Minimalist Mamas? - Page 2

[sarahtar]

Originally Posted by Azadehhast 

There's just no possible way it could ride in a car if we don't have one

I am NOT flaming you, and obviously my life is different from yours, but I can name at least four cars not owned by me that each baby has ridden in before turning 2 months. (A taxi, my mom's car when she was alive and I spent most of my son's first year of life driving her to doctor's appointments, a close friend's car because we rode places together like shopping, and my MIL's car for a road trip.) I don't know where you live, but obviously it's in a part of the country where you don't NEED a car... without a car where I live, a person would just have to take a cab (which they would have to call and make an appt for) or the bus.

[sarahtar]

Anyway, my list of absolute baby necessities for a baby born in December, and these are BABY necessities, not toddler necessities, for a baby who is BF, delayed solids, CD, and worn.


- Car seat (you can skip the bucket, even in the midwest, even in the winter)
- Wool pad or other waterproof surface to lay under baby, and under mom in the beginning, to keep sheets clean. This is an essential. Diapers will leak, and so will breasts. I sleep on a wool pad big enough to protect the area under baby, under my chest, and under my butt to handle any leaking either of us might have, lol. Easier to wash this than the sheets. Having two is even easier. We continue to use ours until baby is completely potty trained at night, so it's an item that will last and last. And, frankly, I like sleeping on the wool pad. It's cozy.
- Rags. There's just a lot of cleaning up that happens. Burp rags are cute, but any rags will do.
- Diapers, wipes, wet bag or pail (don't need both), wet bag for diaper bag. Can use a premium size prefold for a change pad.
- Toys, but gosh. I don't think I've had a baby too interested in toys until they were old enough to control their hands.
- Baby carrier. (LOL, I personally think that 4-5 carriers is just barely scratching the surface, but you COULD get away with just one. If going for just one, I'd pick a woven wrap, or a not-too-stretchy wrap like the Wrapsody.)
- Baby safe soap, but if you use more natural soaps, chances are that what you use will be fine.
- Health/Hygiene items - bulb sucker, nail clippers, baby comb, thermometer but you probably already own one, whatever herbals/homeopathic/allopathic medicines you plan to use if the need arises.
- Clothes. For a baby born in the midwest in winter, you could get away with a few warm gowns (I love the fleece ones that Dharma sells, and they continue to fit for about 18 months), leg warmers, a sweater, and some socks. If you're CDing, having some wool longies is nice.
- A few baby size blankets.


Though they're not necessary for everyone, I personally like to have a breastmilk stash in my freezer in case I get hit by a bus, so breastmilk storage bags are nice.

Eating stuff for later... *shrug* we don't use bibs, we don't start solids until about 1 year, and other than baby spoons, I don't get anything special. Our babies eat what we're eating.

[ZombieMama]

Originally Posted by sarahtar 


Though they're not necessary for everyone, I personally like to have a breastmilk stash in my freezer in case I get hit by a bus, so breastmilk storage bags are nice.
 

Haha, yes! I'm a SAHM with no plans to work, and my partner could not understand why I wanted to build a milk stash. I told him "What if I get hit by a bus??"

[runner29]

Originally Posted by jeninejessica 

While that is certainly a very comprehensive list, and we'll probably use it to come up with ideas for our shower (same case-- family is going to want to buy things that aren't cloth diapers), I don't think we can describe that as minimalist by any standards. 

Originally Posted by Mizelenius 

I think many of those items were a personal choice .  . .I never use bibs, pacifiers, bottles/bottle accessories, lovies (tried this, none of my kids wanted anything but me), or even special changing pads (I find that toddler size prefolds work best, but I rarely use changing pads unless out . . .), stool, special place to nurse.  BUT I think it is great to put these in just in case they sound like a good idea-- for someone people (obviously) they are.  Not essential, however.

Well, of course it's minimalist by some standards... Haven't you seen stuff about the movie stars and their babies' nurseries! Lol !!

And it was minimal compared to friends I knew, but yeah it's not minimal for everyone and that's cool. But it's a pretty comprehensive list that I'd doubt few people would really need MORE! Plenty use less! Hope it helps someone. I should have mentioned that I do work outside the home so many of the things (bottles, pacifiers, pack n play) were essential for me and my babies when they were in day care but clearly not everyone does what I do.

I also wrote that when I had only one kid. After two most of it has stayed the same except a few thing like I never used a pillow to nurse my second... Things were stretched enough by then I guess that they hung far enough down that she could reach them from my lap!! Haha.

