Reacting To My Minimalist Baby Gear Haul After Having My Baby

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• Minimalist Baby Regist...
Products Mentioned & Suggested
Ergo Baby 360
Amazon US - amzn.to/2RywKVJ
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3vW8U5b
Foldable Baby Bouncer
Amazon US - amzn.to/3f17VK6
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3tv5c0s
Baby Soap
Amazon US - amzn.to/3b7GtJd
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3nYH5WV
Cradle Cap Comb
Amazon US - amzn.to/3uqiw7I
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3bcwdPZ
Thule Sleek Stroller Review
• THULE SLEEK REVIEW || ...
Minimalist Baby Essentials Checklist
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Baby Gear In Original Video
Fjallraven Raven 20 Backpack Dark Olive - amzn.to/3fF8Yhz​
Pampers Sensitive Wipes - amzn.to/3ebjkFB​
Pampers Pure Diapers - amzn.to/3deG8CO​
Baby Bum Diaper Cream Applicator - amzn.to/2YEnZsY​
Desitin Diaper Cream - amzn.to/3fBOcz0​
Gathre Micro Change Mat - gathre.com/pro...
Oogie Bear Nose Cleaner - amzn.to/30T0C1G​
Nasal Aspirator - amzn.to/2YaAaid​
Gripe Water - amzn.to/3fDyBir​
Kyte Baby Ring Sling in Driftwood - amzn.to/30PVMC2​
Ergo Baby Embrace Carrier - amzn.to/30VMZP5​
Dr Browns Anti-Colic Bottle - amzn.to/37HTFBY​
Philips Avent Bottle - amzn.to/37G3yjf​
Tommy Tippy Bottle - amzn.to/3fzOLtn​
Medela Calma Bottle - amzn.to/3d8eAPv​
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump - amzn.to/3edgPSS​
Hakka Breast Pump - amzn.to/37E5l8u​
Wooden Bottle Brush - amzn.to/2YHshje​
Thermoflask Insulated Water Bottle - amzn.to/3hCwRbg​
Philips Avent Bottle Warmer - amzn.to/3hCvIAi​
Boon Bottle Drying Rack - amzn.to/2UXr7zc​
Copper Pearl Swaddle - amzn.to/30Y84sp​
Anna&Eve Swaddle - amzn.to/2N6n1R1​
Burts Bees Babe Towel - amzn.to/30QQI0h​
Chibello Hair Brush Set - amzn.to/2UVptOp​
Duck Thermometer - www.bedbathand...
Keekaroo Peanut Change Pad in Vanilla - amzn.to/2Cj1mmr​
Ingenuity Townsend SmartBounce Automatic Bouncer
amzn.to/2BcH3q9​
KidCo DreamPod Bassinet - www.amazon.ca/...
Thule Sleek Stroller - amzn.to/33tcvLL
Nuna Pipa Lite Car Seat - www.babiesrus.....
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PATREON ||
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The Shirt I'm Wearing In This Video
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MUSIC ||
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This video was sponsored by Narwal.
#minimalistmotherhood #narwal #narwalT10 #robotmop

[@gqingzi]

i want to move to Canada just for the length of maternity leave😍😍😍😩

[@AshleyEmbers]

It’s such a privilege 🧡

[@KacangFamily]

Same. My hubs is Canadian but we had our baby here bc his job options are better here 🙁

[@karineyoussef2449]

Mat leave here though although you get a year you're only getting paid 55% of your income unless your employer tops it up. definitely grateful though for the somewhat paid time off as I know it's basically non existent in the US

[@DanielleNicolette]

@@karineyoussef2449I know the maternity leave is even better in a lot of European countries, but here in the US, 55% pay sounds amazing! You mean you’re allowed to leave AND your job will be there when you get back AND a you get paid?! Next you’ll tell me the medical bills don’t financially cripple you. 😅

[@annkal.3608]

@@DanielleNicolette in Germany you can have maternity leave, up to 3 years. Oh both parents can have each 3 years. But you get only either 12 months 70% of your income or 24 months 35% of your income. And well, our insurance pay almost everything. You only pay for example for staying in hospital (10€ per night)

[@KrystalWalker85]

It’s so funny how different babies and parents preferences are. That nose picker is one of my favourite baby items - so satisfying when you pull out a huge booger 😂 I use it at least once a week.

