Minimalist Mom: How to Avoid the Marketing Traps

Marketing LOVES new parents. The combination of inexperience with this unknown journey and the guilt of not giving your baby the best. Marketing can also play on parents safety concerns. The concept of, "you're not a good parents if....." or "your child needs to be protected from, safe from....". And these things aren't to be taken lightly. Baby safety is TERRIFYING. But just remember, parents have been raising healthy happy babies for centuries. A product that was invented a year ago will probably not be "the hidden treasure that every single baby must have in order to thrive". The baby industry is a -----$ market. "Must have" products appear all the time, and marketing to parents is easier than ever thanks to social media and the internet. But what do you actually need? And why do Americans buy THE MOST baby products compared to other countries?

When planning for our baby girl's arrival, we knew we wanted to keep things minimal. First off, we have a fairly small city apartment. Second, in general we are minimalists. Friends and family warned us that baby items creep in and there was a lot that we would collect. Despite their best intentions we were determined to keep things simple, and do our research before purchasing. Afterall, this is a 9 pound human....how much do they really need?

The baby market is extremely overwhelming, particularly as a first time expecting parent. You are already trying to grasp the concept of pushing a 9 month old potato out of your body, and now you have to think about everything afterwards? Birth plans, Child care, parental leave, finances, postpartum care....it's a lot. Not to mention the sheer excitement of purchasing baby products, baby showers, and the cute little outfits.

The truth is, every single baby, parent, and family is different. So why would we think there is a one size fits all perfect product that every family absolutely needs?

First, think about what is important and of value to your family?

Second, consider your individual family's budget. Don't compare to the instagram family you see on your feed with the decked out perfectly decorated nursery. What is YOUR situation and your budget.

Our List:

1. Environmental Concern - cloth diapers, facebook marketplace second hand

2. Time off - parental leave, travel

3. Potential for other children (mostly with the expensive purchases)

4. Minimalism

5. Knowledge and care for the whole family - birthing class, Infant CPR, Postpartum Doula, mental health care for Mom, food for Mom and Dad during first month

Research, Research, Research

You do not need everything before baby arrives

You will not know what you need, and the wonderful part of today's world, is you can order something and it will arrive tomorrow.

You don't know if you will be breastfeeding. You don't know which bottle they like. If they like being swaddled. If they like being carried.

Prepare the basics, and you can always add more as you get to know your needs and your baby's likes.

If you're interested in seeing a breakdown of what we ACTUALLY used and found helpful for the newborn stage, check out my other articles in the Minimalist Mom category. I cover everything from clothes, to diapers, to accessories, and Mom essentials.