Strollerderby

Bargain Babies

Posted by ChagHolland
Babies are expensive. You bring them home from the hospital and the next thing you know they want food, diapers, and blankets. MSN's Liz Pulliam Weston recently profiled several ways you can save money when preparing for a baby.

Weston recommends buying most necessities at consignment stores and going without changing tables, diaper stackers, jogger strollers, and other items. To save you even more money, here are three additional items I suggest you don't buy for your baby:
  • Baby wipes warmers
    Babies are resilient little buggers. They can even survive the torture of room-temperature wipes.
  • Activity centers
    Get a laundry basket, put your kid in it, and throw in a few toys. Deprivation fosters creativity.
  • Baby Einstein videos
    Just plop your baby in front of the computer, turn on the screensaver, put some classical music on in the background, and you've got the next best thing. Hand puppets are optional and are only necessary if you're feeling particularly guilty.
Are there other baby products parents can live without?
+ DIGG + STUMBLE
Posted Jul 04 2007, 10:00 AM
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Comments

 

aia said:

People buy baby-wipe warmers?? What planet are they on!

July 4, 2007 11:25 AM
 

SMama said:

I couldn't agree more. There is so much baby stuff out there that is so unnecessary. I think I stayed clear of a lot of it. Of course I have some of the unnecessary stuff but good old Craig's List will help me get rid of them. The money I saved on the junk allowed me splurge a little on cool art or handmade toys that will last for years and years.

July 4, 2007 1:59 PM
 

missy said:

The baby bath tub, a clean kitchen sink is easier to handle a slippery baby.

July 4, 2007 2:39 PM
 

Mom2Two said:

It depends so much on the individual family. The only way i got any exercise was with my jogger, and we have a super deep jacuzzi bathtub, so the baby tub was a must to save my back.  Plus it's also a toddler tub and I'm still bathing my three year old in it, and it saves tons of water.  We have a changing table too and I wouldn't go without it.  No closets in the kids room for storage, and it's simple enough that I can use it for something else when the kids are done with it.

The only thing I ever used out of the medical kit was the thermometer, and the huge pile of receiving blankets that people gave me ended up packed in my basement in just a couple of months.

My son adored the infant swing and my daughter hates it, so I'd recommend borrowing one first before buying.

If you are on a budget, there are reasonably priced versions of pretty much everything, no need to buy the super expensive (and super ugly) Bugaboo.  But if you afford it, I don't see why anyone else cares how people spend their money.

July 4, 2007 5:06 PM
 

Kristen said:

Umm... I bought one of those baby slings. I NEVER used it. i was so excited to have one... Come on what parent doesn't love the idea of cuddle time with the baby while getting things done with two hands??? That thing sounded freaking amazing to me... One thing my son HATED it!!! Even when he was a toddler to hold him on my hip... Nu-uh he wasn't having it. So save your money.

July 4, 2007 8:51 PM
 

mcglory13 said:

Eh. Each baby is an individual. My baby adores his sling. The problem is that it's impossible to tell what will be useless and what you will love before the baby comes. Craigslist, borrowing from friends, eBay, and lending libraries (we have them for toys, books, and slings here) are the cheap ways to go for sure. I don't know if there's any particular product you can avoid. Oh, except those Baby Einstein videos supposedly rot your kid's brain. So we'll avoid those.

July 4, 2007 9:23 PM
 

vickiedc said:

As envious as I was of all my friends' babies' Robeez'd feet (or other similar brands that charge upward of $25/pair of soft-soled shoes), this was something I never spent on.  I read that babies don't need shoes for the first year (or until they're steady on their feet while walking) so I skipped these...but would have happily accepted them as a gift!  

July 5, 2007 12:39 AM
 

Mom2Two said:

I love my sling too, especially when #2 was newborn and wanted to nurse 24-7, so I could actually get something done or spend time with my older child too.  And my son never wore anything but socks until he was walking, and my daughter has been barefoot most of the summer, so I'd skip fancy shoes too.

July 5, 2007 8:16 AM
 

Jane said:

white noise machines = waste

Use a box fan instead.  Or a humidifier (if it's winter and dry).

July 5, 2007 9:12 AM
 

Liane said:

I agree that a baby bath tub was a must for us. They're contoured for an infant and, like a previous poster said, they save a ton of water. Besides, they're only $20 or so brand new.

I would, however, pass on the crib bedding set. $150-$300 is way too much to spend for a dust ruffle, bumper (which you really don't need), top sheet and a quilt (which you will never use).

July 5, 2007 9:29 AM

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