8 Things New Parents Don't Need

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8 Things New Parents Don't Need

Posted by ThatOneCaveman 198 days ago, popular 198 days ago (http://www.thatonecaveman.com)
Category: Personal Finance | Tags: baby parenting

There’s no denying that children are expensive, but many new and to-be parents make it way more expensive than it needs to be. Here is a list of things you *don't* need for your kids.

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tamar 198 days ago

I'll be a first-time parent in a month and I'm not sure I can agree with all of this stuff. I mean, I've been told by about 10 different parents that Diaper Genie, which you list here, is an incredibly important investment. The option you propose in the article assumes that I'll be able to find a second-hand Diaper Champ for $5, and I think that's a bit far-fetched.

I also know that diapers are pretty stinky when you're formula-fed versus being breastfed.

Your solutions are definitely cheaper, Caveman, but they're not as sanitary. Most new parents want a sterile environment for their infant (versus some garage-sale furniture).

I agree on the name-brand clothes, especially since kids outgrow stuff so quickly anyway. No need for burp cloths either (I had no idea those existed).

However, I'm going to keep that Diaper Genie on the registry (thankfully, my kid's furniture is covered thanks to grandma) , but I'd contend that hey, if you're not buying it, let someone else do it if they have volunteered. Your registry should offer varied choice options for those who have the money and for those who may not.

ThatOneCaveman 198 days ago

tamar,

There is nothing unsanitary about the Diaper Champ. While you may not be able to get it for $5, you can find a similar item relatively cheaply through yard sales or Craigslist. Even you paid double retail for a setup like the Champ, you'd still be ahead in a year after paying for the Genie's overpriced inserts versus ordinary trash bags.

I've been through 2 1/2 years worth of diapers and I know how they stink and I've never had any stench issues with my Champ. Even the diapers that got thrown in the covered kitchen trash can haven't been a problem. And there's certainly nothing unsanitary about it - as long as you're not touching the contents of an old diaper, you're fine!

On the subject of "sanitary", one of the worst things you can do for your child is to keep them in a sterile environment. Our immune systems learn by being exposed to things. Kids are *meant* to get dirty and get sniffles and scrapes. You can't protect them from everything and the very act of overprotecting your child can leave them sicker than not.

Believe me now or discover for yourself in two years: These are things that you frankly do not need. It's not about saving money; it's about not wasting it.

tamar 198 days ago

Sorry Caveman -- when I spoke about sanitary conditions, I meant about the furniture. The baby isn't really going to be touching the diaper disposal anyhow.

But I still contend that new furniture is a better solution than used. You never know what kind of home the person at the garage sale or Craigslist kept. What if there was a dog licking stuff? What if the kid drooled all over it? What if the toddler was teething on those crib rails or peed all over it? Sure -- I don't plan on keeping my kids in a sterile environment forever (I'm sending the kid to preschool and hopefully will socialize with other young moms soon), but as it relates to furniture, I'm just totally uncomfortable with getting used items.

I'm more than 8 months pregnant with #1 and I haven't really registered for much. But I'll have a registry up by next week, and I'm hoping that the family members buy the more practical things. The things that aren't bought -- well, I assume they aren't critical items. That's how I'll likely measure wasteful versus critical products.

ABC 198 days ago

Diaper genies are awesome - considering they don't cost much I wouldn't consider going without it.

tamar 197 days ago

So this is what I hear, ABC. I won't go without it :)

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