Her Honest Space

An honest look at baby items I never used, overbought, or didn’t need — and what I learned about minimalism as a new mum.

Even with hand-me-downs from my sister, I still bought (or was gifted) plenty of things I thought I’d need… only to realise they didn’t suit our baby or our way of life.

Here’s my honest list of 13 baby products I hardly touched — no guilt here, just a reminder that every mum and baby are different.

👖Clothing & Accessories

I thought I needed a wardrobe full of tiny outfits and accessories, but in reality most of them barely got touched. Here’s what didn’t end up being useful for us.

1.Newborn to 0–3 Month Clothing

The idea of dressing up my tiny newborn in adorable outfits was lovely in theory. I did use a few special outfits for occasions, but honestly, three was more than enough. Most days, babies sleep a lot, and comfort always won over cute — zip-up onesies were our go-to. They also made those quick nappy changes so much easier.

✨ Mum Tip: Stick to a few zip-up onesies for the early days — babies grow out of outfits so quickly.

2. Newborn Sets (onesie, beanie, mittens & booties)

Those tiny newborn sets look adorable and often come as gifts, but in reality, we barely used them. Mittens were pulled off straight away, hats were only useful for the first few days home, and shoes (as I mentioned above) just weren’t practical until walking age. Most of the time, a zip-up onesie covered everything we needed.

✨Mum Tip: One or two hats for hospital or cooler days is plenty. Skip the rest — comfort and practicality will always win.

3. Baby Shoes

Tiny shoes are adorable, but for non-walking babies they were more of a hassle than a help. Socks or footed onesies kept his feet warm and were much easier day to day. Shoes only became useful once my baby started walking — and that’s when investing in a proper first-walker pair made sense.

✨Mum Tip:Skip the newborn shoes and save your money for quality walking shoes — you’ll get more use from them once your baby starts walking (usually around 12 months).

4. Buttoned Onesies

At 2am, I didn’t have the patience for fiddly buttons. Two-way zip onesies made changes so much faster while keeping him warm on top.

✨ Mum Tip:Double zips will be your best friend during those middle-of-the-night nappy changes.

5. Cloth Bibs

I was gifted a mountain of cloth bibs, but in the newborn stage I hardly used them. Burp cloths were larger, quicker to grab, and felt more practical for spit-up and milk dribbles. Cloth bibs eventually had their time when my baby started teething and the drool was non-stop — but I didn’t need so many, since they were easy to toss in the wash.

✨ Mum Tip: Keep a small stash for teething days, but don’t go overboard — burp cloths cover the newborn stage just fine.

While clothing and accessories were one area I overbought, feeding gear was another. Some items looked like essentials, but we found easier alternatives.

🍼 Feeding

Feeding feels like a whole category of its own when you’re a new mum. But some items that seemed helpful just took up space.

6. Baby Bottles

In Part 1, I shared the bottles we used most — Medela (for expressing) and Pigeon (for mix feeding, since the teats mimic a nipple). But what I didn’t mention is how many brands I thought I’d need at the beginning. The truth is, bottles are very baby-dependent because it all comes down to the teat — what works for one baby won’t always work for another.

✨ Mum Tip: Buy just one or two bottles to test first. If your baby is mix fed, look for teats shaped closer to the breast — this made switching between breast and bottle so much easier and less painful for us.

7. Baby Food Blender

We bought a baby-specific blender, thinking it would make meals easier, but my normal blender worked just as well. The baby one stayed in the cupboard.

✨Mum Tip: Don’t feel pressured into gadgets — most kitchen items you already own will do the job.

Once we got feeding sorted, I thought sleep gear would be just as essential… but here’s what surprised me.

🛌 Sleeping

Sleep products are marketed as must-haves, but the truth is, babies don’t need much to sleep safely. Here’s what we didn’t use.

8. Cot/Crib

We had one set up, but our baby slept in our room in the bassinet, and later with co-sleeping. By the time we transitioned, we went straight to a floor bed. The cot ended up unused.

✨ Mum Tip: Don’t rush into buying a cot — many babies spend their first months in your room.

9. Bedlinen/Bumpers

They’re cute and make the nursery look styled, but bumpers are actually a suffocation risk. Up to 7 months, babies are at higher risk of SUDI and SIDS, and the safest sleep space is one that’s completely clear — no bumpers, blankets, or pillows. Babies also regulate their temperature through their head and face, so anything covering them can be dangerous.

✨ Mum Tip: Keep bedding simple — a mattress protector and a fitted sheet are enough. For warmth, use a sleeping bag (they come in different thicknesses for all seasons), which works just like a safe blanket. That’s really all your baby needs to sleep safely.

10. White Noise Rocker

It was meant to soothe and rock, but we never used it. Instead, a free white noise playlist on my phone worked perfectly — simple and portable.

✨Mum Tip: Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best.

11. Muslin Wraps

I wanted them to work, but I found them fiddly, especially with a crying newborn. Velcro swaddles were faster and made nights less stressful.

✨Mum Tip: Try one wrap before buying multiples — every baby has their own preference.

12. Security Blankets

We were gifted a few sweet little security blankets, but our baby never really took to them. They ended up sitting in a box until we eventually donated them. That said, some babies do form strong attachments to a particular blanket or toy, and it can become a real comfort as they grow.

✨Mum Tip: Start with one or two — you’ll quickly see if your baby takes to them before buying more.

Sleep taught me to keep things simple — and that theme continued when it came to the so-called ‘essentials.

🧺 Essentials

Every checklist tells you these items are non-negotiable, but for us they weren’t. Here’s what didn’t make the cut.

