New parents could save up to £400 by ditching these useless products
More than 1,000 parents surveyed by Which? found door baby reins and bottle warmers were an unnecessary expense.
PARENTS-to-be are spending a small fortune preparing for a baby.
And with so many baby products designed to make life easier for first-time mums and dads, it can be difficult to work out which ones are really essential.
But according to a survey by consumer group Which?, families could actually save up to £400 by simply not buying useless products.
More than 1,000 parents of kids aged under five-years-old said that baby reins or bottle warmers were an unnecessary expense.
Baby washing so called "top-and tail" bowls, which allow parents to wash their baby's face and bum separately, also made the least useful products list.
The bowls are not particularly expensive costing between £3 to £10 but most parents find two small plastic bowls will do as well, according to Which?.
Door baby bouncers, that cost up to £30 and allow kids to bounce up and down, were also considered as unnecessary.
Parents can also ditch £40. Bumbo seats, according to the research.
Top 10 least useful baby products
HERE the product that parents have voted the least useful.
Baby washing (top-and-tail) bowls
Door baby bouncer
Bumbo seat
Manual breast pump
Cot mobile
Baby reins
Nappy stacker
Air purifier
Bottle warmer
Electric breast pump
These seats are designed for babies at the age when they can’t sit unsupported, which is arguably a fairly short time.
Instead, parents surveyed by Which? said must-have products for raising a newborn should include a cot, a highchair and a baby changing bag among others.
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Nikki Stopford, director of research at Which? said: "Preparing for the birth of a child is incredibly exciting, but parents can find themselves overwhelmed by choice when it comes to purchasing baby products.
"Hearing advice from parents who have been through the process before can help make life easier for new parents.”
The Sun Online previously revealed how to cut the average cost of raising a newborn.
Frugal mums from Mumsnet have also previously shared their most extreme cash-saving tips.
Having a baby is expensive. - here’s how to cut the cost
A new baby is expensive - they need so much stuff - but there are lot of ways to cut the costs:
- Buy unisex clothes: By buying unisex clothes for your baby you're allowing yourself to re-use them for any future siblings.
- Cook in bulk and freeze: Make up several portion of baby food at time and freeze it in individual portion it will avoid you going to the supermarket more time than you'd like.
- Find the freebies: Loads of local health centres give out freebies to new mums and babies. From nappies to wipes, there's a lot out there to be had for nothing, so do your research.
- Join an online group: Parenting groups like Mumsnet, or on Facebook are not only a great way to meet other parents but they're also a great place to get your hands on free or cheap essentials.
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