Minimalist baby essentials for the quiet home
How exciting is it to research and collect baby gear in preparation for your newborn’s arrival? Yet, this process can also be overwhelming at times, leaving expecting parents feeling stressed, with a lot of accumulated clutter. If you are wondering how to keep a minimalist home with a little one on the way, I have compiled the baby essentials that I actually used, a lot. To prepare for the big day in a relaxed, responsible, and eco-friendly way.
La Petite Leone
SWADDLE BLANKETS
This is definitely my number one essential, and an item I always have with me wherever we go. It is soft and light and fits in any bag. I have used it for actual swaddling in the first months of Eléa’s life, but for so many other things since. To wrap her in if it gets a little chilly, to drape over the stroller if the sun gets too strong (if you do, be careful to leave an opening for air, as heat can quickly gather inside the stroller), to lay down on the floor as a play area at the park or while traveling, and to wipe countless drools and spills.
Breathable but warm, a double gauze of organic cotton and bamboo is the softest combination I have come across. And the more you wash it the softer it gets. These ones by La Petite Leone are handmade in Montréal, and tainted with vegetable, non-toxic dye. They measure 80x90cm which is the perfect size for multipurpose use.
Studio Romeo
BABY CARRIER
There is no softer feeling than carrying your newborn close to your heart, knowing she is as safe and protected as she can be. And she still gets rocked by your breathing, like she was inside the womb. This was definitely a key item for us in Eléa’s first months. Whenever she was fussy or couldn’t settle, we would wrap her in the sling and she would calm down against us before falling asleep. This is also a fantastic way to care for your baby while keeping your hands free. In these first few weeks, when time is scarce, it is a huge bonus to be able to do a few things around the house.
I particularly loved this baby carrier made of two loops of super soft organic fabric by Studio Romeo. No knots, no complicated technique, you just slip it on. And the brand’s neutral patterns are a great match for those of us set on keeping a neutral aesthetic.
Babyzen
FOLDABLE STROLLER
As a family with several passports, we absolutely wanted a stroller that could be stored in an aircraft’s overhead lockers. We planned to travel a lot. A global pandemic decided otherwise, but I’m still happy we picked a foldable stroller, as we can hang it up or store it away when we don’t use it.
The Yoyo by Babyzen is still the lightest and most practical one I have found. And I have seen many, in my months of research. You can effortlessly roll it around the city single-handedly, and pack it up in the smallest of cars in seconds. It is a pretty basic stroller but you can add accessories according to your evolving needs.
Image by Quietly
FOLDABLE BATH
A bath tub that could fold and be stored in a cupboard was a must for me. As someone who loves streamlined spaces and needs a clutter-free environment to feel relaxed, it was something I didn’t want to compromise on. This is also one of the very few plastic items I purchased but I would be happy to hear if there are any alternatives in recycled materials.
We chose the Flexi Bath by Stokke as it can also be used for children up to four years old. If I had to choose plastic then I at least wanted it to last as long as possible. It comes with a non-slip base and heat-sensitive plug, and you can add an infant’s insert for peace of mind.
Babybjorn
FOLDABLE BOUNCER
A bouncer is ideal when you want your baby to be safe next to you, while you go about your business around the room. I would put Eléa down in hers if I needed to eat breakfast or fold laundry, or cook dinner. She would sometimes fall asleep in it but most of the time she would just have fun bouncing herself and ‘talking’ to me.
I particularly like our Babybjorn baby bouncer as it rocks naturally, without toxic batteries. It is also suitable for newborns from 3.5 kg, and can be used up to the age of two. It comes in various fabrics and some gorgeous colours.
Image by Quietly
EVOLUTIVE HIGH CHAIR
A high chair is not an item you will need from the get-go, but as your baby grows, you quickly need a sitting solution to feed them their first solids. We introduced solids regularly from 5 months old and started in the bouncer, but by 6 months Eléa could sit up pretty well so we moved to the chair. I wanted one that would blend with the rest of the furniture as much as possible and not stick out like an eyesore. And I wanted an investment piece that we could keep for years to come and adapt as she grows.
Here again, I trusted Stokke. I had my heart set on the iconic Tripp Trapp. We got the baby seat add-on and a washable cushion from Ukje, with an easy-to-wipe finish. There are hundreds of patterns to choose from so you can match your baby’s chair to the rest of your decor. And we didn’t add a tray so she gets to sit at the actual table with us.
Image by Quietly
ACTIVITY ARCH
In the first few weeks of life, a newborn doesn’t need many toys. Barely any actually. But it’s good to lay them under an activity arch to give them visual stimulation. As they grow they can start reaching for the hanging toys and kick them around to experience interacting with their surroundings.
I actually made a simple structure myself, out of natural wood. And the toys you can find a great selection on Etsy and use a filter to narrow the options down to your local area or country.
Image by Quietly
SOUND MACHINE
White noise is a magical sleeping potion for babies. And believe me, you’re going to want your baby to sleep so you can sleep! The regular lull is a comforting noise for them, as it mimics the sounds they were accustomed to inside the womb. It also masks random noises from the house or from the outside, helping them fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer. Finally, it’s a good tool for creating a sleep routine, a key step to establishing successful sleeping patterns.
I initially thought this was just an unnecessary gadget so we didn’t use one for the first months of Eléa’s life. We learned our lesson the hard way and quickly realised this should have been part of our beginner parent’s kit. I love the Hushh we bought then, a very small portable sound machine that we can take with us anywhere. It’s in the diaper bag when we go out and we know that she’s going to have to start her night in a bed other than her own. If we have dinner at her grandparent’s for example. The rest of the time it lives on her dresser and only needs a charge every couple of days. And it lasts the whole night on a single charge.
Mara Mea
MATERNITY BAG
Going out with an infant requires more ‘stuff’ than you ever imagined. Diapers, wipes, bottles, muslins, pacifiers, clothes… The number of things you need to take with you ‘in case’ is just astounding. Whether you are breastfeeding or not, a good maternity bag will save you a lot of time. I prepared mine before the birth and its content has barely changed since. I mean, I replace things as I use them of course, and now that she is older I added plasters and disinfectant for the playground, but the base is essentially the same.
It’s the versatility of this one by Mara Mea that made me choose it. With different straps, it can be worn as a backpack, as a shoulder back, or as a crossbody bag, and can be hung on the stroller too. It also comes with a waterproof changing mat and boasts close to a dozen inside pockets. As a master organiser, I couldn’t resist.
Besafe
CAR SEAT
An infant car seat is a must, not only for the safety of your newborn of course, but also because maternities will generally not discharge you without one. I wanted one with removable and washable covers, compatible with our stroller, and from a trusted brand with a strong safety rating.
We picked the BeSafe iZi Go and I couldn’t have been happier with it. My favourite feature was without a doubt the integrated sun canopy, which I could pull down whenever the light was a little too bright outside - including at night to diffuse the bright city lights. This made putting Eléa to sleep during a car ride a million times easier.
