I remember being a first-time mom and creating a baby registry on a tight timeline (when the baby shower invitations go out!). Endless hours of research comparing different brands and prices, skimming all the “must-have” checklists and registry recommendations… I was overwhelmed. Despite being an aspiring minimalist, I fell into the trap of all the “must-haves” and targeted social media ads telling me I needed this or that product to solve problems I didn’t know I’d have. 6 years (from making my original registry list) and 3 kids later, my list would look a lot different now. There were a lot of things I didn’t end up using, and there were items I learned about later that made day-to-day routine easier.
If you’re a minimalist mom, your goal is most likely to focus on the essentials and skip the unnecessary extras. The longer I’ve been a parent, the more I believe in simplicity. The tried-and-true for our family have generally been the products without the bells and whistles. And I’ll let you in on a secret: if you buy the less expensive option (that’s still well-reviewed, safe, and good quality), you’ll spend less time worrying about the blow-out that stained it, the permanent marker that marked it, the milk stains from the spit-up. The messes will happen.
That said, here’s my streamlined guide to help prepare for baby’s arrival. And despite having a minimalistic mindset, I know — it’s still an exhaustive list. I’m surprising myself as I go through this list.
Baby Sleep Essentials
Of course, from day 1, your baby’s sleep environment is a top priority. Look for a crib, bassinet, or co-sleeper that meets safety standards. A firm mattress and a few fitted sheets are all you need. Skip the padded crib bumpers, blankets, and stuffed animals—these are not only unnecessary but can also pose safety risks.
| Essential Item | Brand Recommendation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Baby Crib | Babyletto | We have the Babyletto Eero (no longer available) and Origami Mini Crib for when we had our simultaneous newborn/toddler years. Since we haven’t tried another and Babyletto is tried-and-true for us, that remains our personal recommendation. Note: safety-certified cribs are made with nontoxic paint. If your teething baby bites on the rails, it’s okay. If you absolutely want crib rail guards, do your research first. |
| Bassinet (less essential) | Amazon | We bought a bassinet for the initial newborn days when we wanted baby by our bedside. Shortly after we transitioned him to the crib, we brought the bassinet to grandma’s house. We simply looked for a bassinet that was portable, easy to assemble/disassemble, and came with a carry bag. |
| Crib Mattress | Graco Newton | We look for Greenguard Gold Certified to assure that it’s non-toxic. We haven’t tried the Newton, but I felt I should include it as an option because it’s kind of the new gold standard with its unique breathable core — meaning that you can put your face into the mattress and still breathe into it. It’s a splurge, an investment if you feel strongly about it. But I will say, a lifetime of parents, including myself, have done fine without the Newton. Please also note that having the Newton itself does not prevent SIDS. It’s not a magical product, so be sure to learn the best practices for safe baby sleep. |
| Fitted Waterproof Crib Mattress Cover | Amazon | We have 2 covers per crib size because of blowouts and drool. Best to have a backup so you can throw it in the wash anytime. |
| Fitted Crib Mattress Sheets | Amazon | We have this very set of sheets, and we love it. Super soft and maintains its shape and elasticity after every so many washes. We haven’t really needed more than 2 sheets per crib unless I’ve just coveted another design. |
| Sleep Sack/ Sleep Bag | Kyte Baby HALO | Kyte Baby sleep sacks are my go-to and have been one of my favorite baby gifts to give to new mama friends. The bamboo is so soft, and they have multiple sizes to last a long time. In LA, the 1.0 TOG has been sufficient through all seasons. (We layer in the winter.) I usually wait for the Kyte Baby sales. They always have a storewide sale in November. The HALO sleep sack is a less expensive option that is also great and made from bamboo. |
| Newborn Swaddle Sacks/ Blanket | Amazon | Not gonna lie, I had a lot of trouble wrapping up my babies in swaddle blankets. I maybe had a couple weeks’ success with each of them, but their little arms would break free of the wrap! I had many muslin swaddle blankets that ended up being mostly unused. And of course, newborns/infants sleep better when they are swaddled! Before I knew it, I was buying these wraps that made it so much easier. These HALO ones are good for a little more length and stretch. |
