Checklist for What to Do When Baby Is Born

The Minimalist Baby Registry Checklist

Putting together your babe registry is nothing if not overwhelming.

There are over 60,000 options on Amazon.com alone.

You lot already know you don't need everything marketed to parentshoped-for.

feather your nest?

Every bit soon every bit y'all enter the world of, say, the "baby" category on Amazon, yous're bombarded with things you may have never fifty-fifty considered, along with marketing letters preying on your fears and business organization for your infant'south wellbeing.

After all, throughout pregnancy, you're biologically primed to "plumage your nest" with anything and everything y'all may need to keep your baby safe and comfy.

Plus, y'all may have conversations with other well-meaning parents in which they mention things you lot never fifty-fifty though about, things similar "pee-pee tents," and "diaper genies."

(Scroll down to run across the "What to Skip" list for more than on this.)

Having been at that place, done that, twice (and come out on the other side with a six year old and a one year old) I can tell you definitively that you lot don't need about of what is suggested.

Here's what we did

My husband and I created our minimalist babe registry vi years agone for our first infant. We were planning to proceed our low-stuff nomadic lifestyle, so everything we purchased needed to travel with us or be easy to pass along when we were done with it.

I'll share the results of hours of pre-purchase research and road testing. I take recently updated this list with what I've learned years down the road, including what I did the same — and differently — for baby #ii.

Who information technology's for

The checklist will be helpful for you or any friends or family members you lot have who are expecting a babe and are on a budget or living a minimalist or depression-ataxia lifestyle.

Traveling with a baby

This list will also exist helpful for nomadic families or travel lovers who don't desire to surrender those weekend getaways and vacations abroad just because they are having babe. If you lot travel frequently, it'southward of import for your infant's comfort (and your own!) that yous can hands create a like surroundings on the road every bit the one at home. Therefore, you don't want too many specialty items at habitation that y'all tin't easily accept with you to be part of your baby'southward daily routine.

time range covered

The list is intended to provide for newborns and babies upward to six months old, simply many things volition serve long past that half-dozen-month marking.

-—-The Registry Essentials Checklist-—-

This post contains links that may be affiliate links. As always, all opinions are 100% my own and not for sale.

one. The sleeping state of affairs: a play thousand with mattress, protector, and three fitted sheets

Nosotros use a portable play yard for a safe and comfy place for our baby to sleep all the time. No crib. Our version from Graco (not an affiliate link) came with a removable bassinet that hangs inside information technology and tin be used in the early months for sleeping.

Once he passed the weight limit (listed on the product), we removed the upper bassinet and he sleeps in the lesser, an on additional mattress purchased separately. Information technology's fine for babies to sleep on the thin mattress that comes with the play k, simply I wanted something a scrap thicker on elevation of that for every day sleeping. Brand sure the mattress fits very snugly so you lot don't accept gaps between the mattress and the sides of the bed. Get fitted sheets that fit your play yard added mattress.

If I were going to be in the same place for years, I might buy a traditional crib, only a foldable play yard is a great selection for total-time sleeping for us. Information technology travels well, and our first baby slept well when we traveled since it was the aforementioned surroundings he was in at home. Now it's the same with our second baby.

A play chiliad is as well lite in weight and has two wheels, then it can hands be dragged into another room, if say, you want to catch upward on your email while the baby naps next to you in your office space. I did this for a while back when our baby was napping in a dissimilar room than where he sleeps in at night.

2. Baby carrier for baby wearing

I fabricated a decision to avoid strollers for the first four months and I'd make the same determination again. Having only the carrier was great for bonding with my babe, gaining forcefulness, and losing the pregnancy weight. Just by and large it's about bonding with baby and keeping that little cherub'south ear right on your heartbeat, skin to skin, as often as possible.

There are a lot of options, so hither I've saved you lot the hassle of looking through every ane. It's really important to get one that suits newborn up to 40 pounds and that you can choose from lots of placement options. Meaning you'll want to have the option practice front inward-facing carry, front forward-facing comport, rear forward-facing deport (backpack mode), and side hip carry.

