Minimalist Mom of 3! My most used baby items!

[@carolineleiden]

Second hand is the most minimalist thing to do. Don't throw anything away and don't buy anything new. Recycle amongst friends and family. Good for the planet and good for your wallet. That baby bath is ideal. It is high on a foldable stand, so no back problems for you, and after the first few months, you put it in the shower or the big bath. No need for a bath stool. They fit in the thing until three or four years and they like it. Saves loads on water. Also very good for the planet.

[@tyfalcon467]

I love how y'all bridge the gap between minimalist and non-minimal. I'm definitely not minimal but I'm learning how to cut back by seeing how you can be a normal family and still have everything you need, just on a lesser scale!

[@ariannapflederer]

Exactly! When people hear the word “minimalist” they often are actually thinking of extreme minimalists. Minimalism is learning to live only with what you need and letting go of what you don’t use regularly. For everyone that is going to look so very different! And it’s definitely a process to get there :)

[@ninas4968]

Great items, I totally agree. Pregnant currently with baby #3 and I am definitely taking the minimalist approach! Thanks

[@chassamber]

I realized that im actually fairly minimalist with my kid & this pregnancy so far with baby shopping. I did as much secondhand shopping as i could in an effort to save $ and be less wasteful. Babies outgrow things quickly. Clothes especially so thrifting felt like a good choice.

[@clairewoodfin3336]

The military backpack is probably one of the more unconventional but most genius recommendations I have heard so far. Thanks for sharing!

[@alyssag2118]

I couldn't agree with you more about the zip-up sleepers! I absolutely hated the snaps when my son was a newborn. Seems like a minor detail until you're cursing in the middle of the night

[@sarahlove3999]

My husband is military so the last thing I would want is another tactical bag! Lol. Nice idea though.

[@meganrasey4377]

Same here! Simple has always been most helpful.

[@allheartandsong]

I have never had a actual diaper bag and I am due any day with my forth baby. I always used a backpack or plain old bag. I love your idea of using a tactical bag!!! I am a minimalist like you....if it makes life way easier I’ll get it but honestly you don’t need so much of what they try to sell☺️ baby swing is one of my must haves!!!

[@carmen101491]

Yesss the boppy lounger was the best thing we every used! It is a must have I loved it! And we got that same bath seat best thing.

[@bobbindre965]

Have you seen the sleepers that zip down instead of up? They are amazing. They allow you to only uncover the baby's legs for a diaper change instead of unzipping completely and letting the cool air in. I loved them with my babies and I buy them for any mom with a newborn!

[@ariannapflederer]

I have heard of them but haven’t seen anyone mention brands that have them! What tour favorites?

[@bobbindre965]

Arianna. I always find them at Meijer. I'm drawing a blank on brand tho. It's been 3years since I've had to use them. I bought some for a friend this summer, so I know they still carry them. They're so nice during those nighttime diaper changes when you're half dead on your feet and just wanting to go back to sleep!!

[@Svet-Lana2022]

Target sells them.

[@lauren8627]

Bonds (Australian brand) has them. They're called 'Wondersuits'. :)

[@berrypatch5583]

Board books...love them. Pudgey Patacake and Mother Goose are our top 2. We have a lot. We minimize most things but have made books a priority.

[@caitlinbasile2723]

My 4yr old still uses his boppy as his normal pillow Had to buy baby boy #3 a new boppy lol I love moby and ergo

[@Thepublicaccount]

Can you do a how I pack my diaper bag? We have several of the tactical backpacks would love to see how you make that work.

[@ariannapflederer]

Yes definitely! I plan to once baby is here :) I don’t use one anymore with the girls, so I want to wait until it’s packed exactly how I’m using it!

[@bethanyrae5913]

The Peg Perego also has the European routing for the infant seat.. and it’s so good! We loved it! It’s also compatible with the baby jogger strollers. Plenty of head support too.