[@AshleyEmbers]

Hahahaha so funny!

[@Meg-eq2md]

I think I would also love it :D

[@Deydouh]

Same im obsessed with the nose picker 🤣

[@anaadventures7669]

I have a generic nose Frida and love it!

[@yumcrumbco.8232]

I’m in Canada and I just called my insurance to see if they would cover a pump and all I needed was a prescription for a pump from my doctor! So I got a prescription and got the freestyle flex pump and it was fully covered by my health spending account!

[@KrystalWalker85]

So a pump will be covered for anyone with a health spending account in Canada - but not many people have those. Very few insurers here cover a breast pump under the employer’s Health insurance - Sun Life does as standard but most others don’t and your coverage will be based on what your employer has chosen to provide. I always recommend calling your insurer to inquire before buying just in case you happen to have coverage

[@AshleyEmbers]

So interesting!

[@ntmn8444]

I live in the USA. My insurance covers my breast pump for free, and if I want to, I can upgrade to something of my liking. I will be taking the upgrade, bc I want the Spectra and not the Medela.

[@nicolemarie8413]

I love this style of videos, so funny to watch postpartum but also totally remember the mindset of needing to be prepared for anything!

[@lenavay1181]

It doesn't really matter what other people think, but I think you were still pretty minimal :) I was the same with my first and now that I'm expecting our second, it's even easier because I know better what to expect and what I like. The hardest thing for me is that I'm a sustainable minimalist, which means that I don't want to run to a store nearby and get something for my baby (or myself). To get sustainable brands I need to research and order online (which can take up some time) or look for second hand options (same problem - time!). Anyone who can relate to this?? Also, to get more minimalist with waste: cloth diapers & cloth wipes!! My very favorite newborn essentials :)

[@Emma-db1xf]

That’s such an interesting thought about why pumps are free with insurance in the states! Honestly, almost every other mother I know spent the first three months of having a newborn fretting about pumping and having a high enough milk supply to store up milk because they had to go back to work fairly quickly after having their babies. Which is such a bummer. Interesting insight!

[@AshleyEmbers]

That is such a bummer and I really hope you guys get a longer maternity leave in the near future!

[@janebyrne6585]

For the minimalist mum would also recommend reusable wipes for the early months but when the weaning began we used some disposables for the particularly revolting poos. Excellent for sensitive skin and for the environment- don’t require much room. Love your content, down to earth and relatable xxx

[@reecegentilini1638]

In America you can get an electric pump you have a to you doctor to prescribe it and them you can notify your insurance. Most people use it in case there partner wants to help feed the baby and work.

[@karialmine4689]

My mom has been working through the same tube of diaper rash cream for the last 30 years with me and my siblings and now her grandkids. I am not kidding!

[@nicola6234]

I got a tiny little sample size of sudocrem when I was pregnant and my son is 15 months old now and we're still trying to get through that, haha

[@evapoole4514]

Wow! That vacuum mop looks so cool! What a time saver 🤯

[@mkpetersen1607]

I would love to see a video on the new garden once you moved. An insider look on how you plant and what plants go where :)

[@AshleyEmbers]

Oh you can bet I’ll be posting that!

[@kelseydickinson6369]

In Canada, some insurance companies will cover the cost of a pump, it depends on your workplace insurance provider (or private insurance providers) but generally its only offered on premium plans!

[@ramblingcaroline2411]

I love our Ergobaby Omni 360, but even though it should work on newborns around seven pounds, our baby didn't love it until about ten pounds. Until then, our baby lived in our Boba wrap, which we preferred over the Solly.

