For minimalists, like myself, I have come up with the following short list of things I was glad that I had with a baby in the house. Everything else just collected and got in the way. So here’s the baby gear you really need to put on your baby registry. In her new book, The Zero Footprint Baby, Keya Chatterjee also has lists of what toys you’ll really need, what you need to make your home most efficient, questions to ask your child care provider, the low carbon footprint ways of feeding a baby, giving birth, and more! Most of these baby items can be gotten in a thrifty, green way as well. I hope you find this minimalist baby list helpful!
These minimalist baby essentials were contributed by Keya Chatterjee, author of The Zero Footprint Baby: How to Save the Planet While Raising a Healthy Baby (affiliate link below). Keya Chatterjee is a Senior Director for Renewable Energy and Footprint Outreach at the World Wildlife Fund. Her commentary on climate change policy and sustainability issues has been quoted in dozens of media outlets, including USA Today, the New York Times, Fox News, the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and NBC Nightly News.
Minimalist Baby Essentials
Do you know that feeling when you have a box of clothes that are too small for your baby and you need to get them out of the house ASAP? For me it’s a little bit like hair, I love it when it’s on my head, but the moment a strand is on the ground or in the tub, it’s suddenly revolting. (As you can imagine, this was a bit of a problem for me, post baby when I was shedding more than usual!)
But back to my point about stuff, I really cannot stand having it around any more once I don’t need it. Of course, I always endeavor to find a good home for my stuff. But the best solution is not to have the stuff to begin with! The problem is that when you have a baby, people will give you tons of stuff, and books will provide pages and pages of things that you supposedly “need” for your baby. My minimalist baby list will help you know which items are actually essentials.
Minimalist Baby List For Your Registry
Car seat
If you need it to get home from the birth center or hospital and will use it later.
Baby Carrier
Baby carrier for infant to leave the house. I had a used Moby wrap for the first four months and then got a used stroller.
Bouncy Chair
Bouncy chair or thick blanket for baby to sleep/hang out in during the day.
Baby Clothes And Burp Clothes
You will need baby clothes and burp cloths, of course. I used ThredUp to get used clothes and had stacks from friends as well– who were desperate to unload.
Baby Thermometer
Thermometer. This is the only item we could not find used.
Baby Nail Clippers
Nail clippers/file (you can always bite them when they are long enough too)
Cloth Diapers
Diapers (we got used cloth diapers from Craigslist– much more detail on this in the book!)
Breast Pump
A breast pump (for mamas with low supply or who need to work outside the home)
Baby Bottles
Eight 4-oz glass bottles and a slow flow nipple (I pumped directly into the bottles and put them in the fridge with the date marked)
Bassinet or Crib
A bassinet or crib (if you don’t end up co-sleeping for longer than intended)
This is my relatively minimalist baby list for year one. As you can see, not even all of this is necessary. What are your tips for minimizing?
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Thank you for posting this I have been going crazy trying to find out what we need, when I feel like we don’t need anything really! I was a nanny for a lot of years so I have seen houses explode with baby rockers, swings, bouncy chairs, toys and all sorts of stuff when all the baby wanted was to be held!!
We are getting 90 % hand me downs and I love it!