It was only after discovering Montessori and RIE a couple of months after having a baby that I realized how much time and money I could have saved if I had adopted the Montessori mindset before setting up my baby registry. Luckily, you can benefit from my hindsight.
It’s easy to cull those long lists of things you’ve been told are essential when you learn why certain items are not only unnecessary but counterproductive and possibly damaging to your child’s development. Allow me to share with you how you can simplify your life by tweaking your mindset and adopting a Montessori approach.
The Essential Montessori Newborn Registry
What makes a baby registry Montessori? The Montessori philosophy can easily be summed up as respect for the child. This starts at birth. Your baby is a whole person fully willing and able to understand and interact with you. You are working on bonding and building a mutually respectful relationship from day one.
This should always be at the forefront of your mind when selecting items to either purchase or list on your registry. I have created The Essential Montessori Newborn Registry
(a google sheet you can download) which sums up all my must-haves in a practical list that you can tick off as you go.
Before you start, go create a Baby Registry
on Amazon so you can save any of the links I provide in this post. It will make your life so much easier even if you don’t plan on buying anything from Amazon. It’s such a helpful tool to keep track of product suggestions and you can easily share your list with family and friends.
All your baby needs is the following:
- A place to sleep
- Warmth (clothing & blankets)
- To be fed
- To be clean and dry
- A place to relax/play
- A safe way to travel
- A loving and respectful parent/caregiver
When I look back on my expectations versus my experience I can’t help but laugh at how my priorities have changed. The things I thought were important while planning for my baby just ended up not featuring once my baby was born. I spent so much time researching gadgets that I never used, buying cute outfits that were never worn, and worrying about having the best developmental toys.
This is where adopting a Montessori mindset will help you be even more minimalistic in your approach to making decisions by helping you focus on what is of real importance and leaving out all the nonsense.
This post contains affiliate links where I will earn a commission on any purchases you make – at no extra cost to you.
#1 A safe place to sleep
The essentials:
- A mind shift around sleep
- The NurtureOne Nesting Cushion & Wedge Pillow
- Pack & Play
- Sleepsack (wearable blanket)
A Mind shift
The first important thing I had to understand about sleep was that I wasn’t responsible nor am I able to make my baby fall asleep. Every baby has to learn to do this on their own and in their way. Your only responsibility is to create an environment that is conducive for sleep to happen.
I would also strongly suggest not rocking, bouncing, and shushing your baby to sleep either. It is a counterproductive and tiring act that becomes impossible to continue once your baby becomes older (and heavier). Babies don’t need this but they can quickly become accustomed to it which will create the need in the future.
The second important ‘aha’ moment was that I don’t have to ‘fix’ my baby and try to get him not to cry. I have to listen and respond to his needs but the goal is not always to make them stop crying.
Sometimes a baby will cry even when all their needs are met. Allow them to express their feelings and don’t distract them by bouncing them or feeding them or whatever you think will make them stop. This realization was life-changing for me.
You should comfort your baby by holding them and softly singing or speaking to them. Your smell, touch, and the sound of your voice and heartbeat are all the comfort they require.
The NurtureOne Nesting Cushion
Your baby will sleep most of the day in the first couple of months so you want to make sure that they have a comfortable and safe place to do this. Because they sleep so sporadically (They sleep for short bursts and not yet at regular intervals) it helps to have a versatile bed set-up that can move around the house with you during the day as well as a safe place to sleep at night.
Even though the traditional Montessori approach is to have a floor bed in the nursery, most new and nursing mothers will only start using a floor bed when their babies are a little older. This means you will still need something for your baby to sleep in during those first few weeks.
I knew that I wanted to have my baby very close during the first couple of months and felt that the best option would be to bed share or have a cot next to my bed. I also didn’t have enough space next to my bed for a bassinet.
