Parents-to-be: Here’s what you DON'T need to buy for your baby

When you’re expecting a baby, navigating your way round the paraphernalia you need to buy is a veritable nightmare. Not only do you have to work out what each product does, but then you have to consider whether it’s really an essential part of the baby kit. Nappy bin anyone?

Because while some products are complete can’t-do-withouts, others don’t quite live up to the expectation. Sure they might promise to stop your baby crying, put your baby to sleep, make your new life as a parent that bit easier, but the reality is they’re barely used and left to gather dust on the nursery shelf.

Thankfully, parents-to-be have been given a helping hand about what to buy thanks to a new parenting survey. Which? Polled 2,000 parents of children aged five and under about the baby products they had bought and found useful. Or not!

Using the information they gathered, they’ve put together a list of the top 10 products parents couldn’t be without and the top 10 products new parents can strike off the must-buy list.

“New parents are often bombarded by retailers offering products designed to make their lives easier,” said Richard Headland, editor of Which? magazine.

“But, as other parents have told us, some are genuinely essential and others you can certainly live without – and save a small fortune along the way.”

Because of course, if you don’t need to buy them that means saving money. Quite a lot of money as it turns out. Using prices from Mothercare, Which? calculated that by not purchasing the top ten least useful baby products parents-to-be could save a whopping £340. Think how many nappies that could buy? Because if there’s one thing parents-to-be are definitely going to need, it’s nappies!

Top 10 least useful products for new babies:

• Cotmobile

• Door baby bouncer

• Baby washing (top and tail) bowls

• Disposable nappy bin

• Swaddling blanket

• Breast pump (manual)

• Nappy stacker

• Bumbo seat

• Fabric sling/Standard baby carrier

• Baby reins

Top 10 most useful products:

• Stair gate

• Baby change bag

• Electric steam steriliser kit

• Baby monitor (audio)

• Baby monitor (video)

• Digital ear thermometer

• Microwave steam steriliser kit

• Baby sleeping bag

• Baby bouncer/Rocker chairs

• Moses basket

Do you agree or disagree with any products on the list? Let us know @YahooStyleUK

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