Source
r/toddlers•
gettinglostonpurpose

What kids product is a total scam or waste of money?

Rant/vent

Tell me about the scams, low quality products or false advertising you’ve encountered a parent. No matter how small or insignificant, this is your chance to vent it out to others who might relate. I’ll go first.

Toys that (falsely) advertise an interactive app or website feature. I’ve purchased multiple kids toys and books that claim to have an app or some type of free download only to discover that the app/website was poorly designed or never maintained so it no longer works. Luckily for us, the apps and websites are not necessary for the toys to work but it’s still frustrating. These aren’t small toy companies without the ability to keep apps updated and working. It’s just lazy businesses (ahem, Little Tikes) that don’t care enough to produce decent quality products. Probably because their users are toddlers who don’t know any better or care. But I know my kid isn’t getting everything that was advertised and I know it’s not right.

Also, the new Pampers Club. IYKYK. I’m so glad my kid is potty trained and I’m no longer part of the “club”. Although now I’m sitting on $30 of Pampers cash that can only be redeemed for coupons I don’t need and only accepted by stores I don’t shop at. Worst rewards program ever.

Posted Aug 26, 2023, 4:00 AM UTC

941
SeniorMiddleJunior•

Also, the new Pampers Club. IYKYK.

Can you share more for those of us who don't know?

1
newmomma2020•

Basically it's a huge waste of time. I'm sure some find it worthwhile, but I did it for less than a day because I had to manually type in the code on each individual wipes package to get a "reward" for them.

I can buy super cheap diapers and wipes from other places (Amazon brand with subscription is abou 20 cents per diaper, kroger wipes at 10,000 wipes for $20) instead of trying to get these name brand rewards.

1
Artistic_Emu2720•

They also used to let you redeem for gift cards. Now it’s just coupons that no one at Kroger can figure out how to use. At least the digital ones.

1
gettinglostonpurposeOP•

They drastically changed the rewards and my points became basically worthless overnight. To their credit, Pampers did send out notifications before the change was implemented but I missed it. Before, the points could be used for a big selection of items (Gift cards to lots of retailers/restaurants, baby toys and books, etc). Now they’re only good for pampers coupons and they are only redeemable at a small handful of retailers. One reason I missed the announcement of the change is because my son was potty training and I hadn’t logged into the app in awhile. I just figured I’d cash out my points for a generic gift card since I was no longer buying diapers.. imagine my surprise when I realized I could only redeem them for diaper coupons. The app isn’t great either so it’s time consuming and frustrating to enter codes, it’s just a total waste of time now.

1
PixelPlum•

I’m sorry you missed the announcements! Before the switch, I used those points to get gift cards for Sephora. I’ve still been logging the codes, but I haven’t tried exchanging the points for coupons yet. Needless to say, I miss the old rewards.

1
kendralherrington•

Anything with a screen

1
Flaky-Scallion9125•

The motorized swings are a waste of money and space. The baby Bjorne bouncers are the best and I think they like the feeling gravity feeling.

1
Odd-Sheepherder4341•

I'll second this. My son kind of liked it during his first month, but his hold lolled to the side unless we added extra support. Now a month later he can keep his head up better and seems to fit the swing better, but all he wants is to sit up and doesn't want to lay back in his swing. He'll fuss if you leave him more than a few minutes.

1
nothing_to_hide•

I had both and they both have their uses. In the first 1-2months the swing was very useful, especially when you have an older toddler to take care of. I don't see the bouncer filling that function. The bouncer is usable for a long time, once the baby has more strength to bounce. My child was the fifth one to use that particular swing, so there was no money wasted there. Bouncer raised 3 babies. Both are quality items

1
PixelPlum•

We had both and used the motorized swing way more than the bouncer. It did take up a ton of space, but it saved my sanity so many times.

1
Flaky-Scallion9125•

I definitely shouldn’t have made a blanket statement. So glad you found what helped you!!

1
Heart_Flaky•

No way, my son had colic and this was a life saver.

1
Flaky-Scallion9125•

So glad you found what helped!!!

1
ChimeraDoll87•

This was definitely such a waste of money for us! Everytime ny daughter would be put in it she'd scream. The times she didn't she would have a poosplosion. Not sure how that worked lol

1
ObviousCarrot2075•

My baby loved both. Luckily we got both as free hand me downs (then passed them on for free). But I loved the Bjorne for travel - we even brought it to restaurants lol.