[@marybethhart2561]

My must haves are a rock and play, swaddlers similar to yours, a convertible car seat, k'tan wrap (specifically the active version!), and a changing station. I change baby in the same area every time because i like everything all together. Toys for infants would definatly be some soft books, and some wooden teethers or wooden/silicone teethers.

[@blueeyedbaby210]

My favorite items were the velcro type swaddles. SwaddleMe in particular. Also the fisher price swing with dual power source. We only needed to use batteries if the power was out. Otherwise we just plugged it in.

[@mallorymcclendon283]

You should look into Copper Pearl swaddles, they’re knit and super stretchy and soft!

[@jamiezav1221]

I didn’t know you lived so close. We are in Durham. I miss when my kids were looking little. My son will be 18 and my daughter just turned 13. Kids are such a blessing.

[@klepece]

About the diaper bag... I'm with you on that one! I'll just use my small hiking backpack. No way I'm paying anything for the fancy diaper bags!

[@tahimi3801]

As a diaper bag we are getting the 5.11 tactical x-ray Messanger bag. My husband said to only get one bag but to get one that he won't feel awkward carrying and will last through the years, this one hits the mark and is big enough for cloth diapers which is what we are going with. It helped that I don't like girly bags to begin with.

[@tayelmore]

Loved the bobby lounger. I actually respond better to a manual pump vs. an electric one. My absolute favorite baby carrier is a ring sling. They're super simple. I would highly recommend you try one if you haven't.

[@ariannapflederer]

I have a ring sling actually! I didn’t like it for newborn stage, I just found that I couldn’t get a good fit when they were really little. Maybe it’s the one I have, it’s not a fitted material! But I do love using it when they’re a bit older :)

[@dramaa.llammaa1436]

Am just going to learn how to sew and make my own baby clothing.

[@theswartzfam1003]

Baby trend also has the euro seat option, but you are limited to only using baby trend products if you want to get a double stroller or anything else.

[@AlanisOcasio123]

I hate baby towels I prefer bamboo towels their thick super soft and absorbing 🙌🏻

[@andrealee5436]

We aren't minimalist but we bought a swing carseat a nice big pack n play and clothes

[@summerralph5039]

I’m due late February and this video really helped me! My partner and I are set on only buying basics not going to the extreme so thank you!! ❤️

[@ariannapflederer]

I am so glad it was helpful! 💛

[@mariec3698]

Good list!

[@monicaswinney4415]

My mom is having a baby soon, and some of our family has made hooded towels, and they're so cute!

[@carissabram1657]

Look into the nuna pipa for an infant seat

[@edensmama8878]

My must have was baby night gowns.life saver

[@alexandriasnoddon3882]

Another amazing soother you should try is the Ryan and Rose “PATpat” my 3 month only loves it! It is super soft. When it falls on the floor you can honestly just blow it and you wouldn’t even know you dropped it!

[@ariannapflederer]

I was looking at those! I actually was going to add one to my registry to try out too!

[@NatalieJM4]

I loved the rockaroo! And i have the graco snugride snuglock for next baby and it has the euro routing! Loved your list, our babies seem to like similar things!

[@whoneedsabroome9368]

Spa Silk is a great brand for hooded towels & washcloths.

[@jssa84]

i used a Chicco key fit 30 , then when they outgrown that we use Britax

[@tiffanywheeler48]

A recently saw a friend button the inside and put it on from the feet. Genius!

[@michelleengelberts]

Minimalist : I was like.. I'm gonna get a billion of these 😂😂😂

[@ariannapflederer]

Haha, it’s called a hyperbole. I am getting 6 sleepers, 4 onesies, and 4 pants for newborn size. With Aerie I only owned one, so having 6 is like having a billion! 😂

[@michelleengelberts]

Arianna. Haha yes that is definitely minimalist to me. I will need much more! 😂 Was just funny hearing you say it.

[@berrypatch5583]

@@ariannapflederer It was so funny.

