Worst Baby Gifts
If you have gifted us these gifts in the past, I totally appreciate it. Most of our friends gifting us gifts do not have children, and our family members have not had children in many years. These gifts are still sweet and people appreciate them. We just spend so much money on other things and so many things went unused or we were able to return and find used.
These are not the "worst" gifts but they are things that are less valuable to a new parent. Laugh at me, in my registry you will find me asking for almost everything on this list - and we did get most of the stuff on our registry.
1. Babysitting
(unless you have young children, not all parents are going to trust an inexperienced baby sitter no matter how much they love you or you might feel extremely uncomfortable when you realize how fragile a real baby is or how much they cry and poop) We concluded it’s kind of an empty gift if this is your sole gift that might not ever get redeemed.
2. Seasonal clothes
(not all babies are standard sized. Any clothes given should have a gift receipt or be from a store with a generous return policy - unless it’s custom or meaningful clothes) Also be mindful if the parents are doing unisex clothes or gender-specific.
3. Any baby bath product not on the registry
Especially with lavender or almond oil (lavender is ill-advised because it has extra estrogen, not all parents/pediatricians hate on lavender but it is something to be aware of. A lot of essential oils can be harmful to babies, so another thing to beware of too. Almonds are an allergen and common in a lot of natural baby products).
4. Baby clothes hangers (unless specified on registry)
Most baby clothes bought or gifted will come on a hanger
5. Anything for a baby older than 2 (clothes or toys)
Unless the baby has an older sibling. Most people do not want to hold onto baby that won't be used for a few years. It tends to go in a box and get forgotten about. Clothes are nice because some child just outgrow clothes faster, just something to keep in mind. We live in a small apartment, some people live in big forever homes and might be more willing to store things. Least to say, I love pulling out clothes for my daughter we got from her baby shower that now fit her.
6. Baby shoes unless booties
When Payless was closing, I stocked up on shoes. Only to realize some of the shoes I got weren't actually comfortable or the right size for the season. I bought her shoes and from age 1-2 she only grew one shoe size, though she still can squeeze into some booties... Anyway, I accounted for the ages the sizes on the internet said and now we have rain boots for the summer instead of last winter, like I thought.
7. Date Nights
If it isn't a gift card for somewhere that can be takeout, I don't recommend it. Some parents are more eager for nights out, but for us, if we wanted a night out we'd want to pick something we want to do versus something someone chose for us. Like if someone gifted us a fancy seafood restaurant, that would have been a nice wedding gift, but we'd rather go to our favorite loud restaurant.
8. Anything not baby safe or hazardous
I didn't realize some things a baby could choke on, like baby necklaces etc.
9. Baby powder
The American Association of Pediatrics recommends against baby powder. Even baby powder without talc is unpopular. My daughter does not use baby powder and we only get diaper rash if she has diarrhea or infrequent diaper changes (like on a plane).
*Always lean on the sensitive side if you do not know. Better safe than sorry. This means get the organic option instead not because why wouldn’t someone use the “healthier safer” option. They might not care but there is no harm in using the sensitive option.