What NOT to Add to Your Baby Registry (if You Want to Save Money and Space)

Many parents want to create an extensive baby registry with every possible item their child might need or want or ignore. I understand wanting to be prepared, but I'm of the opinion that less is more. I don't want to organize and store all that junk. Here's what the minimalist mama should leave off her registry.

Baby clothes: You'll get them even if you don't register for them. Maybe put a couple bamboo sleepers on your list, but don't fill it with impractical frilly or stiff outfits.

Baby shoes: Babies don't need shoes. They will kick them off. Even when they can walk, soft soles are best. And for little babies whose feetsies are cold, I loved these snap-on slippers. One pair lasted me through 3 kids.

Baby toys: You will get so many toys. They will magically appear at your house, I promise you. Babies can't even play with toys for months and months, and once they do, 1-3 toys will be plenty. I do like having this silicone teething paci clip. That has satisfied all my kids until they were like 9 months old. Just that one thing. Even without the paci!

Stuffed animals: They are not recommended for safe sleep, and again, they will appear in your house, no matter what you do. Maybe buy one special "stuffy" for once your child is old enough to have them in bed, but leave them off your registry.

Baby bath tub: We use the Puj in the bathroom sink to stabilize our infants during bath time, but then we just transition to the kitchen sink and then to the full tub. Save your money and save the space.

Fancy floor mats: Use a blanket.

Wipe warmer: I will never understand these. Warm, wet environments breed mold. Also, your baby is just fine with the wipes the way they are, and if the chilly cloth really bothers you, warm it in your hand first.

Butt cream spatula: Use your fingers. Wipe it off on the clean diaper or the wipe. Then wash your hands, which you should be doing anyway haha.

Baby bath towels: They do the same thing as adult bath towels.

Changing table: We used our changing table for storage but not for diaper changes. We just use a diaper caddy and some washable pads that we can carry around the house.

Diaper pail: Okay, if you are constantly changing your baby in their bedroom or if you don't have easy access to your garage or an outdoor trash can of some kind, a dedicated diaper pail may be for you. If you need it, I recommend this one because you'll save money by not having to buy branded bags. Regular kitchen trash bags work. BUT, for us, we mostly change our kids in the main living space, and we throw away all diapers in our garage trash can. It's the best way to save space and money and keep the nasty smells out of the house.

Plastic-y travel changing pads: I used these with my first baby to change diapers in public restrooms, but I got grossed out every time I put the dirty pad back in my diaper bag. I switched to these washable pads that I could toss in my wet bag after using in a public restroom and then wash at home. For road trips, I bought disposable puppy pee pads so I could just toss them after each use.

Glass bottles: I love the concept of glass bottles to help cut down on plastic usage, especially plastic that gets heated by warmed milk. However, I witnessed one of these shatter in my cousin's hand as she untwisted the lid. She sliced her hand and her baby's finger, and she had taken very good care of the bottles and wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. I know this is probably a rare occurrence, but this is an area to stay safe. Stick with BPA-free plastic bottles or look into the Pura stainless steel bottles.

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