Minimalist + Low-Toxic Baby Registry: What I’m Changing For Baby #2

Published on March 11, 2025 by Ashley Rothstein  our

 

Hey mama! I’m 29 weeks pregnant with my second babe, and a couple months ago I created my registry.

I have an existing blog post on what I included in my first registry – the products I actually used with my first daughter for the first three months and beyond.

If you haven’t checked that post out yet, I recommend you start there.

I will be using most of the same items, however when I went through what I have to prep for the new babe, I was shocked to discover that I had some blind spots during the first go around.

I must have been ignorant or just overlooked a few things because I used rayon bath towels and microfiber wash cloths (synthetic materials) for bath time, more plastic than I’d like (bath tub insert, cups, and a few other items), and polyester snuck it’s way in there for some clothing items.

It’s a challenge to be 100% perfect when it comes to natural materials in this modern world, but for this second babe, I’m trying my absolute best.

I don’t know if it’s pregnancy nesting or what, but I have become quite averse to plastic and synthetic materials.

I know I still have blind spots, but when it comes to bringing new things into our home (or when I come across existing synthetic material items in our home that can/need to be replaced), I rarely justify bringing in new items that are made of synthetic materials (unless we absolutely have to).

In this post, I’m going to include everything that was on my last registry/in the original blog post, plus the new items I will be purchasing in place of the old ones.

So…the list will be comprehensive, and I will note where I replaced something.

But it will not include as many explanations as the original blog post. If you’re looking for more information on my motherhood philosophy when it comes to how and why I purchase items, read the original blog post first.

Check out the pregnancy section on my website for more animal-based pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood resources.

Heart & Soil Films featured me and my first daughter in their mini-documentary, Nourished, which spotlights animal-based pregnancies. Click on the above image to watch it on YouTube.

Natural materials that I look for

I’m pretty simple when it comes to materials.

I always look for cotton (organic is preferred), and it’s not usually hard to find for common items like bath towels, wash cloths, clothing, diapers, burp cloths, etc.

Chemical-free (like flame retardant-free car seats and clothing) is preferred too.

When it comes to topical items like lotion, baby wash, or shampoo, as few ingredients as possible is what I go for. And of course, non-toxic.

No plastic wherever I can, and I always favor natural materials like wood or bamboo for toys and tools.

In regards to my mothering philosophy, as I mentioned above, you can find more about that in the original blog post.

But for some context, below is an Instagram post that I also shared in the original blog post.

It beautifully mirrors my philosophy on physiological mothering.

I share this to give context on why you may not see some popular items listed on my registry (pacifier, walker, stroller, crib, etc.).

I also included some items that we’ve used beyond babyhood. Mamas have differing opinions regarding including infant/toddler items on a baby registry, but I figured I’d drop everything that’s been useful to us here in one list so you can just take whatever resonates.

Okay, now onto the registry items…

Registry items

The post will be broken down into the following sections:

• Sleep
• Gear
• Diapering
• Feeding
• Bath time
• Potty training
• Memories
• Teething
• General
• Apparel
• For The Big Sis
• Postpartum recovery

It will include links to the items I either have on hand or have requested on my registry for this baby, as well as short explanations/clarifications.

If an item is in italics, it means I added it or swapped it in this go around. If not, it’s something I have on hand that I used with my first daughter.

Sleep

Note about sleep: I co-sleep with my first daughter and plan to do the same with the new babe.

• Snuggle Me lounger — 100% organic cotton. Great for the first few months until baby starts to roll.
• Moses basket — I’ve always been curious about a Moses basket. It’s basically a portable bassinet. For me, this is more of a nice-to-have item than a must-have, but I hear they’re great for when you’re out and about (or even around the house) and baby doesn’t mind being put down for a little bit. The Plum & Sparrow Moses baskets are hand-made in Ghana from elephant grass, chemical-free, and flame retardant-free. I also ordered the nest lounger to go with it.
• Sheepskin rug — This is another nice-to-have item, but so many mamas swear by these. They’re apparently super warm and cozy for baby, and some claim that as their kids grow up, they still want to sleep with their sheepskin rugs! This one is fair trade, naturally tanned, European-made, USA-owned, and non-toxic.
• AirDoctor — We didn’t have air filters in our home when my daughter was young, but we have one in our bedroom now. I’ve noticed a reduction in our allergies and sleep issues once introducing this air filter, so it’s now a must-have for me. I am considering getting one for our front room as well.
• Baby monitor — I was against a baby monitor for a long time, but once my daughter started napping on her own, it became necessary. I love this one because it feels very “old school.” No Wi-Fi and classic black and white camera that plugs into a wall with a handheld monitor that has a range.

