Baby Products That Are Basically a Scam
The baby product industry is worth billions and is built on selling anxious new parents things they don't need. Here's what you can safely skip — and why the cheaper or simpler alternative works just as well.
Wipe Warmers
Babies adjust to room-temperature wipes immediately. Wipe warmers add something to clean and maintain, and can promote bacterial growth if wipes sit too long in humid conditions. Every pediatrician will tell you this one is unnecessary.
Diaper Pails with Proprietary Cartridges
Dedicated diaper pails with brand-specific refill cartridges run $25–40 per refill. A regular trash can with a lid and a sprinkling of baking soda works just as well. This one choice saves $100+ per year for something that performs identically.
Baby Shoes for Non-Walking Infants
Babies don't need shoes until they walk outdoors, and even then only for protection from terrain. Soft-sole infant "shoes" are decorative accessories for adults. Skip until your child is pulling up and walking.
Dedicated Baby Food Makers
A standard blender or food processor makes the exact same purees as a $50–150 dedicated baby food maker. The results are identical. The only difference is a smaller bowl and a higher price.
Changing Tables
A changing pad placed on a sturdy dresser top is functionally identical to a changing table, safer (lower to the ground), and gives you a piece of furniture that remains useful for years after the diaper stage ends.
Consumer Breathing Monitors
Products like the Owlet have been pulled from sale by the FDA multiple times for making medical claims without clearance. The AAP and most pediatricians do not recommend pulse oximetry monitors for healthy full-term babies at home. A basic audio monitor is typically all you need.
Before buying any baby item, check Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups in your area. Baby gear is used for months, not years, and high-quality second-hand items are almost always available at 20–30% of retail price.