What you ACTUALLY need for your baby’s first year of life
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I hate wasting money on things I won’t use. The marketing industry wants first-time-moms to believe babies are complicated and require a ton of stuff, but that is a lie. It is possible to have a baby on a budget, and be a minimalist mom.
After having three kids under three, I’ve narrowed it down to what is truly essential. I’m here to spill all the details and tell you what you need and what to go without.
When in doubt, wait and see. If you really want that bum spatula or booger stick a few weeks into your child’s life, you can have it Amazon primed to you overnight!
While building your baby registry, remember none of these items are necessary to be a good mom. You have everything you need to love this child well, and God has called you to this important task! If you are tempted to go buy more stuff, ask yourself if it is a true need, a want, or an item you hope will qualify you as a mom. No item or lack of items will change your ability to love your baby.
I’ll start by sharing 10 things you don’t need, and then we’ll jump into some minimalist recommendations.
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DISCLAIMER: none of this is intended as advice for baby feeding, baby-sleep or how you care for your baby. I am simply sharing my personal decisions and preferences.
Photo by Erin Caitlin erincaitlin.com
Things I never bought (and didn't miss)
Baby swing - this is a pricey investment. I wanted to wait and meet my babies to find out if this was something they would actually need.
Change table - Even if I had one, we wouldn't have used it. We changed diapers on the couch, floor, bed, or whatever was closest.
Newborn clothes - We were given a few items, and both my babies grew out of them in a week. Depending on the size of your baby, you may want to jump straight to 0-3 month clothes.
Bathtub - A baby bathtub was given to us, but we never used it. Even once we moved to an apartment without a bathtub, it was more simple to bring the baby in the shower.
Diaper pail - I had no interest in maintaining another trash can and found our regular kitchen garbage was emptied often enough.
Things I wouldn’t buy again
Nursing pillow - honestly, nursing pillows can be a little bit awkward. I found my throw pillows more moldable to prop my baby up in those early days of breastfeeding
Toys for a baby under 3 months old - chances are people will give you more toys than you need. My babies didn't start playing with toys until they were at least 3 months old, and I only started purchasing toys when my daughter was about 8 months old.
Bassinet - The only reason I own a bassinet is because it was $20 on Kijiji. Both my kids grew out of it so quickly we ended up using a pack-and-play or crib in our bedroom for them anyway.
Baby pillow/lounger/nest like Snuggle Me or Dock-a-tot - The weeks your baby is young enough to fit in this go by so quickly. I didn’t buy one and found I didn't miss it. I was happy to put my babies down safely in their bed, on a blanket on the floor, or in a crack on the couch when they were young enough not to roll.
Pacifier clips - I found some awkward and unnecessary since we mainly used a paci in the car or bed.
My Recommendations
Photo by Erin Caitlin erincaitlin.com
Baby Sleep
Depending on how you’re planning to sleep your baby, you may want a bedside bassinet. Since it will be used for such a short amount of time, check your local Facebook marketplace for an affordable option.
Our favorite crib is the ikea SNIGLAR crib. Its simple and very inexpensive.
I typically only swaddle my babies for a couple of nights and then switch to a Woolino sleep sack. This sleepsack can be used from age 2 months to 2 years and it is merino wool, making it perfect for all seasons without constantly wondering if baby is too hot or too cold.
After trying (and wearing out) a few crib sheets, our favourite are by Bare Home.
My babies also sleep with a sound machine. I like this one by Dreamegg because it is portable and we bring it along if they are napping in the car or stroller.
We use pacifiers for the first year. I love this natural rubber pacifier for half the price of the expensive brands!
Breastfeeding/Bottle Feeding
If you are planning to breastfeed, you have no idea how your breastfeeding journey will go. There’s no reason to assume you’ll need an expensive breast pump. Instead of starting with a pump, start with a Haakaa.
This will likely fulfil any pumping needs in the first few weeks. It will relieve engorgement and collect extra milk on the opposite side while you nurse.
If you encounter an issue in your breastfeeding journey that calls for a pump, you can have one delivered by the next day.
