I've found them great for both kids (had one with a bath underneath for DD & now a timber one for DS)

BUT while I was a single mum for 7 months when DD was 12 months old, I just had a thick blankrt folded into a good sixe that I kept under my fouton lounge & slid iy out when needed, so I agree its noyt necessary

ETA sorry about typos, typing in dark while feeding DS!!