Revealed: the baby products not worth buying

New Which? research has revealed how expectant parents could save hundreds of pounds by avoiding 10 products parents told us are least useful.

Which? asked 2,000 parents to rate how useful they found various common baby products, and found that new mothers and fathers could save up to £340 by avoiding the 10 least useful products.

The results of our survey found:

Top 10 least useful

  1. Cotmobile
  2. Door baby bouncer
  3. Baby washing (top and tail) bowls
  4. Nappy disposable bin
  5. Swaddling blanket
  6. Breast pump (manual)
  7. Nappy stacker
  8. Bumbo seat
  9. Fabric sling/ Standard baby carrier
  10. Baby reins

Top 10 most useful

  1. Stair gate
  2. Baby change bag
  3. Electric steam steriliser kit
  4. Baby monitor (audio)
  5. Baby monitor (video)
  6. Digital ear thermometer
  7. Microwave steam steriliser kit
  8. Baby sleeping bag
  9. Baby bouncer/ rocker chairs
  10. Moses basket

Richard Headland, Editor of Which? magazine said:

“New parents are often bombarded by retailers offering products designed to make their lives easier. But, as other parents have told us, some are genuinely essential and others you can certainly live without – and save a small fortune along the way.”

To help you prepare for the big day, Which? Birth Choice has also compiled a list of the top 10 most popular hospital bag items you should pack so you’re not missing anything.

Notes to editors

  1. In August 2016, Which? asked 2,000 parents of children aged five and under about the baby products they have bought or used. We asked them to rate products on a scale of 1 to 10 for usefulness, including core products: pushchairs, car seats, high chairs and cribs/cradles.
  2. In December 2016, Which? calculated total savings from the items listed, which were found in Mothercare. In adding up the cost of the ten least useful products, we found that you could save £340 by avoiding these purchases:
  3. Which? Birth Choice is a free website that allows mothers-to-be to find out more about different types of birth, from water births to home births, as well as giving informative, impartial information on pain relief options. The site allows you to view hospital and birth centre statistics and facilities in your area and to narrow down your local options based on your personal preferences and circumstances. Which? Birth Choice has helped tens of thousands of women decide where to give birth, with the Birth Choice tool being used almost 60,000 times in the last year.
  4. Which? Baby and Child offers comprehensive information for current and expectant parents on a wide variety of subjects including: child car seats, baby transport, nursery and feeding, child safety at home and shopping and family finances.

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