| Baby Monitor | Infant Optics | The Infant Optics monitor has lasted us over the past 6 years, and we even added an additional camera to view on the same monitor. We’ve changed out the battery 3 times since we’ve had it. Although we haven’t tried this HelloBaby brand, it looks promising with features similar to Infant Optics at a much lower price point. If I had to buy another monitor at this point, I’d try this out. |
| Noise Machine | Hatch | We’ve had our Hatch for 6 years as well, and it’s still going strong. Our kids love picking the sound and color each night. We even added a secondary one, and we can control both from our phone app. |
| Portable Noise Machine (less essential) | Amazon | This deserved its own item line because a portable one is great for travel. For the longest time, we were destroying our phone battery by leaving our Spotify on all night with white noise. Until I saw my friend bring this very portable sound machine with her. Fantastic. |
Feeding Essentials
Whether you initially plan to go the breastfeeding, pumping, or formula route, give yourself grace if the plan changes. I remember the guilt and disappointment I felt when I struggled to breastfeed with my firstborn for the first month. I longed for a breastfeeding journey, but I had to use formula for a period of time while I pumped and pumped to force milk production until my nipples were aching and raw. I so vividly remember those difficult days. Although I heard and knew it, it took me a while to finally believe and accept that fed is best. That’s all that really mattered, no matter how the feeding was done. Because of this mixed journey, I’ve accumulated all the essential items below:
| Essential Item | Brand Recommendation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing/pumping bras and tops | Amazon | My first few nursing bras were from some well-marketed brands. I bought some thinking they were worth the higher price point. After 36+ months of breastfeeding (3 separate babies), I can assure you that any good clip-down nursing bra will do. These (linked) in particular are great because they’re flexible and have a lot of stretch. In your first months-year(s) of nursing, your sizing will fluctuate so much. I rarely wore a real bra because the sizing was never quite right. Get the most bang for your buck with these packs. They’re great for nursing AND pumping. I’d buy a week’s worth of these. An additional note, I personally do not recommend the “bralette nursing bras” that you have to pull down yourself (no clips). The fabric doesn’t always stay lowered and can be disruptive to the flow. I wore one for my L&D, and my lactation consultant at the hospital couldn’t believe this was one of the top google searches for a nursing bra (that I bought into, haha). |
| Nursing pads | Amazon | For the inevitable milk leaks. Reusable pads are more sustainable (my personal preference), but the disposable ones can be helpful to have on hand as well. The milk leak smell can be pretty strong as it’s absorbed into the fabric. |
| Nursing pillow | Boppy | Quite frankly, you can use a generic comfy little pillow that you already have at home. But this Boppy/nursing pillow is a nice-to-have that will provide relief for your back and arm as you breastfeed and bottle feed. |
| Breast pump | Spectra Lansinoh | I ordered my breast pumps through insurance and didn’t have to pay out-of-pocket. Be sure to check that that’s an option for you before you buy! I started with the Spectra and liked it. Easy to use, single or double pump, fairly quiet. Then, I had the option to get a Lansinoh, and that was just as effective. I liked it because it was even smaller, lighter, more portable, and took up less space. |
| Manual breast pump | Lansinoh | One of my favorite mom things ever. I was always on the go, especially with my second and third babies, so the Lansinoh breast pump was my breast friend!! I’d pump in the car, on the airplane, etc. No need to bring my electric pump. I just threw my manual pump into a zip-loc bag and into my bag — easy peasy lemon squeezy. |
| Milk letdown collector | Haakaa | If you’re pumping only one side, often the other breast will have milk letdown. I didn’t know about this product until I’d already wasted too much letdown. Waste no more. Get that extra 4 oz into another saved meal. |