1
parthenie•

Weighted swaddles. I bought some super expensive ones as a sleep deprived parent going back to work and they were awful and helped nothing. Come to find out recently that they are not even considered safe! 😡

1
Scared_Cantaloupe_•

Yes second this!! Regret buying them

1
nothing_to_hide•

The breathable mattress - was it Newton baby? I do think it's a great mattress, we are almost ready to retire it after 2 kids, and it looks like new with no sag whatsoever. My issue is the breathability function, I don't see it working unless you have 2 of them that you can swap at a moment's notice whenever spitup or blowouts happen. Cleaning and drying them is time consuming, we had to use a mattress protector which negates the whole breathability gimmick. Great mattress otherwise!

1
Flaky-Scallion9125•

Anything brand new is a scam. Except for car seats? Get everything used. There’s TONS of clothing out there. Newborn clothing is a scam.

1
magic__unicorn•

And mattresses IMO

1
Dangerous-Guava9484•

Sleep sacks after 12 months. Why???

1
Flaky-Scallion9125•

Oh so interesting!! Ours kicks off the blanket then wakes up from being cold 😵‍💫 we love our sleep sack! Got a used Woolino

1
Dangerous-Guava9484•

Maybe I should give it another chance! It’s just such a hassle to try to wrangle a tired, grumpy toddler into one of those.

1
Flaky-Scallion9125•

Oh yes. That’s a thing. I definitely don’t have all the answers but what seems to work at this very moment is giving them the game plan two steps ahead. “We’re getting out of the bath then doing your diaper.” -> “We’re getting your diaper on then putting on you pjs.” -> “We’re getting your pjs on then sleep sack” … all the Janey Lansbury stuff about narrating actually works even when we’re all bone tired.

1
shoot_edit_repeat•

Our 2.5yo is still wearing a sleep sack lmao. She loves it, we love it. Keeps her from kicking off the blankets. Best decision we make regarding her sleep time.

1
coffeeforutility•

So they don’t climb out of the crib!

1
Icy-Mobile503•

My daughter loves hers! We’ll use them as long as she wants.

1
Erinsays•

Mine is 3 and potty trained and still in a sleep sack (although a footed one). He was in regular sleep sacks until we moved to a real bed. He LOVES his sleep sacks. They do seem very cosy.

1
Scared_Cantaloupe_•

Seems like lots of parents are serious about their sleep sacks LOL. We ditched them at 10 months, best decision ever.

1
Quirky_Property_1713•

Because they’re AWESOME. I would have a sleep sack as an adult if I could. There’s no downside.

1
coffeeforutility•

Bassinets are pointless - put them in a pack n play next to your bed and save the $$.

Every sippy cup will leak eventually.

Dress up clothes need to be more durable.

“Sensory bins” are just plastic storage tubs that you can get for $5 at Target.

Most ‘Montessori’ toys aren’t actually rooted in the Montessori philosophy.

Sterilizers are unnecessary - just throw your stuff through the dishwasher every once in while.

1
hooked_on_phishdicks•

It's funny how everyone has such different feelings about things. My bassinet is one of my absolute essentials. With my first we had a really rough start and making it as easy as possible to grab her without getting up was key for survival in the early days. Admittedly it probably wasn't quite as necessary for my second who was a lot easier but I still very much appreciated having it.

Everything else on your list I absolutely agree with though. Especially sensory bins. Such a silly concept to me. Just let your kid dig in a sandbox, dirt, mud etc. and you get all the same development with none of the work and cost.

1
mamaspark•

Bassinet was crucial for me too. I didn’t even pay I just got hand me downs so wasn’t an issue. Pack and play don’t have comfortable mattresses either

1
Paliag•

I absolutely loved my bedside bassinet with the drop down side. It was much more convenient than the pack n play (which we used while traveling).

In the bassinet the baby was pretty much level with my bed and I could just roll over and scoop them out of it. In the pack n play, even with a raised mattress, I would have to sit up and bend down to get them.

I would say a bassinet is worthless at all.

1
ObviousCarrot2075•

I hate our stokke triptrap high chair and so does my child. It’s impossible to adjust the harness. The harness doesn’t stay out of the way when you try to put a child in it. My toddler hates sitting in it and I can’t figure out why. It’s so overpriced. Looks great but functionally sucks.

I really don’t get why people love them.

1
dewdropreturns•

Oh funny! My kid has liked it so far (he’s coming up on 2.5) and I have too. The harness is a bit annoying but overall he seems quite comfy and happy in the chair. I was expecting him to want out of the high chair to play like 3 min into every meal (have seen this with other kids) but he sits with us f o r e v e r. Haha

1
ObviousCarrot2075•

Jealous! Mine is the 3 minutes and I’m done type.

1
danipnk•

We had to take off the harness. It was a huge pain in the butt

1
ObviousCarrot2075•

Great advice! I’ll give it a try.

1
Puff615•

Same. The harness is so awful. We ended up taking it off too.