[@pinkprincessct1]

Are you going to put your registry up so we can buy stuff for you! Online baby shower would be awesome 💖💖

[@kenbren5569]

I had the city go car seat!! It’s nice except when your putting it into the base you have to really click it and push on all the sides because it’s not a one click and it’s in kind of car seat it’s like 10 clicks before it’s in😂😂 it’s kinda heavy but other than the click thing it’s a nice car seat

[@ariannapflederer]

Ah, that’s a bummer! I’m planning on getting it off amazon if we decide to go with it, so I’ll make sure to test it out right away and make sure we like it, so if we need to return we can! The maxi cosi mico ap is so easy to put in and out of the base!

[@jodieowen8037]

you could always add cute personalized accessories to the diaper bag. I do agree with durability over cuteness. Luckily I found a brand with both lol.

[@ariannapflederer]

They do have the spot for a Velcro patch on the bag! So you could definitely have one custom made!

[@Ralphandlouvlogs]

Did you make this video for me? Haha! Love it! Although I’m still overwhelmed but I’m sure that won’t change 😂 So many great tips in here that I never thought of! Thanks girl! -Lou

[@ariannapflederer]

You’re welcome girl!! 💛 you know you can reach out any time if you have questions about stuff! It’s so easy to be overwhelmed with all the choices and things you have to think about.

[@88maddiemartin]

this is great! thank you!!

[@appletinImom0f5]

Not very mimial but I can agree with most!! Thanks for sharing ur list with us :)

[@ariannapflederer]

Check out my video called “what is minimalism”. It actuality isn’t about having the lest stuff at all. Everything mentioned is and was used daily with my kids, and doesn’t distract us from living intentionally. So yes, it is a minimalist newborn must-haves list 😄

[@sherrycopeck3127]

My daughter never took the pacifier- she would keep spitting it out - was kinda glad !

[@maydelin21]

I think my family was minimalistic without knowing, because half of the thing you have here we don't use it, and my cousin that just had babies neither Haha Changing pad, NO we use the bed Garbage can for diaper, No we use a regular garbage can. Gym play, No we use the toys of the stroller Sit pad. No we use the stroller or regular pillow The rocket thing, no again stroller

[@ariannapflederer]

Lol, watch my video called “what is minimalism?” It doesn’t have to do with the number of things you use/own!

[@maydelin21]

Arianna. I not meant it in a bad way, it's just that most people raise their children with the minimum because all the stuff are so expensive and the new borns ACTUALLY don't need anything of that to survive, just a house, food, clothes and diapers and well the car seat (in Venezuela the 80% of the people that owns a car and have a baby do not use carseat, I know super dangerous) so for me this kind of videos are things that MOMS needs to survive the new born stage and then baby stage and go on.

[@lauren8627]

Mayde Gomez Yeah 100%. It really is so parents can survive the newborn. I guess babies just need milk, somewhere to sleep that is safe, and some clothing and lots of love. Western society has some ridiculous standards and materialism/consumerism is great at telling new parents that they NEED this or that to be a decent parent.

[@ariannapflederer]

Guys, this video (that several KZbin parents do) is not about what a newborn’s needs to survive. It has always been the parent saying what helped them the most through the newborn stages. All of these things mentioned (besides the bottles) are things I used daily and usually multiple times a day with my kids. Every parent is going to have a different “must-haves” list. Some will have more, some will have less. It’s not about consumerism, or telling people what they need or don’t need. I’ve already been through this twice lol, so I know what I actually used and what made a big difference in my mental sanity. Which as a mom with PTSD, it’s also very important that I keep that in check. If I only had the bare minimum needed for a newborn to live, my sanity as a mother to a newborn (and this time two toddlers as well) would go out the window. That’s not a very healthy environment 🙂

[@maydelin21]

Arianna. I'm not judging you at all, I'm just telling the differences between us, Now I live in Spain and I'm able to buy all this stuff and I'm sure I will buy a lot of things for my future babies, because I've been a nanny for 10 years and I've worked with so many families and differents cultures and every family it's so different, but because I'm a nanny I know the importance of all the stuff you're mentioned here, at my work I use all this stuff and obviously make my life so much easier. it's just that as a Venezuelan I know that you can USE one thing and give it so many different uses, I've had use the stroller as a high chair. it's not easy but it's doable.