13. Change Table

We skipped a traditional change table and chose a buffet cabinet instead. My son’s room already had a built-in wardrobe, so a chest of drawers/change table wouldn’t get long-term use. The buffet later moved to our dining area to store bottles, plates and other baby kitchen bits — off the benchtop and within easy reach. The takeaway: don’t buy something just because you see it online or in stores. Think long-term and what works for your family — multi-use pieces can save space and $$.

✨Mum Tip: Pop a wipeable change mat on any sturdy, waist-height surface and keep a small caddy with nappies, wipes and cream nearby.

14. Bottle Warmer

We decided not to purchase a bottle warmer because I wanted something that would work long-term for our family. Instead, we used an adjustable kettle once we started mix feeding. It not only helped make formula quickly at the right temperature, but it was also handy for me — I could set a safe temperature for my coffee, which was a lifesaver on busy days when I had to gulp it down.

✨Mum Tip: Think about items that can serve more than one purpose — sometimes the simplest, most versatile option wins.

When it came to play, I also realised that babies don’t need a mountain of gear — just a few simple things.

🧸 Play

It’s so tempting to stock up on toys, but most of them won’t be touched in the early months. Here’s what I’d skip.

15. Teething Mittens

They looked clever, and I had high hopes — but my baby had other plans. Every time I tried to put the mitten on, he’d rip it off and throw it. That was the end of that. We had more success with teething toys he could hold himself or chew on during play.

16. Toys (Especially Teddies)

You don’t need a big collection of soft toys early on. Babies under 6 months benefit far more from developmental toys like a mirror, a rattle, cloth books, or a simple playmat with a baby gym (as I mentioned in Part 1). Larger items like an activity table or swing also got far more use in our home. Trust me, once your baby turns one, they’ll receive plenty of toys as gifts — so save your money and space in those early months.

✨ Mum Tip: Start small with toys that support development. You’ll be glad you didn’t stockpile teddies and plush toys too soon.

Play wasn’t the only area where I simplified — I also found that I didn’t need as much gear for getting out and about.

🚙 On the Go

The idea of having everything perfectly organised for outings is appealing, but here’s what ended up not being practical for us.

17. Baby Carrier

I really wanted to love the carrier, but I barely used it. After co-sleeping, I developed a minor shoulder impingement, and wearing a carrier would trigger the pain. That led me to purchasing a baby hip carrier instead, which worked much better for my body and still kept my baby close.

✨Mum Tip: Comfort is everything — try different carriers before investing, and don’t be afraid to switch if one doesn’t work for you.

18. Nappy Bag

In NSW, you receive a free hospital bag that’s great quality, so you don’t always need to buy one unless you want something specific. Personally, I preferred using a smaller cosmetic case for essentials on quick errands — it was lighter and more practical for day-to-day trips. I did use the larger nappy bag for longer outings, but most of the time the compact case was enough.

✨Mum Tip: Think about your lifestyle — you might want a big bag for travel days, but a small grab-and-go option for everyday errands.

And just like with going out, I also learned that some of the ‘mum survival’ products weren’t really necessary.

🤱🏻Mum Survival

I thought these products would help me feel more in control in the newborn haze — but honestly, they just became unused extras.

19. Baby Journal/Diary

A baby diary sounds like such a lovely keepsake — but when you’re in the thick of sleep deprivation, running on low battery, and just trying to survive the newborn stage, the last thing you feel like doing is documenting milestones month by month. Half the time your brain is foggy, and it just becomes another thing on the to-do list.

✨ Mum Tip: If you love the idea of keepsakes, try an app instead. Many let you log feeds, naps, and milestones easily, and some even turn your entries into a printed book once you’re done

20. Postpartum Recovery Gadgets

I stocked up on recovery items like belly bands and special sprays, thinking they’d be lifesavers. In reality, I barely used them. I did use a peri rinse bottle after my tear, but overall the basics were what truly got me through — adult nappies, maternity pads, ice packs, and loose clothes.

✨ Mum Tip: Every mum has a different birth and recovery experience, so what worked (or didn’t) for me may be different for you. My best advice? Start with the basics first — you’ll definitely need them. If you feel you need extra gadgets later, you can always add them to support your recovery.

Looking back, these were the things I thought I’d need but didn’t. Some families might use them, others (like us) barely touched them — and that’s okay. My hope is that this list helps you see that simple is often enough, and maybe even saves you a little money along the way.

💭 Wrapping It Up

When I think back on those newborn days, these were the items I thought I’d need but ended up barely using. Some families might swear by them, others (like us) hardly touched them — and that’s completely okay. What matters most is finding what truly works for your baby and your lifestyle. My hope is that this list reassures you that keeping things simple is more than enough, and maybe even saves you a little money and stress along the way.

🌿What I’ve learned is this:

You won’t know exactly what your baby will like — and that’s okay. Your lifestyle and personality matter just as much as your baby’s. Sometimes, simple really is more than enough.

I’m grateful I could reuse some items, pass others on, and learn what truly worked for our little family along the way.

🤍 If You’re Preparing Right Now…

Here’s a little encouragement from one mum to another:

✨ You don’t have to have it all figured out before baby arrives.

✨ You don’t need every product on the registry list.

✨ And if something doesn’t work out — it’s not a waste, it’s a lesson.

Your baby doesn’t need every gadget, blanket, or beautifully folded onesie. They need you — resting where you can, gently adapting, and doing your best. The rest? You’ll figure it out together.

➡️ Let’s Talk:

Did you have baby products that you barely touched? Or maybe something everyone swore by that just didn’t work for your little one? Share your list in the comments — I’d love to hear what surprised you.