Simple Baby Essentials
I’ll never forget stopping at a Buy Buy Baby with Tyler when I was pregnant with Marin. We wanted to see check out a few strollers in person, but I nearly had a panic attack when we walked in the store and saw the shear amount of STUFF for sale for someone so tiny. I didn’t even know what half of the stuff was, let alone how you used it. How was I supposed to care for a tiny human when I didn’t even know how to use the gear?! I looked at Tyler and told him we had to get out of there ASAP.
Over two years later, and I’m proud to say we were able to keep a little one alive and well - no need for all of that STUFF! The market for baby/toddler/children gear is astounding. New gadgets are coming out everyday, and it can be incredibly overwhelming. I’m here to say, however, that YOU DO NOT NEED ALL THE STUFF! I promise! There are some great inventions out there and items that will undoubtedly make life a little smoother, but please don’t feel like you have to get sucked in to the sh*t show. You can have children and not look like you run a daycare. :)
I shared a blog post back in July 2019 with an overview of the items we purchased or were gifted right before Marin was born. You will see many (most) of those items repeated below. We’re reusing everything we have for Baby #2, not just because we have them, but because I would honestly buy them again if we had it to do all over again. The items shown below are those we own and would recommend to friends and family. Can you do it even more simply? Of course! These are just the items we own, like, and I think you might have good luck with them too.
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All of these items are being re-used from when Marin was a baby. They’ve held up extremely well and I would still highly recommend.
Crib - You simply can’t beat the price of this crib, and I have absolutely zero complaints. It looks great, functions well, and stands up to lots of wear. You can even convert it to a toddler bed, although Marin went straight to a queen bed since we needed to use the crib so soon. As a side note - You don’t have to have a crib. If you’re into the Montessori approach, simply put a mattress right on the floor! We did this before converting Marin to a “big bed”, and it worked like a charm.
Crib Sheet - We own three crib sheets, and this one is my absolute favorite. It looks great, washes extremely well, fits our mattress the best, and although faded from lots of time drying on the clothesline, still functions like it’s brand new (the elastic is superb!).
Glider - We still use this every night with Marin, but I do plan to move it over to the baby’s room once she arrives. It still looks and functions as if brand new. We’ve never used the footstool since I liked the look of our leather ottoman, but that’s simply a personal preference.
Changing Pad - Worth every single penny. This changing pad still looks brand new and is SO easy to clean. I spray ours down regularly with Branch Basics and wipe dry with a flour sack towel. We keep it on top of our wood dresser and it doesn’t ever slide around nor has it caused any damage to the wood. Win-win!
Mattress - Pricey but well worth the investment, especially if you plan to have multiple children. I’ve actually only taken the cover off once to wash. Marin was never one prone to accidents, but I will say the cleaning ease of this thing is fantastic and would definitely be a factor if you were dealing with messes on the regular.
Curtain Rod - I’m not a window covering lover, but I will say blinds and/or curtains are really handy with little ones - especially on those long summer days. This rod is affordable and works like a charm. We used the same one in both Marin’s room and the nursery.
Blackout Curtains - Although called blackout, I’ll admit these aren’t completely room darkening. That just so happens to be my preference, so these have been great for us.
Peg Rail - It doesn’t have to be a peg rail, but I would highly recommend some hooks or someplace to easily hang things in the nursery. Swaddles, PJs, towels, burp cloths - you only have so many hands. Hooks are your friend!
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I shared an entire post titled “Capsule Wardrobe for Babies: 0 - 3 Months” that breaks down what we’re using in those early days, so be sure to check that out if you want additional information. At a high level, these are my tip top baby wardrobe essentials.
Onesie - Marin pretty much lived in onesies for the first year of her life. The kimono style was my favorite, and these from Quincy Mae are worth the investment. The material is incredibly soft and they hold up well. I also like the pointelle options which look great layered under dresses and overalls.
Brimmed Bonnet - These are our very favorite bonnets for little ones. We have the brimmed in every size from three months up through two years. Love them!
Footed Leggings - I still have a few colors of these from when Marin was a baby, and they remain a favorite.
Kimono Set - A perfect neutral set in super soft cotton. Each piece can be mixed and matched which is handy.
Rib Knit Leggings - Marin had two pairs of these and she wore them to death!
