6 Baby Items Not Worth Buying According to Expert Norland Nanny
Childcare expert Alexandra revealed which items she refuses to buy
Training at Norland: A Deeper Insight
When it comes to your little one, it’s understandable that you want nothing but the best. Though you might be tempted to buy into the latest trend, a nanny to some of the world’s richest families has revealed which items you won’t want.
Having trained alongside royal nannies at the Norland, Alexandra Tealeaf knows a thing or two about what is best for babies. Not only do these childminders undergo intense training, the influencer has gone on to have her own family so she has plenty of experience with baby products. Though you might think she would urge her followers to splurge on the latest buys, the mum-of-one claims that there are at least six items she would never own after her Norland training.
COT BUMPERS: A Suffocation Risk
If you’ve been renovating the nursery or scroller through Pinterest, you’ve probably seen these brightly colored pads. Made from padded foam and soft cotton, cot bumpers are meant to protect your little ones from any bumps and bruises as they sleep. While they might look aesthetic online, Alexandra says that are completely unnecessary and potentially dangerous too. She told her followers: “Absolutely no way. They are a suffocate risk, they are not necessarily as cute as they look, please do not buy these.”
DOONA CONVERTIBLE CHAIR SEAT/PUSHCHAIR: Buyer Beware
Travelling with an infant can be stressful, so you might be tempted to buy a Doona convertible car chair and pushchair. If you weren’t put off by the price tag, you might also rethink this baby buy when hearing what this Norland nanny has to say. While you might be tempted to go for the most popular brands, the expert urged parents to do their research before buying them. “They are not worth the money or the risk, there are so many other options available on the market right now,” she explained, advising her followers to purchase car seats that clipped on a pushchair base.
WINDI: Invasive Gadgets
Having little ones with trapped wind is never fun, with parents desperately trying every possible cure. You might have even seen devices like Windi, which are small, hollow tubes designed to be inserted into your baby’s rectum to ease symptoms. Needless to say, the influencer has not been impressed by these gadgets and told her followers: “Very invasive. Effectively burped babies will not need to have this contraption used on them.”
PUSH-ALONG TRIKE: Wait Until They Are Older
Carrying your kid around can be exhausting, so a push-along trike might seem like a good way for them to still take in the sights. However, Alexandra revealed that she often sees them being used when tots are too young – with the parents doing most of the exercise for them. Though there is no harm in this, the childminder opted to use a balance bike with her son and claims it will help him progress to a proper bike faster.
HARD SOLE SHOES: Delicate Bones Need Protection
When your little one starts walking, it’s hard to know when is the right time to buy them their first pair of hard sole shoes. Though you might be tempted to get mini-versions of your favorite sneakers straight away, this expert says that babies shouldn’t have hard shoes until they’ve been walking for at least six weeks. “They can’t walk, where are they going?” Alexandra teased, saying that you ought to invest in soft shoes that protect the delicate bones in babies’ feet.
BABY BJORN MINI: Uncomfortable Design
Finally, it’s one of the trendiest baby carriers on the market. Though other parents might be racing to the checkout to get their hands on these, Alexandra states that the design is ‘terribly uncomfortable’ compared to other alternatives. We wonder what other items would make her list.
What is a Norland nanny?
Known for their iconic brown uniform and hat, Norland nannies undergo intense training learning about every aspect of childcare and early development. They will undergo specialized training for first aid, advanced driving, and even self-defense. Seems like Mary Poppins has nothing on the Norland nannies.