Minimalist Baby Essentials That We Actually Use

New parents are prey to our commercial world every day and I feel as if the beauty of motherhood is now drowned out by *must haves* and who has the nicest baby items. It can be overwhelming shopping for a baby now and so hard to know what you really need!

So what does my baby actually need?

Honestly, not as much as you might think. As a second time mom, I learned a lot from baby #1. With my first, I still wanted a minimal registry but it was so hard between what advertisers were saying I needed and what my family was saying I needed (vs. what I actually wanted). Since I am prepping for baby #2, I thought I’d share with you what we feel are actually essential items for up to a year (because let’s be real, that’s the next time your baby will be receiving gifts so let’s plan ahead).

This checklist might not be for everyone, but I’ve included everything that we will actually be using for baby #2 that we saved from our first baby. We didn’t hold onto things we didn’t use or had an overabundance of. We did use more sustainable options, like cloth diapers, and I know that might not be everyone’s choice.

Related: My Birth Story With Evelyn

Things to note before we start

1. What Registry Did you use? Babylist!

I loved that Babylist has the ability to add any item from any store to your list. So we were able to add items from small businesses, Etsy, Amazon, and more! They even list the various prices of one item so you can see which retailer has it at what cost. It’s so easy, you get a 15% off discount, and they gift you a baby box full of various goodies to test out! You can also order your breast pump through them and they will contact your provider to receive it for free (some insurances only cover certain types of pumps, so be sure to check eligibility). They also share helpful guides from experts.

2. Other Helpful Resources

Since I listed Babylist as my go-to registry choice, I also wanted to list another helpful resource. After my baby was born, I used the Nara Baby Tracker. I was able to track sleeping, diaper changes, feedings, and so much more! I do breastfeed, and using the app to track which side was most recently fed from was a game changer for me! I relied too heavily on my sleepy, mom-fogged brain the first time and it led to a lot of engorgement.

3. What works for us might not work for you

We are an outdoorsy, low-maintenance family. The brands we enjoy, might be out of budget, might not be necessary, might not even be comfortable to you. There is not one ‘best’ way to parent, nor is there a magical list of ‘best’ kid items. As a second time mom, I think I have some worthwhile advice that very much worked for us, but my kids, my lifestyle, my budget, my taste, my location, and my schedule are probably different than yours! If you can, ask friends if you can borrow, test out, or use the products that worked for them before making a purchase.

4. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

There are some items that companies are going to insist you must have. That simply isn’t true for everyone. I recommend starting out by refusing most items. If you decide after a month that it would greatly improve your life and be worth the investment, then you can think about purchasing it. We actually get many of our items as hand-me-downs, Facebook Marketplace finds, or our local consignment. I keep a list of things that I am looking for and wait until we find them. Local baby consignment stores are the best way to find discounted, gently-used children’s items too! You don’t have to buy everything new, but if you do choose to support me by using my affiliate links, I want to thank you!

5. The newborn phase is also your parenthood phase

While babies only need a few things to survive, this is also a phase about your survival and blossom as a new parent. If you are a new mother, setting yourself up for a successful postpartum is incredibly important. If certain things can make your life easier during this time, that I have not included in this post, feel free to get those if you have the means! Keep a running list since you won’t know until the moment.

6. Think Past the newborn phase

The first weeks will feel like they are going by so slow, and yet so fast. When I was making my registry, my mom said “make sure you add stuff for up to a year. Babies grow so fast and they don’t receive presents again until their first birthday.” While you definitely don’t want to go too crazy on certain items, like baby clothes or throw away diapers in one size, you definitely want to include things you will need for the whole first year of your baby’s life! I wrote a post about Minimalist Toddler Things We Actually Use, if you want to look into the next stage of life.

Let’s Talk Diapering and Bathing

Diapers

For cloth diapers, we loved Nora’s Nursery pocket diapers. We loved the way they fit and were one-size-fits-all, they also washed well and never stained. We did learn after a year or so about how they aren’t the most sustainable pocket diaper brand, like GroVia, but we already built a wonderful supply and would rather use what we have until they are no longer usable than waste resources by purchases new diapers. If you cloth diaper, I highly recommend GroVia’s Mighty Bubbles for a monthly or bi-monthly cleaning strip. Stripping your diapers can be harmful if done too often, so that’s why they recommend every 6-8 weeks, but it helps keep diapers clean and buildup-free.

For disposable diapers, we love Seventh Generation, Honest Company, or Hello Bello. So, yes, even though we cloth diaper there are still situations where we feel more comfortable using disposables - such as on vacation, during a camping trip, or towards the end of potty training (our daughter decided she no longer wanted to wear diapers, so we just wore disposables for nights). Each child is different, and each parenthood journey is different! This is really an example of there is no one size fits all here.

