Things I Don’t Buy as a Minimalist Mum (Baby Edition, age 0-1)
The anticipation of a baby’s arrival is an exciting time, especially for first-time parents. The desire to be well-prepared is common, and the baby industry thrives on this. As the due date approaches, the mix of excitement and apprehension can be intense, with countless products competing for our attention. However, the sheer volume of available products can be overwhelming, making it challenging to distinguish between essential and unnecessary items. The essentials typically include a car seat, pram or buggy, food, clothes, and a sleeping place for the baby. Yet, as the due date draws nearer, the temptation to accumulate non-essential items often increases. Once the baby arrives, exhausted parents can be easily persuaded by any product that promises to ease their life, improve sleep, or save time. Does this sound familiar?
It is important to consider the real cost of this “convenience”. These items need to be purchased (costs time and money), assembled (costs time), understood (costs time), stored (needs space), and maintained (costs time, money, and space). When preparing for our baby’s arrival, we lived in a small one-bedroom flat. Given our preference for minimal living, we had to thoughtfully consider our space and determine the baby essentials. Our limited space didn’t allow for non-essentials, which helped us keep the baby items to a minimum. Seeing this as a blessing, I wanted to share some things that we didn’t buy. So, if you’re interested, let’s dive in!
Things I Don’t Buy for My Baby
These are things we opted not to buy before our baby was born, anticipating we wouldn’t need them. And we didn’t. However, if we had felt a need for any of them, we would have purchased them. As with all information I share, take what is useful to you and disregard the rest.
Clothing
1. Scratch Mitts
Instead of buying separate scratch mitts for our little one, we decided to keep things simple and make laundry a bit easier. You know how tiny things like mitts can mysteriously disappear in the wash? So, we chose onesies with built-in mitts. They’re super convenient because they can’t be taken off or get lost, and bonus, no more playing hide and seek with matching pairs!
2. Outfits
We decided not to buy specific outfits for our little one. First, we wanted our baby to be comfortable, I feel some outfits can be a bit tight or awkward for little ones. Second, we wanted nappy changes to be a breeze. Navigating through complicated outfits when you’re in a hurry? No thank you! Lastly, we wanted to make laundry time as simple as possible. Sticking to similar clothing pieces just made sorting, washing, and organising a cinch. We did have a few special outfits gifted to us for when visitors came over, but for everyday wear, we were all about practicality and comfort.
3. Bows and Headbands
We skipped buying bows and headbands for our little bundle of joy. Although we received a few as gifts when our baby was born, she wasn’t a fan of anything on her head. So, we decided to hold off on trying again until she was a bit older. Truthfully, we didn’t really need them. The only plus would have been letting others know she’s a girl, but that wasn’t a big deal for us.
4. Shoes
We chose not to buy shoes for our baby. After all, she’s not walking yet, and shoes at this point would just be for show. We wanted to let her tiny feet enjoy the comfort and freedom of movement. Plus, baby feet grow so quickly, don’t they? Before you know it, they’ve outgrown their shoes, leading to unnecessary spending and extra clutter.
Feeding
5. Steriliser
We decided not to buy a baby bottle steriliser. We found the Milton cold water steriliser to be so much more convenient and simple to use. Plus, it meant we had fewer things to buy and find a home for. It was a great way to stick to our minimalist lifestyle, even with the arrival of our little one and all the ‘must-haves’ that come along with babies.
6. Pacifier
We decided to skip the pacifier to keep things simple and fuss-free for our little one. We figured this would help encourage self-soothing habits early on, without the need for a pacifier. Plus, this meant one less thing to constantly clean. Instead, we went for easy, warm ways to soothe our baby like swaddling and gentle rocking.
7. Feeding Pillow
We decided to skip the feeding pillow. Mainly, it felt like an extra expense we could avoid. We found that ordinary pillows or just our arms worked perfectly fine for feeding support. Plus, we didn’t want to clutter our space with something that only had one use and wouldn’t be used often. So, we stuck to regular pillows or our arms when needed. It was a simple decision that worked well for us and saved us some money, too!
8. Pureed Food
Instead of buying pureed food for our baby, we chose the baby-led weaning approach. This method lets babies explore and consume the same foods as the rest of the family, but in a form suited for them, right from the start of weaning. We just served nutritious meals and let our baby decide what to eat, how much, and at their own pace. Instead of purees, we provided mashed foods and others chopped into smaller pieces. This not only saved us money but also helped our child develop fine motor skills and experience a variety of food textures and flavours. Importantly, this method was a time-saver as there was no need to prepare separate meals – we all ate together.
Bathing
9. Baby Toiletries
We skipped the special baby toiletries and opted for just water for washing and coconut oil for those soothing baby massages. Firstly, we wanted to keep our little one’s space (and our home) free from too many products. Secondly, it was a great way to save some extra money by trimming down our shopping list. But most importantly, we were all for using natural alternatives like water and coconut oil that we knew would be kind and safe on our baby’s soft, sensitive skin.
10. Baby Bath
We decided against buying a baby bath for a few reasons. First, we did not want to pay for an item that would only be used for a few months. Even though we knew it would be useful, we had alternatives at home, such as our regular bath and sink. Moreover, we didn’t bathe our baby every night, so the cost and space wouldn’t have been justified. We used our own bath when necessary. Although we were eventually loaned a baby bath and found it helpful, we still wouldn’t have chosen to purchase one.
