A Minimalist Baby Registry List for Small Nursery Space

April 2025

A Minimalist Baby Registry List for Small Nursery Space

I dragged my feet on building our baby registry, mostly because I did not want to get inundated with ‘stuff’. Do babies really need that much to start out with? Kevin and I are fairly minimalist in our life and wanted to continue that for the baby. We also do not live in a large place where we have room to store excess. We were not looking to furnish the next five years of the baby’s life and preferred to build things as we needed them. That being said, there is a baseline of items newborns need but it is not nearly as many items as the world and all those influencers want you to think. This is the list of things you should have on hand before baby arrives without overwhelming yourself with things if you chose not to.

Baby registries do have a great bonus where you receive a discount (Amazon’s was 15%) to purchase remaining things on your registry. So there is certainly incentive to add more than the minimum to your registry to get the discount. We added all sorts of items we use every day around the house as well as extra items for the baby we needed once the baby arrived, and even some items for later in life like eating solids. And there is a very generous return window for items purchased on the registry as well. 

For this list, our baby was born in the spring and would be spending those first few months going into summertime so that did influence some of our registry items. We also chose to formula feed so items around that feeding are included as well. Swap out seasonal items and feeding items as needed for your situation.

My number one Pro Tip: Buy second hand. Tap into consignment or thrift shops, use ‘Buy Nothing’ groups or Facebook Marketplace, or even friends and acquaintances. Think about how many babies are born and how many first time parents purchase everything new – items that are sometimes only used a handful of times as babies grow very fast. I saved hundreds of dollars just keeping an eye on Facebook Marketplace for items I knew we would want and is a way better system than purchasing things new every time. If you live in an area that is not as connected to a network for this, ask friends and families in other areas to expand your reach. 

Stroller / Car Seat / Carrier 

• Doona Stroller + accessories (travel bag, diaper bag, rain cover, sun shade extender): There was no question that the Doona was going to be our ride or die. With the traveling that we do, having a car seat and stroller in one is perfect plus the fact that it does not require a base. Since we would be cruising through summer time, I made sure to get the rain cover and sun shade extender. Additionally, since there is no area of storage, I grabbed the Doona bag that attaches to the stroller and it works great for short excursions. 
• Yoyo Stroller + accessories (rain cover): When the baby is big enough, we will use the Yoyo stroller. This was also an easy decision as it folds up into the tiniest shape, is lightweight, and every baby in Europe is in one of these. I opted not to go with the bassinet option since we would be using the Donna for those months of the baby’s life. 
• Stroller fan: An essential piece for summertime adventures. 
• Stroller clips: To add additional ways to hold items like bags and water bottles.
• Miamily carrier / Wildbord carrier / wrap: I ended up with several carrier styles. The first is the Miamily carrier and I love this because it has a shelf for the baby to sit on which is better for carrying. Unfortunately, the newborn insert is and continues to be unavailable which is why I ended up also getting the Wildbird aerial carrier from Walker Family Goods to use when the baby was too little for the first carrier. And then I found a wrap style carrier for free on Facebook Marketplace and so far while the baby is itty bitty it has been our favorite way as it feels the most secure and comfortable for all parties. So to start, you really only need the wrap style until baby gets older to fit into the more structured ones. *Update*: Since we starting going into the summer days and the baby was still too small for the Wildbird carrier and it was getting too hot for the wrap carrier, I picked up the Ergobaby Embrace off Facebook Marketplace and I absolutely love it. It is so lightweight and the mesh allows for airflow, and the baby fits in it so well.
• Although I will add – if you have a winter baby, get this versatile, all in one winter cover that works with the carrier, stroller, and car seat. It has been fantastic!