Romper - I linked to a similar option as the ones pictured here were Marin’s and are no longer sold, but there are a lot of great options on the market. I’d highly recommend a knit romper or two. They’re incredibly cute, versatile, and are great alone in the warmer months and layered when it’s cold. FYI - The knit ones are nice because you can just slide them off without much effort. If you go with a cotton or linen (no stretch), consider buying something with snaps at the gusset for diaper changing ease.
Socks - These are my favorite socks for little ones. They stay on and hold up extremely well. I love that they have the little rubber grippers on the bottom, too. It makes walking around on wood floors so much easier! Marin still wears them.
Sweater - The knitwear from Zara is really nice for the price. The styles are clean and gender neutral, and they hold up to lots of wear and tear.
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This is the category where things can get really pricey, but I’ve found spending a bit more for exactly what you want (especially if it serves multiple purposes) is worth the investment. Some of it, however, you’re just not going to know until you try. If possible, consider borrowing from a friend/family first or even looking second hand. High-end strollers and car seats are often for sale gently used and you can even consider selling your own for quite a nice return.
Double Jogging Stroller - $800 is a lot, but we had the Thule Single Stroller with Marin and really liked it, so we’re planning to invest in the double this time around. We walk every single day, rain/snow or shine, so it’s important to us that we have a really high quality stroller. We’ll keep the single stroller as well and likely use a carrier with the baby in the early days, and then allow Marin to walk along side us while the baby rides when she’s a bit older.
Scout Carrier - I had a Solly Baby Wrap and a ErgoBaby Omi 360 with Marin. I tried the wrap several times but just never loved it (it took me forever to get it on/off, even after lots of practice), and the ErgoBaby wasn’t my favorite in those early days - it was great once Marin was older/bigger. So after hearing rave reviews about Sakura Bloom carriers, I decided to give the Scout a try. I’m hopeful it’s going to be a great middle-ground solution.
Backpack - I’ve carried this bag for several years, and it is the BEST. It’s not a diaper bag, but it functions just as well and looks even better.
Car Seat + Base - We used this car seat and base with Marin and will do so again this time around. It remains one of the lightest on the market, looks great, and is easy to use. I like that we can easily click it in and out of the base with ease, often never waking a sleeping baby which is great! FYI - When Marin outgrew the infant car seat, we converted her to the Nuna RAVA and really like it too. It can be used with an infant, but we liked the ease of being able to carry the baby in and out of places in the carrier in those early days without having to get her out of the car seat/winter gear. We’ll likely purchase another Nuna RAVA for Baby #2 once she outgrows the infant carrier.
Bag Organizer - I use this organizer in my backpack, and it works like a charm. It holds diapers, wipes, extra clothes, hand sanitizer, a bottle, changing pad, etc. It even slides perfectly in the back compartment of my backpack. You can easily move it from bag to bag, too. It’s a smart way to make ANY bag a diaper bag! I’ll be using the same one this time around.
Extra Car Seat Base - We bought an extra base so that we had one in each car and it was well worth the investment. I would often drop Marin off at daycare and then Tyler would pick up, so this allowed us to do all of that with ease.
Car Seat Cover - This was one of the best things we bought when Marin was a baby. It goes around the car seat and is fleece-lined to keep them toasty warm without having to put them in a coat/bunting/etc. HUGE time saver. It works like a charm, too! Marin was always super warm and cozy in this thing. The flap also completely covers them should it be snowing or blowing like crazy.
Car Mirror - We have one of these in each car, and it was worth the expense. Since kids have to be rear-facing until at least two years of age, it makes checking on them periodically much safer and a breeze.
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Bouncer - Marin absolutely loved this thing. We referred to it as the “poop chair”. Ha! Tyler actually bought a few automated swings/bouncers to try when Marin was little, but she hated all of them. This simple one was, by far, her favorite and saw a ton of use. It’s extremely light weight, folds down and slides under chairs/sofas, and is easy to haul around. The cover is easy to wash, too. My only piece of advice - consider putting a towel behind baby when in this thing. Blow outs are INTENSE.
Swaddle - I’m an avid swaddler, and this one from Solly Baby was my absolute favorite. I tried a few others, but this one wins, hands down. The fabric is just stretchy enough to get a tight fit yet isn’t too heavy or bulky. I bought a second one for baby #2 - the one we used for Marin is thread bare from so much use!
