less is more – Rebecca Woolf
tottini: Less is More
I find “less is more” one of the more irritating (and often nonsensical) phrases, especially when it comes to children because let’s be honest, kids need A LOT of stuff. And yet, here I stand (er, sit, with one sleeping baby attached to my body and one sleeping baby in her bouncer at my feet) with my third and fourth children reevaluating my stance on minimalism when it comes to infant requirements. With my son, Archer, I thought I needed EVERYTHING! Diaper pails and wipe warmers and lap pads, oh my!
With my daughter, Fable, I thought I needed ALMOST EVERYTHING: Diaper pails and wipe warmers and lap pads, never again! And now, with baby three and four, I’ve convinced myself that there are actually very few things one really, truly needs.
Truth be told, there are plenty of places to cut back as you shop and/or register for baby items. This in turn allows you to splurge on the important items while cutting back on the things you won’t miss, quality over quantity style.
Cut: Changing Table
Splurge: Crib
Changing tables, especially new ones, are expensive unless you’re opting for a cheaper model, which in my experience lasts about four months before breaking down. This time around we bought a massive dresser found for $180 at the local swap meet and a curved changing pad (belted) so we could use the dresser for storage and the top for diapering. This way, once the girls grow out of needing a changing table they have a great dresser that we can hold onto indefinitely.
Cribs, on the other hand, are best bought new, mainly because safety standards change so quickly. For instance, Archer’s crib is apparently illegal (it has drop sides) so recycling his crib was out.
Investing in a high quality crib (I recommend the kind that double as toddler beds, more bang for your buck) is something you won’t regret, and now that you’ve saved money by not buying a changing table, you can invest in something sleek and modern. Hooray!
Some of my favorites:
Oeuf Sparrow:
babyletto Mercer Crib:
bloom Papa Crib:
Cut: Fancy Bedding.
Splurge: Crib Mattress
Crib bedding can be way expensive. Hundreds of dollars expensive. I splurged on bedding in the past but this time around chose to splurge on mattresses instead. Naturepedic makes (according to my research) the best mattress on the market. Organic, non-toxic, naturally derived sleepy-goodness.
Cut: Diaper Pail & Liners
Splurge: Baby Carrier
If you’ve already chosen cloth diapers (gDiapers come highly recommended!) you’re already ahead of me but if you do plan to diaper disposables, one of the few pro tips I can offer is to can the diaper pail. I registered for a diaper pail with my first child but after several months of use found it easier (and a lot more sanitary) to use disposable diaper bags (biodegradable) and take all poopy diapers straight out to the trash… outside. Where they aren’t sitting next to a sleeping baby.
On the flip, I couldn’t survive without my trusty baby carriers and recommend every new mom purchase at least one. (I like to mix it up a bit in the baby-wearing department. I’m just crazy like that.)
My two favorites:
Ergo:
Baby Bjorn:
Cut: Infant Stroller System
Splurge: Car seats
When my son, Archer was a baby I had one of those humongous Graco travel systems, assuming it was the most practical way to roll around on the town. HA! Now I know better. A universal carrier like the Safety 1st Clic it! is by far my #1 recommendation to new parents.
One, they’re cheap.
Two, they’re convenient.
Three, after six-months, you can upgrade to something more compact like an umbrella stroller. See: Maclaren
And with all those hundreds of dollars saved, you can splurge on a plush car seat from either Chicco or Maxi-Cosi:
What are some of your “cut” versus “splurge” items? What couldn’t you live without as a new mom and alternately, what are some baby items you find most nonsensical when it comes to furnishing not only a nursery, but a newborn’s life?
We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment on this blog post about your must have nursery item to be entered to win a $100 tottini gift certificate! Winner to be randomly selected on March 12th.
Also, shop now through the end of March and receive 10% off your order with the coupon code “totstuff” (some brand restrictions do apply).
XO,
Rebecca Woolf & tottini
Rebecca Woolf of Girl’s Gone Child has been featured in the The New York Times, Time Magazine, Huffington Post, Angeleno and NPR, was recently named Blog of the Year by Babble.com and was a finalist for Lifetime Achievement in the 2011 Bloggies.
Added by tottini on March 12, 2012:
Thanks to everyone for commenting on your must have nursery items!
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Melissa M. on March 5th, 2012 | 39 Comments -
March 6th, 2012 at 12:51 am
I’m with you on the dresser vs. changing table. My daughter’s “changing table” was my mother’s and my dresser when we were children. Nothing like a sturdy piece of 60+ year old furniture to provide both diapers and clothes in a pinch. We made sure to do this when furnishing my son’s room as well (since my daughter still uses the dresser).