[@nicola6234]

I used the Solly wrap for the first two months but once my son fit in the Ergobaby that's the only one I reached for. He hated the newborn insert so I had to wait a bit

[@ileaween]

Pump hack: if you can’t get one through insurance (like me) buy it used on eBay and order new parts on Amazon. I got the Motif Luna and the Motif Duo both for around $80 (each one is almost 200) and the parts for both for $40/50. So basically $130 for two pumps and brand new parts. I work full time so these have been both essential.

[@rachaelkealy]

Its great that you did a follow-up becuase I saw your first video and felt very uneasy that it was considered minimalist :D So great to hear what was actually necessary! Good job!

[@adrienthomas9392]

Sun life life insurance in Canada dose pay up to $350 for a breast pump or rental. With a doctors referral (what doctor will say no to breastfeeding). Just incase there are other Canadians watching.

[@hayleakahn9411]

Breast pumps are covered by insurance in the states as a provision of the affordable care act. It benefits mothers and the insurance companies long term. It’s a fairly recent policy!

[@aurorawatkins5967]

I’ve been using the ogie bear thingy to clean my daughters ears! I can just scoop out the wax without pushing anything into her ear canal ❤️

[@AshleyEmbers]

Oh I haven’t even thought to use it in rooks ear! That might be a game changer 🧐. Also we missed you in this months discord chat! Hope you’ll make the next one 😊

[@jessa4282]

Watching this as I'm pregnant with my second and boy oh boy did I do the same thing.I cannot agree more on the point of not buying items just in case. I did that excessively. I registered for things like gripe water, baby probiotics, vitamin d drops, diaper cream with and without zinc, and a bunch of other things I can't even think of. There's nothing wrong with those products, but I just never, ever used most of them! I genuinely don't think I've ever used diaper rash cream on my daughter... She's 15 months old and when her bum would get a little red, I would let her run around without a diaper for like 10 minutes. Sometimes I ended up putting baby Aquaphor on her bum just as a barrier overnight because that's what we had at the time and it worked fine.

[@cassidysinclair5361]

Ashley i love hearing you talk about how you're comfortable with your purchases / level of minimalism (idk how to word that better, basically your little intro disclaimer). People on the internet can be so brutal, especially so when it comes to motherhood. Good for you for being comfortable with yourself in your own life!! You should be. & not that my opinion matters but for what its worth, you're doing an excellent job and are just figuring it out as you go, which is all anyone can do anyways. Happy Monday!

[@ashb2404]

I think sometimes, nesting takes the form of wanting to shop and buy anything baby may possibly need... Lol.. I know it did for me... Thankfully I had my hubby to reign me in sometimes...

[@dichang3]

Haha. I clean my baby's nose the same way! Ball up a napkin, stick it in and twist. Lol it works 90% of the time. Also I find that the bottle warmer is great to use as a baby food defroster....if you premake baby food.

[@Jillianrc]

Recently found out I’m pregnant and my husband and I are trying to figure out how to make this fit into our minimalist lifestyle. Luckily our electric kettle actually has a bottle warming setting if we ever need it. Your videos are very helpful

[@ramblingcaroline2411]

What an amazing sponsor! I've literally been trying to decide on which robot vacuum I want for weeks now! So exciting.

[@AshleyEmbers]

What perfect timing! I hope I helped you decide 😄

[@devynrowe7492]

Having some kind of pump is good to have in case of mastitis. That is something you can get if it happens but I’m lucky that insurance covers mine.

[@kaitlyn8889]

I also breastfeed and planned on pumping for the odd bottle but it's just more work to pump so I say screw it 😅

[@lizpleszkoch403]

A YEAR TO 18 MONTHS MATERNITY LEAVE?! Wow. I think we get 3 months MAX. Not a mom yet. Just obsessed with mom/baby content. I’m researching! 😓 Trying to prepare for when I am ready to try for a baby.

