A Minimalist Baby Essentials List: What to Keep and What to Skip

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Congratulations, Mama! I’m guessing you’re here because you’re about to welcome a sweet little one into your family—how exciting! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the things we’re told babies need, but the truth is, they don’t need much at all. Let me walk you through my minimalist baby essentials to help you focus on what truly matters.

Whether you’re a first-time mom or a seasoned pro, we all want to feel as prepared as possible when bringing a new baby home for the first time. I remember when I found out I was pregnant for the first time—I thought I needed everything.

I went on a shopping spree, bought tons of stuff, and registered for everything I didn’t get. It wasn’t out of greed, of course; I just wanted to make sure I had everything my baby could possibly need… or, more accurately, everything I thought my baby needed.

Fast forward 15 months, and I was expecting my second little peanut. Thankfully, I still had everything (and then some) from my first baby, and since they were the same gender, it was easy to reuse all the gear and clothes.

Now, a few years later, I’m on baby number three. It’s been long enough that I no longer have any of the baby stuff from my first two boys, but I’ve learned a thing or two along the way.

Minimalist Baby Must-Haves (or Not!)

It didn’t take long to realize that so many of the things I thought were must-haves ended up being barely used—or not used at all. Talk about wasted money and unnecessary clutter! As if the endless pile of dirty diapers and blowout-stained baby clothes weren’t enough to deal with.

Here are some items I found myself skipping, barely using, or regretting altogether:

Changing Table
A nice idea in theory, but we always ended up changing the baby on the bed, the couch, or wherever was most convenient.

Too Many Newborn Clothes
Babies grow so fast! There were tons of outfits that went completely unworn or were only used once.

Tiny Socks
Cute, yes, but they never stay on. Enough said.

Newborn Toys
Babies don’t actually start playing with toys until they’re around 4-6 months old. And even then, you don’t need an entire toy store’s worth of options.

Crib Bedding Set with Bumpers
While adorable, crib bumpers and blankets aren’t safe for baby sleep. Keeping the crib simple is not only safer but easier too.

• Diaper Pail
  Save yourself the trouble. Toss dirty diapers in the regular trash—it’ll get taken out often enough anyway with all the changes happening.
• Newborn Shoes
  They may look cute, but let’s be real: they’re totally impractical for those tiny feet.

These were just a few of the things I learned to let go of to save space, money, and sanity!

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Nice To Have But Still Not Necessities

• Wipe warmer, especially for little ones born in the colder months.
• A nursing chair, but I still ended up nursing in bed most of the time.
• Baby Monitor.
• A nursing pillow does come in handy but those can get pricey, so a regular pillow works too.
• A baby swing is definitely not a minimalist baby must have, but it is sure nice to have some times!

Within the past few years I have really embraced the natural/organic lifestyle as far as is within budget. You will notice a lot of my recommendations will reflect that choice.

The amount of toxins and chemicals found in everything from clothing to food to furniture—and everything in between—is crazy! While adults may be able to tolerate some of it, a newborn’s delicate system isn’t ready to handle such exposure right from the start.

Minimalist Baby Must Haves

Receiving Blankets

Organic cotton receiving blankets are a must for the first few weeks. Mama Natural has a great post that explains how to swaddle baby, it’s definitely an art to be mastered.

I also used receiving blankets as burp cloths. You can use just one for an entire day instead of a handful of small burp cloths. Less to wash is best right?

Be sure to choose large receiving blankets, small ones just don’t get the job done as well. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile and can be used for years to come!

Diapers And Wipes

I wish I could say I was the kind of mom who made her own natural baby wipes and used cloth diapers, but I know myself too well to even attempt it. Looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t, because I ended up battling two rounds of mastitis, which were absolutely miserable. I could barely care for my baby, let alone keep up with washing diapers!

I’ve tried different natural diapers and the two brands that quickly stood up to the test of blow outs were BAMBO Nature and Honest Company.