Your list is pretty thorough. Aside from the fact that I couldn’t survive diaper changes without the Diaper Genie Elite, I think I’m in full agreement.
March 6th, 2012 at 12:59 am
Thank you for your post! I couldn’t agree more!
With my newborn son Max, I found the boppy pillow to be completely replaceable – by any other pillow you probably already have at home. Instead I would take the saved money and invest it in a nice nursing bra. Way more important on the comfort level – something you wear all day and night long.
March 6th, 2012 at 1:21 am
Couldn’t agree more with all of your suggestions! Especially the mattress, we have the mattress you mention here and it’s fantastic.
March 6th, 2012 at 1:36 am
Splurge on a real good glider. You will spend plenty of time in it… maybe even sleeping in it. Getting one that can be moved outside the nursery is a great idea. We love our Monte Design Grano Glider/Recliner. Quite a splurge… yes… but never regretted it!
Cut the infant seat + high chair + booster. Go with a one fit all. Like the new Peg Perego Siesta. It just started shipping now. Have to say, I didn’t use it yet but just the fact that you can use it for new born until toddler is awesome. And the price is so affordable too compare to the only other one doing a cradle (bloom) at 400-500$.
Wait before buying a vibrating seat, a bouncy seat plus a swing. Not all baby like it all. The babybjorn babysitter was all we needed. Save of space and money!
March 6th, 2012 at 2:27 am
I though I needed a ton of clothes so I bought lots of cheap multi-packs. But I always ended up putting him in my three favorites — all of which were more expensive, softer and better-fitting gifts we had gotten. It’s hard to have restraint on the clothes, though!
March 6th, 2012 at 3:25 am
My must have baby items this time around were aden & anais swaddlers – they are super light weight so they are perfect in warm weather and they are actually big enough to actually swaddle a baby. I also love my hands free pumping bra. You just attach the pumps in the holes in the bra and pump away. Things that I thought were unnecessary were baby monitors – it isn’t like you aren’t going to hear them and all a exhausted mama needs is an amplifier to make sure you never get rest. I also really don’t use our big stroller an umbrella stroller is all you really need. It is so much easier to use and transport.
March 6th, 2012 at 5:28 am
In Montana we can’t live without Black Out curtains if you want to put your child to sleep before 11pm in the summer (and let them sleep later than 5am!) Skip the dust ruffle on the crib and get a mobile with black and white (Wee Gallery!!) cards to hang above baby’s crib.
March 6th, 2012 at 6:42 am
I agree with you 100% on ditching the changing table, wipes warmer and diaper pail. Changing table is so short-lived and only functional when they’re really tiny and not squirmy and acrobatic, the diaper pail is perpetually stinky and wipes warmer always just gave me lukewarm, dried up wipes.
My essentials: Bebe au Lait nursing cover, a sound machine with plenty of running water options, a Bumbo seat, wooden teethers, Sophie the giraffe, MAM pacifiers, Ergo carrier and Moby wrap, Aiden and Anais blankies and especially their adorable burp cloth/bibs. Genius.
Other items I felt unnecessary: the traditional diaper bag. I just do a stylish, roomy purse with a diaper clutch thrown in. Oh and I ditch a big noisy, light up crib mobile. I know some swear by them, but I think a cute, decorative, artful piece hanging overhead made of paper (even handmade) is just as effective and memorizing. I don’t know that babies always need lights and noises flashing in their face.
March 6th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
I’m only three months in to the game with my first child, but am obsessed with baby gear. Already I can distinguish what was not worth it and where our money could have been put to better use. I recommend a great bouncer – the BabyBjorn one was recommended to us by a friend but we opted for a cheaper one instead. We should have splurged there – it would have been worth it! Add on the toy bar and that would provide great entertainment for our little one. Our BabyBjorn Active Carrier has been wonderful for wearing around the house, taking walks, and traveling in the airport.
Also, the Aden & Anais swaddle blankets have been used non-stop for everything – a tummy time blanket on the floor, car seat cover, nursing cover, swaddle at night, and a burp cloth. These were worth the extra cost and a good set of these high quality blankets beat out all of the other blankets we’ve received as gifts. You don’t need that many blankets!
For fun, our little boy loves the Wee Gallery Art cards hanging in his mobile and he could stare at those forever. I bought two packs of the cards to swap out and the mobile can be used for other items as he grows!
Lastly, if you have an active lifestyle, the BOB stroller has been amazing. It’s a bit of a pain to fold up and takes up our entire trunk space, but it’s entirely worth it for the smooth ride, off-road capabilities, storage space for items under the seat, and rugged good looks.
