This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more information.
Once again another baby list! You have probably read hundreds of what to put on your registry and what to leave off, biggest registry regrets, and what every mom forgets to put on her registry.
Today I have a list for you on swaps! I am not going to tell you not to buy something without giving you a reason or an alternative!
We are going to break down a lot of little swaps you can make when it comes to baby purchases. Many of these swaps will save you money which is awesome too!
Let’s get right to it!
Bassinet –> Pack’n’Play or Crib
I highly recommend skipping out on the bassinet. Often they are quite expensive ranging anywhere from $50 to $1000. They also have a very short life.
I suggest you start your baby out in a pack’n’play or their crib. If your master bedroom has space you can bring their crib into your bedroom until you feel the time is right to move them into their own room.
What’s great about starting them out in the crib is that they are already familiar with the crib itself. This way when they move rooms it isn’t such a big change for your little one. You should check out my article Why Baby Bassinets are an Absolute Waste of Money.
Noise Machine –> Old Cell Phone
Ok, so this swap I have to give entirely all the credit to my husband.
I was the momma that said I don’t want the $50 white noise machine. I want to teach my baby to sleep through anything! Well then life happens and you realize you value that nap more than anything.
My husband came to the rescue by getting out a random old cell phone we had. He was able to download a free white noise app and the rest is history! We love this method!
#1 It costs us nothing.
#2 It easily fits in the diaper bag for travel.
#3 It doesn’t always have to be plugged in.
Some sound machines require that they are always plugged in or they are running on batteries such as AA. The cell phone holds its charge decently, but is also easy to plug in each night. So if we are going to grandma’s for the day I don’t need the wall charger.
Like honestly what more could you ask for in a product? My husband completely nailed this.
Update: After about 2 years old using the cell phone sound machine we started thinking about when we would move our now toddler to a big bed and became interested in the Hatch night light and sound machine. Check out my article, 4 Benefits of Introducing the Hatch Night Light While Still in the Baby Crib.
Crib Bedding Set –> Fitted Sheets
All you need for your crib is the fitted sheet. And it is wise to put a waterproof mattress cover underneath too. You do not need an entire crib set!
My recommendation is to purchase two or three fitted sheets. Keep in mind there are phases when your baby may experience blowouts and spit-ups. Then as your little one getting older they could get sick with the flu and vomit in their crib. This is why even if you are a minimalist you should have two.
Pro-Tip: Consider getting one fitted sheet that is satin or silk. A smooth material like this helps prevent your baby from getting a bald spot in the back. It can also help with hair tangling in older children.
Diaper Pail –> Regular Trash Can
People often feel strongly about their diaper pails. Some people love them and some people leave them.
I vote to leave them.
A trash can will have a life after your baby is grown…it lives on as a trash can.
Well, one could argue that you can resell your diaper pail when you are done with it. Technically it lives on as a diaper pail. But, did you want to buy a previously owned diaper pail??? I doubt it.
Some diaper pails require specific refills. I’d rather just use the trash bags I purchase for our kitchen trash can.
In all honesty, we live in a one-story house. All of H’s diapers have ended up in the kitchen trash can during her first year of life. We’ll see in the future. We also bag them when necessary with grocery store bags. We don’t find this a big deal at all.
If you live in a multi-floor home I could see your argument here. Just think it through and determine if it is worth it for your lifestyle.
Bottle Drying Rack –> Towel or Normal Dish Drying Rack
I get it, bottles come with tiny little pieces. But if you get a bottle drying rack it will take up permanent residence on your limited counter space for approximately one year. Click the link if you want to see what I am talking about.
Is that really what you want?
Do you want one more baby item taking over your home?
If you already have a drying rack just use it!
If you don’t, get out a freaking towel. A towel can be easily removed when not in use. It has multiple purposes! It will last longer than a year. You don’t have to worry about storing it when you are done with it or trying to resell it.
Just use a towel!!
This is such a great example of the baby industry creating products for us to purchase that you don’t need.
Can you tell this one gets to me?!
10 bottles –> 5 bottles
The more bottles you have the more dirty bottles you will accumulate. Have less and clean them more.
You might think I’m crazy, but I’m quite serious here. Do not overbuy on bottles!
I know of a fourth-time mom who had three bottles. One for daycare, one for home, and the other was the diaper bag floater. They survived.
Pro-Tip: Always rinse out the bottle immediately after use. It will be so much easier to wash.
5 Types of Bottles –> 1 to 2 Types of Bottles
Ok, so more and more I keep hearing about babies refusing certain types of bottles. I just can’t completely wrap my head around this.
If your baby is hungry and you give them a bottle they may at first have difficulty with it. But if you continue to try that same bottle they will get used to it. If it is all they have ever known they will use it.
Unless it is for a medical reason such as reflux, I don’t recommend buying 5 different types of bottles. Medical reasons trump everything!
I keep seeing this advice popping up on registry lists. Do not buy 5 different types of bottles. Your husband or daycare provider will be entirely frustrated with the various parts that go with specific bottles. Can you imagine trying to match tops with bottoms?
