This Minimalist Baby Registry Sample Will Keep Your Space Clutter-Free
The perfect baby registry products for parents who want to keep it simple and save space.
By Latifah Miles | Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
If you live in a small home, filling up your existing space with an overload of baby gear and toys can feel daunting. And even if you have extra space, you still might want to keep your baby gear to a minimum, instead focusing on what you need and what will last through the years, or you might want to keep your baby budget tight to save money on baby gear.
These registry ideas are just right for minimalist parents-to-be who value quality and simplicity over quantity. All of these picks work in small spaces, are multi-functional or grow with baby so you’ll get the most use out of them for years to come (the Babylist registry checklist can also help you see what’s essential and what’s not).
We’ve included recommendations for everything from your nursery and clothing to feeding essentials and baby gear—all with minimalism in mind.
Nursery + Decor
If your nursery doesn’t fit a full-size crib or you plan on room-sharing with your baby, the Origami Mini Crib from Babyletto is great for small spaces but also folds for easy storage. You’ll need mini crib-specific sheets; regular ones will be too big and once your baby sizes out of this space, you’ll need to purchase a toddler bed. If you like the mini crib look but would prefer to purchase a crib just once, we like babyletto’s Gelato Mini Crib since it converts all the way to a twin bed.
Just like the full-size version, Newton’s mini crib mattress has a Wovenaire core that is made of mostly air (90 percent to be exact) and 10 percent food-grade polymer—all of which means your baby can breathe right through the mattress. The exterior linings of the mattress can be removed and tossed in the wash, which will come in handy sooner than we’d like to admit.
This soft, stretchy and oversized swaddle has so many uses beyond just turning your new arrival into a baby burrito. Use it for swaddling, of course, but also as a makeshift playmat, a traditional blanket, a nursing cover, place to change diapers (with so many uses, keeping it in the laundry rotation is a must!) and so much more.
Skip the folding, wrapping and tucking required for traditional swaddle blankets and grab this one-zip instant swaddle. I cycled through five different swaddle brands for my daughter, who loved sleeping with her hands up by her head. This one from Love to Dream allowed her to keep her hands near her face while restricting her startle reflex. And if your baby happens to love this one as much as mine did, Love to Dream also makes a transitional swaddle with detachable wings that lets your baby sleep with their arms out (perfect for when they’ve grown out of their Moro reflex).
This wipeable changing pad can easily be placed on any dresser, eliminating the need for extra, baby-specific furniture. And when your baby is officially potty trained, you can retire the changing pad (or sell it!). Plus it doesn’t require cloth covers and can simply be wiped clean.
Rocking your baby is a soothing practice for the both of you but you don’t need a giant nursery glider to get the job done. This innovative gadget converts almost any chair into a rocking chair. Place it against any sturdy vertical surface, lean your back against it and—ta-da!—you have the perfect place to comfort your baby.
This hamper hangs snugly behind your door to stash away the pile of baby clothes and it even has a backside zipper to make it easy to drop clothes in the washer.
Even for minimalists who don’t have a ton of baby stuff laying around, nursery storage is essential to keeping your baby’s space clutter-free. These cotton baskets are practical, playful and even machine washable.
Skip the traditional baby monitor and opt for this security camera you can use long-term instead. You’ll get a crystal clear view of your baby, constant live streaming, night vision, motion and sound alerts and more, all for a great price.
A minimalist’s dream, the Rest+ is more than a colorful lamp. This genius multi-tasker is a night light, sound machine, time-to-rise clock and even an audio monitor that allows you to listen in and speak to your baby. It will snag a spot in your nursery from day one and still be useful through toddlerhood and the big kid years.
On the Go + Gear
Collecting a bunch of different baby carriers sounds like a minimalist’s nightmare. The Complete All Seasons carrier by llillebaby can take the place of six carriers without taking up the space. It can be used from birth without an infant insert, offers six different carrying positions and you can use it up to 45 pounds, so it’ll last you well into the toddler years.
Unlike travel systems, the Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller is a single-piece infant car seat and stroller and a perfect example of minimalist baby gear. When you’re ready to take baby for a ride, just fold up the wheels and pop them into the car. And when you get to your destination, your wheels pop back out, transforming the car seat back into a stroller.
If you’d prefer a dedicated stroller that can handle everything from daily strolls to family vacations, the Babyzen YOYO3 6+ Stroller is it. It has a one-handed fold and can stand up on its own. And when it comes to travel, the YOYO3 folds down small enough to be considered a carry-on for most flights ( check with your airline beforehand). You can also purchase a travel bag separately or just use the strap to carry it on your shoulder.
This all-in-one seat works from four to 120 pounds, making it the only car seat you’ll ever need. And it rotates, so getting your baby in and out of the car is a lot easier. I have this seat for my daughter and the turning feature is a game changer when it comes to putting my baby in the seat or taking her out.
