First-time parents can feel overwhelmed when putting together a baby registry. From adorable onesies and cozy sleep sacks to diaper disposal systems and breast pumps, the gifting possibilities are virtually endless. But do you really need all this stuff? Since gearing up for the new little person about to enter your life should be exciting, not exhausting, we’ve compiled some of the most common baby registry regrets, so you can ask for what you'll really need for baby’s first year.
Diaper duty
Skip the wipe warmer It might seem that wiping your baby’s bottom with a warm cloth makes sense, but most experienced parents realize that this gizmo is a waste of money. Trust us, your baby quickly gets used to diaper changes with a room-temperature wipe.
Try this instead: Warm the wipe in your hand by scrunching it in your hand for 20 to 30 seconds before using it.
Skip the diaper disposal system Forget buying expensive diaper pails that need special bag refills. Most of them don’t mask the smell very well anyway.
Try this instead: Get a small, lidded trash can and empty it daily. Or keep one in the garage and toss dirty diapers in there throughout the day.
Feeding tools
Skip the bottles and nursing accessories in bulk Bottle-fed babies often decide which type they prefer, so don’t register for huge quantities of one type of bottle or multiple accessories for it.
Try this instead: Get single bottles or, at most, double packs and see how your baby likes them before buying a slew of the same ones. Also, register for nine-ounce bottles instead of five-ounce because, by four months of age, your baby will drink around six ounces and will outgrow the smaller size.
Skip the bottle warmer and sanitizer Not only do these items take up valuable space on your countertop, but they’re also not as useful as you may think. For instance, most bottle warmers only work with certain bottle sizes, and sterilizers are only a must if you don’t have a dishwasher.
Try this instead: To warm up a bottle or defrost a frozen bag of breast milk, place them in a bowl of warm water or under the faucet for one to two minutes. And to sterilize your baby bottles and other feeding items, load them into the top rack of your dishwasher.
Skip the baby food maker Homemade baby food is nutritious, fun to make and budget-friendly. But you don’t need that special baby food maker that steams and blends with the touch of a button. You probably already have the necessary kitchen tools to feed your baby.
Try this instead: With a steaming basket and a blender or food processor, small-batch baby food is a cinch to make. Simply steam vegetables in the basket, blend with a little water, and pour the puree into an ice cube tray. Then, store the mixture in your freezer and defrost as needed.
Clothing items
Skip the stacks of newborn outfits
We get it; newborn baby clothes—from frilly little numbers to button-downs with bowties and mini moto jackets—can be super cute. But for the first few months, your little one will mostly be wearing diapers, onesies and pajamas.
Try this instead: Ask for multiples of sleepers and onesies, preferably without buttons or snaps so you won’t have to fumble during middle-of-the-night changes.
Skip the baby shoes
Yes, tiny shoes are precious, but babies don’t need to wear shoes until they start walking—and that can be as early as nine months or up to 18 months after they’re born.
Try this instead: Wait until your baby takes those first steps. For now, let the kid go barefoot or put on anti-slip socks with grips underneath.
Read more: Learn fun ways to save for and celebrate your child’s small wins
Bags & bedding
Skip the expensive, purse-style diaper bag
Designer diaper bags that look like high-end handbags may be stylish, but many of them don’t have enough room for the bottles, wipes, diapers, pacifiers and extra clothing you’ll want to stow in them.
Try this instead: A backpack style with tons of compartments evenly distributes the weight of all your gear while leaving both your hands free. Skip the matching crib bedding sets
Crib bumpers, skirts, comforters and sweet pillows look nice on social media, but all your baby needs to sleep safely and comfortably is a fitted crib sheet.
Try this instead: A sleep sack that fits over your baby’s pajamas is a great alternative. Much like a cozy sleeping bag, the sack fits snugly around the torso, with fasteners to keep it in place. Share this list with your friends and family as well as other expectant parents so that you can all enjoy the anticipation of bringing a newborn into the world—without unnecessarily cluttering your living space.