March 6th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
prince lionheart diaper warmer…hands down must. it’ll make changing not such an unpleasant experience for the little one, and you don’t have to have someone run to the bathroom to wet a cloth with warm water
(Love Rebecca Woolf by the way!)
March 6th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
My daughter, Poppy, is almost three months old. I wish I had read this before she was born. I had a really hard time picking out a stroller and car seat and ended up with ones that I have not loved, despite having spent a lot of money. Rebecca’s advice about skipping the changing table is so true. We took note of advice from friends and are using a dresser as our changing table. And let’s face it- most of the time we change Poppy on the floor. I see that Rebecca recommends both the Ergo and Baby Bjorn. The Baby Bjorn hurt my husband’s back. We bought a Beco from Tottini and have loved it- works well for both of us despite the fact that my husband is a full foot taller than me. Thanks for the great post, Rebecca.
March 6th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
I couldn’t agree more! I’m also a mother to four, but my twins came first. At the start, we had every gadget under the sun. My fourth little girl who is eight months old has a handful of toys, a blanket on the floor, and free rain of any and all kitchen “toys” (spatulas, pots, pans, etc.) because that’s all they really want anyways!
My must have nursery item would be an excellent stroller – because it means freedom for you and happiness for them. I’ve had seven strollers over different phases with my four kids. I now just have one – the City Select Baby Jogger. I wish this one was available when I had my twins. We love that we can use it as a chic single stroller or a double stroller when our 2 year old needs to ride along. It has 16 different ways to put the seats in. We also bought the bassinet and it is was wonderful the first few months!
March 7th, 2012 at 12:11 am
Must haves: Velcro swaddlers, because I was too tired and could NOT swaddle with a blanket; baby carrier for sure; good car seat; and LOTS of burp cloths or something to wipe up the enormous amount of spit up. My diaper champ is permanently stinky, even when without diapers, so we probably could have done just as well with a garbage bin.
March 7th, 2012 at 12:21 am
Definitely for me: Ergo. Miracle Blanket. Snap ‘n Go for carseat and nice umbrella stroller (over expensive travel systems) but also a good stroller with big wheels for snowy, city walking.
Totally unnecessary: Bumbo. Wipes warmer. Swing AND bouncy seat (next time would wait and see what my kid actually likes first!)
March 7th, 2012 at 12:48 am
My must have is an extra wide extra comfy glider. My kids are 3 1/2 and 17 months and we use our glider every day with both kids. We’ve logged countless hours in that thing and I can’t imagine doing that on a less comfortable piece.
March 7th, 2012 at 1:30 am
We also love the Aden swaddle blankets, and have a $7 white noise machine we would have paid 10 times as much to have. We splurged on a big comfy glider that I use to nurse our son and to also curl up with a book. We could have done without a swing, and I’m so glad I have the My Brest Friend nursing pillow (agree with previous commenter about not liking the boppy)!
March 7th, 2012 at 1:47 am
Skip the nursing covers – my kids wouldn’t put up with them. Grab the pumping bra so you can actually relax while pumping. If you have multiples like me, skip the glider and just get a sofa (a modest one from ikea with a washable slipcover)! It’ll grow with them and be a place where you all read stories together and snuggle as they get bigger.
March 7th, 2012 at 2:14 am
Lightweight car seat, 7.5 lb is best! We had a 9.5lb car seat that could hold our son until 32 lbs, but that was pointless because basically once the kiddo gets bigger you leave the car seat in the car, so why would you make it heavier to begin with!
March 7th, 2012 at 2:18 am
A compact, foldable bouncer or swing is a must have for my nursery
March 7th, 2012 at 2:28 am
Moby wrap. I love love love it and give it as a baby gift constantly.
March 7th, 2012 at 2:34 am
Pack n’ plays can be so handy, especially for aunts who love to babysit!
March 7th, 2012 at 3:07 am
My must have item is a small soft blanket (preferably more than one and let them be IDENTICAL) so my kid can have their special blanket wherever they go. Also, with more than one you have a spare when you accidentally leave it at daycare.
March 7th, 2012 at 4:23 am
Must have is top rated car seat – I wanted the safesty one out there so I went with Consumer Reports top rated. As for a “cut it” – I have never ever used my Pack n Play and our crib is really just taking up space. My son slept in our bed and my daughter likes to sleep in her car seat.
March 7th, 2012 at 4:25 am
Must have: super soft blankets for swaddling. Cut it: bulky travel systems, I agree on that, Rebecca!
March 7th, 2012 at 5:04 am
I wish I could narrow my must haves to one item but I just cant!