Anyway, the most minimal is a few animal skins on the floor of your cave. Good luck to everyone finding their own appropriate level of 'minimal' from there!!!

[onetwoten]

Originally Posted by runner29 

Well, of course it's minimalist by some standards... Haven't you seen stuff about the movie stars and their babies' nurseries! Lol !!

Very true!  Don't get me wrong, it's a good list. There's a couple little things on there that I hadn't thought of. I don't consider myself a minimalist though.  I know there's plenty of items on my 'must have' list that I really don't need... but oh... I do! lol But yes, it's all in comparison to others. The morning of my oldest niece's delivery DH and I got the call "hey, I'm in labor... uhhh could you go and pick up some stuff from toys r us for us? I need a baby bath, the pack and play, a diaper genie, a bouncer chair, etc etc etc" To her, all of those things were non-negotiable to have the second she got home from the hospital. Now there's several of those I want, but if we don't have them right away, we'll live, you know?  I've got a pretty 'small' list of things I want, but reading through the lists in this thread, I feel like a hoarder. :lol 

[waiting2bemommy]

I did all the normal baby sh9opping for ds, with dd all we bought was the bare essentials. We were BROKE when she was born, lol.

After seeing how much easier it was without all the stuff, I have a very short list for this baby (of course I already have two kids so some stuff like little nail clippers, thermometer, etc are laready in the h9ouse)

diapers (I really want fitteds or something other than prefolds, but whatever I come up with cheaply will be fine....ultimately they all do the same thing: catch poop!)

someplace safe to lay the baby. probably a pack n play. I have two wild children that the baby will occasionally need protection from.

clothes. I put outfits on my kids from day one, so only a few pj's and then the rest mostly onesies and cotton pants.

Everything else (play mat, toys, bottles or pacis) can pretty much be bought as the need arises. That way you don't end up with stuff you don't need.

Oh, and I use regular washcloths for bathing and spitup. I don't really use changing pads but if I need one I just lay a prefold out flat under the baby.

There is *plenty* of stuff to buy as they get older....I'm no longer in a frenzied rush to go baby shopping anymore!!!

I'm thinking about one of these things, but I'll probably just see when the baby is born, what kind of personality he/she has, whether it would work for him/her. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3739296 So far I've had tummy sleepers, but that thing looks cool and very portable. I could see myself bringing the babu outside in it when I have my other two out there playing. of course, I wouldn't pay $60 for it.....it's bound to appear in one of the many kids' thrift/consignment stores that I love!

[hollywilson82]

We already have some stuff on hand. For this one, we'll be getting some newborn diapers (I'll probably make some fleece covers), some baby fever reducer (ours will be expired by the time this baby comes), maybe some more jammies (if it's a boy), and a few outfits for church. The last baby was born in July, so even if this one is a girl also, they won't be able to share clothes. I stay at home and breastfeed full time, so no bottles, accessories, pacifiers. We co-sleep, so no cribs, etc. (although I do want a Moses basket for the first couple of months). We have more toys than any 3 children could possibly need (they have almost all been handed down or bought by grandparents that could not be discouraged). We have baby blankets, washcloths, towels, cloth wipes and cloth diapers (my daughter is already in panties full time, so I have enough for a baby already). Our infant carrier-style carseat is not yet expired and is kind of gender neutral. We already have one of those carseart covers for winter that was handed down with our first. We will have a shower at church where I will probably get far more than I could possibly need. Any disposable diapers or wipes we get can be returned to Walmart, where we can buy something we will actually use.

One thing I have to add for those of you making your lists is to have at least one outfit or set of jammies or something in the preemie size. We were not prepared, and I had to send my mom out to buy a couple of outfits for my daughter because the newborn size was SOOOO big on her. Don't buy a lot since it may not fit, but I think it is better to have at least one in case you need it, especially in December when it will be so cold that you will need something on the baby!

[Azadehhast]

Originally Posted by hollywilson82 

I stay at home and breastfeed full time, so no bottles, accessories, pacifiers. We co-sleep, so no cribs, etc. 

Oh, yay! This will be me too, so I'm glad to see someone say those things aren't necessary. 

[insidevoice]

Oh gosh- we bf, cosleep, etc., but I do plan to try to save my sanity.  Two of my kids have had incredible needs to suck, and the pacifier was wonderful with that. (If you lean towards oversupply, letting them nurse endlessly isn't a good idea.)  I also (personally) count a breast pump, milk storage system, and a couple bottles among the must haves.  I introduce a bottle fairly early so it isn't hard to introduce later.

