Must Have Newborn Items – Minimalist Baby Essentials Checklist

Discover must have newborn items as you prepare for the arrival of your little one. Check out my minimalist baby essentials checklist.

Nothing has the potential to overrun your house more than baby gear. From the toys, bottles, blankets, gizmos and gadgets it seems as if the items “needed” to raise a baby in our modern age are endless.

When I got pregnant with my first little one I knew that I wanted to keep my baby possessions as minimal as possible. This can be a challenge when excited grandparents, friends and other family members tell you all of the things you are going to “need”.

Becoming a mama is such a wonderful and life altering change. You as a woman are changing in so many ways and there is so much to learn. The last thing you need is a mountain of STUFF to keep up with, put away and store. Your moments should be dedicated to your new little one…not all of the excess clutter around your home.

My Personal Journey to Minimalist Baby Gear

When my son arrive and we had survived the first few months of the newborn stage I realized how little we actually needed to thrive and have a happy mommy/baby relationship. When my daughter came along, armed with this prior knowledge, I was able to pair down our baby gear even more. Now with third little one here I feel like I have minimized our baby possessions to the bare necessities and my motherhood journey feels much more relaxed and peaceful as a result. I want to share this knowledge with all of you so that you can stay minimal from the start.

Through the years I have reassessed again and again what is actually necessary when taking care of your little one through those first six months of newborn life. I have compiled a minimalist baby essentials checklist so that you can easily purchase the most needed items. Check out the links below for my recommendations of must have newborn items.

1. Bassinet

Everyone looks forward to decorating their nursery and getting a beautiful crib but if I had it to do all over again I would have just gotten a bassinet, at-least for the first six months. All of our babies have slept in our room for the first six months of their lives.

This bassinet is perfect for keeping your baby close through the night. I love how it hugs the side of my bed and my little one is right by my side with easy access for the those middle of the night breast feeding sessions.

2. Dock-A-Tot

I personally bought my Dock-A-Tot second hand, and I have loved it. It is made of quality material and I have used it for two of my three children. For my first child I purchased a generic brand sleeper and it worked great as well however didn’t hold up as long as the Dock-A-Tot . I encourage you to shop around and find one that fits your budget. My little ones loved sleeping in these little beds. I place ours right inside the bassinet and it’s like their own little cocoon.

3. Swaddles

I didn’t realize how important swaddles were until I was bleary eyed and sleep deprived. When I finally realized that my little one needed to be wrapped up tight to be able to get the most sleep at night, it was a game changer. I ordered these swaddles and have used them with all three of my children. I will say that my daughter was a little Houdini when she slept so I had to get a different swaddle to keep her tucked in, but the point is, I consider swaddles a necessary item. Do your research and pick out the best option for you.

4. Pacifiers

I know there are strong opinions when it comes to pacifiers but I am going to include it on my minimalist baby essentials checklist. Pacifiers are one of those things you can look into or skip right over. Every child is different. With my first he didn’t take a paci for the first six months. With my daughter she took one from day one. It all depends on the baby and what you as the parent want to do. These are great pacis, made with clean ingredients that I highly recommend. They are a little on the pricey side so if you are someone that misplaces things regularly, I would probably go with something cheaper.

5. Sound Machine

I currently have two different sound machines, one in each of my kids rooms. I don’t know what we would do without them. We have used them everyday since birth for naps and bedtime and they are wonderful! I am linking the one that I like the most. I love this one because it is a sound machine and also has a nightlight on it. It makes the middle of the night trips to a little ones room a lot easier and won’t wake you and your little one up nearly as much as having to turn on an overhead light. (side note- I bought this item used as well)

6. Burp Cloths

So technically these are advertised as swaddle blankets but that is why I love them, they are so versatile and can be used for so many things. I used them as burp cloths, as nursing covers, changing blankets and so much more. They are perfect and have served me well through the newborn stage of all of my children.

7. Nursing/Car Seat Cover

If you talk to for me for very long concerning baby gear you will quickly discover that I love items that are multi purposeful. That is why I love this Boppy Nursing cover. It can be used while breastfeeding but also to cover the car seat while baby is sleeping. This cover is stretchy and breathable and it’s the only nursing cover I own.

8. Sleeper Pajamas

Everyone loves to buy a newborn the one item they need the least of…clothes! Honestly, all you need for your little one to begin is a handful of sleeper pajamas. I promise you, your postpartum self will thank me. These zip up ones from Burts Bees are great. They are made from organic material and they zip up which is a must. If you take nothing away from this article but this, remember don’t buy sleepers with buttons. You will regret it.

I love to get neutral colors for my baby’s clothing so no matter the gender of my little one, their siblings following them can wear them as well. Be sure to add several of these to your registry to be ready for your little one’s arrival.

9. Baby Wrap

Being able to carry your baby around and have your arms free to get things done around the house is essential. This is why I consider a good baby wrap an essential baby item. I have tried a variety of wraps from the ring sling to stretchy wraps but the one I have landed on as my favorite is the Boppy baby carrier. It is a type of hybrid wrap and I love it. I usually wear this wrap for the first few months until my little one is big enough to be worn on my back and then I switch to the Boba Classic Baby Carrier.

10. Car Seat & Stroller

Unless you have a home birth having a car seat to bring your baby home in is definitely an essential. I have used the Baby Trend brand for all of my little ones and they have served me well.

I have used several different strollers through the years and my all time favorite is the Baby Trend Sit and Stand Ultra. It is lightweight but is also capable of carrying multiple children. It has multiple cup holders and a compartment at the bottom for storage. I can’t recommend it enough.

11. Diaper Bag

When it comes to a diaper bag, the backpack style is the way to go. I have used the Eddie Bauer brand for years. It has plenty of storage space without being too bulky. I can easily fit all of the items I need for all three of my little ones.

12. Baby Swing

This last item doesn’t really qualify as an essential but it sure is nice.

As your little one gets accustomed to life outside of the womb it is nice for them to have a safe space to sit while you do things around the home. For my first child we had a very simple little baby chair that vibrated and he did just fine in it. When my second child came along I got a great deal (used of course) on the 4moms MamaRoo swing. As my daughter got a little older she enjoyed sitting in this swing and observing the world around her. My third child has enjoyed it as well.

I hope you have enjoyed my minimalist baby essentials checklist. Obviously this list does not cover every item you will need for your little one but during those first few months when you are primarily at home, trying to figure everything out, I consider these the essentials. These items cover the basic essentials of sleep, nursing and clothing your little one.

Try not to become overwhelmed as you are preparing for your little one’s arrival. If I could impart any wisdom to you as a mother it is that Less is More when it comes to baby gear…and really when it comes to life in general.

If you are currently pregnant and would like to read my natural water birth story, you can check it out HERE. Comment below and let me know what your favorite baby essential items are.