During the first year, grabbing a handful of Cheerios and a few diapers and wipes on your way out the door isn’t really feasible since babies love to have blowouts and need toys to stay entertained and a host of other gadgets. But if you don’t want to add another bag to your collection, you can transform any bag or tote into a diaper bag with this convenient insert that keeps your baby’s essentials organized inside the bag of your choice.
Throw this changing station into your bag and you’ll always be ready for diaper changes on the go. It’s compact but holds everything you need for a change and folds out into an extra-wide, cushioned changing pad.
This baby seat is an investment, but it grows with your baby from a swaying seat to a toddler seat and seamlessly blends into any modern, minimalist decor. Not to mention babies love the recline options and the gentle back-and-forth motion.
Feeding Essentials
The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is portable and easy to use—it attaches to the edge of the table to provide a safe seat for your baby, whether you’re at home or away. Plus, since it clips on to your table, it takes up virtually zero extra space.
If a full-size high chair is more your speed, this one does triple duty. The modern, minimalist design looks great in any home, and it converts to a booster seat and eventually a play chair when your little one is ready to sit at the table.
These innovative, easy-to-clean bottles have a simple design that still manages to minimize gas bubbles by collapsing as baby drinks to minimize air intake. Without extra straws, valves or vents to clean, washing bottles is far less of a chore.
Babies are messy and these basic burp clothes will be your go-to for quick clean-ups after mealtime and for burping. Even when your baby hits toddlerhood, you’ll still find yourself reaching for these burp cloths to wipe your kiddo’s hands, clean off toys and anything else you can think of.
This isn’t the most compact drying rack, but we promise it’s one of the most useful. It’s the best for keeping bottles (and all of their tiny accessories), pump parts, pacifiers and more organized in a fun, modern way.
Diapering
A diaper bundle subscription ensures you’ll get just what you need so you can stay organized and won’t have to worry about storing tons of extra diapers. We love Hello Bello for their affordability, fun patterns and of course for keeping baby clean and dry.
If you’re up for minimizing your use of disposable wipes, give these reusable cloth ones a go. They’re natural, soft and cost-effective and take up a whole lot less space.
This all-organic balm helps prevent and heal diaper rash, but that’s not all. It also doubles as a first aid salve for the whole family.
Health + Safety
Most baby bathtubs are oversized and hard to store away. The Stokke Flexi Bath collapses flat so you can put it away when it’s not in use. When you’re ready to bathe your baby, the tub pops open and locks in place. It comes with an infant insert and can be used with children up to 4 years old.
If you’re dedicated to being ultra-minimalist, then no, bath toys aren’t a must-have. But if you do want to add a few, this bundle is all you’ll need for years.
Developed with ER doctors, this kit will help you solve some of the most common baby ailments, from gas to fevers to cradle cap. And when the inevitable question of “should I call 911 or go to the emergency room” crosses your mind, there is included information on when to contact professionals, medicine dosing and infant CPR.
The Kinsa can be used orally, under the arm or rectally and links to your smartphone via Bluetooth to keep track of baby’s temperature and to give guidance on what to do next. You can use this thermometer for everyone in the family (including the adults) and track each person’s temperature on their separate profile.
Clothing + Accessories
Made of soft organic cotton and in mix-and-matchable colors and prints, this starter set is just right for building your little one’s first wardrobe.
Keeping track of a hoard of teeny tiny socks is the opposite of minimalism. Skip the socks and baby shoes and go right to these super soft booties. They’ll keep your baby’s feet warm and they won’t fall off—we promise.
These adjustable top knot hats can fit your baby’s head as a newborn (just move the knot down) as well as your older baby’s head (just move the knot up), so you don’t have to have a stack of baby hats on hand. This one will do all of the work.
Play
Minimal in all the best ways, this wooden play gym is the perfect play spot for curious babies. It comes with four hanging, beaded toys for your baby to look at and try to grab. It’s also foldable so it’s easy to store away if you live in a small space.
An overflow of baby toys can be overstimulating for both you and baby. Manage the mess and get exactly what you need, when you need it with this toy subscription service that sends Montessori-inspired toys right to your door that are just right for your baby’s developmental level.
Swap your loud, primary-colored foam playmat for this aesthetically pleasing one from House of Noa. They’re beautiful and look just like a rug and seamlessly blend into neutral, minimalist decor.
Minimalist toys should be able to grow with your baby as they get older so you don’t have to continue to purchase new things for them to play with. This 3-stage activity center by Skip Hop checks that box. From 4 months old to toddlerhood, the activity center transforms from a sit-in toy to a table for standing babies to cruise around. And when your toddler is ready, you can purchase a set of chairs separately, remove the toys and it becomes a place for your baby to sit, learn and play. I have this for my 10-month-old and it’s the most useful toy that we own.
Latifah Miles
Senior Commerce Editor
Latifah Miles is the Senior Commerce Editor at Babylist.