A Minimalist Approach to All of the Baby "Stuff You Need" On Your Registry
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Making room for baby might not mean you need as much space as before. Today, many parents are opting for a minimalist approach to “baby stuff” and only investing in the bare essentials over many items which they’ll quickly grow bored of or grow out of.
Whether you’re a first time parent, or you’re on your second or third, if you’re interested in minimalism, it can seem more daunting than detoxifying if you’re not sure exactly what the essentials for your individual baby will be, because at the end of the day every baby is truly so different.
Here, we’ll break down a few pros and cons of a minimalist approach to all the “stuff” that you may or may not need for baby:
Pros of Minimal “Stuff” | Cons of Minimal “Stuff” |
You can allocate more money to invest in higher ticket items, i.e. car seat and crib, especially if you plan on more kids | You may find yourself in need of big ticket items with time that you could have potentially registered for/been gifted |
More physical room for baby to grow without as many things in the way | You could regret the choices that you did purchase down the road |
Many mindful mommas online are sharing their journey to cutting down on the “stuff.” Sophie Jaffe, mother-of-three and entrepreneur, wrote in a blog post after the birth of her third child, daughter Noa Yaelle, that she found herself needing less “stuff” than ever before: “I’m already a very minimalistic person and don't like a lot of clutter in my life. The more I simplify and reduce excess, the less I want. As we prepared for baby #3, it was very clear that I only wanted what we actually need.” While Sophie likely already had many baby items still in good shape from her two older children, she often documents how she only uses the most essential items for her daughter.
Aside from the obvious diapers, wipes, and clothing, there are a still a lot of other “things” that may seem necessary because they’re the new hot-ticket item in town, but that may not always be the case.
Classic Baby Swaddles
You can never have enough of these breathable muslin swaddles which get softer with every wash. Plus, they’re versatile! Use them to swaddle your little one, use as a stroller/car seat cover when it’s hot or sunny, a nursing blanket when in public, a changing table cover, or even a tummy time blanket.
Buy it here.
Baby Monitor
Peace of mind is one thing not to pass on when making your list of baby items to be purchased. This 5” screen shows a sharp picture, and the set comes with a wide-angle lens that grows with your baby. Plus, you can pan the lens 330 degrees, and see floor to ceiling.
Buy it here.
Moses Basket + Bedding
This sweet straw basket is easily transportable to different areas of your home, so you can keep an eye on your baby while they nap or simply relax.
Buy it here.
Bassinet Rocking Base
When it’s time for a middle of the night feeding and diaper change, the last thing you want to do is get out of bed and reach down to the ground. Keep your baby right next to you with this elevated base that you can use to rock your baby to sleep.
Buy it here.
Lightweight Stroller
Today, there’s no need for multiple strollers for different purposes when you can have one that does it all, and looks sleek, too. With a light frame, easily adaptable and packable design, and all-wheel suspension tires, this stroller can take you just about anywhere.
Buy it here.
Car Seat + Base
Made for the on-the-move parents, this car seat and base can easily be swapped from car to car without any hassle. Plus, it’s lightweight for ease of moving from the car to your house.
Buy it here.
Shampoo/Body Wash + Lotion
Feel good about the products you put on your baby’s skin with this soothing duo of vanilla lavender scented 2-in-1 shampoo/body wash and matching lotion.
Buy it here.
Diaper Bag
Stay chic and organized with a diaper bag that does it all, including an insulated section for bottles, a USB charging port so you can stay connected, and an easy-to-wipe interior that keeps things clean.
Buy it here.
Carrier Sling
Whether you’re going on a walk, or just moving around the house, you can keep your hands free and your baby close and secure in this easy to wear wrap.
Buy it here.
Bath Seat
Keep baby comfortable during bath time with a hygienic and ergonomically designed bath time seat that easily stores and dries between use.
Buy it here.
At the end of the day, every parent is only human, so don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t hit your groove with the right amount of “stuff” for your baby. Meredith Bay-Tyack of MeredithTested.com writes about her experience preparing for baby with little items: “The truth is I sometimes aired on the side of minimalism too much and got caught unprepared or with too few things on occasion. A couple slightly frantic in person and online shopping trips helped me fill in the gaps. Knowing what I know now, would I possibly have had those things to begin with? Not necessarily. There are some needs that pop up because of your particular unique situation and baby and cannot be anticipated. I know, you might not want to hear that. You might want to be 100% prepared in advance for any situation. Babies are all different.”
You may find that the items your first child loved, your second child didn’t, or that you need to purchase multiple breast pumps until you find “the one,” but at the end of the day these decisions are entirely up to you.
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