White Noise - We bought a second one of these for baby as Marin still sleeps with hers on at naps and night. I don’t think she’s really all that attached to the sound, but it’s been great for a very open house where sound travels easily - peace of mind for anxious parents. :)
Bassinet - This was a last minute purchase when Marin was born. And by last minute I mean she was already born, we were getting ready to leave the hospital, and we suddenly realized there was no way we could put a tiny newborn in a giant crib in a separate room all by herself. Ha! Tyler ran to the nearest store which happened to be Walmart and picked up this bassinet. It probably wouldn’t be my first choice look-wise, but it actually functions incredibly well and fits right beside our bed. The SnuggleMe fits perfectly inside, too.
Camera - We tried all kinds of traditional baby monitors, but this one proved to be the best solution for the money every single time. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but the picture quality always seemed far better, you can still record/take photos, and the app works well. The only downside we’ve found is that if you lose power for some reason (storms, etc.), the camera often needs to be unplugged and plugged back in to reset - probably not going to happen often, but it’s a pain when it happens in the middle of the night. We have two of these - one permanently setup in Marin’s bedroom and another we take back and forth to grandparents/vacations/etc. We plan to buy another one for the baby’s room - you can see all of them working at the same time in the app.
Infant Lounger - This is our ride-or-die. Marin LOVED this thing. I was convinced she was going to go to college in it. Ha! I bought a new cover since our old one was thread bare, but the lounger itself is still in great shape. Let’s hope baby #2 likes it just as much!
Pacifier - We tried a number of pacifiers with Marin, but she never liked them. I bought this one to have on hand, just in case.
Baby Blanket - If you’re looking for an extremely high quality heirloom baby blanket, this one from Willaby can’t be beat.
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Table Chair - This chair has been mounted to our kitchen island since the day it arrived. We love it! I’d honestly use it at the kitchen table instead of a high chair, but we have a lower lip on our table so it doesn’t work. Either way, it’s been a great purchase and is used every day in our house (Marin eats breakfast here each morning).
Body Wash + Lotion - This is our favorite body wash and lotion. I’ve linked the fragrance free for those early newborn days and sensitive skin, but we also really like the Lavender & Rosemary (it’s very gentle on skin, too!). These are big bottles and last quite a long time, so while it may seem pricey at first, I do think it’s a great deal - especially if you wait for a sale.
Baby Bath - We’ve had this tub since Marin was an infant, and we still use it every single night. That probably sounds really weird since Marin is two years old. Ha! I just saw it’s meant to be used up to six months, but Marin loves it. Let’s hope Baby #2 does, too!
High Chair - We started using this high chair with Marin when we started baby lead weaning around 4-6 months of age and still use it every single day. It cleans up well and looks great.
Cloth Diapers - We love Esembly Baby cloth diapers in our household. I started using them with Marin when she was about six months old, and it’s far easier and more convenient than I ever imagined. We’ll be using the same this time around.
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Burp Cloths - I’m a lover of anything muslin, so I’m giving these a try this time around. A couple sets of flour sack towels are a staple in our household too, but these burp cloths seem extra absorbent and not too bulky. Plus, the price is great! We currently use a few as wash cloths in the bath.
Diaper Pail - I bought this for a steal as a scratch and dent on Amazon before Marin was born. It had a few tiny dings when it arrived, but you honestly would never even notice unless really looking for it. I’ve liked the pail because I can use any bags inside, and it’s easy to change/lock. Using the same one this time around.
Disposable Diapers - While I plan to use cloth diapers the majority of the time, I also like to be extra gently on myself and the rest of the household in those first few weeks/months. I’ve never used Coterie, but I’ve heard great things so I bought a few Size 01 to try.
Wipes - Again, I’ve never used Coterie before, but I’m anxious to try their new wipes which are 100% plant-based and compost in a matter of months.
Nuk Bottles - I swear I tried just about every bottle on the market when Marin was a baby. She HATED bottles, but I was headed back to work at 12-weeks and she was off to daycare full time, so nursing 24/7 wasn’t an option. These Nuk bottles and slow flow nipples are the only ones we could get her to take. I’m hopeful baby #2 likes them, too!
