This is by no means an exhaustive list of products you absolutely shouldn't buy for your baby, but more a list of things I wish I hadn't bothered wasting my money or time on.
After all, each to their own, and there's always a chance that the nappy disposal system you bought, despite the advice not to, turns out to be the best investment you ever made. (There is no nappy disposal system on this list, but only because I didn't get round to buying one).
1 Moses basket
My daughter hated this glorified piece of wicker from the very first time I placed her in it. After numerous failed attempts to gently lower her into it without waking her, we decided to cut our losses and give the basket to the cat instead. At least it wasn't a total waste of money...
2 Mobile
In a bid to help my daughter fall asleep in her cot, I found myself buying a musical mobile, despite advice not to. Whether it was the giant, slightly terrifying-looking farm animals dangling over her head that kept her awake; or the loud, not-so-soothing music that played over and over, this item did anything BUT encourage my bemused baby to go to sleep.
3 Blackout blind
Sleep deprived to the max during the brighter and warmer summer months, I didn't hesitate to purchase a blackout blind after hearing it could be the answer to all my sleeping prayers. But this blind was fooling nobody – least of all the baby. It may have looked like the dead of night inside the dark cocoon of the nursery, but it didn't stop my daughter from wanting to rise and shine like the 4am sun.
4 A fancy bedding set
That fancy (and expensive) bedding set might look amazing in the nursery, but that's the only benefit it's going to have for around a year. The official advice is to keep the cot free of soft objects and anything loose or fluffy (bedding, toys, bumpers, pillows, duvets, sleep positioners, wedges or bedding rolls). Basically, less is more.
5 Baby changing unit
This expensive piece of furniture pretty much became redundant once my daughter mastered rolling. At this point, the changing mat was relegated to a much safer spot (the floor) and the realisation dawned that I should have just spent the money on a nice dresser instead.