*Tip: if you, or someone you know, is wanting to cloth diaper, have a diaper raffle at the baby shower. In the invitation, ask each guest to bring one cloth diaper or bag of wipes to be entered in the raffle. This will help so much!

Wipes

I started off making my own wipes… It wasn’t bad actually and I would still use them! But we were already learning how to manage our new schedule and wash diapers, that adding wipes to the list was just one more thing I didn’t want to do. After I stopped making the wipe solution, we switched to Honest Company wipes. You’ll want big boxes because you can never have too many!

*Tip: If you do make your own wipes, you can use cloth diaper wet bags to put the dirty wipes or diapers in, or these washable pail liners.

Changing Pad

We never put a changing table on our list, and we don’t regret that decision at all. Most of the time we had a play space consisting of a thick blanket and we would change our daughter’s diaper there. But if it was a gnarly one, then we would bring out her portable changing pad.

Diaper Cream

Most of the time, coconut oil was our diaper cream of choice and it made wiping after poops much easier. It wasn’t until we were in Japan for 3 weeks that we needed our first diaper cream. Hello Bello makes a clean diaper cream, Earth Mama has an organic diaper balm, or you could even use Badger Baby Balm (which I mention a lot in this article because it was my favorite).

Lotion

Baby lotion is essential, especially if you are washing your baby very frequently. This Badger Baby Balm is an amazing and organic balm that’s perfect for literally anything! You can use it for cradle cap, diaper rash, moisturizing, nipple balm, boo-boos, and so much more. We were gifted this brand and I love it. I’ll be making our own from the garden now too. Our second favorite lotion leaves our skin so buttery soft! We love to use this Bag Balm lotion with shea butter. Not only does it make our kids so silky, but I always get compliments from my husband after I put it on too.

Baby Wash

You can use a fragrance free baby wash, like this one from The Honest Company, or I’ll just be using a gentle, fragrance free soap bar from my favorite soap company. It’s best to use fragrance free though because babies can have reactions to scented soaps and lotions, but artificial fragrances are also awful for us and our environment. If you want a simple soap without all the chemicals and fragrances, consider goat milk soap! It is hypoallergenic, making it the perfect choice for newborns and sensitive skins. I am currently using a goats milk shampoo bar, so I used it for our first bath at home and loved that it worked.

Bath Towel

You can use just a regular towel for a baby. There’s nothing saying you need a hooded towel. We were gifted some and continue to use them until they are no longer useable. We have three organic cotton baby towels that we love and I think that’s the perfect amount.

Washcloths

We were gifted A TON of washcloths… I think it was an unnecessary amount and you really only need maybe three as well. I do prefer the smaller ones since it’s easier to get into their little baby crevasses. Because we were gifted so many washcloths, I attempted to make our own washable wipes, as I mentioned above! I didn’t mind it at all! It was surprisingly simple, easy, and the washcloths worked great. But it was one more thing to have on my already busy list. I would be willing to attempt it again though.

First aid/ Grooming Kit

I’m going to go out of the box here and tell you to purchase these separately. I know! There are so many nice looking kits out there, but we went through so many of them because they are cheaply made. Here’s what we ended up loving and I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing these grooming essentials individually: Baby hair brush set, nail trimmer, nasal aspirator, and thermometer. Obviously, you will want a toothbrush eventually as well. As soon as baby’s first tooth comes in, you will want to brush it and get baby use to brushing their teeth. Frida Baby makes the perfect Grow With Me silicone toothbrush for those first teeth. Or for those wanting a bamboo approach, these Wild & Stone baby bamboo toothbrushes are 100% biodegradable. For first aid, you can get any kit. We have also loved keeping Zarbee’s cough medicine, soothing chest rubs, and Punkin Butt teething oil on hand.

Related: Woodland Nursery Room Reveal

How To Dress Baby

Something I wish I had learned sooner is to do away with cute outfits for the first few weeks (maybe even months if it makes things easier). I know you will probably be gifted or be tempted to purchase all the cute outfits for your baby! We’ve been there! But it is so much easier to get a handful of neutral pieces than it is to have to match all the outfits together while doing laundry. You’ll be so tired those first couple weeks that you will wish you could just reach into the dresser and grab something blindly! The number of pieces depends on how frequently you wash laundry. For us, once a week works best so we have typically 5-7onesies of both short and long sleeve. From there, you add your layers such as pants, socks, sweaters, hats, and gloves. For sleepers, I highly recommend zipper sleepers because you will not want to be buttoning all those buttons at 2 in the morning! I can promise you that!