Haakaa - I had some pretty intense let down in those early nursing days, so this thing was a life saver. I looked ridiculous, but it WORKED. I would attach this to one breast and nurse on the other. This thing caught an incredible amount of milk that would have otherwise been wasted. It was a great way to start saving some milk in those early days before I was pumping 24/7.
Silicone Bib - You’re likely not going to need one of these until starting solids, but it seems to creep up before you know it. We own two of these and they are my favorite. They catch the majority of dropped food and can just be thrown in the dishwasher.
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Kinsa Thermometer - We tried a few different thermometers with Marin but ended up liking this one the best. We still use it every single day! I like that it links to an app on my phone to track temperatures when she’s truly sick (and I’m worried), but on the day-to-day, we just use it like a normal thermometer. By the way, we also have this Kinsa thermometer that can be used rectally in those early days and utilizes the same app.
Vitamin D Drops - We are BIG fans of the brand Wellements. Their products are certified organic, preservative-free, bottled in glass, and are made with minimal ingredients. We used all of these with Marin, and continue to do so today. Vitamin D drops are usually recommended for newborns, and this was the brand we chose and liked.
Brush + Comb - We legitimately picked up this set at our local grocery store. Ha! It’s great, though. We still use it every night on Marin.
Snotsucker - This is the best $16 you will spend. We have three of them! They WORK and, honest to goodness, really aren’t that disgusting. Never over the last two years have I ever sucked snot into my mouth. Promise!
Immune Support - This is new, but I’m planning to give it a try with Baby #2 since it’s safe starting around two months of age and we’ll have a fall/winter baby - so many other immune support products are safe much later (6 months+).
Cough Syrup - We used both the Day and Night versions of this cough syrup and really liked it. Once Marin reached 12 months+, we converted over to the Children’s version.
Nail Clippers - I got this set when Marin was born, and it works like a charm. The file was great in those early days, but I’ve never once clipped Marin’s skin with the clippers. They’re easy to use and she doesn’t mind it one bit.
Eczema Balm - Marin never had eczema, but she did have some pretty sensitive skin. I used this stuff for EVERYTHING - diaper balm, dry skin, chapped lips. It would clear things up in a matter of hours.
Tooth Oil - Once those teeth start coming in, we had good luck with this tooth oil - especially at night.
Diaper Balm - Earth Mama is also a great brand for Mom and little ones. We used this diaper balm with Marin and liked it, and I also liked the small size of the container - it’s easy to keep in my backpack on the go yet still lasts a long time.
Elderberry - When Marin starts coming down with anything, I always start giving her some Elderberry (Tyler and I , too!) . It works miracles! This brand is safe from about six months+ and this one is our favorite starting around one year of age. Tyler and I also take the Mary Ruth brand - it’s great for the whole family.
Windi - We only used these once when Marin was a baby (hilarious story for another day), but you just never know. I like having them on hand - just in case!
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Play Gym - Marin spent tons of time playing with this gym from the time she was born until at least 12-18 months of age. Even now, we use the tent attachment in the basement, and it’s still a great place for her to play. Looking forward to using it again with baby #2.
Hippo - We bought the stuffed Rhino for Marin before she was born, and it’s still her favorite stuffed animal - we named him Rusty. She brings him everywhere! We bought the hippo for baby girl and have already named him Henry.
Play Kits - We invested in these Play Kits from Lovevery when Marin was about four months old, and it’s been the best money we’ve spent. I don’t have to think twice about what’s best for her at each stage or about lots of clutter. The toys are beautiful, long-lasting, and a wonderful gift! Highly recommend. They start from birth all the way through three years of age!
Rattle / Teether - We had something very similar with Marin, and it was permanently attached to her carseat. She loved it!
Pacifier Clip - Although Marin never took a pacifier, we have several clips that we use ALL the time - even today! They’re great to attach a teether or toy when on the go so things aren’t constantly falling to the floor or out of reach.
You Belong Here - Another favorite in our household. Marin has loved this book since she was a baby, and I love it too.
Padded Mini - We have several items from Gather, and the quality is top notch. This padded mini mat was really handy in those early days. We even threw it underneath her Play Gym for an extra soft space to play.
Planting a Rainbow - We love this book! It’s great from those early days all the way through the toddler years.
This post is not sponsored or in partnership with any of the aforementioned brands, but the article contains affiliate links. When you shop via the links above, I may make commission on a sale at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.