I didn’t want my baby to sleep directly in the bed. I wanted some sort of delineation between our bed and his bed. I specifically looked at the traditional Montessori Topponcino and the Snuggle Me Organic. The problem I had with these items was that they could only be used for a very short amount of time. The Topponcino was only for the first few weeks and the Snuggle Me Organic was too pricey (Shipping and import costs to South Africa are costly).
I found the answer to all my prayers in the NurtureOne Nesting Cushion. It did everything the Topponcino does and more.
I used the NurtureOne Nesting Cushion #3 with a wedge pillow from the time my son was born until he was about 6 months old. It is my number one essential and most recommended item. You can read my full review of the cushion on my Best Montessori Baby Essentials page.
Visit Nurture One America to learn more about this amazing cushion and all the benefits and safety tests. If you have any questions you can send an email to info@nurtureoneamerica.com.
My baby slept on his cushion in our bed at night and during the day I could put the cushion inside the stroller or his pack-and-play for naps and even used it on the couch. It is the most versatile piece of baby equipment in the world. I was even able to move him without disturbing him by just picking up the entire pillow.
Pack & Play
I would encourage everyone to get a pack-and-play instead of a traditional wood or steel cot. You still need a mattress but there is no need for bumpers and extra cushioning. It also folds away to store when you no longer need it.
There are so many reasons I chose to use a pack & play:
- I think they are safer because there are no bars or anything hard that they can bump into.
- You can also move them around quite easily as well as pack them up and take them on holiday or store them away once you no longer need them.
- You don’t need the fanciest model and honestly the simpler the better.
- Most of them also have a handy nappy-changing bassinet attachment that is very helpful at the very beginning and means you don’t need a changing table.
- They grow with your child and can easily accommodate them until 2-3 or whenever you are ready to move to a floor bed.
Sleepsack
This is an item I wish I owned from day one. I only bought a sleep sack when my baby was over 6 months old and had outgrown his swaddle (which I now also regret using and won’t use in the future). Knowing that he was warm and comfortable gave me so much peace of mind. He would stay covered the whole night while still being able to move his arms and legs and rollover.
#2 Warmth
The essentials:
- A comfortable capsule wardrobe
- A couple of muslin cloths
- A thicker/heavier cotton quilt or a wool blanket
Baby clothing is the downfall of many people. It’s fun to shop for, it’s cute, and it’s exciting to look for when you’ve just discovered the sex of your baby. I know – I’ve been there. It might seem like an innocent pastime but you can quickly fall into the deep end.
- First, you need to know that your baby will grow incredibly fast and most of these items will only get worn a couple of times. Especially if you have too many items.
- You will end up with a lot of impractical items because people love to buy you cute things so don’t add to the pile.
- Keep in mind that you will not feel inclined to play dress-up once you have a newborn. This is one of those areas where you realize your priorities have changed. Now you just want your baby to be comfortable so they can sleep and you can brush your teeth.
When it comes to baby clothes and blankets there are criteria to help you decide quickly when something is unnecessary or inappropriate.
- It has to be comfortable to sleep in and not restrict your baby’s movement in any way.
- Elasticated waists are uncomfortable for newborns who are suffering from cramps due to an immature digestive system.
- It has to be easy to put on (you don’t want to pull things over their heads) and to take off (newborns need to be changed in the middle of the night after feedings). Button or zip-up openings are best.
- A baby’s skin absorbs harmful chemicals easily from textiles. Best to stick to plain 100% Cotton or bamboo with minimal prints and designs to keep the dyes to a minimum.
- The fabric should allow your baby to successfully regulate their body temperature to avoid overheating (natural fibers are best).
The items listed on The Essential Montessori Newborn Registry should be all you need in the first couple of weeks/months. Use your judgment with regard to the weather/season but keep in mind that you don’t need a snowsuit or a raincoat for a newborn baby. If there is a blizzard or a rainstorm, you are probably going to stay indoors. These are things you only realize after having a baby.
The same criteria for clothing apply to blankets. If you buy the right blankets you won’t need a hundred. Also, keep in mind that you have to keep the room that your baby sleeps in at a decent temperature so chances are you won’t need multiple blankets to keep them warm.