I was hospitalized a couple times without any warning, and it would have been awful for my child had they not already been ok with Dad feeding them from a bottle, and had I not had a good freezer stash of pumped milk.  

I will wait until I know the gender (whether before or after the birth) to buy many clothes. I love buntings and gowns for the first days before the umbilical cord falls off- so we'll probably have a few of those around.   They also pretty well eliminate the question of preemie/nb/0-3? sizing as they fit well from about 5 - 15 lbs.  Heck, I found my 2 yo dragging one out of the closet the other day to put it on.  It fit like a tunic, but it did go on lol. 

[AshleeS]

Thanks for posting this gear item.  My first two were never in a crib, bassinet, etc of any kind - and the only things I typically splurge on are baby carriers and nice strollers because I like to walk a lot, but with an almost 2 and 4 yr old when this baby comes - I could see this coming in handy.  My DD had major spit up issues literally for her whole first year...this would have been great the first few months ...well, for those moments she actually let me put her down!  Amazon sells it for $45...and if you are on Amazon Mom or Prime - free shipping and of course no tax! 
 

Originally Posted by waiting2bemommy 

I'm thinking about one of these things, but I'll probably just see when the baby is born, what kind of personality he/she has, whether it would work for him/her. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3739296 So far I've had tummy sleepers, but that thing looks cool and very portable. I could see myself bringing the babu outside in it when I have my other two out there playing. of course, I wouldn't pay $60 for it.....it's bound to appear in one of the many kids' thrift/consignment stores that I love!

 

[somebody]

I got rid of most of my baby stuff after my second because I didn't know if I would want to have more. But now with number 3 on the way I am kicking myself for not having kept my cloth diapers! So those are on the list of needs. I kept my nursing pillow and my wrap carrier (which I absolutely love!) I need a booster seat for my 7 year old so that my 4 year old can move into her carseat and the baby can have my 4 year olds carseat (which is a convertable one) I dont have a stroller but not sure if i will use one so we'll see. I will need some sort of seat to set the baby down in but if i dont have one i will figure something else out. We are getting a crib for much later ( only $25! ). I will need some clothes, just a few. I want to have the baby naked next to my skin alot in the first few weeks so i won't need much at first. Rags are a must.  I want to make a mobile for the baby because my DD loved hers. I have lots of toys/board books so I have that covered. Both my other children HATED the pacifier so I probably wont even bother this time. Cloth diapers are at the top of my list of needs for sure.......other than that......I dont need much.

[Czarena]

My list of what I consider essential gets smaller with each child - this is my 4th (and it's not because I already have the other stuff, it's what I've realized I actually use vs don't use)

1 package of newborn disposables - I use that up to give me a short break on laundry.

cloth diapers and wipes

prefolds for burp cloths, changing pads, etc, etc if its not part of the cloth diaper stash

receiving blankets 10 ish - I tend to use them as rags as well as the prefolds

2-3 heavier blankets

pj's 6-8 of each size until weather is warm enough, I use slightly more when they start staying in a size awhile

2-3 hats (I live in oregon  - everyone wears hats in the winter, my texas baby didn't use them)

1-2 sets of mittens in case they like to scratch themselves or refuse to keep hands tucked into warm blankies

wrap/carrier (sling, moby, ergo)

nose sucker, underarm thermometer, nail clippers, fever reducer for emergencies - rarely happens but when it does....

carseat

bouncy seat  - mom's bathing, dressing, cooking splattery stuff, etc I refuse to let my babies cry for my convenience, bouncies often keep them happy long enough for my purposes :)

"magic cream"  that my mom makes that can heal ANY diaper rash in 24 hours. I had a kid drink too much juice, had a raw hiney - put it on at night and by morning it was 90% healed

a basket to hold all the stuff mom needs - I constantly would send my oldest son for "mommy's basket" with my chapstick, pen and paper, etc that I might need while I'm "stuck" under a nursing or sleeping baby - I try to make it easy for my guys to get me what I need by having it all together

we co-sleep, breastfeed, use towels to sleep on, use natural soaps for ourselves, delayed solids, etc

I am wondering about this sheepskin though... might be worth looking into

[insidevoice]

I didn't get a sheepskin until my third child.  It was the Best Thing Ever.  He still sleeps better with it than without.  It was well worth the cost, and has held up beautifully.  They are also pretty easy to maintain and wash as necessary- though it seems intimidating at first. 