I bought an Ergobaby offset, simply later replaced it with the Fifty-fifty more adjustable and ergonomic LILLEbaby. I felt a bit fooled past Ergobaby into buying a special infant insert that I then had to store, unused, because he quickly grew out of it. I couldn't donate it because information technology's such a specific slice. Also, the one I bought couldn't do front forward-facing carry. Turns out they accept one that does it all, I only bought the wrong one.

The LILLEbaby doesn't require any extra accessories. In that location'south a strap within that easily folds away when y'all don't need information technology; you put a folded blanket over the strap to back up your newborn. (You could practise this with Ergobaby but LILLEbaby actually suggests information technology instead of offering a pricey insert that volition but last a couple months).

The LILLEbaby also has other advantages over Ergobaby, including a few small but very thoughtful blueprint improvements, such equally a pad to protect your chest from the front strap when doing a backpack style carry. Overall, my sense was that the LILLEbaby designers intendance more about moms and dads considering the product is slightly more adjustable, a touch improve designed. And just a little ameliorate makes all the difference.

One more than error you can avoid because I fabricated it for yous: purchase one that is 100% cotton, and avoid options listed every bit "airflow" material. It just isn't. That layered mesh material is harsher against baby's skin, and the tiny holes catch any curd-textured effluvia, including cotton cheese, poop, and throw-up, locking them deep in the fibers where they are hard to launder out. Yes, I know this from personal experience. Look closely at the photos every bit they change and update often. Despite my mistake, I totally love my LILLEbaby. Heartily recommended.

3. Car seat

E'er a must. And please, please, get i that is easy to uninstall and reinstall. Especially if yous travel a lot.

Y'all may want to go one that is office of a travel (stroller) system. See below for a recommendation on a stroller travel organization.

four. Stroller

Nosotros didn't get a stroller until our baby was more 4 months old. When we did purchase a stroller, nosotros got away with a squeamish umbrella stroller.

After, I bought a used BOB running stroller which I take mixed feelings about. (The feelings: they are non allowed in airports due to their large size, but that size is useful sometimes for protection in a crowd, and it's certainly nice to run with your baby, but on the other hand, running is of import alone time if yous tin can get a sitter, friend, or partner to care for your infant while you have care of yourself.)

If you desire to make a travel organisation stroller function of your registry, someone I trust simply did a whole lot of research and settled on an UPPAbaby travel organization which works from newborn up to preschool age and includes a machine seat. It's a pricey pick but y'all may exist able to squeeze it into the budget since y'all're going quality over quantity as a minimalist. it is really overnice to accept a arrangement that works seamlessly.

For baby #two I was gifted a pre-loved travel system and I have really enjoyed it.

5. Video or sound monitor

This was not on my original list and I regret it. I spent too much time broken-hearted near my baby when he was napping. I didn't have a manner to check him without going into his room, which would potentially wake him up. I'd recommend a video monitor so you tin practise a quick visual check every time your "mommy anxiety" kicks in.

However, I've heard that it'southward best to avoid the monitors that get with you lot when yous're running errands or on a engagement night. Go someone you trust to watch over your infant, and trust them. Otherwise you'll exist on the monitor the whole time you're out.

1st Update - And then far I have NOT used a monitor with my 2nd infant. We'll see if that changes. This listing is an ongoing experiment. I think what I've learned is I take less feet baby #2.

2nd Update - I've come up to the conclusion that a baby monitor is not necessary if you are low anxiety (feet may be lower with a second infant) and live in a abode where you can hear your infant weep from any room. Those of you lot with college anxiety and/or a large or soundproof home may want a audio or video monitor so you can hear or meet when you lot babe wakes upwardly from a nap or at nighttime if y'all're not room-sharing.

6. Diapers and wipes

We started with size newborn diapers and nosotros had to size up about once a month, so don't buy too many. Those little bums abound fast! We used near 100 per month in general, and perhaps more those commencement couple months when we changed him more often than was necessary since we were learning his habits (and the astonishing capacity of diapers). We used disposable.

For baby #2, we're using disposable diapers and cloth diapers. I use disposable when it's easier (traveling, night fourth dimension, and out of the house) and textile diapers occasionally — around the house or when I desire to keep a few diapers out of the landfill and save some coin.