Clothing

• Be mindful about the season your baby is going to be born into and go from there!
• Old Navy onesie two way zip: The baby exclusively lived in these for several weeks – it is all we needed clothing wise. They were on super sale (over 50% off) and Old Navy frequently runs these sales so just grab a bunch when that happens and you are good to go. 
• Long sleeve onesies and short sleeve onesies: Basics just to have for around the house.
• UV protective clothing: I ordered UV protective clothing to keep the baby safe without needing to fret about sunscreen. I used clothing and bathing suits from Walababy, UV Skinz, and SwimZip. Sizing from all of these is not perfect for a newborn but it did the trick!
• Sun Hat: To protect that head when we are out and about – wearable UV protection is definitely the way to go.

Bath Time

• Bathtub: I wanted one that did not have to sit in the physical bathtub or sink so that eliminated some popular choices. This one allows you to fill it and place wherever bath time will occur. 
• Suction hooks: For the bathtub storage so we can hang it in the bath walls without compromising space. The tub can also dry here so it serves a great dual purpose.
• Body Wash / Shampoo / Lotion of choice
• Bath towel
• Bath washcloths 

Diapering

• Diapers: Some people have strong opinions of diaper brands. I went with Amazon’s Mama Bear and have no complaints thus far. Price per diaper is where it is at and subscription option makes it even more affordable. Get a variety of sizes from newborn and 1. If you do some sort of diaper raffle best to assign folks sizes so you do not get too many of one size. Newborn phase is short but you need to have some on hand in case the size 1 is too big. And if you don’t need to limit yourself to size 1 – you can certainly keep going. But if you are unsure about the diaper brand you want to commit to, asking for money to a diaper fund is also a great option. 
• Wipes: Same concept with the diapers – some people have strong opinions on wipe brans. I went with Amazon’s Mama Bear and have no complaints thus far. 
• Aquaphor / Diaper rash cream of choice 
• Portal diaper changing pad: We got a few of these to make sure we have one for on the go and an extra in the car that is fully stocked in case we forget something or we have a catastrophic event that causes us to have a run on diapers and wipes. I like this one because you can separate parts of the system to take just what you need in addition to having everything in one spot. 
• Disposal diaper bag: Essential for on the go diaper disposal. 
• Wipe dispenser: This was a last minute addition to the list and it has been a welcome item to the diapering process. In the hospital, Kevin would get frustrated with the wipe package that either would not allow for a wipe to be removed or caused several wipes to be removed like a magic trick with the scarfs. This dispenser has a weight to stop multiple wipes from being dispensed and we give it two thumbs up.
• Diaper pail: I went back and forth on a few diaper pails and ended up with this Dekor. While I was not a fan of needing to buy dedicated bags, I was a fan of the foot pedal and the trap door which makes this completely hands free. So far, we have not smelled anything coming from the pail so it is certainly doing its job. The bag system is easy and despite the small footprint, we have been impressed with the capacity of diapers it holds. 
• Changing pad: I went down a long rabbit hole here but it was because I needed something that fit on the dresser I purchased. There is no need to have a separate changing table – we are in a small space so only one changing station is necessary. I solely went with this brand due to the dimensions as it comfortably fits on the dresser without taking up the entire space and it is wipeable to disinfect. 
• Diaper wet dry bag: This has a permanent spot in the diaper bag for soiled clothing.
• Pee pads: Another layer of protection from the diaper changing process we have liked having during these early weeks where poo and pee can emerge at any and all moments.

Feeding (Bottle/Formula Fed)

