Space constraints, on a budget, or just don’t want a lot of ‘stuff?’ Here’s how you can be a minimalist, even with a new baby.
Soft ivory changing tables swathed in delicate pink tulle. Perfectly tiny booties with a coordinating bonnet. Gentle rockers, stuffed animals, cozy blankets. Bottle-warmers, baby baths, diaper dispensers. Ladies, the list of ‘things’ that we associate with a new baby is endless.
I have a bit of bias when it comes to being a minimalist: I’ve always lived in a small space. Our first apartment barely fit two, and we squished in our new baby. Our next apartment was still a 1-bedroom, but we finagled it to fit babies 2 and 3. I’m in a bigger space now, but I kept my minimalist mentality. Less is more, space is valuable, and ‘stuff’ gives me a headache! (Read Victoria’s thoughts on being a minimalist here.)
Being a minimalist, or buying things with a minimalist mentality, is one thing. But being a minimalist with a new baby? That’s a whole new challenge! Whether it’s our neighbor promising that this one product is going to change the newborn stage, our sister-in-law sending us screenshots of that store that’s 50% off, or our hormones telling us we ‘need!!’ that other thing, being a minimalist with a new baby is tough!
Still want to give it a try? Here’s how.
First, you have to divide needs and wants. Nope, doesn’t mean we can’t have any ‘wants,’ it just means that we’re being more realistic about what a baby needs and what a baby really doesn’t. Keep in mind, this list varies by person! The point of this list is that so many things that we think are needs are really just wants. Convenient and cute wants, but still just wants.
Bringing a new baby home to an apartment that fits 2 perfectly with the baby’s needs isn’t necessarily overwhelming. It’s drowning in all the baby things that can make minimalism more attractive. What I’ve found is that once I separate the ‘needs’ and ‘wants,’ it’s so much easier to choose just the few select things from my ‘wants’ list that really spark joy. I’m left feeling fully satisfied, with the ‘needs’ taken care of, and my few ‘wants’ making me smile.
You have to know your own needs! But just to get you started, here are 8 things you may think are ‘needs,’ but you may be able to do without.
- Bassinet: Baby needs a sleeping space, but you can jump to a full-size crib or pack-n-play or another sleep solution and skip the bassinet stage.
- Diaper bag: Who doesn’t love an excuse for a new bag? Really though, almost any bag will do! Grab a tote from the back of your closet, fill it with the essentials, and call it a day.
- Swing: Some parents swear by them! But if you don’t have the space or budget, your baby will absolutely be fine.
- Changing table/changing pad: Don’t get me started on this. Baby can be changed on any flat surface, and you can lay down a swaddle blanket if the space isn’t perfectly clean.
- Big, comfy, blankets: Eventually, yes, your toddler will need a cozy blanket. But for now, skip the big, thick, blankets that aren’t newborn-friendly anyway.
- Lots of newborn-size clothing: This stage lasts for so much shorter than you think! One pack of undershirts and 3-4 onesies in the newborn size may be enough. Your baby will fit into 0-3 months in no time!
- Baby bath: Am I going overboard? Potentially. But if space is an issue, your baby will be oh-so-happy in the sink with a towel underneath her.
- Bottle warmer: Fill up a big cup with hot sink water and drop the bottle in. Done and done.
In order to avoid feeling constrained, it’s super important to remember that deciding not to buy something initially doesn’t mean that you can’t get it, ever. If you find yourself with a kvetchy 2-month old and want to try the swing, do it! Spending way too many hours mixing formula and water? Buy the baby formula dispenser! But first, if you want to be a minimalist, see how you do without.
FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES, MAKE SURE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP STATUS HERE. JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP AND WE’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN A NEW POST IS UP!
Mali says
Wow, I never thought im a minimalist but ive made do without any of the things mentioned above and never felt the lack…
Rachel says
Same. Except for the swing
NH says
What do you put your baby in during the day when you are not upstairs?