Gear

• Wagon — We had a travel system for my daughter and almost never used it because I just wore her all the time. I sold the travel system when she was young and bought this wagon (and a convertible car seat) instead. She loved taking rides in it, and it just felt so much better than a stroller (more room, more freedom, less straps, and cooler to ride in). Plus – it has a newborn insert, so it’s transferable to babies and infants as they grow!
• Baby carrier — I absolutely loved this one last time and plan to use it again. I’ve never really been into wraps. I tried one last time and it didn’t feel right to me. I love how stable a structured carrier feels. Update: I had the desire to switch to a carrier that was made using 100% natural fibers once my daughter was born, so I got this linen one. I love it so far!
• Car seat — When I sold the travel system, I had to get a convertible car set. We got a Britax One4Life which we had no complaints about (the fabric we chose was also flame retardant-free). But you can’t fit three of them across in most vehicles. Because I’m so forward-thinking and we plan to have more children, we sold the Britax, got a Nuna Rava for my first daughter, and also requested another for the new babe. They’re cotton, flame retardant-free, and you can fit three across in most vehicles.
• Adventure backpack — Comfy for hikes or long walks.
• Pack-n-play — I rarely put my daughter in this, but it was great for a short blip when she was learning how to stand. I could put her in it while I needed to get something done (like the dishes) and didn’t have to worry about her getting hurt.
• Bouncer — 100% cotton. I used this so much for my first daughter. She loved it!
• High chair — High quality and wood. Convertible for multiple stages of life.
• Booster seat — We have one of these on a dining chair for my daughter. She started using it around 2.
• Kitchen helper — This was great when my daughter was just learning how to walk and wanted to help in the kitchen/see the counters. It’s more secure than a stool due to the walls.
• Stool — This one is great for her now (she is approaching 3 yo) as she can move about well and pick up this stool and bring it wherever she wants.

Diapering

• Portable changing pad — I used these chux pads when I changed my daughter’s diapers. I really liked their portability and ease of use, but they’re made of synthetic materials (I didn’t notice until recently). I found a cotton changing pad that I plan to use this time, and it will function in the same way as the chux (just made of better material).
• Changing pad covers — These cotton covers can be used alongside the cotton changing pad so the changing pad doesn’t need to be regularly washed.
• Diapers — We used Dyper diapers with my daughter and later switched to Joonya. We didn’t have a problem with Dyper, but I switched after I saw this post and looked into the companies a bit more. Joonya diapers are soft, absorbent, and we’ve had no complaints, so I will be using them for the new babe. The diapers are also super cute!
• Wipes — We used Water Wipes with my daughter, but I saw some things about how the way the fruit extract (one of the ingredients) is processed makes it toxic, so we switched to Joonya wipes. No complaints and will be using them again.
• Diaper caddy — My friend had this on her registry. I bought it for her and loved it so much that I bought one for myself. I will be using the caddy to organize diapering supplies, and hopefully it makes my life easier in immediate postpartum.

Feeding

• Burp cloths — I love these. Used them last time and no complaints. 100% cotton.
• Pump — I pumped just a couple times with my daughter to make breast milk popsicles. I had no complaints with this pump. If I pump again for breast milk popsicles, I’d probably use this handheld pump or a haakaa.
• For plate, utensil, cup, and bib recommendations, check out this post.
• Milk catcher – This is something I purchased after my daughter was born. When I nurse, the vacant boob leaks so much that it feels wasteful to not collect the milk somehow. I got this gentle milk catcher that a friend recommended (2.5 oz) to catch the excess. It works well! I usually give whatever I catch to my toddler daughter.