• Bottles and nipples of various sizes: Whatever bottle system you pick, we went with Philips Avent system. The only issue we have had is that the nipple sizes do not seem to correspond at all to what I read as we are flying through the sizes and had to get size 4 and 5 to have on hand. Otherwise, the baby has had no complaints!
• Formula: We went with Bobbie for a number of reasons. I trust the EU standards and this formula emulates European formulations. I went with the whole milk option since being organic was not super important to me and the baby tolerates it well. I like the subscription service that gives a discount as well as guarantee of supply which is a big deal. Yes it is more expensive than some of the more traditional and common formulas but I wanted to make sure I was giving the baby the best I could find.
• Burp cloths
• Fridge magnet shelves: I saw someone use these fridge magnet shelves for bottle storage and I was sold. How perfect is this to add storage space without taking up the counter top? Love creative storage ideas like this. 
• Bottle drying rack: Wanting to limit 
• Bottle brush
• Portable bottle drying rack: Absolutely love this! I actually use it a bunch at home for when I need more drying space and I just love how compact it is. I am looking forward to traveling with it soon. 
• Travel formula dispenser: For on the go, portioning out formula into these pods makes bottle prep easy. I fill the clean bottles with water and then when it is time to feed, pour one of these in to make the bottle- super easy!
• Boppy pillow: The unsung hero of the postpartum experience. I did not even purchase this as I thought it was useless for a non-breastfeeding mom. But my friend gifted me hers and insisted on its utility. And she was so right. This pillow has been one of the most used items to date. We also use it for tummy time and to lay the baby on as well. 

Keepsakes

• Baby book: I purchased this after we got home as I did not want to forget anything about this experience. Everything happens so fast and you may want to capture everything pretty soon after it all happens. Funny I did not expect to be sentimental but alas, here we are. I wanted a simple book that did not require a ton of work and this one from Love and Wild really fit the bill to put as much or as little as you want. Then each month there is just one page to worry about so the upkeep is not too intensive. I also purchased this mini printer to fill the book and I am loving it as an easy way to generate photos to fill the book with memories. 
• Hand and footprint kits: I thought the hospital still did these so when I realized that was a thing of the past, I snagged these as well to capture those little feet and hand prints. I will say, the system itself is easy but getting a squirming baby to cooperate is a different story. 
• Letterboard: I wanted something for a photo to commemorate the announcement of the baby’s arrival but I did not want to have extra stuff. So going with a letterboard allowed the use to go far beyond the birth announcement and be used for far more things – like the photos are each month or even non-baby related things like holidays and whatnot.  

Health

• Boogie grabber: I will say this was a recent addition once we brought the baby home and it has been unexpectedly needed.
• Nasal aspirator: For more advanced boogies, bring in the big guns to suck them out. 
• Nasal saline: The tool of choice when boogies make an entrance and it works really well. 
• Hair brush: Once I was told the baby had a full head of hair on the last ultrasound, I grabbed this hair brush set and I have to say, the baby already loves having her hair brushed. The bristles are so soft and it instantly calms the baby. 
• Nail trimmer: Everyone tells you that babies are born with razor sharp nails that they then like to scratch all over their face. This trimmer takes the guess work out of clipping – I am not sure if you have recently tried to clip a newborn’s nails but in case you have not, their hands never cooperate. So the trimmer is definitely the way to go to avoid hurting your baby.
• Headphones: All the sudden, once you have a newborn the world is very loud. While I added these for travel, they have more utility in the real world than I thought. Definitely not an essential item but 
• Thermometer: And now for the items you want to have on hand but hope to not need – I like this thermometer because you can use it multiple ways. I would prefer to not have to get a rectal temp each time I wanted to check the baby’s temperature but it is the most accurate way to measure so I can check it that way if it is high on the skin. 
• Infant Motrin and Tylenol: Again, these are items you want to have on hand and hope to not need. Be sure to frequently check the expirations as you move between seasons to ensure you are not stuck with expired product when you need it.   