S says
My baby would be on the floor a lot… either on a playmat or just a blanket. Or if you have a stroller anyway, you can have it in the house for during the day.
eg says
I actually have 2 bassinet strollers. One for upstairs, one for downstairs. Not super minimalist as per this article, but takes up so little space and can be easily moved around. As an aside, newborns anyway shouldn’t be in swings for so long (unless absolutely needed) as they should be flat as much as possible
Suri says
I agree with most! Swing is amazing for the first 2 months though to be able to put baby down safely for a short time. Best is to borrow one!! Though I suppose a carriage could be used, a swing is calming for when there are no hands available to hold.. With the bath, sink is wonderful for newborn and then a towel in the big bathtub is a game changer! Put just an inch or 2 of warm water and see how happy the baby is to splash!! Its a must try.
Chaya says
Agree with a lot of this but I found a changing table saved my back. Although I didn’t find it necessary for my first few kids by the time my seventh kah came around , my back aches from bending down multiple times a day for diaper changes. I purchased a changing table and it saved my back! When baby outgrew the changing table, I removed the top and it serves as a dresser in a different child’s room.
MK says
I’ve also made do without most of this list but I purchased a baby bath for #7. I found that in the sink, I was fully supporting the baby the entire time – both head and body – even with a towel. In a baby bath, I can just rest my hand on baby’s tummy because the baby is fully supported. I made sure to get one that has good bottom support. Bear in mind though, its still not perfect! Baby can still slide, so be vigilant, but you dont have to be completely holding the baby up.
Michal says
When my high chair broke as we tried to get it out of the attic for our youngest, we decided to just skip it. Turns out my 6 month old was perfectly happy trying solid foods strapped into a booster. He’s 2 now, and we never missed the highchair! The booster takes up a lot less space and works well into toddler-hood.
Dinah says
With a swing I have a small travel one and it’s fine for the first few months and after that you don’t really need it as much. It’s cheaper than a full sized one and takes up much less space
malka says
Can’t believe I’m actually a minimalist!!
The only thing I purchased here was a baby bath for the newborn stage because the sinks in my Israeli apartment are marble and a tad too small.
Blima says
Who buys newborn sized clothes at all? I had rather small babies and they always fit into size 3 months.
L says
My babies are 6-1/2 lbs or so and wear newborn size for sure for the first six weeks. Size 3 months
L says
Sorry got cut off. Size 3 months would look ridiculous on them! My 4 month old is currently still in 3 month
L says
I’m all for being a minimalist – I don’t have a lot of the things mentioned – but properly fitting clothing is a necessity, not an extra
Dinah says
Well nowadays the stuff runs quite small, my baby outgrew size 3 months by a month old. And she wasn’t a big baby….
Michal says
Reena, you took my breath away when I read your opening sentence “soft ivory changing tables swathed in delicate pink tulle”
That is precisely what I needed..um..wanted for my baby girl, born after 3 rambunctious boys.
Not to mention dressing her in onesies that had more frill than fabric!
I do agree with the minimalist approach in general. Our homes are calmer, our space more inviting when not abounding with stuff.
Esther says
Our washing cup was a favorite bottle warmer
B says
I thought and was told the same about newborn size clothing but my 7.5lb newborn was swimming in the target newborn onesies, he wasn’t particularly small and he fit in those for at least a month! I would say definitely buy more than 2-3 once you know baby fits into them, not worth doing that much laundry in those early days!
Ellie says
This is great! I literally said last week I want to make a blog post on exactly this! And today a friend of mine sent me this! Excellent tips and insights!
S says
as far as saving your back with the changing table- I bought one of those foam filled changing table toppers and put it on my own dresser. I also found that if I did diaper changes on a bed, or on the steps I sat down and didn’t lean over from a standing position
M says
Skip the minimalist name, this is just the basic way to fit in a Brooklyn apartment. I don’t have any of the items above and don’t feel a lack