Is there any time more magical in your life than finding out that you’re pregnant for the first time…the nerves, the apprehension, the planning… and last, but not least, the shopping? Shopping for baby items can make a woman become a huge ball of emotions, full of excitement and nervousness.  Marketers are well aware that new mommies don’t know what to think or to expect.  They count on anxious pregnant women to spend every last cent to make sure that their baby’s first year is as wonderful as possible. This is a time of purchasing necessary and unnecessary baby purchases.  However, don’t let baby stores and the baby section of your local department store lure you into spending money that you don’t need to.  Here is a list of things that really aren’t must haves, despite what stores want you to believe:

Baby Washcloths- “Extra smooth for baby’s soft skin” they may say, but it’s not like the wash cloths you already have are made with broken glass.  This is one of those items that really is not a must have.

Baby Towels- Yes, they do have the little awesome hood, but much like the wash cloths that you use for yourself, the towels you normally use are quite okay.  They may even be fluffier and bigger, which may be even more comfortable for your baby’s skin.

Wipe Warmer- Your little one will hardly notice if the baby wipes are slightly cool.  It’s not like the baby wipes are packed in ice before you pull them out.

Bouncers and Vibrating Seats- Some babies thoroughly enjoy the bouncers and vibrating seats, others, not so much.  Before you drop $50-$100 on any baby holders that make the baby bounce and move around, perhaps you should try one out at a friend’s house to see how the child reacts.  If it puts the child to sleep, it may be a winner.  Some children cry and feel very uncomfortable in them so see how your little one reacts first.

Matching Furniture Sets- While the temptation may be there, there really is no need to break the bank on a matching crib, dresser and changing table.  Remember, your little one will only be an infant for a relatively short amount of time.  It’s better to wait until the child is at least a toddler before you go buy a furniture set that’s meant to last.

Too Many Extra Small Diapers- You’ll be absolutely amazed how quickly your little angel will grow.  It’s best to have a supply of diapers on hand that will last you about the first month.  If the little one is still in small diapers a month later, buy more a box at a time. Within the first month, the child may have moved up a size.  Buy a small size first, then wait and see.

Dozens of Outfits that Fit Size 0-3 Months- So exactly how long do you expect your little one to be that size?  Not only that, babies vary greatly in size at birth.  If your little one is born at 10lbs., you’ll hardly be in those outfits very long.  Even if the child is born at only 7lbs., they still won’t be in the small outfits very long.  While shopping for clothes, spread out the sizes.

Bassinet- Despite how much you attempt to plan things out, sometimes things work out how they want, not how you want (especially with children).  You may find that your little one doesn’t want to be in the bassinet.  Or, you may find that you’re so attached to your little one that you wouldn’t dream of having her in another bed.  Not only that, bassinets are only meant to be used a few months before the little one grows out of it and then on to a crib. Many times, it’s just not worth it.

Burp cloths- Goodness only knows how many women have many of these around her home that are never even eventually used.  Some babies barely spit up when burped.  Other children do and people simply use baby blankets for when that happens.  Some children spit up a lot and a small burp cloth couldn’t possibly catch most of it.  It can also depend on how you burp the child.  Some children burp better when sat up and burped instead of over the shoulder.

Baby Combs and Brushes- They are the cutest little things to look at, but seriously when was the last time you saw a parent use one of these?

Baby Shoes- No matter how cute they are, your little one may just kick them off and/or lose them.  Most children aren’t remotely walking until eight or nine months.  If the only reason you want them is because they’re cute, if you’re on a budget, wait until the child is trying to walk.

Baby Wash and Baby Oil- Ivory soap is just as good as baby wash, and you can use it too, which helps you to save money.  I still don’t know what baby oil is even used for.

Toys- Here’s a little secret for you.  Although we all know that you have a little genius, most children don’t really gravitate to toys until they’re about 9 months old.  Before then, they barely even have the ability to pick up small items such as rattles.   A small teddy bear or two may help to keep the child’s attention, or may be good for play time, but most of the toys that light up and make noise will collect dust until the child becomes more cognitive.

Diaper Genies- They keep the smell of diapers down, awesome.  A trashcan that has a liner and a lid can do the same thing.  Diaper genies also require you to purchase refills.

Changing Table- If you’re in the living room and your little one needs to be changed, why go all the way to the bedroom to change the child, when you can change right where you are?  In all honesty, you’ll more than likely change the child where he or she is.  You can just as easily change the child in the crib or on your own bed.

Walker- I’m on the fence on this one.  If your home is heavily carpeted, the only time this gets usage is in the kitchen or outside.  Dont’ be fooled though, many children can learn how to walk perfectly well without a walker.

Baby Tub- It’s kind of a pain in the butt to have to kneel into the tub.  You have far more control of the child in the sink.  Eventually the child is able to sit up on his own.  Then you can move him into the bathtub by himself (don’t forget to never leave your pumpkin alone during bath time no matter where you bathe him!).

Here are a few items that you will want to purchase, but worry about buying them later. The last thing you need is more clutter (and trust me, babies plus exhausted mommies equals clutter).

High Chair- Yes, you will eventually want one, but if the angel isn’t here yet, there’s no need to buy one now.  This isn’t necessary until the child starts eating baby food, which is around six months.  Unless you find one at a real bargain, hold out on buying one now.  It also isn’t necessary to spend a lot of money on a high chair.  Shop around, you can even find plenty of them at consignment shops and online.

Play Pen- When the little one starts rolling around, your moments of freedom have begun to shift.  Rather than just leaving the little one on the bed or on his or her little blanket, it is time to look for a play pen.  The play pen becomes the most useful when the little one begins to scoot and crawl.  The play pen allows you to take care of things around the home while your little one is secure in their own little space.  Put a few toys in there to keep the little one entertained.  Just make sure to keep the area clear of things that a child could suffocate or choke on.

Jogging Stroller- Yes, we all know that you’ll be super mother and doing five miles around the block six days a week.  But, in all seriousness, unless you were a jogger before the baby, it’ll be hard to amp yourself up just to go and if you don’t go jogging, the stroller will just collect dust. And if you are a regular jogger and plan on continuing after your little one is born, just know that jogging strollers aren’t for newborns and they don’t recline.  It may be worth it just to wait to join a gym that also has an in-house day care center.  That way you can get your work-out on and not worry about traffic or extreme temperatures.

Congrats on your little one (or good luck if you’re trying to conceive!) but, don’t let anyone pressure you into spending money that you don’t need to spend.  Do your homework and take along a girlfriend on your shopping trips who already has a little one or two.