Minimalist Gear

Car Seat & Stroller

Unless you live somewhere with affordable and available public transportation, you will more than likely need a car seat. We got the car seat and stroller combo from Safety 1st for the first few years. After our daughter outgrew the system, we switched to a convertible car seat that will be with her until she hits the age or weight limits.

Baby Carrier

Having two baby carriers on hand has worked well for us because when one is dirty and in the wash, we have the other one. This is especially true on trips too! My husband would have the Baby Bjorn carrier on and I would have the Boba wrap on, so we could take turns carrying the baby throughout our vacations. We loved both and would use them both very frequently! If you want the structure of a Baby Bjorn, but the closeness of a wrap, try the Boppy Wrap carrier. If you need more help deciding on a carrier, I wrote an article here: Baby Carrier Guide

Diaper Bag

We used this Eddie Bauer diaper bag that my husband picked up from Target one day. I think I sent him to look for a backpack style one and did very little research into it! He came home with that one and we ended up loving it. I loved the cooler compartment, the built in wipes compartment, and the spaciousness of it. It does come with a foldable changing pad, but I highly recommend getting a different one that may be more structured and easy to wash.

Boppy Pillow

Boppy Pillows were designed to be so versatile making it a game-changer for feeding, tummy time, and propping up the baby as they grow. The pillow provides crucial support for nursing or bottle-feeding, promoting a comfortable and ergonomic position for both parent and baby. Its multi-functional nature extends its usefulness well beyond the feeding stage, as it becomes an invaluable aid for aiding the baby's development during early tummy time and assisting them as they learn to sit up.

Moses Basket

Typically we leave baby to play on a mat in a safe space when we aren’t holding her. This is because we know putting baby in a ‘container’ type situation, like a swing, lounger, etc., restricts movement and development. It’s not a no-go here, but we definitely keep it as limited as possible! For the times I really need to shower or put baby in a container that isn’t her bed, I love to use my Tadpoles Moses Basket!

Camping

This section might not be useful to everyone, but if you do a lot of camping like us then you might be thinking “how in the world do I camp with a baby?” After two, we have simplified and figured this out! We use this Fold-’N-Go bassinet and put the bed in between my husband and I to keep the baby in the warmest part of the tent. Then we use Morrison Outdoors sleeping bags. We use this high chair regularly, but it is also amazing for camping as it attaches to a table.

The Furniture

Crib and Mattress

With our first daughter, we had a portable bassinet next to the bed but I hated having to reach down and grab her every time she needed to nurse during the first few weeks. So this time around, we are just going straight to the crib. We are able to convert our crip into a co-sleeper and put it right up against the bed. Then she will be used to sleeping in her crib from the get-go and we won’t have to worry about a transition! We got the basic wooden crib from Ikea, here is a similar one from Dream On Me. But you could find any decent crib on Facebook Marketplace too.

After she is old enough to leave our room, we got the kids an Ikea bunk bed with the bottom bed on the floor. We are transitioning to the Montessori sleeping approach this time around once we feel safe and ready.

*update: we have been using the floor bed for a few months now and love it! Our youngest is doing great with it.

Rocking Chair

Rocking will stimulate the feeling of being in the womb, which is why so many babies will fall right asleep in a rocking chair. We used ours every night for almost two years with our first daughter. It was actually a hand-me-down that was gifted to my mother at her baby shower for me. Our second rocking chair we found at Habitats for Humanities for $13! I suggest heading to the store to test out different types of chairs to see what feels most comfortable before thrifting one, then you will know what to look for. Some people are fine with the old school wooden rockers, some people use gliders, and some people need a reclining feature, try them all first!

Baskets/Dresser

For the first year of our daughter’s life, we just used baskets and an old Ikea bookshelf to organize her clothing and diapers. We kept everything minimal and only needed four baskets for this! Plus, babies will go through so many articles of clothing as they outgrow (or soil) them. It wasn’t until we saw a kids dresser that needed some TLC that we picked it up, gave it a fresh clean, a paint job, and filled it up. Tip: I also suggest hanging a bag in the closet to put clothes in as your child grows out of them! It happens all so fast and we have to go down two flights of stairs to put outgrown clothes away, so I love having the bag handy to fill up and only make one trip.

How Much Bedding Do I Need?

Waterproof Pads & Crib Sheet

Between the waterproof pads and crib sheets, I like to keep 2-3 of each. From there, I lasagna layer them on. By this, I mean I’m layering one waterproof pad, then a crib sheet, then another waterproof pad, crib sheet, and so forth. This makes changing soiled bedding in the middle of the night a breeze! I have to say, I don’t actually remember this being an issue during our baby months. But as our daughter began potty training, it was very helpful in the middle of the night after an accident.