I love, love, love BAMBO Nature diapers! They’re so soft and breathable, by far the softest diaper I could put on my baby’s bum. They are free of harmful chemicals and fragrance which is wonderful for baby’s sensitive skin. They run a little on the larger side and they are more expensive than regular diapers, but it is well worth the price if it’s within your budget.

If you sign up for an Amazon Baby Registry, you will get 20% off diapers for a full year so that would definitely help with the extra cost of these diapers or any other brand you choose.

For wipes, WaterWipes are a great choice. Completely natural with only two ingredients: water and fruit extract. That’s it!

If you prefer a little thicker wipe but still a natural choice free of chemicals, The Honest Company wipes are a great alternative.

Clothes

Newborn babies don’t need much in this department. I didn’t purchase onesies, socks, or separate little shirts and pants until a few months later. One piece organic cotton sleepers are ideal for those first few weeks. If you can find ones with fold over mitten cuff sleeves even better. Ten to twelve Sleepers should get you through the 0-3 month stage.

When creating your baby registry, be sure to include clothes in a variety of sizes up to 24 months. You’ll be thankful later when you don’t end up with everything in newborn sizes that your baby will outgrow in no time!

Natural Laundry Detergent

You will want to pre-wash all baby’s clothes before he gets here, so a good all natural detergent is a must. You want to find one free of chemicals, parabens, and artificial fragrance.

Baby Soap

Again, you will want to find the most natural skin products for your little one. We used this soap and then switched to Tubby Todd products when our little one started experiencing eczema. Their all over ointment cleared it right up.

I’m editing this a few months later to share that I’ve discovered a new baby soap and balm set that I absolutely love!

Toups and Co Organics offers an all-natural baby wash and balm that’s incredibly gentle on my little one’s skin. The balm is made with grass-fed tallow and essential oils, providing nourishment and protection for baby’s delicate skin. If you’re looking for 100% natural ingredients, this is the perfect choice!

Also, I can’t recommend enough how well breastmilk lotion worked for my baby’s skin and for soothing my cracked nipples after nursing. It’s been a lifesaver—natural, healing, and so effective, plus you can make it right at home!

Baby Nasal Aspirator

This little gadget is a game changer! Babies’ noses are so tiny, and they often need a little help clearing out all those boogies to breathe easier. The old-fashioned bulb syringe just doesn’t cut it, so I highly recommend trying this one instead.

You can also opt for an electric nose aspirator—it’s more expensive, but totally worth the investment. I eventually bought one, and it’s been a lifesaver. I still use it today with my four-year-old!

Thermometer

It’s always a good idea to have a good thermometer at hand, especially nowadays. For a baby you will need to have one that you can take a rectal temperature with.

Car Seat

Last but not least a car seat is on everyones list. We chose not to get the travel system. Our little guy was born right in the middle of Covid shutdowns so we knew we wouldn’t be going out anywhere for the first few months.

When he was a little older and able to sit on his own we purchased a small stroller.

A Few Must Haves For Mom

Whether you’re nursing or not, a good quality breast pump is a must-have. There’s always the possibility of developing mastitis in one or both breasts, and having a pump on hand can be a real lifesaver. Be sure to check with your health insurance—many plans offer a breast pump at no cost!

If you will be nursing, you will need a natural nipple butter or homemade breastmilk lotion, and organic cotton nursing pads.

All new moms need to stay well hydrated. One of my favorite drinks postpartum is coconut water because it helps with dehydration, blood pressure, and immune support among many other health benefits.

If you would like to learn more about the health benefits of coconut water, draxe.com is a great place to start.

Flavored Electrolytes are also a great choice.

Of course the needs of every mom and baby will be different. This is what worked best for me.

Navigating the world of baby gear can be overwhelming, but by focusing on the essentials and making thoughtful choices, you can save time, money, and space.

Remember, every baby is different, and what works for one family may not work for another. Trust yourself, and don’t be afraid to let go of the things that aren’t serving you and your baby’s needs. You’ve got this, Mama!

What other items would you consider minimalist baby must haves? Let me know in the comments.

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