Unpopular Opinion: Baby Products I Still Don’t Understand as a Mom of 2

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It’s true that babies need a lot of attention, and sometimes it feels like they need a lot of “stuff” as well. And with the market evolving rapidly (just ask YOUR parents), it’s always fun to see what’s new. Or better yet, what might just make your life a tiny bit easier as a caregiver.

But as a mom, I can promise you that I have tried quite a few products that are on the market. But of all the things I’ve tried, there are still a few things that I don’t quite understand.

1. Baby oil

Now that my first has officially reached toddlerhood, I can safely still say that I do not understand the purpose of baby oil. I suppose its purpose is to be a moisturizer, but does anybody actually use it anymore?

In my mind, it would feel greasy and messy to use it on a baby. Instead, I used a nice fragrance-free lotion for my little one’s skin, and it seemed to work just fine.

2. Baby shoes

Sure, they’re cute. Maybe you want to buy some for a newborn photoshoot. I’m not here to judge. But baby shoes are surprisingly expensive and simply not necessary.

In my opinion, babies don’t really need shoes until they learn to walk. And even then, I try not to go overboard since their little feet will be growing at a rapid rate. One or two pairs will do the trick. And, I’d be careful about buying winter boots too far ahead of the season since you may not know what their shoe size will be by then.

3. Wipe warmers

Many seasoned moms warned me against wipe warmers. But why? Theoretically, they seem like a good idea. After all, I personally would prefer a warm wipe to a cold one on my tushy.

However, there are downsides. One of which is that when you’re out and about and the comforting wipe warmer is home, your kid might throw a fit when their bottom is suddently met with a cold surprise.

Additionally, a wipe warmer can grow bacteria if not regularly cleaned and maintained. And let’s be honest, you probably don’t want to take care of a product while you’re in the trenches of taking care of your baby.

So what are the actual essentials?

Truthfully, babies don’t need all that much in the early days. But the bare minimum essentials include the following:

• A safe sleep space
• Clothing
• Diapering supplies (including cream and wipes)
• A car seat
• Feeding supplies

Of course, if you’re breastfeeding, you may not even need feeding supplies.

A few things that made my life easier for a new baby included pacifiers, burp cloths, swaddles, a portable changing pad, a good stroller and a playmat. We listened to a lot of “purple monkey” in the early days. If you know, you know.

Are there any baby products you still don’t understand as a mom? Leave them in the comments below.

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