This may sound dramatic, but I think it is ridiculous and wasteful.
10 Cloth Bibs –> 2 to 3 Silicone Bibs
Now I am not talking drool bibs, I am talking bibs for eating solids. Soft fabric bibs get gross or need to be washed after every use. This results in you needing more like ten because they are going to sit in the laundry for a bit.
I recommend going with a silicone bib that has a food catcher at the bottom. Trust me it works! You only need 2-3 bibs. One is for at home, one is for the diaper bag, and if needed the third would be for daycare.
Wash it off after every use and have it drying so it is ready for the next meal.
I did not know how much I would love this product. It snuck up on me!
Large High Chair –> Small Booster Seat
This choice depends on your kitchen set up for sure. Do you have space for a free-standing high chair? Do you have a table that only seats 4 and would like to keep all of the seats available for guests?
My reasons for going with the booster seat are:
#1 It travels easier.
#2 Your baby sits with you at the table.
#3 You can let them eat off the actual table (not the tray).
#4 It saves space in the kitchen.
Now I have seen these new “7 Ways to Use It” high chairs. My concern here is are you ever going to change it up and use it another way? Will it require you to store extra parts? Are you the type of person to follow through with making the most out of the 7 ways?
Multiple Types of Plates –> Matching Plates
I love these plates from Target. My sister brought to my attention how the plates in the baby aisle are marked up. They are essentially the same plate but found with the adult kitchenware.
These plates cost about $.59 each or you can pay $4.99 for 3 plates in the baby section.
I suggest going with one type of plate because then they will stack nicely in your cupboards. I get that the food divider plates are nice, and maybe we will try one eventually but for now, we are sticking with simple round plates.
My other thought here is, I don’t want my child to insist her foods never touch. Hopefully, this will benefit her into toddler-hood. Most of the time as an adult you do not use a plate with food sections.
Newborn Hooded Towel –> Toddler Sized Towel –> Adult Towel
This one is a double whammy!
Instead of purchasing a newborn towel go for at least a toddler towel. If you look at the product details you can find the measurements of the towel. Some are around 30 x30 inches, whereas others are 35 x 35 inches.
If you want, skip the baby and toddle towels in general and go straight to an adult towel. This is the most minimal route. In this case you don’t need to purchase anything!
20 Pacifiers –> 5 Pacifiers
The fewer pacifiers you have the better you are at keeping track of them. I recommend one for the majority of the day, use that same pacifier for naps, and then keep another in the diaper bag. Keep track of these two to the best of your ability and have a few extras for backup.
When out in a public place such as a park or grocery store, either take the pacifier from your child or use a clip to attach it to their clothing.
Mittens –> Socks –> Sleepers with Mittens
Mittens only have one purpose. They prevent scratching. Socks can be used as mittens early on and then be used as actual socks. Although, socks are a pain in the butt.
The best option is to purchase baby gowns and sleepers that have the mittens built-in. They look like cuffed sleeves. You just flip them down over your baby’s hands.
If you are going to buy gowns and sleepers anyway, why get ones that are multipurpose?!
Toy Chest –> Open Shelving
Have you ever seen an organized toy box?
It just doesn’t make sense. Everything gets mixed up and sets are separated. Purchase open shelving for most toys. Obviously, large sets such as Legos should be in a bin of some sort. The open shelving lets your child see what is available for them and gives them a place to return the toys once they are finished.
This doesn’t come into play immediately, but is something your baby will grow into. I don’t expect a three month old to put their toys back on a shelf.
New Large Baby Items –> Secondhand
These are the big-ticket items that often have a short life. This could be something like a bouncer or a walker. If you buy this product secondhand then resell it you will likely break even.
Consider secondhand for items that are easy to clean. Items that can go in the washing machine or are easy to wipe down with disinfecting wipes are best purchased secondhand.
Large baby items can be bulky in your home, completely unnecessary, and outrageously priced. I have two posts highlighting this, The Most Expensive Large Baby Items: Are They Worth the Investment? as well as Instead of Buying a Baby Swing Give Your Baby the Freedom to Move.
Suggest you skip on them or if you feel you need them look into getting them secondhand.
Baby Laundry Detergent –> Regular Detergent
Don’t think your baby needs special everything. It doesn’t always make sense to do a load that only consists of baby clothes.
Don’t stress about a specific baby laundry detergent unless you feel there is an issue with your baby’s skin. As always if there is a medical reason that always trumps practicality when it comes to your baby.
Don’t look for a problem though until it exists. Then if necessary you can purchase a specific detergent for your baby.
I hope you enjoyed this list of baby swaps. These are suggestions to own fewer items or items that will have a longer life. Sometimes quality is better than quantity. Take care of what you have and use it frequently.
Think about multipurpose baby items ad how you can make the most out of your baby registry.
Good luck to you on navigating your way through baby items, it’s a jungle!
What baby item swaps have you made?
Check Out My Articles
13 Baby Items You Can Absolutely Leave off Your Registry
Smart Purchases for New Parents: My Top 11 Favorite Baby Products
