The Expecting Momma | My minimalist, gender neutral baby & momma round up

A top request I have gotten over the years is to do a “round up” post of my favorite minimalist momma and baby items. The world of “baby” is over saturated and there are so many options everywhere you look, so I hope this list is actually helpful in narrowing things down! My list includes a few splurge items (which I will go into more detail about later) but in general I was looking for the most cost effective item while still achieving the scandinavian/minimalist look that I love! My list is also super simple for two reasons, space and investment. Baby stuff is expensive, and then basically it is used it for a short amount of time before you have to find a place to store it! We live on a budget, and have minimal storage space, so I opted to spend more on the things that we will use kid after kid and throughout the years! I am so glad we did splurge on certain items but that overall a lot of our baby favorites are affordable!

1. Solly Baby Wrap 2. Changing Basket 3. Snuggle Me Organic 4. Wildbird 5. BIBS Paci 6. Paci Clip 7. Robe 8. Organizer bags 9. Loungewear Set Charcoal 10. Modern Rocker 11. Moses Basket 12. Moses Stand 13. Ikea Crib 14. Baby Sleeper 15. Weekender Diaper Bag 16. Maxi-Cosi Carseat 17. Camel Nursing/Carseat Cover 18. Nursing Bra 19. Bloom Global Lounger 20. Nursing Pads 21. Uppa Baby Vista Stroller 22. Waffle Knit Blanket 23. Ikea Highchair 24. Willaby Blanket (love this size from newborn up to toddler) 25. Black Diaper Backpack 26. Elvie Hands free Breastmilk Pump 27. Baby Bath 28. Baby Towels 29. Gathre Mat 30. Trash Basket

I wanted to share some personal notes of the items I have on the list, as well as why I consider some things “splurge worthy” and some not.

Stroller splurge

If you are planning on having multiple kids, there are a few “baby” purchases you may want to think about when having your first! The biggest one perhaps is a convertible stroller. I learned the hard way and got a single stroller with our first, then sold it when we were expecting our second 2 years later. I then purchased an Uppa Baby Vista used on Facebook marketplace with 2 seats, and the bassinet. It has been such a good investment and even used is so much better than our first stroller. I love how many different formations we can do with it, from single use with a carseat, to double with a carseat and a seat, or 2 seats and even a scooter ride along board. It is the ultimate family friendly stroller!

my favorite carriers

I also listed two baby wraps (1&4) because I love them for different stages! The Solly Baby wrap I love for newborn to 3-4 months and then I love the Wildbird for up to toddler aged babes!

Mom care, postpartum & nursing

I wanted to add some of my favorite things for postpartum too! As sort of a note to first time moms. I did not have a clue how I would feel after birth and it turned out I lived in comfortable, loose loungewear whenever possible the first few weeks. I did not like wearing tight leggings and wasn’t ready for jeans (just personal but for me the pads and undies underneath made anything tight uncomfortable). I especially loved darker colored jogger pants for the hospital, and even for the first week or two after birth because of the bleeding. I absolutely loved having a robe at the hospital, and for nursing in bed or after showers at night so I included a splurge worthy fave that is also on my Christmas list! Finally, I included my all-time favorite nursing bra that is comfy, yet supportive. I even bought it in a second color! I added reusable nursing pads, and a hands free pump that some insurances will cover. I had to pump a lot with my other babies for work so this pump is on my list for baby #3!

ORganization & diaper bags

I love using an everyday one and then also having a larger one on hand for the hospital and weekend travel that is more the weekender size. I go back and forth from a purse style bag to a backpack and I know people that love both. I find I need them for different things so I picked out bags that I would use not just as diaper bags! I added some bag pouches too because from baby accessories, to bows or hats, to pacis and creams, you will love having extra organization bags to find things quickly and easily. I love having them tucked in their own places and then it’s easy to move them from different diaper bags or to pull out when changing on the go!

Nursery Items & sleeping

You’ll also see a mix of nursery items that I love the look, price, and quality of. Some rockers are $400 plus but this one is about $200. I want it so bad but don’t have it yet, maybe for Christmas! We do have the crib, and for a wooden minimal crib you just can’t beat the price/quality. I do love the other wood modern ones out there but the extra $100-300 wasn’t appealing to me which is why I say some items are worth splurging on and some are not! Ours has held up great for two, now going on three kids! I never liked the diaper trashes so I have the one on the list with a lid and love it, so cute, and still keeps the smell in.

Another item worth mentioning is our snuggle me organic (3)! We do not use this for co-sleeping but actually for a safe landing place for baby all around the house, from the bassinet, to the couch, to our bed, it is the perfect little place for a nap or while I have to do something hands free!

We have the portable bloom global lounger and I love it - for the first about 4 months it is so handy to move around the house or take with you on a trip!

My babies sleep in the moses basket to start with the stand and then graduate to their crib! I love moses baskets because they are also so easy to move from room to room while providing a safe space for baby to sleep or lay down. I also love the look of them!

Bathtime

With having other kids, I loved the bath seat below from amazon for putting them in the bath either alone or with a sibling. I also love the soft muslin towels and wash clothes in white!

baby items

I love the blankets in the list, and the paci and clips for my babies! I also have like 4 gathre mats and just love them! I find uses for them from birth to still my oldest uses his for a placemat or playmat! We also have the ikea highchair listed, and you cannot beat the price again for how easily it cleans and holds up!

I love sleepers that zip or tie at the bottom to make nights easier, so I linked one of those!

My kids never took pacis but loved to gum on them and use them like a toy when they were babies so I linked my favorite ones!

a few things not on the above list but that we do have/use (or that I am purchasing for baby #3)

1 Pack n play - for traveling. Both of our parents have baby cribs or pack n plays at their homes for the babies and most hotels have these so you may find you don’t need one. We do have one but don’t need to use it very much! You can also rent them nowadays on websites similar to airbnb too!

2 Baby monitor- We also do use these and love our this basic one from Amazon.

3. Mini portable highchair - We have this one and it’s great for travel or when baby friends come to play!

4. Baby Brush Set 5. Milk Catcher 6. Advent Bottles 7. Bottle/sippie cup Cleaners 8. Linen Crib Sheets 9. Crib Mattress Protector and Moses basket sheets