Muslin blankets
You will need some lightweight muslin blankets and warmer cotton/wool blankets – once again – use your judgment with regard to your climate and season.
Muslin blankets are a must-have. They are incredibly versatile and you will use them throughout the year. My baby still sleeps with his muslin blanket – he likes to suck on them when he gets tired and wants to fall asleep…yummy.
- They are breathable which makes them safe to use in the bed or as a cover.
- They are perfect for keeping the sun out of the stroller/car seat.
- they are lightweight so you can throw them in the nappy bag and use them as a burp cloth or wipe up spills.
- They also make excellent nursing covers. I used to throw the blanket over my head – ghost style – and feed my baby. It gave us enough privacy but we could still see each other and breathe.
Cotton and Wool Blankets
Look for something that has a bit more weight to it. These are nice to take outside since they don’t blow away in the wind. This is the perfect item to request from a granny or aunt who loves to crochet or does a bit of quilting. My aunt gifted me with the most beautiful white crocheted wool blanket and it was all I needed.
#3 To be fed
The essentials for breastfeeding:
- The right mindset and attitude
- A lactation consultant to show you how to breastfeed on day 1
- A simple nursing pillow
- Comfortable nursing bras and clothing that allow for easy access
It is important to realize that children should be in charge of when and how much they eat from the very beginning. This is crucial for them to develop a healthy relationship with food and to be able to recognize when they are hungry and when they are full.
Feeding, sleeping, and going to the bathroom are things that should be in the child’s control. The parent should never enforce anything in these areas but simply be the facilitator.
You can start this healthy attitude by breastfeeding your baby on demand. They know when they are hungry and when they are full and you can trust that they will let you know assuming that your baby is healthy in all departments.
The skill of breastfeeding does not come built-in with the equipment. You will need a professional to show you how to do it. This is crucial. If my amazing midwife didn’t take my nipple and squeezed the colostrum out to entice my newborn – I don’t know that I would have been successful at breastfeeding. She then made sure that I was holding and inserting my nipple correctly into my baby’s mouth to get the correct latch. Your baby also has to learn. It’s a process.
A nursing pillow is not essential but could be helpful in the first few weeks while your baby is very small and you are still working on the perfect latch. A simple wrap-around (C-shaped) pillow should suffice. Alternatively, you could also nurse your baby while in the NurtureOne Nesting Cushion.
You can still feed on demand even if you bottle-feed your baby. It is much harder but you can still show your child the respect they deserve by not forcing them to drink when they are telling you that they have had enough.
The essentials for eating:
- High chair
- Weaning table and chair
- Sleeved bibs
- Glass crockery, drinking cups, and metal cutlery
When your baby gets older and can sit up unassisted you can start introducing solid foods. Baby-led weaning is the easiest and most natural way to introduce first foods. It fosters independence and gives your child a sense of autonomy.
Baby-led weaning means giving your child appropriate foods in their natural state so they can enjoy the foods’ natural textures and get used to different (isolated) tastes. No need to spoon-feed mush into your baby’s mouth. You could start with a piece of soft banana or avocado cut into a long shape that’s easy for them to hold while eating.
Remember that all food before the age of one is just for fun. If your baby is exclusively breastfed he or she will get all the nutrients they need and will not need to eat solids to satisfy his/her hunger. They can be free to just experiment with food.
You can use a high chair before your baby is mobile as well as after becoming mobile to eat with the rest of the family at the table.
I recommend using a chair that ticks the following boxes:
- It transitions with your child
- It is pleasant to look at
- It doesn’t take up too much floor space
- Must be easy to clean
- Must be easy to move around
When your baby does become mobile (crawling or walking) it is worthwhile to introduce a weaning table and chair. This is simply a little chair that is low enough for a baby to get in and out of. The table needs to be lower than usual as well to accommodate the chair.
If you don’t want to spend too much on weaning set at first, you could start by using a ‘breakfast in bed tray’. This is low enough for your baby to sit without a chair.
