10 Parenting Buys You Should Get Before Your Baby’s Birth – And 10 You Can Do Without

From changing tables and cots to breast pumps and bouncers, the list of what you need to buy before your baby arrives can seem endless.

Which is why two new lists of what products you should and shouldn’t invest in will hopefully bring you some relief – and make a couple of decisions for you.

A group of 2,000 parents were asked what they considered to be the baby buys that are most, and least, useful. And there are some surprising results. Included on the list of useful baby buys is an audio baby monitor, digital ear thermometer, baby sleep bag and a changing unit.

While items such as swaddling blankets and baby carriers are classed as ‘don’t buys’ by the parents, who were polled by consumer group Which?

Stocking up on the parenting products that are actually beneficial and putting the ones that aren’t back on the shelf could leave you over £400 better off. And just think how many packs of nappies (which are definitely a nessecary buy) you could buy with that.  

The polled parents selected as a stair gate as the most useful item that parents-to-be can buy, followed closely by an audio baby monitor and an electric steam steriliser kit. While the three least useful items chosen were a door baby bouncer, baby washing bowls and a manual breast pump.

Take a look at the full lists below…

10 Most Useful Baby Buys:
1.    Stair gate
2.    Audio baby monitor
3.    Electric steam steriliser kit
4.    Baby change bag
5.    Video baby monitor
6.    Baby sleep bag
7.    Digital ear thermometer
8.    Microwave steam steriliser kit
9.    Baby bouncer of rocker chair
10.    Changing unit

10 Least Useful Baby Buys:
1.    Door baby bouncer
2.    Baby washing bowls
3.    Manual breast pump
4.    Cot mobile
5.    Bumbo floor seat
6.    Nappy stacker
7.    Swaddling blanket
8.    Baby reins
9.    Nappy disposal bin
10.    Fabric sling or baby carrier

Siobhan Freegard, founder of parenting site Netmums, said it’s ‘worrying’ to see first time mums splashing out on unnecessary buys for their baby.

“Babies have been raised safely for thousands of years without an array of expensive gadgets, and while some basics are a good buy, like a simple baby monitor, others are unnecessary,” says Freegard.

“At a time when seven in 10 families are struggling to make ends meet, it’s worrying to see the average first-time mum paying out between £1,000 and £2,000.

“Almost three quarters of parents feel there is too much pressure on parents-to-be to buy, with a third of parents going over their budgets.”

The unrealistic standards that celebrity mums are setting don't help either. Netmums revealed that parents are spending around £171 million a year on celebrity endorsed products, listing the most popular items bought as celebrity baby clothing ranges and parenting books.

Nine in 10 parents say celebrity mums have a growing influence over normal parents – but seven per cent are left feeling ‘inadequate’ in their quest to keep up with famous mothers.

Do you feel pressured to buy certain items for your child? Tweet us at @YLifestyleUK.

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