What has everyone bought in the run up to baby's birth and since discovered what a waste of money it was?

[bergentulip]

Another thread prompted me to wonder about this.

We never bought, and never missed the following-
a changing table
a crib
a steriliser
a wardrobe (I mean, does a baby really need their clothes hung up??)
a nursing chair

And actually, what is the one vital purchase you could just not do without?

Feel it could be useful for all first time soon to be mums out there.

We used the basin for bathing when dd was small but ended up getting a cheap baby bath when she got too big and are sill using at 19 mths as she doesn't like the big bath and it has saved hundreds of gallons of water so far so environmentally sound (apart from its manufacture but it will be used for another baby before being passed on to someone else). Sling was a godsend, travel system hasn't had a huge amount of use so had we not had it second hand I would probably try to manage with a sling until the baby could go in a reclined maclaren type buggy.

Yeah, I really don't get why people spend money on changing bags? Just buy a big canvas bag?
Or, when wanting to look a little smarter, I use one of the travel changing mats bought for about a fiver and stick that in my large handbag everyday when I go out. Seriously, handbags are so ginormous these days, with so many pockets, there's no need.....

And nappies on coathangers? I agree with that one!

ooh- disagree about the nappy stacker on a hanger thingy- love mine. Hangs on the side of the changing table (which also find v useful)and fits in loads of nappies. Much handier.

dd is over 2 now and still using her baby bath-much quicker to fill and less wasteful of water
however when she was tiny we used a bucket-shaped bath which was brilliant...though it did mean we never used the bath-support thingy (which is still in a cupboard in its original wrapping)

I also still use the changing table-that was actually somehting we didn't buy before the birth as we thought we wouldn't need it, then realised that changing her on our bed was doing mine and dh's back in

we bought a bumbo (not before the birth though) and I think she sat in it about 3 times, and spent at least 2 of those times trying desperately to escape from it

bouncy cradle-v. good

messenger style changing bag from mothercare also v. good-still use it to take all dd's stuff to the CM and if we go away for a night or whatever

little pop-up travel cot (Samsonite) was just fab when dd was tiny

I liked my nappy wrapper (still going strong although just night time nappies now), nursing chair still in use as is changing table and though my baby bath good for saving water in first few months.

Avoid -
top and tail bowl + cotton wool (use wipes),
bottle warmer (bowl of hot water or better still microwave)
Powdered formula (breatfeeders - just get the ready made cartons - bit more expensive but if you don't use many sooo much easier)
Follow on milk (useless junk you're better off with cows)
proper clothes (my DS lived in vests and sleepsuits with feet it's too much hassle to dress them up every day)

Lol I was given a nursery light show/lullaby thing that made my DS go totally hyper. Must have been like watching a fireworks display or nightclub lights!
I've also got a lot of unused baby outfits in my loft (mainly starchy baby jean type affairs). I couldn't bear to hoik him out of his comfy sleepsuits and into scratchy outfits.
Baby lotion- i was given loads of this but i've never put any on him- even now at 20 months i can see no need.

cot divider, top and tail bowl, fleece blankets, bumbo, nappy bin and when I had DC2 I really really wanted a changing bag- what a load of bullocks that was.

V good was a bouncing chair (FP take along swing)

oh and another best thing - dimmer switch on the light - perfect!

Nappy bin thing - I agree a total waste of cash. Baby bath also useless. However, I like the plastic bath support. It is very useful now for my second newbie as he can go in the bath at the same time as my 20 month old.

All of the hats you can buy to go with sleepsuits etc - good for winter babies but totally useless for summer ones.

I got a laundry bag for the baby's clothes - utter madness. I can't believe I didn't think it through - the clothes will be either covered in sick or poo so will go straight in the washing machine or they will be clean enough to wear again - there's no in between!

swaddle blanket - total waste of money. Use a cot blanket.

Best things for us have been a Spoka nightlight that I think I got for about £4 from Ikea, you can plug it in to charge it up in the day an then put it next to your bed at night - so handy for night feeds as the light is green and not bright enough to really wake them up. Also my hug a bub sling - dd lived in it for the first 12 weeks. Biggest waste of money - any proper clothes in 0-3 months size - they look cute in the shop but are a pita and babies hate having things pulled over their heads, just get sleepsuits and a few fleecy babygros.