As much as I love baby gear, I’m a minimalist at heart. I have many friends who would prefer that their new baby integrate into their space rather than taking it over completely. For those darling people (and for you!), I created the below to help sort out your MUST haves for baby, a few additional things that would make life easier, and finally a list of commonly used baby gear that can be replaced with items you already have at home. You can either purchase the items below or create a Registry and simply add them to it.
If you’re looking for a more detailed list of baby registry items, check out my more detailed baby registry articles: Master Baby Registry List with Reviews & What to Put on Your Baby Registry: Free Printable
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links meaning, at no cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. All items are products that I have personally used and believe in
MUST HAVE ITEMS FOR BABY
- Clothing
- Bibs (3) both for drool and for when you eventually feed the baby solid foods
- Crib, Crib mattress and Crib sheets: If you decide against a physical crib, I would recommend getting a Pack n Play so baby has a safe space to sleep. I love that our crib (linked above) transitions into a toddler bed so it feels like a long term investment
- Breastpump: If you’re planning to breastfeed (and moreso if you’re going to breastfeed and go back to work), a breastpump is an incredible tool. My favorite is the Spectra Pump- S1 because it’s powerful, quiet and has a chargeable battery, but most insurance companies cover a breastpump for new moms. The Spectra S2 pump is a bit cheaper and the only difference is that it doesn’t have the battery.
- If you end up needing to store milk, I recommend the Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Starter Kit. All that you need is this kit and a pump and you’re ready to store
- Nursing pads: Again, if you’re planning to breastfeed, this is something that I would recommend. You will need these more than a nursing bra so you don’t have any leakage or damaged clothes. Luckily, they’re super cheap for a large pack!
- Bottles: Most pumps come with two bottles. If you’re willing to do a few washes every day, you can definitely get away with only two. Otherwise, purchase a few more that work with your pump so everything works together
- Baby hygiene kit: This one is cheap and comes with the basics: nose bulb, nail clippers, and a thermometer
- Baby Wash and Shampoo: I love the two in one product here. Both soap and shampoo in one!
- Baby Tylenol: You never know when teething or a fever can strike, so this is good to have on hand
- Carlson Babys Vitamin D Drops: If you’re planning to exclusively breastfeed, they’re going to tell you that you need to give your baby a vitamin D supplement. I found these drops online and it’s only a single tiny drop per day instead of a vial. Amazing.
- Furniture Mounts: This is a safety item. It’s highly recommended that all heavy furniture (especially furniture in the baby’s room if you have one) is wall mounted.
- Blinds Cord Holder: If you have blinds with cords that your little one will be able to reach, you’ll want to use something like this to make sure they don’t injure themselves
- Outlet covers: If you’re in a new home, you might not need these! It’s a requirement in new homes to have the new tamper resistant covers that little fingers can’t get into. Otherwise, a box of these are cheap and will keep your little safe
- Stroller: I really like our jogger. It matches well with our carseat (below). For the true minimalist, the Doona infant carseat turns into a stroller! The one thing I’d caution here is that once the baby grows out of it, you will need a new stroller.
- Carseat: We got the Graco Snugride Clickconnect which has great reviews and is cost effective.
- Changing pad: If baby will have a room, I recommend getting a changing pad as a stationary place in your home. Alternatively, you can use a Portable changing pad that can also come with you any time you leave. While not necessary, Changing pad sheets help to keep the changing pad clean (and they look a little nicer)
- Baby Bouncer/ swing: This is a minimalist list so I had to make a big decision here. I love our 4moms mamaRoo swing but if I had to choose, I would go with the Baby Bjorn Bouncer or a similar portable bouncer. It’s a great way to keep the baby contained when you need to shower, etc. and is a great tool in helping them to sleep during the day
- Diapers: Regardless if you go disposable or washable diapers, you will need them. We personally do disposable and my favorite brand has been Huggies. For the beginning, grab one of the 88 sized Newborn diapers and 200+ of the size 1. If you have a Costco membership, they’re MUCH cheaper there than anywhere else!
