New parents can have a tough time being frugal. There are so many baby products available. Some are easier to do without than others. Whether a baby product is useless is debatable. One reader, Karen in Kansas, shares: "I recently went shopping for a baby gift, and I couldn't believe all the stuff we did without. Mostly because it wasn't available. Here are some words of wisdom from the 'Household Searchlight Homemaking Guide' from 1937. It was good then, and even better advice now. 'Supplies for the baby: Do not permit good judgment to be influenced by the sentiment of having a baby. There are so many cute things to buy that it is a temptation to fill the baby's wardrobe with nonessentials. Dozens of the cute things are 100 percent impractical. Do not forget that babies grow rapidly."'

Here are a few suggestions for items you can substitute easily.

CHANGING TABLE: A baby can be changed easily on a bed, couch or even on a clean floor. A changing pad can be helpful, but a towel or receiving blanket works fine, too. Some parents argue their backs hurt from standing and bending over. You can sit on a couch, floor or bed to change the baby.

DIAPER-DISPOSAL SYSTEM: You don't need diaper sausages. If you use disposable diapers, simply place soiled diapers into a plastic grocery bag and toss it out immediately. Better yet, use cloth diapers at least part of the time.

SHOES: Babies don't need shoes. They're nothing more than something to keep parents busy as the baby repeatedly kicks them off. These can wait until a baby is walking. For colder months, simply use socks and booties.

BABY DETERGENT: Select scent- and dye-free laundry detergents, and make certain that baby clothes are rinsed well. Most babies will not have any type of sensitivities that require special baby laundry detergent.

DIAPER BAG: Diaper bags often are too small to fit everything you need or have too many small compartments. You don't need a special bag. A backpack, tote messenger or duffel bag you have at home already will work fine.

CUTE OUTFITS: Avoid buying too many outfits, especially those that button in the back or only on the shoulder. Babies are most comfortable in sleepers, and they're easy for parents to change. A couple of public outfits are plenty.

MOBILE: They're expensive, and most keep babies awake. Often, the mounting brackets don't work well on all crib rails. You can make your own mobile, too. Simply use an embroidery hoop or a dowel. Hang small toys with ribbon, and suspend it from the ceiling.