I bought a few second-paw cloth diapers from a friend whose kids are all now potty trained. I found that it wasn't quite enough. They were a few dissimilar brands, and some had Velcro that had worn out, so I couldn't use all of them.

So, for the terminal four months, I've been testing these Alva Babe cloth diapers with my 2nd child. And I really like them. I like that they come up in a set, and they are like shooting fish in a barrel to clean. The only affair I'd change virtually the Alvas is I wish they had claw and eye (Velcro) closure. The snaps accept most 1.five seconds each to close, and there are iii on each side. One of the other brands I have (pre-owned) has a hook and eye closure that takes well-nigh one second on each side. Two seconds vs nine seconds to close up a fresh diaper may not seem like a lot, simply when your baby is wiggly and eager to get back to exploring, it is a long time.

I'll keep using the well-rated ones I have, linked above, just if I were to do it over again, I might endeavor something like the Bambino Mio Onesize, although they are significantly more expensive. Update: At about fifteen months my footling one figured out how to disengage the Velcro on our one hook-and-centre cloth diaper, so at present I say, stick with the stiff snaps of the Alva Baby diapers .

seven. White noise auto

We love this this white noise automobile. It'due south pocket-sized and portable. Information technology has lasted us for years. Nosotros used the one machine with both babies and it is nonetheless going potent, five years later on. It has helped me become great sleep in a city hotel under construction. It helps our kids slumber while we're watching Netflix. Highly recommended.

8. Easy clothing

Sometimes I call back the designers of baby wearing apparel don't actually accept children themselves. I was shocked by how hard many baby wearing apparel are to use. Seriously. I go sweaty just dressing my baby. This is an surface area that a proficient designer needs to take on.

In the meantime, buy a few onesies, rompers, pants, soft hats, and socks. Make certain everything is soft. Your friends are: zippers and minimal snaps. Your enemies are: buttons and also many snaps. As well, easy access to the diaper area is key. Kids grow really fast (and in spurts) so clothing is a buy-as-needed area.

Update: My sister introduced to me to this make and I love it. They are the easiest and cutest organic baby clothes I take discovered so far. The two-fashion zipper on the romper makes diaper changes easier.

9. Large washable underpads (4)

I didn't know these existed until I went to the hospital to give nativity. Then nosotros sort of not exactly accidentally stole ane from the hospital. (It was my bed pad giving me a little actress security of non staining the sheets during recovery. ) When I called the hospital to confess our crime, they told me, understandably, to just go on it.

Information technology has been astonishing for so many things. For changing diapers on, nosotros just placed it on the flooring or bed and changed the baby in that location. We'd throw it in the washer and dryer and it would always come out make clean and like new. Oh, information technology's too good for tummy time. It travels well too, folding upwards to the size of a light jacket. Now information technology doubles equally a "in case" pad under our older kid'south sheets for night potty preparation. We bought more to use for our new baby.

Information technology's likely the infirmary sourced it from a medical supply company. However, I recollect I institute it on Amazon for yous. Check out this 4-pack. Amazing. Also expert for pets? What? How many uses does this product accept? And they are And then washable.

x. Packaged snacks stashes and (very specific ) h2o cups with lids. (for y'all, breastfeeding mom)

Those first few weeks of breastfeeding were tough. When I'd finally become my baby latched on, I'd settle dorsum into the chair, burrow, or bed, and immediately get hitting with undeniable, dying-in-the-desert thirst along with hunger pangs. But I couldn't move because that would disrupt the latch we'd but worked so hard for. So usually I'd yell for my hubby to bring me water and snacks. But sometimes he couldn't hear me or wasn't dwelling house.

Then hide PACKAGED SNACKS around your house. Earlier you go into labor, put them nether your mattress, between couch cushions, inside of decorative pottery, EVERYWHERE !

And you'll normally only have one hand available, and so don't sit down with a bottle of h2o. (I can't open a bottle of water with one hand. Just me?) And don't sit downwardly with an open top cup because similar me, you might be clumsy from sleep deprivation and that water will spill. Yous need a jumbo loving cup with a chapeau and straw.

