Minimalist BABY REGISTRY Must-Haves:

Let’s be real. If you ask me about baby registries, wedding gift lists, or any of those over-the-top “must-haves,” I’ll probably have something smart to say. To be completely honest, I think they’re all just 'scamishly' smart ways to get us to spend way too much money on things we definitely don’t need, all in the name of love (whether for babies or partners).

So, when I became a mom, I made it my mission to be as close to a budget conscious minimalist mom as possible. I didn't want clutter or to be wasteful of both other people's money and my own. Honestly, I think some people thought I didn’t have enough on my minimalist baby registry because I was so intentional about what I added and didn't add. Til this day I still use the few items I requested and Autumn’s not missing a beat.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There are some unnecessary items I have, use, and love, but only because they’re super cute (not a necessity, obviously). So, I’ll throw some of in those for fun, too - if you want the deets on all my favorite fun baby stuff, click here. (You're Welcome) But trust me, you do not need all that extra stuff people try to convince you to buy and if your goal is essentials, this blog is for you!

Without further ado, here’s my list:

TOP 5 ESSENTIALS

1. DIAPERS/WIPES

This should be obvious, but I can't tell you how many baby registries I see, and diapers or wipes are not on there. You will literally use multiple diapers and wipes every single day for at least 2-3 years. I researched how many I would need per year, and I added those specific sizes (for diapers) and quantities to my registry. Autumn is almost 7 months, and I've never bought a diaper or a wipe (shout out to my village).

Pro Tip:

• Return unopened diapers from your baby outgrows. I recommend opening the smallest boxes first.

• I knew the exact brand and type of diapers and wipes based on majority of my mom friend's advice. Thank Ya'll for saving me from blow outs and wet sheets!

  
  

2. CAR SEAT

You cannot leave the hospital without a car seat - need I say more? Now the type of car seat is totally dependent on you and your resources. The newborn car seat we got was a blessing, one, (thanks Ashley) and also a 2-in-1. It's a Doona car seat and stroller but just one piece, very convenient and very heavy at first, you get use it fast. It does come with a higher price tag but could be worth it if you can afford it and likely plan to have more than one kid it would make for a luxury hammy down.

3. CRIB

Cribs cost more than cars these days, for reasons I do not understand. I almost convinced my husband to get us a $700 crib (from Australia), in cart ready to click purchase. After I came to my senses, I realized $700 is a lot for something most babies might not even sleep in, and it would be better spent somewhere else. So, I came across a $150 crib that was built with safe materials and I love it, it's black, its sleek, sturdy, and will become a solid hammy down for our next baby.

4. FEEDING ESSENTIALS

Whatever you need to ensure your baby is fed, it's essential. I was determined to breastfeed and pump. An essential for me was the best pump I could find on the market. Best not meaning most expensive, but great reviews and proven results - that's where I found the Spectra! My insurance covered the pump so check before you purchase one on your own. I also got recommendations on bottles that were good specifically for breastfed babies and Autumn has had no problem switching between breast and the Lansinoh bottle!

5. ONESIES

I did not put any clothes on my registry, and I recommend you do the same - hear me out! Reason 1, majority of last-minute gift givers, stop to grab something when in route to the baby shower, the easiest thing to grab.... exactly - clothes. Luckly, I got 96% of all the stuff I put on my registry, meaning there was only 5 things on there I did not get (they were not essentials). However, in additional to that I got a TON of clothes that I did not ask for but am so grateful for! So, focus your registry on the essentials so you can actually get them - the clothes will come regardless.

Second, for the most part baby clothes are fairly cheap (cheaper than diapers) so prayerfully that is an easy grab for a new parent. Now I am listing onesie's only as essential because they are convenient if you get the right ones - for me that was the zipper sleepers, superrrr convenient for changing diapers.

Pro Tip

• Do not remove tags on the clothes until your baby is that size.

FUN TO HAVES

POPSICLE MAKER

This is amazing for teething babies! I used it to make breastmilk popsicles and even introduced fruits like strawberries and bananas. The popsicle feeder is one of my favorite "fun to have" baby items!

AUTOMATIC NAIL FILE

Babies nails are razor sharp! This gentle electric nail file made trimming so much easier and safer. I haven’t needed to use nail clippers at all since being gifted this nail file, which is a game changer.

BATHTUB

I loved having a separate space to give my baby baths, free from our daily cleaning chemicals and scented soaps! The particular tub we chose can be used up until she is 2 years old because it converts for the different stages.

PLAY PEN

Once Autumn started crawling, standing and getting into everything, I had no other choice, but to get the biggest play pen I could find! Long story short, it is a life saver and actually very safe!

Both her and her daddy nap in it - hints the pillow inside! lol

CAMERA

Working outside of the home can be very tough when you have a small child! Having a camera that allowed us to see Autumn from anywhere at any given time made us feel at peace when we had to be away from her. I believe this was made for dog families to watch and talk to their pets, but it's perfect for babies too and much cheaper than the branded baby monitors.