11. Baby Towels
We decided not to buy baby-specific towels. Guess what? Our regular towels turned out to be absolutely perfect for wrapping up our little one after bath time. Not only did this save us a bit of money, but it also kept our home clutter-free. Plus, using regular towels meant less laundry and easier storage.
12. Baby Wipes Warmer
We decided against buying a wipe warmer for our baby. We didn’t view it as a necessity, since baby wipes at room temperature are quite suitable for the baby’s skin. Moreover, we wouldn’t have access to a wipe warmer when we’re out, so baby would need to get used to regular temperature wipes anyway. A wipe warmer would only add to our clutter and require upkeep.
13. Disposable Nappies and Wipes “ish”
We decided to use soft cloth nappies and reusable wipes for our baby most of the time. Our thought was, “Since we’re already doing laundry every day, why not add the nappies?” Our main goals were to streamline our routines, save money, and protect our baby’s skin. However, we also used disposable products for convenience when we were on the go. We found a happy balance, using reusable options about 90% of the time and switching to disposables for the remaining 10%. It’s all about finding the right balance, isn’t it?
14. Nappy Bag
We decided against a specialised nappy bag and simply made use of our existing backpack. Our backpack had plenty of space and compartments, just like a nappy bag, so it fit the bill perfectly. It was comfortable to carry, even for longer periods, and a bonus was that it was gender-neutral, making my husband equally comfortable using it. By doing this, we not only saved money but also upheld our minimalist lifestyle by not adding to the number of bags in our home. This just goes to show that you can often make do with regular items in your home, without needing specialised baby items.
15. Changing Table
We chose not to buy a changing table. We found it was just as easy and convenient to change our baby’s nappy on a mat on the floor, in any room of the house. This not only saved us money, but also saved us valuable space in our home by not having an extra piece of furniture.
Toys
16. Cuddly Toys
We chose not to buy cuddly toys for our baby. While they can appear to be cute decorations for the nursery, they can quickly accumulate and turn into clutter. We received plenty as gifts, which we store in a hammock to keep them organised. This decision helped maintain a sense of simplicity and order in our baby’s environment.
17. Loud, Flashy Baby Toys
We decided not to purchase noisy, flashy baby toys. These types of toys can often overstimulate babies and they are typically not necessary for their development. Instead, we opted for (a few) simpler toys that encourage imaginative play and fine motor skills development. This approach not only saved us money, but also helped to maintain a calmer, less cluttered environment for our baby.
18. Activity Center
We decided not to purchase an activity center for our baby. While these centers can provide entertainment, they can also take up significant space and become an eyesore in your living space. We found that simple play on a blanket with a few toys was more than enough to entertain our child and promote her developmental skills.
19. Baby Walker
One of the things we consciously decided not to buy for our baby was a baby walker. The first and most prominent reason was simply the space it would occupy. Living in a small flat, every square foot mattered and bringing in a walker just didn’t seem practical.
Additionally, we wanted to encourage our child to develop her movement skills naturally and at her own pace. We noticed that our home setup, with furniture close enough together, allowed her to coast around rooms easily. This not only boosted her confidence but also improved her strength and balance, all without the aid of a walker toy.
Other
20. Baby Rocker
We decided against purchasing a baby rocker. While they can be beneficial for some, we viewed it as unnecessary clutter. Its substantial size was a deterrent as we simply did not have the space in our home. Instead, we chose to hold and soothe our baby in our arms or lay her on a blanket. This not only saved us money and preserved our living space, but also promoted more physical interaction and bonding with our baby.
21. Baby Groups
We chose not to participate in baby groups. Given that our little one arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these groups were on hold. Yet, even under normal circumstances, we may have decided not to attend. While society sometimes suggests that these groups are necessary for a child’s development, I believe they primarily serve the needs of the parents. They undoubtedly provide a wonderful platform for parents to connect and share experiences. However, they are not indispensable for a child’s growth and well-being. As an introvert, I found other ways to support and enrich our baby’s development. So please remember, there’s no need to feel obligated to join baby groups out of concern your child might miss out – they will not.
22. Photoshoots
While I have a deep appreciation for the beauty in professional photos, our family has found them to not be essential for us. Nowadays, the quality of phone cameras is so impressive that we’re able to capture beautiful, candid moments in our daily lives. These unplanned photos often hold a special authenticity and are deeply cherished. Professional photoshoots can sometimes be quite an investment, both in terms of money and time. Instead, we choose to channel those resources into shared experiences that create lasting memories. This isn’t to say we don’t value photographs – quite the opposite! We simply prefer to capture these moments in a more spontaneous and personal manner.
Our parenting journey, influenced by our love for simplicity, helped us focus on what was really needed for our baby and us. However, it’s crucial to remember that each family is different and what works for one may not work for another. The items we chose to forego might be essential to others, and that’s perfectly okay. We all live life in our own way, and if you find benefit from these items, you should absolutely enjoy that. I am simply sharing what my experience has been, and as I have been trying to keep my life and home simplified, these are items that I managed to do without. The goal is not to prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, but to encourage thoughtful decisions that align with your family’s needs, values, and lifestyle. At the end of the day, a happy, loving home is the most important thing we can provide for our children, and this doesn’t require an abundance of material possessions. It’s the love, care, and time we invest in them that truly matters.
Please share any baby items that you’ve chosen not to buy. I look forward to your comments 🤍