It can be very tempting for new parents especially to make purchases that they believe that they absolutely must have to dress the baby better and products that will make life easier for them. In reality, there are not that many necessities for a baby. You need a crib, of course, a car seat for traveling, an adequate supply of clothes and food for the child. Some parents think that they must also have a walker, a swing, a playpen, riding toys, and learning toys. All of these things can be a help, but they can also take up a lot of space if your home is small and they can be expensive when they are purchased brand new.
Many new parents want their baby to have everything brand new, but this is not such a money wise approach to parenting. It is better to purchase used items in good condition or except hand me downs from family and friends. The money you spend buying new products could be better used for saving for college or lessons of some kind they might enjoy when they are older. The fact is that they outgrow things like walkers, playpens, and swings so quickly, that it is not a great investment to buy the items new, unless perhaps you plan to have another baby right away.
Disposable products are really big with new parents because they think they save them time and are more convenient. The one thing they will not be saving is money. While most parents do agree that disposable diapers are a good investment no matter the cost, other things can be eliminated for the most part. Disposable wipes are great for traveling, but not necessary at home when you have a washer and dryer. One load of soft wash clothes can last for days. Disposable bottle liners are actually more trouble than loading your dishwasher once every couple of days with reusable bottles.
Baby clothes are a big weakness for mothers especially. You want your baby to so cute and sweet all the time when you first bring them home. It does not take long for even the pickiest of mothers to figure out that babies are much better suited to diaper shirts and one piece pajamas rather than all those cute little outfits. Sure it is good to have a few things for a special occasion or pictures, but the majority of there early months will be spent sleeping and they will need to be comfortable. Not to even mention that continuous pooping, peeing, and spitting up ruins those expensive little outfits and the fact that they outgrow them so quickly.
