Top 5 unnecessary purchases for baby

As a parent, you want to do things right and above all make sure your child has everything they need. So off you go to the baby shop in search of THE must-have item, the unlikely gadget — all to make sure you have everything ready for baby's arrival, or even (much) more than necessary! So, what are the unnecessary purchases for baby?

The nappy bin

Yes, having a bedroom that's completely coordinated, right down to the bin, is rather nice aesthetically. But in terms of usefulness? Not so much. Storing used diapers in a dedicated bin is not the greatest idea in the world. Especially since the refill cartridges for these bins often cost more than the bin itself… So if you already have a bin with a lid and some bin bags, you're all set.

The breast pump

A breast pump is very useful for mothers, but there's absolutely no need to buy one. It's quite an expensive item to purchase outright, even more so if you opt for a double electric pump. The good news is that you can very easily hire one from your pharmacy, or through certain specialist companies that will even deliver to your door — you simply need to ask your doctor or midwife for a prescription so that it's 100% reimbursed.

An inclined cot mattress wedge

Investing in a cot or baby bed with a slatted base that can be tilted to different angles is really quite unnecessary. If your baby needs to sleep with the upper part of their body slightly raised for whatever reason, simply slipping a small blanket under their mattress will do the trick perfectly. There you go — money saved!

The bottle steriliser

Sterilising a bottle is completely unnecessary according to the French Ministry of Health, ANSES, and INPES. There are, however, specific rules to follow regarding the hygiene and cleaning of bottles. If you still feel the need or desire to sterilise a bottle, simply bring water to the boil and leave your bottle in it for 15 minutes, cleaning it thoroughly straight afterwards.

The bottle warmer

It is recommended to feed your child at room temperature, so a bottle warmer is completely superfluous. Even if you do want to warm the milk slightly, you can use the bain-marie method, or simply the microwave. Just always make sure to check the temperature of the liquid before giving it to your child.