When baby is hungry, offset make full your cup. Literally. Y'all won't want to, considering when your baby is crying all you can think about is making your baby experience better, just learn from my experience, please, so y'all don't spend that precious breastfeeding time feeling thirsty and deprived.

eleven. Breast pump

In some places your insurance company is required by police to provide 1 to you. This is vital to accept earlier the baby comes, as you'll desire to accept information technology on hand during those first few days and weeks of learning how to breastfeed – when you lot're engorged and the baby hasn't learned how to effectively nurse on a very total breast.

(Again, learn from my mistakes. My pump hadn't yet arrived I was one udderly miserable dairy queen that first week. I had to bring a specialist in to help me get the milk to come out the offset fourth dimension. A pump would have solved the problem in a few seconds.)

When my pump finally arrived, I loved it. You lot want to go for a "hospital class" machine. While I didn't try other pumps, (and then I can't compare information technology to others) I do highly recommend the ane I chose from my insurance company's offerings. I gave it away subsequently the beginning infant and purchased a new one for the 2nd. Information technology is available on Amazon here.

12. ii-4 bottles with nipples for pumped breast milk

If you're going dorsum to work full time, and plan to pump, you may need a cooler and more than iv bottles.

Still, for starters, two-four bottles should be fine until you get a feel for things.

If you get the above recommended breast pump, information technology comes with ii bottles. Y'all can also annals for this package which comes with four bottles and a tote bag.

thirteen. Bottle brush for cleaning bottles and nipples

Specialized baby bottle brushes come up with a larger brush for inside the canteen and a smaller part for cleaning nipples.

14. Breast milk freezer bags

Information technology'southward nice to have special bags that wait dissimilar than regular freezer storage numberless. Breast milk bags are tall and narrow, making them easier to cascade into a bottle than your standard zippo lock bags.

xv. 4-10 lightweight swaddling blankets

These are for swaddling and burping and cleaning random infant messes. These won't final long for swaddling merely will exist vital for many months for those sudden spills that come out of babies.

sixteen. Sleep sacks

The swaddling days don't final long for most babies, and blankets get kicked off or become chancy. Get several slumber sacks for chilly nights when your baby's sleepwear won't provide plenty warmth on its ain.

Equally a bonus, a sleep sack keeps the kid safe in bed after that age (nigh a year) when they commencement trying to put a leg over the border of the bed to climb out.

17. Baby soap or wash

I oasis't formed a preference for i particular baby wash. I tend to buy something locally that seems every bit mild, gentle, and natural as possible.

18. Something for sore nipples

Lanolin is the recommended product. I tried it, but then switched to coconut oil. I prefer the smell, and that it'south from a plant rather than an creature. And it seems to heal my skin fast. Whatever you choose, accept it on hand before you requite birth because sore nipples are as bad every bit they sound.

xix. Baby oil/moisturizer

I prefer a natural establish oil like olive, kokosnoot, almond, or jojoba. These seemed to exercise the job just as well as a cream specifically branded for babies. Moisturizers marketed to parents for babies tend to have long ingredient listings. It seems simpler and healthier to me to put one ingredient at a time on your baby.

20. Diaper rash cream (a tube per month)

If yous are lucky, your baby will reply well to coconut oil to heal and prevent diaper rash, thus items # eighteen, 19, and 20 tin can all be covered with a jar or 2 of organic coconut oil. For our first baby, coconut oil ended up being more effective than the leading diaper rash foam, if a fleck messier. Information technology smelled ameliorate as well!

21. Pacifier (maybe a couple with different types of nipples for baby to try)

I call up existence worried that giving my starting time son a pacifier would make him addicted to it, or confuse him and brand it more than hard for him to breastfeed. If I remember correctly, I tried a pacifier later he'd learned to latch on to the breast. And then information technology made my life so much easier. At some point effectually seven or 8 months former he started dropping the pacifier out of his oral cavity ofttimes and I took that equally a cue that he was done with it. There were a few days of aligning but then he no longer missed it. Same with my 2d baby.

We used the always-popular Philips Avent Soothie pacifiers. I think someone gifted us the one attached to a plush toy brute, and that was a big hit because it was hard to lose and gave our infant something to hold onto.