1
Erinsays•

I have the Stokke steps and it’s fantastic. Everything is incredibly easy to use and clean.

1
Remarkable-Captain-8•

Thank you! We hate it too and I felt so alone.

1
ObviousCarrot2075•

Same! We can band together.

1
Best_Practice_3138•

The snoo. Not only is it unsafe, it’s totally unnecessary.

Let me go far as to say: any unsafe child device such as a the doc a tot (or the alike), in bed portable bassinets, car seat accessories. The list goes on.

1
hooked_on_phishdicks•

I don't like the Snoo for other reasons but I do have to ask, why do you believe it's unsafe? As far as I'm aware it is actually considered very safe so I'm curious if there's something I don't know

1
Best_Practice_3138•

It restrains the child and prevents them from rolling. The AAPs stance on sleep positioners (the snoo is considered a positioner) is clear.

1
atreegrowsinnny•

This is incorrect. It’s incredibly safe and recently received FDA approval for its reduction in risky sleep positions: https://www.empr.com/home/news/snoo-an-infant-supine-sleep-system-gets-fda-approval/#:~:text=The%20Food%20and%20Drug%20Administration,able%20to%20roll%20over%20consistently.

1
Best_Practice_3138•

Risky sleep positions? A child who gets themselves in a sleep position on their own does not need to be moved or restrained. That’s not “risky”

1
atreegrowsinnny•

Positions defined as to desperate parents placing their babies on tummies, in swings, co-sleeping, etc.

Here’s the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945722006992

Results: Surveyed SNOO users were found to be significantly less likely to engage in SIDS/SUIDS risk behaviors across the below three domains when compared to the lowest risk available cohort 2009-2015 PRAMS respondents:

  • Non-supine sleep: 1.3% SNOO versus 15.3% OPC

  • Any bedsharing: 29.4% SNOO versus 50.9% OPC

  • Any soft bedding: 10.8% SNOO versus 31.6% OPC

Again - it’s found to be extremely safe. It might not work for every baby/family. But it’s indisputably safe.

1
milkofthepoppie•

The 4moms swing thing. So expensive and my baby hated it.

1
Agent_Nem0•

I’m not sure if it’s just me and my setup, but I have not ever used the baby monitor.

1
aeipathiies•

The ikea high chair that’s gotten really popular is so ridiculous. The tray broke almost immediately. I wanted a high chair that was its own thing for my second(we had a small portable high chair for my first) and I ended up having to duct tape it together a week after I bought it because a replacement tray was almost $10 not including shipping

1
VegetableAnybody942•

Anything marketed to cure colic lol. Sorry… it’s just a grin and bear it, wait it out thing in most cases. (If it’s true colic)

1
gettinglostonpurposeOP•

Couldn’t agree more. If those products actually worked, colic would be practically eradicated. Parents of colicky babies are some of the most desperate people on earth, if the cure was sitting on the shelf in the grocery store all of them would know.

1
VegetableAnybody942•

Amen. That’s why I have only one child 🤣 those first 6 months traumatized me

1
Scared_Cantaloupe_•

Anything that promises baby will sleep longer lol

1
Naive_Scarcity_923•

Notable exception: snoo

1
krispin08•

Anything and everything marketed to desperate, sleep-deprived parents. Weighted sleep sacks, zippidee zips, Merlin suits, lavender scented everything, melatonin-infused everything, etc etc etc. The one exception is our Hatch sound machine. That thing is worth 100x its weight in gold. It even helps me sleep better.

1
Paliag•

I LOVED my zipadee zips for both of my kids, as well as cloth bibs! Two of my favorite things!

1
Ocarina-of-Crime•

I have lots of those snack cups that don’t spill easily. My daughter aggressively sticks her hand in and pulls all snacks out.

I know people swear by the nail grinder things vs clippers but they took so much longer to me.

1
lgheartssp2•

I got some changing table protectors. I never used them because they are like a bamboo cotton and need to be washed anytime they get poo or pee on them. Crazy that they even make those. I ended up using a small changing mat that was wipeable instead.

1
ObviousCarrot2075•

Changing pad covers are a total waste of money and time imo. We have a bare one we just wipe down.

1
lgheartssp2•

Seriously such a waste. Idk what I was thinking adding that to my registry. I could've also gone without the little mat too I think but it was a gift from a coworker so it's ok.

1
infiniteblonde•

If there’s one thing I’ve learned when it comes to baby/toddler stuff, it’s that one person’s waste of money is another person’s favorite item ever.

1
Paliag•

Right? So many of my favorite things with my two kids, Bassinet, Zipadee Zips, IKEA high chair, 4Moms MamaRoo are being mentioned.

To each their own 😆

1
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