids actually wore bibs while eating. Clean eaters, they were not. Instead, I frequently dealt with a mountain of stained clothes.
- Changing Table: Sure, we had a changing table when we welcomed Lily, but it went unused. Diaper changes happened right on the kitchen counter instead. I simply organized the diapers and wipes in a cabinet and laid down a towel on the counter. It was more practical, especially when I was too tired to haul everything upstairs every thirty minutes.
- Diaper Pail: The Diaper Genie? Total waste of time! We registered for one, but once I learned it needed special liners, I was out. Who wants to keep dirty diapers stashed in the nursery? A simple plastic bin with grocery bags worked far better for me.
- Baby Bath: Why bother with a bulky baby bath when you can use your kitchen sink? With my last two, I just laid a towel in the sink and placed them right inside. Convenience was key, and I definitely wanted to minimize my trips upstairs.
- Baby Laundry Detergent: You can save a pretty penny by using Tide Free instead of overpriced baby detergent. They’re essentially the same product.
- Diaper Bag: Before kids, I mistook a diaper bag for a laptop carrier! The changing pad made a perfect computer cover, and I used the compartments for pens and sunglasses. Once the kids came along, I just opted for oversized bags and tossed everything in. I wasn’t about to give up my style for a diaper bag!
- Burp Cloths: Sometimes I remembered to grab a dishtowel and throw it over my shoulder, but more often than not, I just walked around with a permanent stain on my shirt.
- Bottle Warmers: We bottle-fed our kids and didn’t bother warming the milk—who has the energy for that during midnight feedings? Our mothers were horrified, and looking back, I see why.
- Baby Shoes: Let’s be real: their little feet won’t even hit the ground for a while!
- Blankets: We received countless blankets for each baby, but since you’re not supposed to put them in cribs anyway, what’s the point?
In the end, all you truly need are diapers, wipes, a way to feed your baby, and some clothes. Everything else is just extra fluff—along with a boatload of love, of course. And a solid gag reflex doesn’t hurt!
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Summary
When it comes to baby gear, you don’t need much at all. Most items touted as “essentials” are just unnecessary extras. Stick with the basics: diapers, wipes, feeding supplies, and clothing. The rest is just fluff.
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