22. Super seat/stuck seat

The gist is: somewhere you can stick your child nearby and yous know they're safe and occupied while you take a shower. It's a peace of mind thing.

We started using the super seat once babe could hold his head up on his own. Our version was called a super seat because it is a supportive chair, a booster seat, a snack tray, and a toy-holder all in ane. Subsequently, he used the booster office in place of a high chair. It came with straps to safely adhere to a regular kitchen chair.

We bought something very similar to this (same brand, different toy theme). However, were I to do it once more, I'd probably try to observe i with higher ratings. In that location were a few buggy things that could exist better. I don't think toys need to be attached. Babies apace tire of the attached toys and desire to play with something else (meet beneath section on skipping toys). Also, over time the difficult-to-make clean toys get undeniably… gunky.

23. A napper or co-sleeper.

It's dainty to take something safety y'all can put your baby downwardly in when you desire them napping near yous, only you don't want to put them in a crib or drag a play k to your space. They'll speedily grow out of a napper, and so make it affordable or go it pre-owned. In Finland they utilise a paper-thin box! It really merely needs to exist a flat, condom, comfortable identify for your baby to sleep. Do your research and get something that suits your lifestyle and parenting style. Ukraine, where I had my second baby, has started doing the same thing Finland does, giving new parents a big box filled with new infant essentials. The box doubles as a crib and includes a sparse cream mattress; I used the box the hospital gave the states for that purpose in the very early on weeks when I wanted my little one to nap nearby.

24. Forehead thermometer

I had to pick upwardly one of these in a hurry after our son was born. Although the infirmary actually gave us a thermometer in a babe gift pack, it was a standard insertion thermometer.

An insertion thermometer is the last affair your baby wants to deal with when she or he is feeling sick. And I can't blame a baby for not wanting cold metal stuck in any orifice, at any time, sick or good for you. So I plant myself delaying taking my son's temperature when I suspected he had a fever. As shortly every bit we got a brow thermometer my parental anxiety decreased quite a bit as it made taking his temperature, and usually finding out there was no fever, like shooting fish in a barrel.

I purchased mine in a CVS shop, just if y'all, wise planner that you are, want to put one on an Amazon Registry, here's a suggestion.

25. Baby Motion Monitor

I about left this one off the list. It had a tendency to sideslip off my babe'southward diaper, which meant that at that place were a few false alarms that had me up in the centre of the night, centre racing, earlier I checked on him and saw he was fine.

Even so. Concluding night I had a vivid dream taking me back to those early days of caring for my newborn. I recollect how hard it was to actually get restful sleep because I was worried he would stop breathing in the middle of the night. And so this particular is going back on the list.

I should too tell you I didn't suffer from anxiety before having a baby. Parenthood changes you in unpredictable ways, and for me there was a huge increase in anxiety.

So my concluding verdict is that if this device (we bought twice, in one case for each babe, and recommend the Snuza Hero Baby Movement Monitor) will assist you have peace of mind and so you can snatch some good sleep when your baby is sleeping, become information technology.

I call up it'due south worth information technology in those very early weeks if yous have a lilliputian anxiety or tend to wake up at dark only to cheque that your baby's breathing is fine. (Which, but FYI, is normal new parent behavior.)

What to skip

Now that you lot know the 25 essentials, here's what you tin save your money on.

ane. Toys

Babies are entertained hands. Crinkling paper. A spoon. Their own ear. Toys are really not necessary until later. Plus you'll unavoidably collect toys as gifts because they are fun for friends and family to purchase for you.

2. Specialized infant moisturizers

As I suggested earlier, these can contain nasty chemicals. Only stick with pure establish oils like coconut, olive, and jojoba. Always check your baby for signs of an allergic reaction when putting something new on their pare.

3. Loftier chair

I never understood loftier chairs. They're huge. Why buy such a big matter when you can go a small booster seat and the baby can sit with the family unit at the table? Plus their superlative, higher than a normal chair, means a fall would be more dangerous. And, here's a parenting underground no i talks about: every baby falls. There's gonna exist a fall. All you can exercise is your best. Merely they're gonna fall. Brand sure it's from as depression a betoken equally possible.

