Five Over-Rated Baby Products

In a recent post, I wrote about five baby products that I couldn’t live without.  However, there are also some products out there that I would think twice before buying.  Here are five I think you are better off saving your money on. 

1.  The Crib Bumper

Research has been done on SIDS cases to show that the less you have in your babies crib, the better off you are in protecting them from SIDS.  Yes, bumpers may look cute, but baby’s safety comes first.  So save your money.

2.  The Crib Mobile

While on the subject of cribs, the crib mobile is another product that you can pass on.  Once again, mobiles may be cute, but the truth of the matter is that your baby will spend most of their time sleeping in their crib, not staring at the mobile.  When baby is awake and playful, they are most likely going to be spending time with you, and not in their crib.

3.  The Baby Sling

Not to be confused with the Moby Wrap or a Baby Bjorn carrier, baby slings are both limited in use and a possible safety hazard.  These type of carriers are only able to be used with newborns and very small infants, so they are not great for long-term use.  Their safety is also questionable.  These types of slings are not securely wrapped around the body, and the way baby is laid in the sling can be a breathing hazard.  They are also uncomfortable and can hurt your back and shoulder because the weight is placed on just one side of the body. Considering these factors, there are much safer and more versatile carriers to spend your money on.  I personally recommend the Moby Wrap.

4.  The Bassinet

Over-priced and, oftentimes, underused, bassinets are the type of product everyone likes to think you’ll need, but they really aren’t necessary.  For the few short weeks or months you decide to keep your baby in the room, if at all, you are better off getting a hand-me-down.  Bassinets are expensive, and babies outgrow them quickly. 

5.  The Baby Bath Tub

Save your money and your back and pass on the baby tub.  I learned quickly that bending over the side of the tub during bath time was very awkward and hard to hang on to baby, whether they are in their own baby tub or not.  I highly recommend using the kitchen sink.  It’s smaller and at your level, making it easy to hold onto baby and save your back at the same time.

Do you agree or disagree with my list of over-rated baby products?  What products do you find to be over-rated?

Some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.