| Milk storage bags | Lansinoh | Another win from Lansinoh. Best value on milk storage bags that are durable and dependable. |
| Milk bottles | Philips Avent Lansinoh Como Tomo Dr. Brown’s | I wouldn’t stock up on a single brand of milk bottles until I’ve tried them with my baby. For instance, my firstborn did not take to the Dr. Brown’s bottle nipples. He was okay with Como Tomo, but he drank best from the Philips Avent bottles. Start with one or two brands and see if your baby responds/feeds well before you commit to more. From a practical perspective, the Como Tomo was cute but not my favorite because the soft silicone material made the bottle less stable, often tipping over. It was also hard to read the measurement markings. |
| Extra bottle nipples | Lansinoh Como Tomo Dr. Brown’s | Bottle nipples come in different “sizes” for slow flow, medium flow, fast flow, to meet your baby’s needs and growth. Make sure to match the brand of your bottle. |
| Formula | Whatever works best for you and your child! | I don’t have too much experience with formula. When I needed it for some short periods of time, I used the Similac or Enfamil sample containers I’d received from the doctor’s office and other resources. They sufficed! Like the case with milk bottles, babies have different preferences. |
| Bottle brush | Munchkin Cacti Design | Classic brush with a soft sponge at the tip, great for its flexibility to get the tougher spots at the bottom of the bottles, and they stand upright! Simple, practical, and one of the best value brushes since you’ll have to replace them every 30-45 days. The cacti brush set is cute and practical with pieces to clean straws, nipples, and details. I also like having a stand for all the parts to keep everything organized. |
| Bottle Sterilizer | Momcozy Baby Brezza | Wow, the sterilizers have become so much more sophisticated since I last bought one! The simple one I had years ago isn’t even listed anymore. Bottle washing was so time-consuming and frustrating (and as you’ve gathered by now, I didn’t even do it that regularly). If I were to do it all over again and relied heavily on bottle-feeding, I’d invest in one of these multi-functional, time-saving washer, sterilizer, AND dryer all in one. I’m hearing good things about both the Momcozy and Baby Brezza brands from trusted mom friends so far! Just keep in mind that you’ll have to buy more detergent/cleaning tablets specific to the sterilizer brands. |
| Kids Dishware | IKEA | For my firstborn, I bought the suction plates with dividers, a fancy bamboo plate, the special baby spoons, etc. I’ve since upgraded (lol) to IKEA dishware — plates, bowls, cups, and utensils — the whole nine yards. And could they BE any cheaper? Great value, good quality, and my kids eat the same way. They’ll either eat what’s on the plate or they don’t. They’ll either feel like tossing the plate off the table or they don’t. (And I promise they’ll grow out of that stage!) And, honestly, that suction plate ends up being a challenge they try to beat! The older and more experienced I get, the more I find that simplification is a huge life upgrade. |
| Bibs | Cloud Island by Target | These silicone bibs have been my favorite. Flexible and easy to roll up, easy to wash, dishwasher safe, and so many cute designs. |
| High Chair | IKEA | I personally love the IKEA high chair because it’s so low maintenance and easy to clean. It’s also *the* high chair to use for first birthdays because of its minimalistic look, making it easy to decorate as you wish. The only downside is that the tray is a little hard to take off to clean, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not so bad. |
Alright, let’s get to the *minimal* part
Phew, that was a lot. I may be an aspiring minimalist mom, but I sure am a word maximalist. I’m aware! When it comes to the newborn/infant stage, sleeping and eating make up 95% of baby’s schedule and survival, so I had many notes to share on those essentials.
Now let’s get to the minimizing part.
Diapering Basics
Major props out there to the parents who are saving the world one cloth diaper at a time! We were not so brave and went with our disposables. Here’s my short list. And, yes, I purposely left out the diaper pail! Honestly, we just throw out the diapers in the bathroom’s small trash bin with a lid — better to throw out the trash more frequently anyway. If it’s really smelly, I recommend using a doggy poop bag (if you already have them) to contain the diaper!