[APToddlerMama]

I read a few months ago on MDC somewhere when we were researching bedding that sheepskin is tied to higher SIDS risk.  Has anyone else heard this?  I was going to get one until I read that. 

[insidevoice]

Here is one abstract I found

http://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(98)70116-7/abstract

I don't know, I can see how it would be a problem if you put them face down of course, but we used it for back sleeping and side sleeping.  Hmm. 

I suspect that my comfort level is such that regardless of the studies we would use it again.  I also move away from back-to-sleep pretty early though and  have less SIDS fear than other people might.  We all have to find our own comfort levels with that though.  For some people back to sleep in a crib is the only thing that feels safe.  For others, they are cosleeping on pillowtop mattresses with feather comforters...  I'm somewhere in the middle. 

[sarahtar]

For a variety of reasons, we decided that an actual sheepskin was not for us (I think it was the arsenic concern). But the wool pad is sure nice, and I think it provides many of the same benefits - it's warm, it's cozy, it's waterproof.

http://www.stopsidsnow.com/Sheepskins.html
http://www.pnc.com.au/~cafmr/sprott/sheepskn.html

[junebugmidwife]

Originally Posted by sarahtar 

The wool pad is sure nice, and I think it provides many of the same benefits - it's warm, it's cozy, it's waterproof.

Where do you get these wondrous wool pads?  Do you make them?  Details, please!

[insidevoice]

Originally Posted by junebugmidwife 

Where do you get these wondrous wool pads?  Do you make them?  Details, please!

They have some snugglewool at green mountain diapers. :)  I haven't tried it, but have heard good things about them. 

[sarahtar]

Originally Posted by junebugmidwife 

Where do you get these wondrous wool pads?  Do you make them?  Details, please!

I made mine, but it's essentially just thick, knit, organic wool (which you can buy at many online stores that sell CD fabrics) sewn into a large square. I love it. GMD is an awesome store, and if they sell them, it's probably worth a look. Otherwise, I could certainly make one for you, too.

[honeybunmom]

I don't consider myself minimalist as much as I consider myself tired of all the crap and stuff in my home that doesn't have a home and committed to not continuing to add to it!  Plus, since this will be baby number 3 and the act of getting rid of all the stuff belonging to nos 1 and 2 gave me the lightbulb moment that boy, they had a LOT of stuff!  And, then, there's the new car we'll need to fit in the 3rd carseat, so, not a whole lot of funds for stuff I just want or consider nice to have.

I've decided that I'm actually not buying any new clothes for this baby.  Not because we have ton's left from the other two (I gave all of that away since we were officially done except a few choice items that are worth handing down), but, because I finally realize the baby doesn't need much.  Among my stuff, is a lot of yarn.  I'm working on a boat neck, close fitting undershirt type design with fold over mittens.  If this works out, I'll knit up 3 of these.  I also plan to knit 2 sweaters (one already done!), 3 hats, 2 pair of booties and 4 pairs of longies (2 with feet and 2 without).  Last on the knitting list will be some type of sleep sack (2 of them). I knit one for ds, but, it's not newborn size, or even small! 

I do plan to purchase another shorn sheepskin.  The one we have has worked well for ds.  And I'm thinking about stitching up a wool blanket from some of my other stuff (lots of thrifted wool sweaters).

Lastly, I'm getting back the Bundle Me I gave to a friend, so, not sure about a jacket.  DD got heat rashes in the Bundle Me if she had a jacket on under it.  If I do decide baby will have one, I'll probably knit something in a larger size and felt it so that the Chicago winter wind can't cut through it so easily.

On the diapering front, I'm trying to get back my newborn prefolds.  Should that fail, I would like to have 24 newborn diapers.  I doubt I will have time to sew any considering 1) I've never sewn diapers and 2) I work full time outof the house and already have a lot of knitting planned for the existing children, let alone the new one on the way!  Otherwise, I like the diaper area cleanser from Northern Essence (I think that's the name of the site) and we still have plenty of cloth wipes.

Fortunately, I will also be able to get back the infant car seat and Mini Co-Sleeper I gave to another friend.  All that leaves on my list are a swing - which I donated to the Goodwill - and some type of bouncy seat.  The swing is not a must have, but a nice to have.  For me, the bouncy seat is a must have for allowing mama to shower!