Provide your child with regular (smaller) cutlery and dishes. You don’t need sippy cups, plastic plates, or cups. You don’t have to buy anything special either. It can be small ramekins or dessert bowls and side plates.
#4 To be clean and dry
The essentials:
- Cloth nappies
- Cloth wipes
- Foldable bath
- Washcloth/glove
- Towel
- Grooming kit
- Nose aspirator
- Soap-free cleanser
- *All-purpose balm or coconut oil
- Changing pad/mattress with a waterproof cover
Diapering
I would suggest using cloth diapers. Perhaps not right at the beginning (I used disposables for the first two months and I still use disposables at night) but plan on using them once you feel ready to start incorporating them into your daily routine. There are so many great options out there today that you will be able to find something that suits your lifestyle and your pocket.
There are a couple of key benefits to using cloth diapers:
- Saves you a tremendous amount of money in the long run. Especially when you consider that you can use them for more than one child.
- They are better for the environment – and your conscience.
- They are healthier for your baby’s skin – no harmful chemicals
- They help with later toilet learning because they provide natural feedback.
- Learn more about Elimination communication and toilet learning on Andrea Olsen’s website www.godiaperfree.com
Bathing
Bathing a newborn baby is quite scary for all the obvious reasons but there are a couple of things that can make this slightly less nerve-wracking.
First, you need to know that it is not advisable to bathe your newborn every night. You should refrain from bathing them at all in the first week or so to keep the protective substance on their skin intact. After this, you can gently clean them with a soft washcloth and some warm water.
A baby’s skin is extremely sensitive and using products that contain soap and fragrance is not recommended. Most baby products are full of fragrance, soap (SLS), and mineral oil. All of these ingredients can harm the skin’s natural barrier which leads to drying and flaking. Your baby does not need to be constantly moisturized and they don’t need to smell like Johnson’s & Johnson’s. They naturally smell wonderful!
All you need is something to bathe them in (I like the Stokke foldable bath) and a soft microfiber glove (this helps when you are using the other hand to hold your baby’s head). After a couple of weeks, you can use a mild soap-free liquid cleanser. If you want to give them a massage afterward you can use pure organic virgin cold-pressed coconut oil.
*My Essential All-Purpose Balm
This is all I used on myself while pregnant (and I have no stretch marks) as well as afterward on myself and my baby. I even used it on my nipples when they were a bit sensitive at the beginning of breastfeeding. I also put some on a small patch of eczema that my baby had on his thigh and it disappeared.
- Shea Butter
- Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
- Lavender Essential oil
You can make up your combination and even use olive oil instead of coconut if you wish. Just melt it all together in a glass bowl in the microwave and add the essential oils once the mixture has cooled.
#5 Travelling
This is an area that will be extremely dependent on your lifestyle. Where you live, where you work, what type of transportation you use etc. I am just giving you the best advice based on my personal experience. Hopefully, it helps you simplify your process of selection.
Travel Essentials
- A stroller that can lie flat and accommodate up to 25kg/55 pounds (I used one similiar to the Britax All Terrain)
- NurtureOne Nesting Cushion to use inside the stroller for the first 4-5 months
- Group 0 – 3 Car Seat
Car seat
My advice in terms of selecting the best car seat:
- Get something that will last for as long as possible (from Group 0 to 3 or 4). Car seats take up a huge amount of space and you don’t want to have three of them lying around by the time your child is 3.
- Keep in mind that all car seats have passed the legal requirements so even if you buy a cheaper model it is just as safe as the more expensive seats.
- Stay away from leather or pleather. You might think that it will be easier to clean but they get so hot in the sun and when the pleather fabric wears out they look terrible.
Stroller
Look for a stroller that you can use from birth until toddlerhood. To do this you need to look for a stroller that can lie completely flat. This way you can use your NurtureOne pillow inside and won’t need to purchase an additional bassinet for your stroller.
