The Montessori baby registry: ages 0-6 months

For a lot of parents, the first child brings so much excitement and the urge to buy everything for their little bundle(s) of joy can be a fun experience. I knew going into it that I didn't need everything that I wanted for my son but it was an exciting part of pregnancy for me. Not to mention, I watched way too many Youtubers that told me how much I needed an item, when in fact I didn't.

But now in this economy!? More and more families are looking for ways to save. Between my pregnancy experience, Montessori education and DONA postpartum doula courses, I was able to come up with a list of items that I feel are the most important and helpful. I also added a list of extras that may or may not be needed, as well as a Montessori items list. You can go through the quick bullet points and/or more detailed explanations to some of the items. Please note that these are my opinions and everyone's experience varies.

Expand to view explanation of list items:

Nursing

• Nursing tank or shirt - Tanks, especially those with bra padding are great for easy access but also for those who feel less comfortable walking around in a bra when guest come over.

• Burp clothes - the larger burp cloths (like a small swaddle blanket) are great for better coverage.

• Breast pump - I am on the fence with this one. I was told by a lactation consult to massage the breast first and then hand pump if that doesn't work, as these mimic natural feeding the most. However, for a person going back to work or has an endless milk supply, I think the pumps can be useful.

• Soothing nipple pads - oils and creams normally do not help with chafing, drying or nipple pain in the long run. There are few creams that are safer but your milk is actually a natural aide. The silverette or gel pads can be the most helpful for healing and soothing.

Feeding

• Bottles - did you know that every brand's nipple flow is just made up? Most nipples don't actually mimic the breasts very well. The idea of the nipple is to mimic the flow and latch. The nipple should gradually slope and your baby should have a wide open mouth over it.

• Cup and utensils - by 5-6 months, children usually begin to eat solids. Introducing your child to holding a cup (with very little liquid) and utensils, helps them with movement and encourages independence.

Nursery

• Bassinet - babies generally do not need a crib to sleep and it can be expensive for many. Having a bedside bassinet or similar (such as a pack 'n play), is a more affordable option, especially since most babies are sleeping in the room with the parent(s). Bonus if your pack 'n play comes with a changing station and/or bassinet.

• Changing area - I left this very vague because you technically don't need a changing table. Babies can be changed on the floor, the couch, the bed and just about anywhere. I ended up getting rid of our changing table in our tiny nursery to create a changing station with a diaper organizer, diaper pail and one of those rubber-like changing pads for easy clean up.

• Floor shelves - shelves at the height of baby helps them to easily reach their toys and explore.

Diapering/Bath

• Bathtub - I recommend a very simple tub. The ones with crevices and holders tend to get dirty and are very difficult to clean.

Clothing

You might notice this category is very short. It's simply because these clothes aren't restrictive. To support movement, babies need to be able to feel their feet, knees and hands on floor.

I am sure there are many extras that people swear by and some that I forgot to mention.

Expand to view explanation of list items:

Feeding

Child size table and chairs with sides - to encourage and teach children to eat at a table and develop independence, it is suggested that the child sit in an actual sit at a table their size. If you are up to it, you can have dinner with them at the little table as well. Once your child is able to sit up, it's still important to give them a chair that supports them from the back and sides.

Helper tower/stand - this is actually more for a child who can stand on their own, but I added it anyways as they tend to be a bit expensive, especially for the safer options. So if you can get this thrifted or gifted then that would be amazing! The helper towers allow a child to stand at counter height safely so they can observe or help you in the kitchen. For smaller kids, I personally like ones that are a bit more narrow and have a safety bar. If you feel comfortable and your child can stand on your own, a chair can work just as well.

Nursery

Topponcino - this is my #1 recommended Montessori item. It's a soft, support pillow that helps you pass your baby to another person with ease, is great for those a bit more afraid to hold a baby and more! A great thing about this is that it can hold your scent so that if you need to pass the baby to another person, they can still feel comforted by the parent.

Floor bed - floor beds help with independence and the earlier you can start, the easier the transition. Because babies' movements are very slow over time, they can't really fall out of the bed. As they start to move more, they've already gotten use to their surroundings and explored the bed enough to know where it ends.

Floor mirror - these help babies observe and explore their own movements. As you lay them in front of the mirror, they even notice things going on in the background. That can keep their interest while they absorb their environment.

Montessori mobiles - there are different mobiles specific to Montessori and each month of the child's development as they grow. Having these mobiles are a great addition to the Montessori home.

Moving mat or rug - this can be placed in front of your mirror or in an area that allows your child to move around more, especially if you have hardwood flooring.

Moses basket - these are like a bassinet, mostly used for napping. The great thing about these is that you can remove the basket from the stand and put it anywhere. So if you want to take the basket outside you can! In Montessori, it is recommend to limit keeping your child in a stroller once you've reached your destination. Since strollers are typically designed to where they keep the child from viewing their surroundings, a carrier, picnic blanket or moses basket is a great alternative for sitting outside at a park or in your backyard.

Again, I may have missed some items. There are some that I intentionally left out because it's not Montessori aligned or my opinions on them varied If you'd like a list of items that I don't recommend or have reservations about, let me know!

Want to know which items I don't prefer to have?

• Yes
• No