Getting Started Minimalism and the New Baby Preperation

We decided late in 2014 to become minimalists. That is to say, we try not to have more than what is absolutely necessary. We have one two year old and another due in June 2015 and a dog so all of that comes with their own baggage.

We have checked out many sites about minimalism like Becoming Minimalists and The Minimalists and Minimalist Mom and I have finally embraced the "letting stuff go" mantra.

Our house is fairly small, two bedrooms and one bathroom and no basement and a small attic so storage was an issue. Having a second baby makes me immediately think of saving all of the things from the previous one except that..I haven't. This may be appalling to some for sentimental reasons or just the thought of acquiring all of the replacements for the new one but then I remembered. Our first one was born in November and our second (also a girl) will be born in June. Completely different wardrobe to start, second, N (our daughter) got so many clothes as gifts that she didn't even get a chance to wear them all. I know people do not always give gifts for a second child (as a second child, I was a little sensitive about this growing up) but I also got a lot of N's clothes at children's resale shops and found great deals. So off the old clothes have gone.

Next step is the toys. There are many many blogs and Pinterest posts about reducing the number of toys your children have and then the hard part of keeping them minimized. I have gone through N's toys so many times and pulled out things she just isn't interested in anymore, until I pull it out and she sees it in the give away bag. This task is best done while she is distracted. From what I remember about N's infant toy interests, she liked pretty much anything that crinkled or reflected so the toys by the brand Lamaze were great, one or two of those and she was set for a variety of textures and colors.

Jaque Peacock, one of my favorite Lamaze toys

Finally, the additional items that shall be classified as "Baby Accessories." These items are things like the pack and play, baby bathtub, bassinet etc, etc.

Bassinet: I found the best bassinet was the Fisher Price Rock n Play.

This is great because it allows the baby to sleep on an incline which is great for the reflux babies which N was (and I am praying #2 is not). It also folds up nicely for storage and is super easy to take along to relatives houses so the baby has a familiar bed to sleep in.

Pack and Play: Here I think I may have gotten a little controversial. I received a lovely Graco Pack n Play and used it well for N. She was able to play in it and eat snacks undisturbed by the dog and nap outside while I gardened (put a fitted crib sheet over the top and instant canopy.) I never used however, all of the lovely accessories that came with it, the mobile, the changing station, the infant net to raise the mattress up. So today, I got rid of those too. I now just have a lovely useable pack and play that doesn't take up too much space.

Baby Tub:

I found the Fisher Price Rainforest Tub to work well but I am sure there are many that would also be fine.

What I liked was that it was really, just a tub and it fit over my kitchen sink so I could use the faucet for rinsing and have her up at my level. I have seen the ones that look like "real" tubs with bubbles and jets but that seems a touch ridiculous to me as really she only paid attention to me and the washcloth.

That is my short list of minimalist baby accessories. I am sure there are lots of opinions about what is needed vs. luxury items but these are three I found very helpful. Leave comments below with your favorites!