Purchasing a separate bassinet attachment is a waste of money because you can only use it for the first 4 months. It serves no additional function since your baby can’t sleep in it for long periods (especially not at night). It’s also a cumbersome item to store away once you don’t need it anymore.
You also don’t need to buy a stroller with the baby carrier/car seat attachment. If you have the Group 0 – 3 car seat installed in your car you can simply place your baby flat on the pillow inside the stroller where they are much more comfortable and won’t develop positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome).
#6 A place to play
The Essentials
I can write for days about the importance of play and all its benefits but the two most important thoughts I want you to walk away with are these.
#1 Babies and children need to be in charge of their play. This includes choosing their play objects and how to interact with them. This also means that we as adults should not interfere with the process. This is called self-directed play and it is critically necessary for your child to develop concentration and independence.
#2 Play objects should be simple, quiet, and open-ended. Babies and young toddlers are hypersensitive to sensory input and can easily become overstimulated. Their ‘toys’ should not require any batteries and should allow the child to manipulate them as they see fit.
Take a look at these articles if you are interested in learning more about the importance of self-directed play.
The Power Of Play Therapy by Janet Lansbury
The Best Toys For Babies Don’t Do Anything by Magda Gerber
All a baby needs to play is a comfortable place to lie down flat on the floor so they can move their bodies. You can use a folded quilt or comforter or a blanket over a yoga mat. Place your mat next to a window or even outside. The Lovevery Play Gym includes a very special movement mat – just watch the video below!
I highly recommend their Play Gym. This is something I will invest in the second time around. It already includes the perfect movement mat (with additional sensory attachments), a three-legged gym (which is also perfect to use with the Montessori Mobiles), and visual & tactile mobiles.
If the Lovevery gym is not within your budget, keep in mind that your baby is new to this world so anything and everything is interesting to them. They do not require entertainment. Just sit close by and watch as they take in their surroundings.
Play objects for babies
Here are some great open-ended examples of ‘toys’ for babies
- Knitted/Fabric ball
- Cotton napkins
- Stacking cups
- Montessori Infant materials (rattles and teethers etc.)
- Textured and sensory balls
- Hardboard books (See my Best Montessori-Friendly Books page)
- Montessori Infant Mobiles (Munari, Gobbi, Octahedron, Dancers & grasping ring)
Montessori Mobiles and infant materials are not essential but they are a great place to start if you want to go down the Montessori road.
Look into great toy subscriptions by Lovevery and Montikids. Lovevery has incredible Play Kits that will take the thinking out of sourcing new play objects. They have Play kits for 0-12 months, 1, 2 & 3 years. This also makes for a fabulous gift.
#7 A loving and respectful parent/caregiver
I left the best and most important for last. You. If your baby has nothing else but a caring and confident parent they will thrive. You have to make sure that you are ready for this important role by preparing yourself mentally. Both for the birth and for parenting of your child.
If you are pregnant, please visit Birthsmarter.com. They have online classes for everything involving labor, caring for infants, breastfeeding, and even your relationship with your partner.
I didn’t want to read every book about birth and babies. The books I recommend below, are the only books you need to read. They will help you get into the right mindset and will serve you well on your new journey by imbuing you with the confidence you need to make the right decisions and handle every new challenge.
You might also be interested in reading How To Raise A Montessori Baby & How to Set Up A Montessori Nursery
10 Things You Don’t Need On Your Montessori Baby Registry
New parents are the targets of dubious marketing that prey on our feelings of uncertainty. This is a perfect recipe for panic buying. But it’s easier to avoid buying unnecessary things and not feel so overwhelmed when you have a clear game plan.
The following unnecessary items can be removed from your registry immediately. You will feel so much lighter afterward I promise.
#1 Pacifiers
When you stop for a second and give it some real thought you will realize just how strange the concept of a pacifier is. It is a piece of plastic that we (parents) decided they (babies) need and we shove it in their mouths whenever we decide they want it. Then after getting them hooked we try to get them to stop using it with much difficulty.
