The Best Baby Gear for Minimalist Parents

Voted as one of the best strollers by Babylisters, the Vista V3 is a minimalist’s stroller dream come true. This bundle includes a breathable bassinet that doubles as an overnight sleep space for the first few months and a reversible toddler seat that lasts well into the preschool years. (If you don’t need the bassinet, you can purchase the stroller on its own.) As your family grows, you can add on the RumbleSeat (coming Dec 2024), allowing another child to sit in the stroller, and the PiggyBack Ride Along Board, allowing an older toddler to stand while you push. Other features to love include a telescoping handlebar, a full recline seat with an integrated mesh back and a magnetic harness system, a huge storage basket and incredible suspension and maneuverability for easy pushing on all types of ground.

This compact fanny pack-style diaper bag may not look like it’ll hold everything you need for an outing with your baby, and that’s the point. This faux leather belt bag is just big enough to fit all of the essentials like diapers, wipes and an extra outfit, but it’s petite enough to carry crossbody or around your waist. There’s even a waterproof pocket and a removable changing pad included. When my daughter was younger, I leaned more on my standard backpack diaper bag, but now that she’s out of bottles and doesn’t need a bunch of stuff every time we leave the house, my Kibou is my go-to. And since it doesn’t even look like a diaper bag, I can carry it with both of our things and leave my purse at home.

Wipeable changing pads are some of our favorite minimalist must-haves of all time. This soft, portable changing pad works as-is; no additional covers, sheets or pads are needed. When the inevitable leak or blowout happens, simply wipe the pad clean and that’s it. The non-skid base makes it ideal for turning any flat, stable surface into a changing station. I have my Skip Hop changing pad on top of a dresser in my daughter’s room (swapping baby furniture for regular furniture is another minimalist hack) and I can attest that, after my fair share of cleanups, it really is super easy to wipe clean.

According to over 50 percent of Babylist users, the Hatch Rest Sound Machine is a favorite in their homes. The Hatch grows with your little one from the newborn days through toddlerhood and takes the place of four separate products—a night light, a sound machine, a time-to-rise clock and an audio monitor. We love all of the custom settings you can create and that you can control everything remotely right from your phone. There’s even an eight-hour battery backup in case the power goes out and access to custom content like bedtime stories, playlists, guided rest exercises and more with a Hatch Sleep Membership.

Minimalist capsule wardrobes aren’t just for grownups. This exclusive Goumi x Babylist collab includes all the mix-and-match essentials you need for your baby’s closet, all made from a soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton. The set includes a footie, a knotted gown and hat, a short-sleeved bodysuit, mitts and booties, two bandana bibs, a burp cloth and a muslin swaddle.

Car seat minimalism at its best, this all-in-one seat will last you for a decade of your child’s life. The 4Ever works just as well for a four-pound newborn as it does for a 120-pound bigger kid—and for every stage in between. It easily transitions from a rear- to a forward-facing seat and can be installed using LATCH or via your car’s seat belt.

If you’re hoping to keep things as minimal as possible with feeding, look for bottles with fewer parts to clean. These innovative bottles feature silicone pouches that collapse as your little one drinks. That not only equals less stuff to wash but also means your baby is taking in less air to reduce colic and fussiness.

Designed by the beloved brand Stokke (the makers of the Tripp Trapp), this one chair transforms into three different configurations: an infant seat, a high chair and an adult chair that holds up to 330 pounds. The Scandinavian look is cool and minimalist, and the ergonomic style offers safe and stable support for your little one at the table. It’s also really easy to clean, something we appreciate about any high chair.

This baby bathtub from Lalo stands out for its gorgeous, modern style—but there’s a lot more going on that makes it a minimalist dream. The tub is multi-stage and multifunctional, with an infant insert that pops out after the early months are over to turn the tub into a toddler basin as your little one grows. Once your baby is ready for the big tub, you can use the basin as a sensory bin or a spot to store toys.

A baby carrier is a great stroller alternative and a lightweight, portable option to use to take your baby wherever they need to go without weighing yourself down with a ton of stuff. The Omni Dream is the only one you’ll need from birth (no infant insert needed) until your little one hits 45 pounds. Over 22 percent of Babylisters voted it as their favorite carrier because of its super soft, comfortable fabric and ergonomic design. The removable pouch is just right for stashing keys, your phone and a credit card.

