Baby Toys and Products- need or luxury?

There are so many baby products on the market these days, new moms don't know which ones you'll really need and which ones are just a luxury to have. (This article I write from own experience and is in no means advertising for any product.)

Professionals have different opinions over some items like the walking ring, bumbo seat etc. Some reckons it impacts a child development negatively.  I found it to be true in my son's case, but not my daughter.  My son is very lazy rolling from his back to tummy and other way around, and only sat independently by 7 1/2 months. (My daughter was crawling by then)  The physiotherapist says his muscles became lazy sitting in the Bumbo seat, and although the walking ring made his legs strong, his tummy muscles are still weak. So she suggested no more walking ring until he rolls around. I suppose it depends on the baby, cause like I said, my daughter reached the milestones very quickly and I did the same with her. I must just add I don't leave him for more than a half hour in the ring or seat, I use it in moderation. These products you only use a few months in any case. 

An excellent product from an educational view is an activity mat. To have tummy time is very important, and here baby can do just that. From about 6weeks of age, you can let baby lie on the back to see the hanging toys (just watch out for over stimulation) and when baby can lift up the neck,around 12weeks you can let baby have tummy time for short periods of time. This will help baby to prepare the muscles used in crawling. A good activity mat has different textures, , bright colours and music is a bonus. This is a product I still use and baby is almost 8 months old.

The padded pillow,( my mother made),almost like a pet bed, is very nice to use for baby to lie, sit and play on. You can easily travel with it, even use as a bed. We used it for over 2 years with Lella.

A swing of some sort is nice to have for movement stimulation, and you also use it for quite a while.

We used the sitting chair also quite alot, from about 2 months until baby can throw himself sideways, because even if fasten, he can maybe fall out that way.

We have a 2nd hand jolly jumper we used from about 5 months. One can use it until baby gets too active in it, becoming a danger to himself, although we stopped using it on recommendation of the phisio. (Not sure why though)

Some products you can definitely do without, but it is nice to have, although if you can get it 2nd hand, it is a bonus!