From the moment our babies are born we are trying to establish communication with them so we can bond and start building our relationship. This process is already challenging enough so why would we make it impossible by silencing our babies when they try to communicate with us? What message are they receiving from us when we shove a dummy in their mouth whenever they have something to say?
Babies cry for a multitude of reasons. Not just because they are hungry or tired or generally unhappy about something. They also cry to release stress or to get our attention. It is their only way to release pent-up energy since they can’t move enough yet to spend the energy.
Babies do have the instinct to suck but that doesn’t mean they need to. Most of the instinct is geared towards stimulating milk production and not sucking on a piece of plastic.
Dummies are especially detrimental if you want to be successful at breastfeeding and we are often advised to only introduce a dummy once the baby has learned how to latch properly. Then you are told to take the dummy away when their first teeth arrive. So what’s the point?
I also believe my baby’s lack of a dummy was the reason he learned how to self-soothe successfully and became a great sleeper.
#2 Bottles, sterilizers, and other bottle paraphernalia
I am always a bit perplexed when I hear of mothers who choose to bottle feed when they don’t have to. It must be because no one has explained to them how laborious it is to prepare and clean bottles and teets. When your baby is screaming in the middle of the night you have to still go to the kitchen (half asleep) and prepare the bottle…while the baby is waiting in agony. I’m not sure how this scenario plays out but it sounds like a bad idea to me.
There are just so many good reasons to choose the breastfeeding route
- It saves you time
- It saves you money
- It’s a million times healthier for you baby
- Breastmilk protects your baby by increasing their immunity
- It promotes bonding
- It’s incredibly convenient
- Breastfeeding helps your uterus to contract after giving birth
- Breastfeeding burns a lot of calories and helps you lose excess weight.
It’s not the easiest thing to do at first – It takes real practice at the beginning but once you get the hang of it – it simply is a win-win.
You won’t need all the accompanying bottle items if you decide to breastfeed your baby. You can have one or two bottles around in case of an emergency. I used the one that came with my manual breast pump.
·
#3 Walkers, bouncers, bumbo seats, rockers, and jumpers.
The Montessori philosophy during infancy is largely focused on unrestricted movement, ensuring the use of all their senses, and caring for your baby with respect.
You want to enable your baby to move all their limbs at all times. Movement is how we learn and you don’t want to inhibit their development in any way. You also don’t want to place your baby in any position that they can’t get into or out of by themselves. This includes sitting babies up who can’t yet sit or standing babies up who can’t yet stand. It also includes the dreaded tummy time.
Most devices that are marketed toward babies are breaking one or more of these rules. Any type of device that you are placing your baby in where they are restricted in any way is strongly discouraged. A baby who is awake is ready to engage with the world around them and the best place for them to do this is on a flat surface on their backs.
You can’t avoid a car seat but please don’t leave your baby in there once you are out of the car. Even if they are sleeping. This is not only dangerous but terrible for their physical development.
If you want to read more about the amazing benefits of allowing your child to physically develop at their own pace and without interference, you can read The Development Of Movement by Dr. Emmi Pikler of the Pikler triangle fame.
#4 Traditional Cribs
This is one of those strange items that we just accept as the standard as if it has been around since the conception of time but it is a novel product that does not serve us very well. The traditional wooden crib is essentially a beautiful baby jail. The bars are potentially very dangerous and they need to be padded to prevent head injuries but the padding poses a suffocation risk…aaargh! Babies who can crawl and want to start pulling themselves up against furniture will feel the need to try and escape and this is just not conducive to safety or raising an independent child.
- Cribs are expensive
- They take up a lot of space
- They are potentially dangerous if not properly safeguarded
- You will only use it for a short amount of time.
If you don’t feel comfortable with leaving the crib out completely you can still save yourself a ton of money and eventually space by just getting a camping cot/pack and play that you can fold up and pack away once your baby is ready for a Montessori floor bed.