- Wipes: I love this pack of them, it’s lasted us more than 6 months!
The total for all of these items INCLUDING the crib and mattress is only $957.13 as of writing this article! Without the crib and mattress, it only came out to $674.72.
Bonus Must Have Items for Mom:
- Ibuprofen for after delivery: Just make sure you have some at home to take for after the baby arrives. I took it regularly for about 2 weeks until the soreness subsided.
- Pads: Stock up on long/ nighttime pads for when you’re out of the hospital sized ones. Even if you get a c-section, these will be needed.
NICE TO HAVE ITEMS FOR BABY & MOM
These are my items that if you have the space and can afford them, I would definitely recommend adding them on to your list:
- Rock n Play: At only $50-65 brand new, I highly recommend the Rock n Play. It’s my favorite newborn item! It was a HUGE help in us getting much needed sleep during the first three months. Please note: there was a recall of this item. If you do not wish to use a Rock N Play due to the recall, check out my 5 Alternatives to the Rock N Play List
- Swaddles: Although not necessary, a pack of these will also be very helpful in the first few months of getting baby to sleep. Plus, they can double as a blanket when you’re out.
- Honest Co Nipple balm: This is an item for a breastfeeding mom. One of these little jars should be enough and will help if you have any pain when you first start nursing
- Medela Hydrogel Pads: Another item for a breastfeeing mom. 5 or so packs of these will go a long way if you have any pain.
- Boudreaux’s Butt Paste: For diaper rash. Hopefully, you never have to deal with it, but this works almost immediately if you do
- Aquaphor: Baby skin can be dry and flakey, Aquaphor is great for healing baby skin.
- Diaper pail: You can certainly use a regular trash can with a lid for diapers, but it’s nice to have an isolated space for them to go. If you get this, just make sure to also get the Diaper pail refillable bags.
- Pack n Play: I recommended this earlier as an option instead of a crib, and I recommend it as an item that baby can grow with to keep them contained and also for travel. Ours has a little changing table that you can add to the top which is nice.
- Pacifiers: Not necessary, but another great option to help to soothe baby. You only really need a few
- High chair: Not necessary until about 4+ months, and if you don’t want bulky baby furniture around, you can get one of these cool fabric high chairs
- Nursing bras: Another item for a nursing mom. While not necessary, nursing bras make nursing a lot easier and don’t have underwire (which can cause a lower amount of breastmilk)
- Dermoplast spray for mom: Getting real here. This is a spray for your lady bits after delivery and REALLY helps. The hospital should give this to you so if you keep asking for it you may be able to stock up enough to bring home
- Tucks medicated pads: Same goes for the Tucks Pads, they will probably give to you in the hospital so STOCK UP. The combo of Tucks and Dermoplast were essential in my relief after delivery
- Stool softener for mom: …. You want this. Start taking a week prior to baby’s arrival
And Finally…ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE AT HOME TO USE INSTEAD OF TRADITIONAL BABY GEAR
- Nursing pillow: Use a regular pillow to prop baby up if needed
- Burp cloths: You can use regular rags that you already own
- Bottle Cleaning Brush: Though it will be tougher to clean, you can use what you usually wash dishes with to clean the bottles. A long handle is ideal
- Baby towels: You can most certainly use your own towels for baby (though the little hoods are cute 😉 )
- Washcloths: Same here, you can use washcloths you already own
- Baby Bath Tub: You can bathe baby in the sink
- Diaper bag: While the bags that have insulated pockets, etc. are nice, you an certainly use an old bag or backpack as a diaper bag
- Dresser: If you don’t have the space for an entirely new baby room, simply make a drawer your “baby clothes” drawer.
- Laundry bin: You don’t need a separate bin for baby clothes, but do try to keep them separate if you want to wash your clothes with anything other than non-scented detergent
- White noise machine: I’m a huge advocate of white noise to help babies sleep, but you don’t need a machine to do it. Just use free phone apps and turn your phone on silent!
- Tummy time mat: Simply use a blanket
There you go! I hope this guide helped you to navigate the overwhelming world of registering for a new baby!