Sleep

• Camera monitor: This item is definitely a personal preference in terms of wanting as much information – think Owlet and Nanit – or as little information – think audio only – for watching your baby. We wanted to have the audio and video feature which comes in handy and night with the night vision to see how the baby is doing. Beyond that was too much for us so we settled on this version that we have really liked. The audio and visual quality is great. We also have read and agreed that going with something that is not on wifi is super important. 
• Pacifiers + case: You never know ahead of time if your baby will be a pacifier baby or not so I just grabbed a four pack to have on hand and these cheap cases to keep the clean ones stored. 
• Swaddle sleep sacks: I know many people have the swaddle they swear by. I did not think we needed anything complicated or fancy and I know the Halo brand is tried and true. I actually got five of these on Facebook Marketplace for the price of one new one so never underestimate the baby items people are willing to part with for pennies on the dollar – and sometimes free. We used these every night until the baby outgrew the need to be swaddled. 
• Sleep sacks: I honestly wish I slept in a sleep sack – these look so cozy! There are tons of different brands to choose from and we went with a friend’s favorite. They are *so* soft and comfy. These are used after the swaddle phase is no more and continue to be used as baby grows up. 
• Muslin swaddle blankets: The best multipurpose item. Need a sun cover? Baby chilly in the car seat? At the doctor’s office and waiting to be seen with your cold baby? Need a surface on the floor? We even used these as daytime swaddles since they wrap so well. This four pack is really all you need as well and we love all the prints. 
• Sound machine: This is the sound machine we use in the baby’s room.
• Portable sound machine: And this is the sound machine we take on the go.
• Mini thermometer: Just to give us a more accurate idea of the temperature and humidity in the baby’s room.

Furniture

• Crib + accessories (mattress, mattress cover, sheets): I was amazed at how much money one could spend on a crib – way more than we have even spent on our own bed. Our style is simple and we really liked how this one looks and feels. I also like how we are able to store bins underneath for the months the mattress is raised. It is not too big and bulky so it works well in a smaller space
• Dresser (fits changing pad): I did not want to commit to a large piece of furniture, especially with a smaller space. So much of my selection here was utility based. I needed a surface large enough to fit a changing pad and diapering accessories without the dresser itself taking up too much space. This worked so well for what we needed. The footprint is small without compromising storage space. The drawers are very big and I used bins to divide them up and organize the items inside. The changing pad and diapering essentials all fit comfortably on the surface as well. And all this without breaking the bank!
• Baby bouncer: A bouncer is an easy piece to add as a safe place to put the baby and as the baby gets over, can entertain themselves by kicking their feet to bounce. I snagged one of these for $15 on Facebook Marketplace – this Baby Bjorn Bouncer retails for over $200! Do not sleep on these deals – these bouncers are all over as they are such a popular registry item. 
• Pack n Play: For those that may live in a larger home or home with multiple levels, having the primary crib in the baby’s bedroom and another place to set the baby down is ideal. I wanted to have a travel crib at the ready but one that did not take up that much space since we will not need it out all the time, just for traveling. I ended up finding the Guava Lotus Travel Crib on Facebook Marketplace for a great bargain and this along with similar compact cribs are plentiful secondhand. 

Toys

• Lovevery play mat – Another great Facebook Marketplace find at a fraction of the retail cost, having a play mat and apparatus to hang toys is a great way to play with your baby. The Lovevery brand is very popular and for good reason but do not be discouraged by the high price tag on these items as once again, many people purchase this item for their baby and then end up selling it at a great deal.
• Lovevery toy subscription – We did not want toys to over take our small home and with baby toys, less is more. The Loveevery toy subscription service keeps the toys to a minimum while providing age appropriate and educational items that are intentional. You can also find people selling these boxes second hand as well. This also made gift giving options easy – if someone expressed interest in getting the baby a toy, we could direct them to getting the baby’s next toy box. Then when the baby outgrows the toys, simply box them up and store without taking up too much space. 
• Lots of books 

Books

• Emily Oster – literally all the books the women is brillant (Expecting Better, Cribsheet, The Family Firm)
• Bringing up Bebe
• Hunt, Parent, Gather
• Moms on Call 

I hope this list is helpful for someone that is looking to keep the baby things to essentials and a minimum than what everyone tells you that you need – it is shocking how little you need to start once baby arrives, especially if you already practice a more minimal style. Now to learn how to pack minimally for the baby for our first trip – stay tuned!