When I found out I was pregnant with Milo, I wanted to buy everything.
Like many first-time moms, I spent hours scrolling through baby registries, watching “must-have baby items” videos, and adding things to my Amazon cart that I was convinced I couldn’t live without.
The reality?
Babies need a lot less than the baby industry wants us to think.
My husband and I found out we were expecting just a few weeks after we got married. We hadn’t even finished paying off our honeymoon before we were paying for ultrasounds and prenatal appointments. Since I wasn’t on his insurance yet, many of our early pregnancy expenses were out of pocket
Money was tight, and looking back, there are definitely a few things I wish I hadn’t spent money on.
Now, every baby is different, and what didn’t work for us may be something you absolutely love. But if you’re trying to save money as a first-time mom, here are five things I personally wouldn’t buy again.
1. Too Many Baby Clothes
Every seasoned mom says it:
“Don’t waste your money on baby clothes.”
And every first-time mom ignores them.
I know I did.
It’s so easy to justify buying another outfit. You want something for every holiday, every family gathering, every milestone, and every cute photo opportunity.
The problem is babies grow FAST.
I spent money on outfits that Milo outgrew before he even had a chance to wear them.
One outfit cost around $15 and never left the drawer. That’s at least three coffees I could have had instead!
My advice? Buy secondhand whenever possible. Most baby clothes have only been worn a handful of times, and sometimes they’re brand new.
Of course, if there’s a special outfit you absolutely love, buy it! Motherhood should be enjoyed too.
Just try to find a happy medium between practical and adorable.
And if you’re planning a baby shower, consider asking guests to bring books, diapers, or wipes instead of clothes. You’ll get so much more use out of them.
2. Lots of Baby Toys
This one might change as Milo gets older, but right now?
Baby toys have been one of the biggest surprises for me.
At three months old, my son would rather stare at a ceiling fan than play with half the toys we own.
He loves looking out the window.
He loves watching me fold laundry.
He loves staring at lights.
Honestly, he’s fascinated by everyday life.
The baby industry can make it feel like your child needs the latest developmental toy to thrive, but babies learn so much just by observing the world around them.
They don’t need a mountain of toys.
Sometimes they just need their mom.
And maybe a ceiling fan.
3. Fancy Swaddles
This one may be controversial.
Everyone told me I needed swaddles.
Not just one or two.
Several.
So I bought multiple swaddles, including the fancy Velcro ones that cost much more than regular receiving blankets.
Guess what?
Milo hated them.
Every single time I swaddled him, he’d work his little arms free and sleep with them stretched above his head.
That’s still how he sleeps today.
After doing more research, I learned that many babies simply prefer having their arms free.
Some babies absolutely love being swaddled, and that’s great.
But before spending a lot of money on expensive swaddles, I’d recommend trying a simple blanket first to see what your baby prefers.
You might save yourself some money.
4. Diaper Pails
I know some moms love them.
I am not one of those moms.
When I was pregnant, my father-in-law asked if I wanted a diaper pail.
I remember thinking:
“Do I really need a special trash can that costs more than some pieces of furniture?”
Instead, I bought a small bathroom trash can with a lid.
It cost around $10.
I use grocery bags as liners, and when there’s a particularly stinky diaper, I tie it in a grocery bag before tossing it.
Problem solved.
Could a diaper pail be convenient?
Sure.
But for us, a regular trash can worked just fine.
5. Sound Machines
Before Milo was born, everyone told me I needed a sound machine.
And while I understand why some parents love them, it just wasn’t necessary for us.
Milo learned to sleep through everyday household noises.
The vacuum.
The washing machine.
The dryer.
The toilet flushing.
Normal life.
When I do want background noise at night, I simply play pink noise through Spotify.
YouTube works too.
If you already have a phone, TV, speaker, or another device that can play white noise, you may not need a dedicated sound machine.
Of course, every baby is different. Some babies sleep much better with one, and that’s completely okay.
But I wouldn’t rush out and buy one before seeing what your baby actually needs.
Final Thoughts
One of the biggest lessons motherhood has taught me is that babies don’t need nearly as much stuff as we think they do.
The baby industry is really good at convincing new parents that every product is essential.
But your baby doesn’t need a perfect nursery.
They don’t need expensive gadgets.
They don’t need the newest toy.
What they need most is you.
Your love.
Your comfort.
Your arms.
So if you’re expecting your first baby and trying to save money, don’t feel pressured to buy every “must-have” item you see online.
Start simple.
You can always buy something later if you realize you truly need it.
But you might be surprised by how little your baby actually requires.
Thank you for supporting Milo’s Mummy, and I’ll see you in the next post. 🤍
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