by Gabrielle Anwar
An important point to remember as you prepare your home for Baby is that less is more. We become very caught up with consumerism as we get closer to the due date. They call it “nesting” but I call it merchandising. Most of the advertised baby equipment just isn’t necessary and can in fact be detrimental to the development of your child.
We all dream of that perfect little nursery, oozing with cuteness, but completely for our own satisfaction rather than the requirements to raise a Rethink Baby. This bodes well for those of us who are working with a budget because raising a Rethink Baby is the most economic method out there!
Remember that for the first few months Baby doesn’t need anything but you, your love, your milk, some simple clothes and diapers (cloth are a great option – reusable and much better for the environment).
There is no need with a Rethink Baby to have a highchair, stroller, walker, electronic toys, plastic toys, carrier, swing, activity center, bouncer, pacifier, swaddle, sippy cup, a fancy wardrobe, even a mobile. So strike all these pricey things off your registry. What you can add is a Roomscape from Community Playthings, that your baby won’t outgrow, damage or tire from. This ingenious company makes attractive room dividers so that you can create a beautiful and completely safe space for Baby to grow in, whatever size you desire. There’s no need to babyproof your entire home, the concept is simple, you corner off a single area that you can monitor, that becomes Baby’s domain.
Within this magical realm, there is little need to furnish with anything but a handful of “toys”; simple tin kitchen bowls, some organic cloth, small wooden rings, etc. Think Waldorf education – natural fibers that leave the play up to the imagination of the child. There’s no need to entertain a baby. They are surprisingly autonomous and capable, despite what we’ve been conditioned to think.
I like to add a washable, organic cloth, (a tablecloth works well), for Baby to be placed on, on his back for the first few months to establish a Rethink Baby play space. That’s it, good for a year. So scratch your registry and save some cash which no doubt you will need once Baby arrives. At your Baby Shower you can celebrate the beauty of your pregnancy without consumer madness – maybe start a little college fund for Baby instead?
https://www.communityplaythings.com/