4. A changing table

A huge piece of unnecessary furniture. Also a falling risk. Flooring or bed changes are easy and safer. Never walk abroad from your babe when they could roll off the bed or ringlet into a dangerous situation.

5. Pee pee tent

Alarm: if you lot take a boy, he might pee on you when y'all modify his diaper. Pee pee tents are lilliputian tents you put over his penis during that brief window of gamble while you change his diaper. Just put your paw over the stream and so it doesn't hit your face up. Otherwise, let the guy get some airflow during diaper changes.

vi. Wipes warmer

Nope. Get used to the refreshing coolness of wipes in their natural state, kid.

vii. Diaper genie

Merely put those dirty diapers in a bag and tie it off. Mayhap get a trash can with a lid if the scent is really bad. You don't need a specialty trash can (with moving parts liable to interruption and specialty supplies to be purchased at regular intervals).

8. Annihilation with buttons or beads

Buttons on clothes take besides much fourth dimension and tin popular off and become a choking hazard. Beads, which can also become a choking risk, are generally obviously avoided for babies. All the same, I've noticed a tendency of making babies clothing a necklace of amber chaplet for supposed pain-relieving benefits. Amber may be soothing to look at or touch on, but has no other helpful benefits when worn, and your baby volition be safer without the potential choking and strangulation chance of wearing a necklace.

9. Complicated wraps for baby wearing

Don't buy anything that needs a tutor, form or more than one person to put on. Just become with ane baby wearing product. The already-mentioned easy, highly adjustable, works-for-mom-and-dad LILLEbaby.

10. Crib accessories

Some crib accessories similar bumper pads can put babe at run a risk.

Other accessories to avert include those light up, big, plastic things that play lullabies and accept colorful visuals and usually attach to the side of a crib. Remember that whatever becomes part of your baby's going-to-sleep ritual must be repeated every single night and nap, sometimes for years.

Y'all really don't want anything that is so specific that information technology tin't be easily replaced or repeated. You likely wouldn't travel with the light-up plastic thing, so I'd recommend skipping information technology if you lot desire to travel easily with your baby.

11. Canteen/pacifier sterilizer.

Buy things that are dishwasher safe or clean them with hot soapy h2o and a specialized brush like the one recommended higher up. Over-sterilizing may rob your baby of a salubrious microbiota.

12. Infant bath tub.

You don't need a bathtub or special insert for your baby. They may make things a bit easier, but they may also increase the risk to your baby by adding a simulated sense of safety when your baby is in the bath. Use the kitchen or bathroom sink (sanitized starting time, of course) to bathe your baby. Never get out them unattended, even for a moment, and ever continue their face out of the water. Use a cloth or wipes for cleaning the face. In the early days, babies do not need frequent baths, and can be wiped down with a warm, clammy material. Once they can sit down unaided, you can let your babe sit in a very shallow tub to bathe, or fifty-fifty take baths with them.

Bonus, babies getting sink baths are so sinkin' cute. Seriously, I cartel you to go search #sinkbath on Instagram. Bad day? It just got amend.

From top left: @amandarosephotography, @this.footling.wandering, @fivelittlebirds, @thisisbus, @teraherron_photography, @mamadray88

13. And... everything else not on the above list of essentials.

That's correct, you don't need special baby combs or brushes, breastfeeding pillows (which are remarkably similar to regular pillows), or whatsoever of the other 60,000 items in the Amazon infant store alone. Stick with the 25 essentials listed on the checklist higher up and you should accept everything yous need for your baby to thrive.

That's it!

Here'south a quick summary of what to put on your registry (in prototype class):

At present you know what to get for your bundle of joy, and what to skip.

Now go get that registry done!

If you loved this post, "heart" information technology using the button below, and if you want to share it, there's a button for that also. Delight share this blog every bit a way of helping others simplify to live their all-time lives.

Finally, if yous haven't signed upwardly yet for the free 3-Day Decluttering Challenge, please do so below. You'll go a iii-day burst of inspiration and instruction, plus The Simple Dominicus, my occasional newsletter on how to edit your life for more joy.

colexyling.blogspot.com

Source: http://simplelivingtoolkit.com/blog/the-minimalist-baby-registry

Share this post