Bath time

• Body wash + shampoo — My favorite baby body wash and shampoo. Super simple and clean ingredients: purified water, organic potassium cocoate (saponified coconut oil), organic aloe vera, guar gum. This is the only wash I used on my daughter when she was young. I don’t think I started to use it until she was a least a few months old. Note: sold in a set alongside the lotion (cheaper).
• Lotion — My favorite baby lotion. Super simple and clean ingredients (and smells amazing too!): 100% grass fed tallow, organic virgin olive oil, organic essential oils of german chamomile and blue yarrow. I don’t think I started to use this lotion on my daughter until she was at least a few months old. Note: sold in a set alongside the lotion (cheaper).
• Bath filter (ASHLEYR for 5% off)— We didn’t have this when my daughter was young, but I wish we did. Now we don’t take a bath without it. For more information on the filter, check out the “bath water” section of this post. It removes chlorine, chloramines, VOCs, PFAS, THMs, pesticides, sulfur, heavy metals, hydrogen sulfide (“rotten egg” odor), iron oxides (“rust water”), dirt, sediment, and other odors while also balancing pH.
• Tub insert — We used a plastic tub insert for my daughter. It did the job, but I don’t love plastic. I am excited to replace it with this cotton one.
• Towels — I think I was blinded by the cuteness of the towels I used for my daughter, because I didn’t notice they were made of rayon (which is a synthetic material). I will be getting these 100% cotton towels for the new babe.
• Bath mat — I’ve used this bath mat for my daughter for months. It’s made of natural rubber and we’ve had no complaints.
• Wash cloths — I used microfiber wash cloths last time (for some reason – ha), but I’m switching to these 100% cotton ones for this babe.
• Bath toys — Check out the “bath time” section of my Amazon store for some low-toxic mold-free bath toy ideas.

Potty training

• Top hat potty — We did do Elimination Communication with our daughter, but not as a newborn. If you feel called to start from birth, the top hat potty will likely be useful.
• Baby potty — We used this for my daughter when she started to sit up.
• Toilet seat — We used this for my daughter when she was approaching 1 and could sit up on her own very well.
• Mini toilet — We used this once my daughter could walk. She was day-time trained almost effortlessly and naturally before 2!

Memories

• Baby book — I never did a baby book with my daughter. I saw this book on my friend’s registry and loved the simplicity, so I requested one for the new baby (and one for my daughter as well – you’ll see it in her section below).

Teething

• Teething sticks — My daughter loved these, and I’ve heard great things from other mamas as well.
• haakaa feeders — I used these to make my daughter breast milk/fruit popsicles.
• Boiron Camilia — I used this homeopathic remedy whenever my daughter had teething pain. It worked well.

General

• Nail trimmers — I have been using these on my daughter from the very beginning and still do. They’re gentle and effective.
• Receiving blankets — I love these so much! I didn’t swaddle my daughter, but I used these blankets so much in the immediate postpartum months as wraps, blankets, or when she needed a light cover outside.
• Thermometer — I rarely used this, but it was good to have on hand whenever I suspected my daughter had a fever.
• Nasal aspirator — My midwife gave me one of these last time. We didn’t use it much, but when my daughter was congested a few times, it came in handy.

Apparel

• Carter’s is a favorite — Cotton baby clothes aren’t that hard to find. Bonus if you can find flame retardant-free. My daughter lived either naked or in onesies/PJs for months after birth, so that’s all I requested on this registry (no cute or frilly clothes).

For The Big Sis

• Baby doll carrier — My friend had this on her registry for her daughter and I thought it was the cutest thing.
• Books — I requested a few “big sister” books for my daughter: I Am A Big Sister, I <3 My Sister, I’m A Big Sister. We have I’m A Big Sister now. We read it all of the time (she absolutely loves it) and I plan to save the other two for when baby arrives.
• Sheepskin rug — Since I never got my daughter one, I thought it would be special to give her her own sheepskin rug when we give one to the new baby.
• Baby book — I also never got my daughter one of these. Since we got one for the new baby, I figured better late than never. I plan to start hers while I’m resting postpartum.

Postpartum Recovery

• Herbal bath soak — This go around, I’m attempting to make my postpartum period more of a sacred time. I plan to do more self-care which includes these herbal soaks. I did a few last time and they always felt so good.
• Sitz bath spray — I’ve had great success with Motherlove products, and I came across this perineum spray which looked nourishing.
• Quinton Minerals — Amazing tool for recovery. I have more about these in this post under the “Quinton minerals” section.
• Chux pads — I used these as changing pads for my daughter, but since I’m using the cotton ones for the new babe, I’m repurposing them to use for myself postpartum immediately after birth (to prevent any blood leakage from getting on our sheets).

Final thoughts

I hope you found this post useful!

If you’re building out your own minimalist/low-toxic baby registry, best of luck to you.

If you have any questions or would like any additional recommendations, do not hesitate to reach out to me at asheatsgood@gmail.com.

For more animal-based pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood resources, check out my Pregnancy hub.