[@yarazard]

Yeah 3 months with about 60% pay😢

[@meganradford1522]

This is the backpack I have had for three years and am planning to use for baby! 🥰

[@marijehoekerd1295]

I love your video's ! I am in no means a minimilist but it is so interesting to see how every momma prepaird for there needs. I am a momma of 2 and i learnd so much from my first with, what i needed and what is a waist of money and space. Like you said the baby bath my son only liked the tummy tub but my daughter doesnt like being in a tub but is obsessed with going in the shower. Love the content ❤ (Sorry for the broken english am from the netherlands)

[@dvo1060]

Earth and eden is a great clean diaper brand. On Amazon you can subscribe for deliveries and save 20%. For reference: Size 5 is 27¢ per diaper or 22¢ with the subscription

[@karineyoussef2449]

I'm from Canada, Ontario my insurance does cover a breast pump. Not entirely, they'll pay 80% of up to 300$ but they do cover part of it. My husband's insurance does not so it depends on your insurance plan provided by your employer. I'm still not buying one until after the baby is here though

[@drewfan123]

I had a very weird mindset when getting ready for my first-only got the bare essentials (buggy, car seat, clothes, cot, etc) and decided to buy anything else if I will feel the need for it 😛 I also watched loads of your videos to help me. Good to look back and reflect on how to improve for next time 😊 much love to you and little Rook ❤

[@AshleyEmbers]

That’s such a great way to do it! I wish I only got the bare essentials

[@marketastibalova9417]

I'm actually so grateful to have had the manual pump. I found it on sale for not more than £15 (not sure what that's in $, maybe $20?) and when it came to it and I really needed it one evening (long story but baby had an allergic reaction and refused to breastfeed), I was so grateful to have had it already 🙏 On the other hand.. a bottle warmer :D My baby is now exclusively bottle fed and I've never even thought about getting one 😅

[@AshleyEmbers]

That’s an amazing deal!

[@essentiallylau]

A year to 18 months! That's amazing.

[@joelee624]

In Canada you for sure get a breast pump covered through Blue Cross! Up to 80% but it does depend on your workplaces extended health insurance-so I guess if your workplace has shitty extended health benefits it might not.

[@KacangFamily]

I want that vacuum. I’m cleaning my floors every other day bc we have a dog

[@vvviiiiiicccc]

Ooo do one about furniture and toys!

[@mellostation]

Sorry can you explain why you discontinued swaddling his arms? I’m just curious, thank you!

[@yarazard]

Yeah no applicator needed here lol I don’t try to be minimalist but after comparing myself to other moms i guess i am 😂

[@beckytownsend1839]

Love the 360! Pretty sure I got mine (2nd hand) because of your videos. It’s so heavy duty it feels like I’m in a postapocalyptic world 😂 that sounds insane now I’ve written it down - ops

[@rachelthomas8013]

So excited you reacted to this video! I loved watching your pregnancy and baby preparation videos while I was pregnant, and I was getting nostalgic recently, so I went through your old videos!! I’m embarrassed by all the stuff I put on my registry that OTHER people bought for us... too much stuff 😳

[@AshleyEmbers]

Seriously! I’m embarrassed that my overspending is on the internet 😂

[@ItsChelseaMay]

Love the sponsor! Congratulations

[@catsbiie6691]

I love the diaper cream applicator!

[@AshleyEmbers]

I’ve heard from some moms that it’s amazing for them!

[@dianelangdon2214]

Happy Mother’s Day🌸

[@ashleyo2238]

What is that paint color and brand behind you ? 😅😊

[@shelbobaggins0]

My son is two, and through my baby shower I was given 4 tubes of diaper cream. Still haven’t gone through one whole tube. Or even half of one... he don’t really even get diaper rash, but still these things last forever.

