Here is a list of items needed for baby from my personal minimalist perspective. Reasons why to have an item are in green. Reasons why not to have an item are in red. Remember that everyone’s definitions of minimalism and need are different. This is simply a list taken from my own experience and meant to help those that are seeking this type of information. Please leave any questions or feedback in the comments. Enjoy!

Basics

 

  • Car seat
    • Required for safe car transportation. If you never ride in a car, then this is not required.
  • Clothes
    • Protects child from the elements. These will depend on the weather where you live. I tried to have about one week of onesies, pants, pajamas, socks, etc., so that if I needed to go a week without doing laundry, I would survive. This will be dependent on how likely your child spits up or has blowouts. Don’t forgot outdoor clothing like jackets and hats.
  • Diapers, cloth or disposable; or EC
    • Keeps things sanitary. I used disposable diapers for the first couple months. Then, I did cloth diapers part time.
  • Somewhere to sleep
    • To encourage healthy sleep. I used a rocking baby sleeper when my child was younger and then changed over to a Montessori floor bed, which just required a mattress and slats.
  • Washcloths
    • Handy and multi-use for milk leaks and spit-ups. I use them now with my one-year-old so that they can wipe up their own spills.
  • Blankets
    • Convenient and multi-use. I used blankets to put my baby on for floor time or to enjoy lying down on outside. You can also use them for covering baby depending on your climate.
  • Baby carrier/Stroller
    • Convenient to have some way to transport baby because I go on walks and hikes a lot. Depending on your lifestyle, you might need only a carrier or stroller, or neither.
  • Books/Library
    • Encourages reading habit from the start. You can have your own books or just check them out from the library.
  • Nail clippers
    • Helps with cleanliness. To avoid scratches and getting nails caught on things, and make it easier to keep clean. Babies’ nails grow quickly so it was nice to have a way to trim them.

Maybe

These items might be needed depending on your lifestyle. These are items that I used with my baby, but they are not necessary for everyone.

  • Feeding supplies
    • Breastfeeding:
      • Muslin blanket (I used one as a nursing cover. However, depending on your comfort level, you do not need to cover up.)
      • Hand pump/bottles/freezer bags (Depending on whether you want or need others to feed your baby. However, you can exclusively breastfeed.)
      • Breastfeeding tops/bras, spaghetti strap over t-shirt (Convenience and comfort, however you can just wear your regular clothes. I recommend at least having loose fitting tops. I made the mistake of wearing a regular bra that ended up becoming too snug and ended up with mastitis!)
      • Breastfeeding pillow (Convenience, however you could just use regular pillows.)
    • Formula feeding:
      • Bottles
      • Formula
  • Diaper pail
    • Someplace to put dirty diapers. I just used a small garbage can and tried to take it out frequently. You could just take them to the outside trash right away or if you frequently take out your normal trash, put it in your normal trash.
  • Diaper bag
    • An easy-to-grab bag that has everything you might need for baby while on the go. I just used a bag that I already had.
  • Petroleum jelly
    • It is helpful to have something to use if baby gets rashes, but you could probably give them naked time or not use diapers to assist with this.
  • Pack and play/Gates
    • I find it helpful to have a “yes” space that I can put the baby for independent play time and not worry about them getting into things I don’t want them to touch. You could alternatively baby proof every space in your house or keep room doors closed that you do not want them to go in to. These items can also stop other’s from entering the baby’s space, such as a pet or sibling. To read more about “yes” spaces: http://www.respectfulcaregiving.org/single-post/2016/05/25/Creating-a-Safe-Play-Space-1
  • Baby gym
    • A good first item that baby can interact with. I used the IKEA play gym for it’s simplicity and ability to easily manipulate the items. I recommend starting with just one hanging item and then gradually adding more to avoid overstimulation.
  • Skwish/O-Ball/Scarf
    • These were some of the first items that were easy for baby to grasp, pick up, and manipulate.
  • Baby monitor
    • This gave me peace of mind considering that I was using a Montessori floor bed and my baby has access to their entire room during the night. If you are confident in your baby’s safety without being able to see them or sleep in the same room, this may not be needed.
  • High chair/Weaning table
    • Convenient for feeding. I actually have both because some meals we eat at the family table, but I also want to give practice in a more independent setting. Alternatives are having the child sit in your lap or having a low family table.
  • Bibs
    • To protect clothes while eating. I really don’t use them that often and many times baby eats shirtless. I recommend bibs that aren’t waterproof so child can feel if they are spilling liquids. This aids in learning cause and effect.
  • Fan
    • I used one to provide white noise and provide air flow while sleeping. Your baby might be bothered by the noise or find it too chilly.
  •  Thermometer
    • Convenient to have on hand to tell if anyone in the household is having a fever.

Probably don’t need

These are items that I didn’t end up using with my child.

  • Changing table
    • These take up a lot of space. I just used an old yoga mat on the bathroom counter.
  • Crib
    • I just used a Montessori floor bed. It is important to know that some children may enjoy the security of an enclosed space that a crib provides.
  • Pacifiers
    • I tried to avoid using pacifiers and my baby wasn’t even really interested in using one until 7-8 months old. Instead of pacifiers, I tried meeting the need. Sometimes, I couldn’t figure it out and supported baby while they cried. However, they did come in handy when plane travelling.
  • Swaddlers
    • The hospital provided a bunch and I ended up just getting one muslin blanket that can be used as a swaddle, nursing cover, or just a regular blanket.
  • Swing/Bouncer/Jumper
    • I practiced natural gross motor development and utilized “yes” spaces when I needed to set the baby down somewhere safe.
  • Baby bath tub
    • We had one and I think we could have just filled a little water in the regular tub while baby was laying on washcloths/towels.
  • Bulb syringe
    • This is used for cleaning out noses. We got some from the hospital.
  • Brush
    • This might come in handy depending on how much hair your baby has. I didn’t really even comb or brush my baby’s hair until after they were one year old. I’ve just been using water and washcloth to clean and style my baby’s hair.
  • Baby lotion
    • A baby’s skin is already naturally soft and it is usually not necessary to add chemicals to it, I recommend using coconut oil and the like if there are issues with dryness.
  • Car seat mirror
    • Hearing my baby was good enough.
  • Bottle warmer
    • You can just use hot water in a cup. You do this by taking a cup that you can fit the bottle into and filling it part way with hot water from the tap. Set the bottle in it and check the milk every couple minutes until it has reached the desired temperature. This takes a little longer, so depending on how often you use bottles, a warmer might be convenient.
  • Hooded towels
    • Just use a regular towel.
  • Mitts
    • Babies have many important uses for their hands including sucking and exploration, and hands are one of baby’s first toys. I would avoid covering them unless scratches are becoming a huge problem and trimming the nails is not helping. Getting some scratches are a normal part of figuring out how to use the hands.