August 15, 2026, 7:19 am | Read time: 5 minutes
For expectant parents, the first child is a truly special adventure. It’s understandable that they want to consider everything and ensure every detail is thought through. Especially when it comes to the baby’s room and equipment, parents want to get everything right—from the right clothing for the child to care products and furniture. The moms from the myHOMEBOOK editorial team name five products that are initially unnecessary in the baby’s room.
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5 Unnecessary Products in the Baby’s Room
When preparing for a new baby, you should always trust your own instincts about what will be useful in the coming weeks and months. Here are some tips on which products you can do without if you choose:
1. Canopy Over the Crib
It sounds beautiful and looks great too. But a crib with a canopy is not something families need in the nursery—at least not at the beginning. Aside from its attractive appearance, it serves no other purpose. Quite the opposite, in fact: It can trap heat and reduce oxygen circulation. Especially in the first year, parents should consider whether a canopy is really necessary.
Also interesting: How to Properly Decorate Children’s Room Walls
2. Care Products
Creams, lotions, and baby oils come in countless varieties, but you don’t need all of them at the start—at least not in such a wide range. Nursing mothers can simply use breast milk. That’s right! A few drops of breast milk can be added to the baby’s bathwater. It can also be applied to minor injuries or diaper rash to aid healing. It’s surprising how few additional products families need initially for care.
Mothers who are not nursing shouldn’t worry. Warm water (around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, like body temperature) is sufficient for cleaning at first. If you still want to use a care product, opt for a baby oil (without perfume). For sore spots on the baby’s body, a protective cream is suitable.
3. Breast Pump
Not every mother can or wants to breastfeed. But for those who do, a breast pump is needed occasionally. It doesn’t always have to be the expensive one with five different attachments. After all, not every mother breastfeeds for many months. While it’s hard to predict how long you’ll breastfeed, a rented breast pump is sufficient at first. Otherwise, the high costs (especially for double pumps, which can be several hundred euros) aren’t justified in the early months.
Hospitals and pharmacies often rent them out for a small fee.
By the way: If you present a prescription from a doctor, these costs are usually reimbursed by your health insurance, depending on the provider.
4. Diaper Pail with Refill Cartridges
A purchase many parents initially consider particularly practical is a diaper pail with refill cartridges. It’s thought to be especially useful because odors are well-contained in the small bags. While the idea seems sensible, a diaper pail itself is a useful purchase, as many diapers are used in the first weeks and months. However, odors usually only become an issue when the child starts eating solid foods. For the first weeks and months, parents can skip the very expensive pail and buy it later if needed.
5. Wardrobe
When setting up the first nursery, many people quickly opt for large wardrobes. They often look nice, appear high-quality, and fit perfectly with many baby furniture series. However, they often cost several hundred euros. Baby clothes initially require surprisingly little space: bodysuits, rompers, jackets, and hats are small and can easily fit in a few drawers. Additionally, babies grow rapidly in the first months, and many clothes are only worn for a short time. Instead of buying a large wardrobe, a dresser with spacious drawers is often sufficient. It provides enough storage for the initial outfit and can often be used more flexibly later than a traditional wardrobe.