Skip the piles of mismatched plates and bowls and get everything you need for your little foodie all in one place in this set. This beautifully modern silicone set is designed to support early feeding and includes a suction bowl with lid, a bib, two infant spoons, a straw cup and a divided suction plate.

This one wearable blanket takes the place of a separate swaddle and sleep sack, all while also helping regulate your baby’s temperature to keep them snoozing comfortably. You can use it three ways: arms in, hands-to-face or arms out, so you won’t have to replace it once your baby begins to show signs of rolling over. The material absorbs, stores and releases heat to keep your little one at just the right temp. Keep in mind: the material is stretchy, so this swaddle runs a bit larger than other Halo styles. Size down if your baby is in between sizes.

If you prefer neutral colors that naturally gel with the look of your home, then Toddlekind’s mat will make your minimalist heart sing. The sophisticated patterns and beautiful color palette make this playmat look more like a stylish rug than a soft spot for your baby or toddler to hang out. The one-piece design means you won’t have to deal with connecting (and disconnecting) foam tiles, and the wipe-clean, non-toxic material will look like new with a quick wipe of soap and water.

Half the battle when you’re striving for a more minimalist lifestyle is finding a good storage solution to keep the stuff you do have tidy and organized. These sturdy baskets are roomy enough to hold everything from blankets to toys. They’re perfect for a nursery, playroom or anywhere you need to tame the mess.

Most play gyms aren’t designed to last past the first few months of your baby’s life, but this one from Lovevery is different. It’s designed for a full year of play, with developmental activities that grow right along with your baby as they learn. There are five developmental zones, interchangeable flashcard sets, detachable hanging toys and lots more to grab your baby’s attention in every stage of their development. And the whole thing turns into a play tent just right for curious toddlers.

A bassinet is a safe, snug sleep option for your baby’s first few months, but it takes up a lot of space and has a pretty limited lifespan. The Air Bedside Bassinet combines the best of both worlds: a bassinet + a full-size crib (the conversion kit is sold separately). The bedside sleeper option allows you to keep your baby close without sharing the same bed. Then, when you’re ready for a larger sleep option, use the cot conversion kit to transform it into a crib you’ll be able to use until your little one is about two years old. One thing to note: you’ll also have to purchase a crib mattress separately.

Minimalist in all the best ways, this bouncer seat is an all-time Babylist parent favorite and a registry must-add thanks to both its design and its function. The chic bouncer is designed to create an ergonomic nest for infants and babies, molding to their frame and properly distributing their weight for ultra-comfy lounging. It folds flat for easy storage and transport and comes in a rainbow of gorgeous hues. It even transforms into a toddler chair once the baby days are over.

A good swaddle blanket is a minimalist parent’s dream come true. Swaddles make great blankets, of course, but also work as clean changing or play spots, nursing covers, stroller or car seat covers and so much more. Aden + Anais classic muslin swaddles are some of the best thanks to their soft, light material and XL size.

Another great multipurpose product for minimalist-loving parents, a wet-dry bag is something that should be in every parent’s diaper bag or backpack. It’s perfect for storing anything damp that you don’t want to mash up with everything in your diaper bag. From dirty diapers and soiled clothes to messy bibs and pacifiers that have fallen in the middle of the parking lot—these bags can handle any mess.

There’s no shortage of tools and gadgets for taking care of your baby, but most of them don’t deliver as promised. We prefer to focus on the few that really get the job done—and this collection from FridaBaby includes the best of the best. From the parent favorite Nose Frida for sucking boogies to the Snipper Clipper that helps you safely cut your baby’s nails without fear and more, this collection solves for the most common problems for newborns and parents.

Traditional library cart meets contemporary cool in this acrylic bookcase and cart combo from Babyletto. We love it for its looks, of course, but also for its versatility. It’s perfect for storing toys, books, art supplies or anything else you want to keep organized. And it’s all on wheels so you can easily roll it wherever you need to go.