Living in a small house comes with challenges. One of those challenges is learning how to be more intentional with what items are brought into the space. With less area to put things, each item needs to have a place and a purpose.
On top of having small house, having a new baby is a huge life change and brings in a lot of new items that will inevitably take up a good amount of available space. From the big items like cribs, playpens, bassinets, and strollers, to the small items like blankets, baby clothing, and toys, things can become overwhelming. I think by now we all know that of course, babies do not “need” much of anything when they first come home other than a safe, warm, and loving space, but of course there are items that make having a new baby easier. I have put together a list of the items I found to be “necessary” for a new baby. This is the semi-minimalist’s guide to new baby gear. I’ve organized this list from big items to small to make it a little easier to read.
Crib
As far as I’m concerned, a crib is a non-negotiable. There are so many cribs to choose from and while they are large, they will be used so many times that it is absolutely necessary. A safe space for my baby to sleep? Say no more! There are cribs that convert from small to large as the baby grows, which will save space since you will not need to buy a separate bassinet. I have a separate bassinet and let me tell you, it is heavy and large. The convertible crib I love is the Nestig and you can find it here. It retails for $699 so it is not a cheap crib, but in my parenting years I’ve found that sometimes there are just things you should splurge on if you’re looking to simplify your life a bit. Considering this one will save you the cost of the bassinet, it could be worth it, but that’s a very personal choice.
If you’re looking for a crib that is not going to also replace your bassinet and will change into a toddler bed in a few years, I suggest the Babyletto Hudson Crib which you can find here. This is the crib I got when I was pregnant with my first child four years ago and it has worked so well that I can’t help but recommend it. It retails for $499, so again, not “cheap”, but I would say this crib is quality and lasted through all 3 years of my first being in it and now will be used again with my second. I love this crib and definitely recommend it.
Bassinet
Along with the crib, a bassinet (in my opinion) is essential. Co-sleeping is not always safe, so having a safe space for baby to sleep in those early months when they’re waking up a ton is extremely helpful for new parents. I have the Halo brand bassinet and will be reusing it for our newborn days in a few short months. The only downside to the Halo Bassinet is that the base of it is heavy. Heavy enough that it is actually difficult for me to carry and move right now, which is definitely a down-side in my opinion. Otherwise, the swivel is convenient and helpful to get the baby close to the bed and it’s secure and sturdy. You can find this bassinet here and it currently costs $239.
Pack ‘n Play or Play Yard
This one depends on the space you have and how your set-up will be for the baby. When I had my first baby, I lived in a house with three stories and it was not feasible to have my daughter asleep in her crib upstairs while I was downstairs in the main living area. Having a play yard came in handy so she could nap in the living area safely.
Currently, we live in a ranch house where the bedrooms are very close to the main living area. I will be using our play yard because we already have one, but I definitely think if you’re in a living space like ours you can do without this item. They are big and take up a lot of space but useful when needed. I have the Nuna Play Yard which you can find here for $449.95.
Stroller and Carseat
Four years ago with my first, I chose to get a Baby Jogger travel system. Being that it was four years ago, the exact version does not seem to be available anymore but the most similar version you can find here. It includes a car seat with a base and the stroller. I liked this when I had it and still use the stroller for my four year old if we go on walks. She still fits in it very well and likes it a lot. The only downside I’ve had with this (and this issue comes with any stroller, not just the Baby Jogger) is that it basically always has to be kept in the back of the car in case we need it, and it is bulky. It takes up a lot of space in the trunk area and can be in the way if I’m picking up groceries or other large items.
Choosing what car seat to get this time around has been quite the process, but we finally decided on the Doona which you can find here. We chose the Doona because we already have a stroller and I did not want to purchase anything that would need a new stroller down the road as we can still use the Baby Jogger. In addition, some infant car seats are pricey at about $300 anyway, so I felt that the extra money to buy the Doona would be worth it. I’m excited to try it out and to not have to carry a car seat to and from places (they get so heavy!). You can find my full review of the Doona here.
Snuggle Me Organic
I have a Snuggle Me Organic infant lounger and will be reusing it this time around. I did purchase a new cover for it, but will be using the same pillow insert from four years ago. I am obsessed with this item. Let’s get the big things out of the way first: they are NOT meant for unsupervised infant sleep. These loungers are meant for supervised time. I absolutely loved this with my first because I felt like it was a cozy and comfortable place (off the floor) for my baby to be. Because of the raised sides I loved that I felt like she was safe and not going anywhere. Just truly an item I would not want to be without with a newborn. You can find the infant lounger here for $109 and the covers here for $52. As most of these baby items, they are hefty in price but if you take good care of them and store them well they can be reused years down the road.
Changing tables are another item that many people use (I also used one) but this time around I won’t be reusing mine. My two daughters will be sharing a room and the space is tight so instead I will be using a table top changing pad (which I already have) on top of a dresser and you can find them for $24 here. Ultimately, I think if you’re trying to cut out unnecessary items, this is one of those big pieces you can easily do without.
Having a new baby is such an exciting time, but can be so costly and you can quickly wind up in a cramped area full of baby items. These are my absolutely could not live without items from when I had my daughter and that I am so excited to use again with this baby! Let me know in the comments if there are any items you feel you could not live without when you had a new baby!