| Essential Item | Brand Recommendation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Diapers | Huggies Kirkland (Costco, though they’re changing the manufacturer this year — will have to try it out) Honest | Any diaper gets the deed done, but start with a modest supply to see which brand works best for your baby. For some reason, I experienced more blowouts with Pampers across all my kids, so it’s not my preference. I’d stock up mostly on sizes 3 and 4. (Don’t get a huge supply of newborn sized diapers!) |
| Baby Wipes | Pampers Aqua Pure Water Wipes | These brands have the most watery wet wipes and are most water-based. For the best price, I get Pampers Aqua Pure at Sam’s Club (and stock up when on sale). If you’re a Costco shopper, I recommend the Rico baby wipes. |
| Changing Pad Liners | Washable Changing Pad Liners Contoured Changing Pad Changing Table (I deem optional) Portable Changing Mat | For a real minimalist, you really don’t need a dedicated changing table. By the time I had my second kid, I just put down a changing liner/mat anywhere flat enough to change him — the bed, sofa, floor… I have this portable changing mat (linked) for on-the-go as well. |
| Diaper Cream | Aquaphor | Aquaphor is so versatile. Great for diaper rashes, healing boo-boos, eczema, dry skin, etc. I love it. I used to buy other brands of diaper rash creams, and they’d end up being mostly unused. Aquaphor all the way. One ointment that goes a long way. Aquaphor and Aquaphor Baby are largely the same, just marketed differently. |
Clothing Essentials
| Essential Item | Brand Recommendation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Onesies – short and long-sleeved | Simple Joys by Carters – neutral Simple Joys by Carters – girls Kyte Baby | I’d say onesies for up to 12 months. After that, it may be easier to do 2 piece outfits only. Kyte Baby for the extra softness of bamboo if you want to splurge a bit! |
| Footed pajamas | Kyte Baby Little Sleepies | Honestly I kept my babies in cute and cozy PJs often in their first year. I’d start doing 2-piece PJs at the 2T size, especially if it coincides with potty training. Would not recommend the snap closure PJs. Takes too long and difficult especially in the dark! |
| Daywear (sweaters, jackets, pants) | Gap Baby Old Navy H&M Little Planet Carter’s | Babies grow quickly, so start with a small wardrobe of basics. |
| Socks | Amazon | No need for grip socks until they’re walking! |
Bath Time Basics
| Essential Item | Brand Recommendation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Small baby tub | Skip Hop | I used this Skip Hop bath tub according to all its recommended stages/ages. |
| Gentle baby wash/shampoo | Cetaphil Honest | Love these gentle shampoos. They’ve worked well for our kids, gentle enough for eczema-prone skin. |
| Washcloths | Bamboo cloths Muslin cloths | The softer, the better. |
| Towels | Bamboo Baby Towel Apron Towel | At this point, you know I love all things bamboo for baby. Additionally, I used to get my clothes wet when carrying baby out of the bath. I finally found a solution with the apron towel, and I’m surprised it’s not more popular/known! |
| Cradle cap brush | FridaBaby | Just in case your baby has cradle cap! Bath time is an effective time to gently brush at it. |
Transportation Gear
| Essential Item | Brand Recommendation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Car Seat | Chicco Infant Car Seat Graco Convertible Car Seat | Depending on your lifestyle, your choices are the infant car seat (portable, stroller-compatible, lightweight) or convertible car seat (long-lasting, cost-effective; not portable nor stroller-compatible). The true minimalist route would be to go for the convertible. But I’d say this is a lifestyle preference. I wanted the infant car seat to be able to take baby in and out without having to take baby out of the actual seat (and waking him up if he was asleep). Also, you’re supposed to have baby strapped safely in the car seat before you leave the hospital, so how do you do that with a convertible? (You could borrow someone’s infant car seat, perhaps, in the meantime?) I started with an infant (we used the same one for all 3 kids, thankfully completing its usage right as it expired, as they have a 5 year expiration) and eventually got a convertible (Extend2Fit and SlimFit are both great). |
| Stroller | Mockingbird Single-to-Double (Grow as you Go) Zoe | We’ve had our fair share of strollers. The Mockingbird single stroller is great, but it’s very bulky. They now have a grow-as-you-go option, so if you have space at home/in your car trunk and you’re planning for the future, the single-to-double may be a good option. If your car seat comes with a travel system, it’s worth considering for efficiency! Strollers are expensive, so when we had different needs (like getting a double stroller or a jogging stroller), we looked to the secondhand marketplace. Thankfully, we didn’t have to look far, and we got/bought them from friends. The Zoe is a stroller I wish we had. I’m no longer in the market for one. But I truly value compactness now, and this meets the mark. |
| Infant Carrier | Ergobaby Momcozy | Ease of use and comfort are so important here. I’m finding that the X-shaped in the back (rather than the H-shaped) carriers are more ergonomic and easier-to-use. (If you’re wondering about the popular hip carrier such as TushBaby, I honestly had a poor experience but perhaps it varies from person to person. When I wore my Tushbaby to carry my baby between 8-24mo of age, I experienced a lot of discomfort in my lower back and hips. All the weight was so concentrated where the carrier is wrapped around my waist/hip. I’d much rather wear a carrier where the weight is more evenly distributed and be completely hands-free.) |
Simple Playtime Necessities
Newborns don’t need much in the way of entertainment. A soft play mat, a few rattles, or high-contrast books are enough to engage them in the early months.