[@arkansasfamily6088]

Totally off the topic and I know you’ve addressed this before but I forgot and forgot which video. I’m just curious where you and Ryan got the heart and key necklaces. Seems like they’ve held up so well!

[@ariannapflederer]

My mom got them from a small shop in Missouri. I have seen them online before in random places if you search “he who holds the key can unlock my heart necklace”!

[@arkansasfamily6088]

Arianna. Thank you!

[@brittanybrown6739]

I love your content! Currently binge watching your videos! Also, has anyone ever told you you look like Hillary Duff!? Now that I see it, I can’t unsee it!❤️

[@ariannapflederer]

Yes they have! I actually get comments about it quite a bit haha! Thanks for watching my videos I am glad you’re enjoying them 💛

[@sabrinahotchkiss9578]

I've been watching since you were pregnant with Rev, will you try EC with this little one too?

[@ariannapflederer]

Yes we will be!

[@sabrinahotchkiss9578]

Arianna. Awesome

[@deamea5098]

Arianna what did you do about a changing well co sleeing, I'm so confused what to do. About if I should have changing set up in our room or in sleeping space for after 6 months.

[@ariannapflederer]

Set up in our room until they moved to Their own room! We actually got rid of the changing pad entirely already. We just change her wherever haha!

[@kaylastephens3521]

Mamaroo...ugh..we got one because at children's hospital they had one in my daughters room and they said she liked it... LIES, I wasted $300 on that thing she doesn't even lay in. I ended up getting a Fisher Price swing for like $150 that she much prefers 😐

[@ariannapflederer]

You definitely aren't in the minority with that! I know so many moms that got the Mamaroo and their kids ended up hating it for some reason! So strange!

[@kaylastephens3521]

Arianna. It's just too technical for them lol SIMPLICITY is best I've learned!

[@malikathueler2529]

What's the difference between a burp cloth and a swaddle?

[@ariannapflederer]

A burp cloth is used during feeding to catch any spit up from burping. A swaddle is a blanket used to swaddle a baby 🙂

[@sah7456]

Wouldn’t buying all of these secondhand be the true minimal approach at this?

[@ariannapflederer]

Lots of minimalists are low waste, but minimalism by definition has nothing to do with being low waste. Minimalism is just about living intentionally and ridding in your life what distracts you from doing so! That’s it. I think a lot of people get confused on what minimalism actually is. I buy A LOT second hand, but that isn’t what makes someone a minimalist. I have a video on what minimalism actually is if you would like to learn more 🙂

[@sah7456]

Arianna. I actually didn’t know that! Thanks for educating me :)

[@lauren8627]

I love the grey/black Angelcare bath!!! I bought a blue one as I couldn't stand the pink colour, and I haven't seen the grey one in Australia :) (not that baby will mind about the colour haha).

[@kristinodwell2479]

Love the video

[@kristinodwell2479]

A wrap sling I found it very useful in holding my son since I can't use two hands but one I got it where my grandmother used to work. Children's fair . In Chattanooga tn.

[@harleyolvera9096]

I’m surprised that as a minimalist, that you didn’t opt for a convertible car seat from birth!

[@ariannapflederer]

Oh no way! Not with a winter baby. Getting an infant in and out of a convertible carseat in cold weather is NOT fun haha. It doesn't make sense coming from a minimalist perspective either, because we wouldn't have both at once! I won't buy a convertible carseat till probably summer time and then the infant car seat would be gotten rid of. So there is never anything we would have that we aren't using :)

[@SkunkyLorrie]

A friend of mine just used a convertible with her summer newborn and she really didn’t like it even then because it meant disturbing sleeping baby a lot whereas with the infant seat- just pick up and go and let baby keep sleeping.

[@CartB0X]

Did you have any issues with eds hands and using the manual pump?