So…here are a few of my must haves…
1. Aden & Anais swaddles & burp cloths (our babe is almost 9 months and we still use them)
2. Medela freestyle pump (worth every penny) Dr Browns glass bottles (they warm faster than the plastic)
3. A quality carrier (we have loved the moby, Bjorn & ergo)
For us the the following weren’t necessary-
1. Rocking chair (our lil girl never enjoyed being rocked)
2. Changing Table- we purchased a dresser instead. Our daughter was an early roller so we were changing her on the floor before we knew it and had a dresser that will last long after she is a baby!
3. Diaper Bag- I use the Kate Spade Market Tote instead!
March 7th, 2012 at 6:15 am
Aden + Anais muslin swaddle blankets, moses basket, Boppy pillow, a comfy rocking chair, Maxi Cosi infant seat, and my Skip Hop bag are must-haves.
I never have bought crib bedding, diaper pails, swings, changing tables, wipe warmers, and I just had my second baby two weeks ago.
March 7th, 2012 at 9:40 am
My must haves:
Baby carrier. I love my Bjorn!
Aden + Anais swaddles – I got them as a present for baby #3
SwaddleMe velcro swaddlers. Great for squirmy babies
Don’t need:
*Changing table – we bought a dresser instead
*Rocker – I find them uncomfortable. I used the couch instead. Super cushy arm rests for my weary arm holding the giant baby.
*Diaper Genie – I instead re-use plastic shopping bags and throw the yucky diapers OUTSIDE.
March 7th, 2012 at 11:18 am
I bought one of those fancy nursing covers that has some sort of bendable wiring or whatnot at the top so you can look down in your baby while they nurse – cost about $40. At the same time, I bought a clipping strap to turn any swaddling blanket or other random piece of fabric into a nursing cover. That cost about $5. The fancy nursing cover is still in the box & the strap has proven to have multiple uses!
March 7th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
The snap and go car-seat stroller was definitely a must have for us. Our son slept so well in the car and stayed asleep when we transferred him. I bought ours used, even!
March 7th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Musts:
1) tons of burp clothes since I have a reflux-y baby. Mine are homemade out of cloth diaper inserts and flannel fabric in cute patterns.
2) Extra pump parts. It’s nice to have doubles of everything so I can keep a set of the parts at work in case in my sleep deprivation state I forget to pack them in the morning.
3) Baby carrier
4) Swaddle me – my baby will only sleep longer than 1.5 hours if swaddled tight
Pass on:
1) Bulky stroller
2) Wipe warmers/Bottle warmers
3) Sophie the giraffe toy – my dog is more interested in it than my baby
March 7th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Must-haves: swaddle blankets with Velcro, a white-noise machine, and a baby swing. (Just check the return policy on the swing before purchasing, in case your baby doesn’t like it. Ours LOVED it and ended up sleeping in it all the time.) Great post!
March 7th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
I’m all about dressers for changing tables! My must have item was our video monitor. I still love that thing. Great for paranoid moms like me!
March 7th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
TOTALLY with you on the dresser doign double duty as changing table.
Also, I totally wish I had passed on the Graco stroller thingamajig. My son’s only 8 months old and I swear he’s aobut to grow out of it!
March 7th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
I tend to think of “less is more” meaning exactly the type of thing you’re talking about here! Spending less (or nothing) on certain things means more to put towards the REAL must-haves.
Swaddling blankets (BIG ones) were essential for the first few months, and I LOVE the Ergo. Also, some women don’t need nursing pillows, but I found I really couldn’t get comfortable without my Nurture Nest. It’s bigger and fatter than a Boppy—which is GREAT if you have a long torso—and not pricey at all. Mine came from the craft store.
March 7th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
One of my two must haves is the co-sleeper!! That way your baby has his/her own space but they’re RIGHT next to you. My daughter slept so much better being in a co-sleeper rather than in a normal bassinet.
My other is the baby Einstein activity center. It was the only place my babies were happy being left for a few minutes while I had to get something else done.
March 7th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Totally agree with the car-seat universal carrier—that and the Ergo were by far the most used items for my babies. I also love Aden and Anais swaddle blankets for EVERYTHING, Boppy for nursing and baby-sitting.
Everything else is just extra…doesn’t make it less fun to have though (like pretty bedding or fun toys
March 11th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
carseat, boppy, crib
March 11th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
I actually think yes on the changing table. Didn’t have one for kid 1 but now have one for kid 2 and think it makes it a lot easier to contain my squirmy toddler rather than wrestling him around the house.
Agree with the ergo and carseat.
March 12th, 2012 at 12:43 am
So far with both babies the swing has been an absolute must have. My son slept in his until 6 months and my daughter is going on month 2 in hers. We splurged for both and got the Graco Sweetpeace Soothing swing, it costs more than most swings but I figure this is their BED, it should be high quality.