[@taweeshu]

Hey Ash! I’m also here in Canada and seriously considering not getting a breast pump because of their price. Everyone I tell tries to convince me to buy one. I’m hoping to exclusively breast feed as well. How did you manage without a pump? How did you establish your milk supply soon after delivering? Would love a video on pump-less tips and tricks!

[@AshleyEmbers]

Hi! I actually had a pretty smooth journey through breastfeeding and didn’t need tips and tricks. I would suggest holding off buying a pump until you know what your situation will be! I’m exclusively breastfeeding and haven’t wanted to pump once!

[@joshuarivera6588]

Ubbi diaper pale though. It's so much better

[@ezedev]

Totally wished we got a free breast pump in Canada haha. I haven't seen any private insurance that offers it here.

[@austenmidland7034]

It's a toss up you know, free pump and $9k hospital bill, or $200 pump and almost none existent hospital bill😭 I envy countries that have universal coverage so you're not screwed if you can't afford private coverage

[@shaunagoralski2610]

I've seen sunlife offer pumps with a perscript! Most dr.s would easily give. But its not labeled breast pump

[@crystalg4943]

My insurance covered one but only under the health care spending account portion of my coverage.

[@cristinalainez]

Hi! I have always wondered why you didn't give cloth diapers a try. Any particular reason? Do you regret it?

[@AshleyEmbers]

My husband has a really problem with poop lol. Plus we rent and I didn’t feel comfortable putting poopy diapers in the washer.

[@bethcody8296]

I love your shirt.

[@AshleyEmbers]

Thank you! It’s linked in the video description!

[@Casey73955]

A year of maternity leave in Canada?! Time to move!!

[@AshleyEmbers]

😂

[@shanjidahali8758]

Did you get the ergobaby 360 or omni 360?

[@AshleyEmbers]

Omni 360!

[@shanjidahali8758]

@@AshleyEmbers thx!

[@Applee10101]

The bum cream spreader is amazing if you have long nails and a diaper cream from a tub. Besides that it’s useless

[@AshleyEmbers]

Oh good point!

[@cristinadelorenzo2401]

1 year maternity leave??!!!!! Let me take a plane tomorrow lol

[@JA-xv3qp]

I wonder how the narwhal works with dog and cat hair. It sounds exactly what I need.

[@AshleyEmbers]

I asked the company and they said it’s made for pet hair!

[@JA-xv3qp]

@@AshleyEmbers ooh thanks so much!! It’s very nice of you to do that! I think I might save up for it!

[@shammah4374]

When would you like having a second baby❤️

[@AshleyEmbers]

We’re not sure yet 😊

[@jordanwright2030]

Stay at home mom, got a free pump:)

[@Allysonwonderlandish]

😊

[@kendravoracek3636]

❤❤

[@lucyp3010]

I could never get the Haaka to work for me. 😫

[@AshleyEmbers]

Oh no, that’s too bad!

[@rosemariedanilevitch3165]

I wish I had known not to get an electric breast pump before hand (my biggest regret for my pre-baby purchases)...I watched so many youtube videos and everyone always said you needed one so I thought it was a must have. But it is true like what Ashley said in the video...I am in Canada and have a long mat leave and I have been successful with breastfeeding so there hasn't really been a need/desire to want to pump. The Hakkaa is amazing if you want to just collect some milk to freeze. So I wish I had just waited until after the baby came and decided then if it was necessary. There are some insurance plans in Canada that cover a portion of the electric breast pump (mine covered $300) but I needed to get a "prescription" from my doctor to submit to insurance company with my claim.

[@ntmn8444]

It’s true, you don’t know what your situation will be, but it really depends. Here in the US, through the ACA women can get a free breast pump through their insurance, with the option to upgrade to a better one, if they do choose. Our maternity leave is not consistent. By law you can get 3 months, but some industries and companies do give more than that, up to 1 year. Most women usually stick to 6-12 weeks here, so it is a good idea to have that breast pump.