[@ariannapflederer]

Yes! With anything that requires working out your hand, I can’t do it long without pain. But the silicon pump should allow more leverage and be easier than a traditional manual pump. At least that’s what I’m thinking and hoping. I hear they’re more efficient in general too. I never use a manual for a full on 20 minute pumping session! I used my electric for that :)

[@CartB0X]

Arianna. Thanks for the reply, it was a big worry for me, my hands end up getting so sore some days

[@Mtwoody957]

You should put that you're a mommy of 3 in the title!! 😊 or 2, which ever

[@sarahk8464]

We bought the Bumbo change pad with my daughter 2 years ago. It's probably one of my favorite purchases and totally would have re-purchased for my newborn. Probably my number one recommended "fancy" baby item. If you're curious for a carrier like the K-tan but Organic Bamboo you should check out the Huggaloops. Super easy to use and sooo soft.

[@ariannapflederer]

Oooo, Ill have to look into that! Thank you!! So glad to hear you liked your Bumbo changing bad too. Part of me is like "even this seems like a lot to spend on a changing pad!!" but everyone swears by even the Keekaroo (the more expensive version), so I figure if its worth spending $120 on that its gotta be worth it to spend the money on the Bumbo changer as well!

[@kmww08]

I just had baby #4, and wanted the zip up sleepers too. But then decided most important might be that it has the hand covers- whether it is zip up or button. A few sleepers had both with the added bonus of zipping down instead of up! Also, as she got older (she is almost 3 mos), I have liked using a sleep sack. Nice to feel like she is warm enough but not using a blanket. Also have liked using a bigger and thicker towel that a lady made for me- bath towel with a sewed on hand towel that is made into the hood of the towel! 😃

[@ariannapflederer]

Yes, we use sleep sacks once that transition out of swaddling! If it wasn’t a newborn essentials I definitely would have included it! The Burt’s bees has the hand mittens on the newborn size! 🙌🏼

[@kmww08]

Arianna. Oh good...because the gloves don’t always stay on! 😃

[@ariannapflederer]

Oh yes! I hated using gloves they were such a pain in the butt. I just wish they made sleepers that had the built in gloves for the 0-3 size too!

[@nicolewiley2763]

The wooden ball grasp toy was not a hit with my baby.

[@ariannapflederer]

That’s a bummer! I’ll probably still give it a shot and see, hopefully she likes it!

[@smOVERCOMINGITALL]

Girl im not even pregnant yet but i know for a fact my husband and i are getting a tactical diaper bag. Those things are amazing and 5.11 is such an amazing brand.

[@ariannapflederer]

It really is a great brand, we love it!

[@mayralovesyu]

More minimalist mom videos

[@ariannapflederer]

That’s pretty much all my channel is 🤪

[@megchapman3776]

How old are you?

[@ariannapflederer]

I am 25!

[@barbaraann5350]

Have u picked a name for her yet???

[@andreabrashears8949]

We love the nose Freda

[@staceysteele2070]

Why are you a minimalist i bought loads of stuff for my child.

[@ariannapflederer]

I have lots of videos that talk about minimalism, what is it, and why we do it.

[@emilydarlene2484]

Why did you choose to be a minimalist?

[@kellyyardy2128]

No to seem to critical however this isn’t very minimalist

[@ariannapflederer]

Try not to confuse minimalism with extreme minimalism. Minimalism is just living with what you need and use and getting rid of what you don’t use or use rarely. Being that this is my third time around, I am well versed in what i used daily. Every item mentioned is something I used every day, multiple times a day. This list is most definitely considered “minimalist”. Just look at a first time mom’s registry and you will see that 😂😉

[@pissenlit2016]

Hevea is ok but I preferred natursutten! Also I recommend colic calm it’s for hiccups or any tummy discomfort. Also we loved the dockatot but it is expensive. I found it was worth it though

[@ariannapflederer]

I was thinking of trying out the dockatot this time, I think it would last longer than the newborn lounger? But I like that the lounger has them propped up a bit! Thanks for your feedback on the pacifiers, I'm hoping we find a natural rubber one that she likes!