Depending on your needs, you can probably get by with a hand pump at a fraction of the cost. I was able to get a fancier breast pump covered through insurance, so I own one and use it very rarely.
You might not need a large stash of expensive bottles or bottle accessories. I purchased just two bottles before having my first, and that has been plenty.
I like to use disposable lactation pads for the first few weeks until I am back to a regular laundry schedule. Then, I switch to reusable pads as they are much more comfortable. Start small and decide what you like the best.
Starting Solids
You will have at least 6 months to acquire these items and decide how to approach starting your baby on solids. We do a combination of baby-lead weaning and purees, and these are the items we use.
We love this booster seat for the early months. It supports a six-month old well and grows with them. I used it to sit my first child right on top of the table (not a formal recommendation), so my floors stayed clean. It is easy to take camping and on the go.
This set by PandaEar includes all the essential dishes for a really great price. I like teaching my kids to drink from an open cup and letting them self-feed chunky purees with this easy-to-hold cutlery.
We skip sippy cups and go straight to a Munchkin 360 cup. My babies have all learned to use them very quickly.
When I have time, I love to make baby purees like applesauce from scratch. These reusable food pouches create a mess-free way to feed on the go.
And of course, you will want some bibs. The long-sleeve bibs from ikea provide lots of coverage for the first few months, and these silicone bibs work well for less messy snacks or once they get a bit older.
Baby Toys
You don’t need toys. You will likely be gifted way more than you need at baby showers, and if not, you’ll soon realize your baby’s favourite toys aren’t toys anyways. My babies love to play with cups and kitchen utensils or look at books.
You don’t need to stress about getting the “right” educational toys or “entertaining” your babies. Create a calm, safe environment and they will explore and learn on their own terms. If anything, a few teething toys may come in handy.
As our babies get older, we use a jolly jumper and excersaucer. I also like having a playgym for them to lie under. While pregnant with my first, it felt very important to find a used Loveevery Play Gym and mat. While it is nicely designed and very sturdy, I found it wasn’t as necessary as I thought and was difficult to store in between uses. If I could go back, I would get a simple, collapsable play gym like this and use any receiving blanket or quilt underneath.
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Baby Hygiene
Within the first few days, you will want to cut your baby’s nails, and I find an electric nail trimmer very helpful in protecting baby’s little fingers.
Bath time can be as simple or complex as you like. I hold my baby in the shower or bath tub for the first 4-6 months, and start using our summer infant bath insert once they can sit up a little bit. You don’t need soap for your newborn. Infrequent baths with plain water will protect your newborn’s skin. Once my babies start solids, I bathe them more often and use an organic baby shampoo.
Use towels you have or grab some cute baby towels. I also like to have a soft brush on hand to help stimulate the scalp and prevent cradle cap.
Baby Gear
Of course, you will need some kind of car seat, stroller, and baby carrier. These decisions can feel heavy, deciding what you will use to safely transport your baby.
Remember, you don’t have you make one decision for the rest of your child’s life. Choose what will work for now, and give yourself permission to change your mind. These items are always for sale in abundance on Facebook and Kijiji, so you will be able to try something different if your original choice doesn’t work out.
After 3 kids, the ergo is still my favourite baby carrier. It is extremely versatile all the way from newborn to toddler.
My first baby spent most of her time on the floor exploring, but once siblings are introduced it can be very helpful to have a simple bouncer or chair to set your baby in. We love the Bjorn bouncer because it stores flat and it bounces in response to your baby’s movement.
Picture Books
Although I strive to keep my home minimal, I can never have enough books! I am always grateful when we receive a thoughtful book with positive messaging as a gift. I like to fill our home with books that point my kids back to God even from a very young age.
Here are some of my favourites:
Writing it out, this list feels long! But like I said, to start minimal and go from there. You will likely need less than you think.
But above all else, I want to remind you: you already have everything you need. You are the best mom for your baby, and God chose you on purpose. Some of these items may make your life easier, but you already have what you need to love and nurture your baby well. These decisions, though important, won’t feel so heavy in a few years. You are not depriving your child if you don’t buy the latest recommended Montessori-style learning toys or you forget to give them a bath in their first week of life
May God bless you as you care for your sweet little one!