#5 Swaddling suits
The act of swaddling is very restrictive and some babies don’t tolerate it at all. I used a swaddling suit a couple of times but I never felt comfortable with my decision. I stopped using it soon after reading Magda Gerber’s books and integrated her teachings into my life.
It became obvious to me that swaddling suits were not in line with the respectful treatment of a baby soon after reading Magda Gerber and Janet Lansbury’s books. Babies need access to their arms and hands for self-soothing. The act of swaddling does help with the feeling of containment and controlling the Moro reflex (startle reflex) but placing your baby on their side (which you can do with the NurtureOne Nesting Cushion) will more or less do the same job. Just one more thing you don’t need to get.
If I have another baby I might look into a weighted soothing blanket or the weighted sleeping sack instead. It could be an appropriate alternative to a swaddling blanket.
#6 Fashionable outfits
This is one of those areas where you notice how dramatically your priorities change once you have a baby. The pre-baby you think it’s important for your baby to have nice outfits. Post-baby you just want them to be warm and comfortable so they are content and will sleep soundly. The last thing on your mind is playing dress-up.
Most ‘cute’ items are not comfortable to sleep in. Especially items with the following:
- Hoodies
- Zips close to the face
- Ruffles
- Buttons or studs anywhere but especially on the back
- Jeans
- Dresses
- Shoes
- Shirts or tops that ride up at the back
- Any stiff or scratchy fabric like netting on tutus.
Your newborn baby will sleep most of the day and can only stay awake for an hour at most. During this hour (more like 45 min) you have to feed, change a nappy, and potentially a set of clothing and still give your baby some time to interact and ‘play’. You are not going to care what they are wearing and you shouldn’t either.
#7 Educational toys for babies
Toys do not make your baby smart and your baby does not need stimulation to develop optimally. Babies do not get bored either so they don’t need to be entertained and occupied every waking minute.
You want an active and engaged baby. Allow your baby to experience the world on their terms and trust that they can occupy their time with things that are interesting to them. Even if it is staring at their hands or a shadow on a wall. Being allowed to choose an activity and not being interrupted constantly is vital if you want your child to develop a concentration span.
Busy and bright toys that light up and make jarring sounds are unnatural, confusing, and overstimulating for most young children, especially babies.
Steer clear of the following items:
- Plastic toys. These will eventually seep into your house via well-meaning relatives and friends. It’s not the end of the world but asks people to buy you wooden toys or books to cut down on the eventual plastic influx.
- Battery-operated toys should be avoided like the plague. They are overwhelming and frightening to a baby.
- Anything with a screen should be avoided for at least the first two years of your child’s life. Please read my post Five (Scientific) Reasons To Raise A Screen-Free Montessori Toddler if you want to know why I advise cutting out the screens completely.
#8 Nursery furniture
You do not need to go out and buy furniture specifically made for a nursery. Especially not in a ‘Montessori’ nursery where everything should be designed for the child, not the adult. The two items I found especially unnecessary are the changing table and the nursing chair.
A changing table is expensive and takes up a lot of space. When your baby starts wiggling in the slightest, it becomes hazardous. I opted for a simple (inexpensive) changing mattress with raised sides and a waterproof cover. I continue to use this on the bed or the floor.
A nursing chair is such a nice idea and I thought it was so essential until I had the baby and realized that you nurse wherever and whenever and that was usually in the bed or on the couch. You might use one once your baby is a little older and has regular naps in their cot/bed in their nursery but it’s not something you need to spend a fortune on right from the beginning.
#9 Musical mobiles and other decorative items
Your baby’s sleep area should be a place for rest and should not be confused with a play area. The same goes for the nursery or any room your baby will sleep in. It should be kept as calm and minimal as possible with light and neutral colors.
#10 Disposable nappies, nappy bins, bum cream, and other toiletries
In short, if you decide to use cloth nappies, all of the above will become unnecessary.
I sincerely hope this article helps you to feel more relaxed and calm about becoming a mother. It is the most important and rewarding job in the world.
Congratulations and enjoy every moment!
XXX