Blankets

We like to keep a blanket per child in each car, then have a few on hand at home. We were gifted quite a few and some handmade ones that had been passed down. Honestly, I have a hard time getting rid of blankets so I held onto all of ours. BUT realistically, you probably only need maybe 4 depending on your situation. Blankets should not be in the bed for the first year anyways, so we use them as play mats, to keep warm in the car in the winter, and to snuggle during cold days.

Swaddles

This can absolutely depend on your baby, but having a swaddle for each night of the week and a few extra helped us. Sometimes a swaddle is the closest thing to grab, making it the perfect spit up cleaner! One for each night allowed us to only do laundry once a week (which is our usual), and the few extra helped us if we needed some throughout the day. You can use a swaddle blanket or a more structured swaddle. The second time around, we skipped the swaddle all together and went straight to a zip-up sleep sack.

How To Feed A Baby

Nursing Pads

This is an essential if you plan on breastfeeding! During the first few months, your body will be trying to regulate its flow and you will more than likely leak like crazy. Get a few packs of organic nursing pads so you can layer up those first few months. I never had any issue with the washable ones, I always changed them frequently. But if you have sterile issues or they just aren’t comfortable, don’t be afraid to try a few different types. We prefer to stay away from disposables so I don’t have any specific recommendations for them.

Nipple Cream

Just like you use chap stick on your lips, you will want chap stick for your nursing nipples as well. I’ve used coconut oil, the same calendula salve from earlier, and Earth Mama’s nipple butter to keep my nipples happy and minimize the uncomfortable pain. After I returned to school with my first daughter, I learned that putting the cream on before and after nursing (or pumping) helped a lot! All three of the creams I used are safe for baby to ingest, so I knew I didn’t have to worry if I applied it before a nursing session.

Breast Pump

Even if you don’t plan on pumping, I highly suggest having the Haakaa pump on hand! Or the Elvie Silicone pump. This is a silicone pump that collects milk after letdown. As you begin your breastfeeding journey, you may come to find that the other breast will experience letdown at the same time you are nursing on the other side. Instead of letting it wreck your breast pads or leak all over your clothes, collect it in a Haakaa/Elvie pump and store it for later! You can either use it in a bottle when they are older and you need a break, turn it into lotion, use it in baby led weaning recipes, or throw it into their bath for a hydrating milk bath. I didn’t have any issues with my Haakaa pump but for some with more squirmy babies, it can easily be kicked off the breast. The Elvie manual pump sits discreetly in the bra and prevents little feet from kicking it away.

*The Haakaa brand recently released a Ladybug style milk collector that fits comfortably in a bra, discreetly and effortlessly collecting letdown.

If you plan on pumping, I suggest the Spectra. I’ve tried a few pumps and I just hate all the little parts there are to clean and after a while, the suction usually stops working for me! This ends up causing me so much pain and hassle.

*if you have insurance, be sure to check with your insurance. Some insurance companies will cover pumps for nursing families, and the pump they cover will depend on the insurance.

Bottles

Like I said, I had to return to school for my last year with our first baby. But also, I enjoyed being able to hand off my daughter and let other family members bond with her by giving her a bottle. If you plan to have a few bottles on hand, test a few out first before purchasing a large amount. We got the Evenflo set and loved them! We also got Lifefactory bottles, but they either leaked or had air issues and we ended up not using them as much.

Bottle Brush

We don’t have a special bottle brush. We have a few on hand already for cleaning glass jars and cups.

Breastmilk Storage Bags

If you plan on catching that milk or pumping as needed, you may want containers to store the milk in. At first, I would just store it in sterile mason jars, but that became such a hassle after a while and hard to organize in our freezer. Eventually, I switched to the Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage bags and LOVED them! That was a lot of plastic waste and I am wanting to test out the Haakaa Silicone Storage Bags as well this time.

Suction Plates

When you start feeding your baby, it will be messy. Learning how to feed themselves is such an important part of development! But with the independence, so comes the destruction. You can minimize a mess by getting suction plates. We loved ours and it kept our daughter from throwing her plate and wasting her food.

Early Cups

If you can, just go straight into small, open lid cups. This will help with fine motor skills! After our daughter mastered that skill, we gave her the Munchkin 360 cups. For the most part they are spill proof, but if she drops or chucks her cup then it will splash out the seal.

Well! I hope you found this post helpful in making your own baby list! Would you add anything to the list? Let me know in the comments below!

MotherhoodSearra LiggettJanuary 4, 2023Newborn, First Year, Motherhood, Baby, Baby Essentials, Shopping Guide, Shopping, Minimal, Minimalism, Pregnancy and childbirthComment