| Essential Item | Brand Recommendation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Soft play mat | Amazon | Super cute with six detachable toys, and the pad is machine-washable. |
| Simple toys | Teething toys & rattles (0-6 months) Sensory toys (6-12 mo) | The world of toys usually begins to engulf our home after baby’s first birthday. I wouldn’t know how to condense that for you (but it doesn’t belong in this minimalistic guide!). The first year, baby needs milk, sleep, and attention. A handful of simple toys would suffice. |
| High contrast books | Amazon | To stimulate baby’s visual and cognitive development, these high contrast books are a simple addition to your nursery. |
| Activity center | Skip Hop Baby | One of my favorite toys when my firstborn was more active and started walking. It was a great way to contain him safely while he played, and I could cook or clean up with him nearby. |
| Board books | My favorite children’s books by category | If there’s a board book version of the book you want, get that! Boy, do we have too many ripped up books and pages. I’ve repaired/taped many, but we’ve definitely lost some to a state of damage beyond repair. |
Health and Safety Must-Haves
| Essential Item | Brand Recommendation | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Baby thermometer | Amazon | I’ve used no-touch digital thermometers of varying brands, and they’ve worked great. This is one of those items you gotta have on hand before you actually need it (often at like 2am, the most inconvenient time to make a store run!). |
| Nail clippers or nail file | Amazon | These electric nail trimmers are great for their delicate newborn fingers in the beginning. I didn’t know about this before my first child, and I definitely accidentally clipped a bit of his skin when using nail clippers. (He didn’t hold still!) |
| Saline spray | Boogie Baby | Babies don’t enjoy this, and, honestly, who does? But it’s effective. |
| Bulb syringe or nasal aspirator | Bulb syringe Electric nasal aspirator | No matter what you use, kids will hate this process. But still gotta help with that congestion and boogies! Hopefully you wouldn’t even need to buy this bulb syringe because they provide them at the hospital in the recovery room. I still use ours from all 3 births. When that’s not strong enough, some more powerful suction may be helpful with this highly-rated electric aspirator! (If you’re wondering about NoseFrida, I’ve used it and appreciated the effectiveness and that I could control the suction strength. However, I’ve gotten sick from a faulty filter and I’ve sucked in an entire booger down my throat, lol. I stopped using it after that.) |
| Eczema cream | Tubby Todd All Over Ointment | My firstborn had semi-severe eczema, and this Tubby Todd AOO was the gentle cream that was most effective when we didn’t want to use the prescribed topical steroid creams. |
| Stain remover | Miss Mouth’s Puracy | Trust me. You’ll need it. Both these brands work well on our stains. |
Minimalist Storage Solutions
I know, I know — that was a lot of stuff. Where do we put it all?! Look for baskets or storage bins you already have at home that you can repurpose for toy storage. Designate specific areas for feeding, diapering, and clothing to make daily tasks more manageable. I like a Montessori style that provides good storage space and the IKEA storage shelf that’s suitable for bins. So when you don’t have time for the undertaking of organizing toys, you can hide it all in the bins, look organized externally, and call it a day.
Your Own Peace of Mind
Last but not least, don’t forget about you! A water bottle, some healthy snacks, and a comfortable space for feeding and bonding with your baby are just as important as baby gear. These 3 tier rolling carts are great for keeping all your nursing gear and snacks handy!
By focusing on these essentials, you’ll have everything you need to care for your baby while keeping your space uncluttered. Remember, babies thrive on love, attention, and the basics. You’ve got this, mama!
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