The cat’s outta the bag and co-founder Grace, along with husband, Brian, are brining a third generation to the hygge | HABIT team. This little human will be traveling earth-side around Leap Day 2020 and, no surprise, Grace is in full Nesting mode.

Before I dive into the hygge | HABIT approach let me share a bit about Nesting from some of the well-known sources.

Nesting is nothing new, both animals and humans have been doing it since the beginning of time:

“Nesting behaviour, according to Wikipedia, “refers to an instinct or urge in pregnant animals associated with an increase of estradiol (estrogen steroid hormone) to prepare a home for the upcoming newborn(s). Nest building provides protection against predators and competitors that mean to exploit or kill infants. It also aids in family structure and is therefore influenced by different mating behaviours and social settings. It is found in a variety of animals such as birds, fish, squirrels, mice and pigs as well as humans. Nesting behaviour is seen mostly in pregnant females, but such behaviour can also be observed in males and non-pregnant females.”

Nesting kind of sounds like a typical day for the hygge | HABIT team, pregnant or not, and at their home or others:

According to the American Pregnancy Association, “this urge to clean and organize is known as nesting. Nesting during pregnancy is the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new baby. The nesting instinct is strongest in the later weeks coming upon delivery.”

It’s really all about control, also a critical tenant of the hH philosophy:

“According to an article in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, anthropological data shows us that having control over one’s environment is a primary feature of preparing for childbirth. Becoming a parent is a time colored by unpredictability, and if we can take matters into our own hands—any matters at all—we might feel a little more at ease. A little more prepared for something we know we can’t possibly prepare enough for.”

So how does one “nest” in the hH way?

First of all, I vet everything I buy with all of the principles of our Intentional Shopping guide, download yours now.

• If I am buying new: I focus on responsible/ sustainable design in the manufacturing process and ethical/ fair treatment & pay for their laborers.

• Since this is for the baby that I am quite literally physically, emotionally and energetically attached to and would do anything for, I have added an extra layer of vetting around safety & non-toxicity. Everything from crib safety to avoiding plastic/VOC’s etc in all gear, toys, clothing, etc, etc, etc

• And finally, because its all about the aesthetics, I vet for overall cuteness - duh.

I also have loved repurposing old hand-me-downs and or hand-made items. Instead of buying a changing table or dresser, my parents gifted us the dresser that they used for changing my brother and I on when we were tiny. And I am planning to use the cross-stitch blanket that my grandmother made for me - which hung on my nursery wall - by sewing a soft backing to it. I found a piece of vintage cotton fabric that is going to make this blanket so soft for use for this little one.

Being the minimalist that I am, I am researching and reading quite a few blogs about the things that you actually need for a new baby. Given that the babe isn’t here yet I obviously am going to have to take the word of these fellow minimalist momma’s but for now I am relishing in the simplicity of our nursery so far.

Since we haven’t been able to source everything hand-me-down or hand-made, here are my favorite brands that have emphasized sustainability and even zero-waste into their business while keeping style at the forefront.

The bare minimum (so I’m told) of necessity by category:

Sleep:

• A space for them in your room for co-sleeping + night feedings in the beginning:

  • We have a very low bed - only a few inches off the floor - and I have an obsession with baskets for their infinite potential. This naturally sustianable maize Moses basket from a new fav brand, Kiin Baby was an obvious choice. This will sit on the floor right next to my side of the bed and after baby outgrows it can be repurposed into a storage basket for years to come.

• Their crib - after much research and even an attempt to fashion Brian’s childhood crib (which was a now-banned drop side crib) into a safer option, we chose the Babyletto Sprout because it fits the style aesthetic of the nursery and because it is a 4 in 1 crib transitioning from new-born through toddler/ day bed to full/twin sized bed with head and foot board. Babyletto also offers a new non-plastic mattress made from coconut. This in addition to their GREENGUARD Gold Certified - screened for 360 VOCs and over 10,000 chemical and made with sustainable New Zealand Pine Wood made this an easy choice.

• Swaddles (and sheets) also from Kiin Baby - swaddles create the natural womb-like conditions that keep baby feeling warm, secure and comfortable. They can also be used as tummy time blankets, burp clothes, a changing mat, etc

Apparel:

• Diapers, we are going reusable for the obvious zero-waste benefits but also because I have extreme excema and am allergic to anything plastic touching my skin, I’m guessing my offspring will be too but even if little baby isn’t allergic, I don’t like the idea of wrapping volatile organic compounds or VOCs (including toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and dipentene), sodium polyacrylate or SAP, dioxins, polyurethane, adhesives, lotions, inks, fragrances, and pesticide residue commonly found in disposable diapers around my sweet little newborn. Again, I haven’t yet done this but am following the lead of fellow CO based mom-boss for her endorsement of Glow Bug Diapers, read her #inspiringzerowaste | Intro to Cloth Diapering now.

• Clothing:

  • Beya Made: I am absolutely obsessed with Beya Made. They have hit the triffecta in terms of my criteria for minimalism, sustianablity and style and I could NOT be more excited! A former fast-fashion designer turned zero-waste mom boss has re-invented children’s clothing by focusing on gender neutral, structurally sound clothing that fits 3 times longer than traditional clothing, by design. Therefore it has to be replaced less often and ideally passed between siblings regardless of gender. Genius and oh emmm gggeeee so freaking adorable!! Also, I have learned from reviews on the Beya Made instagram that most conventional fast fashion baby clothes don’t fit over cloth diapers because disposables are so much thinner. I also learned that the thinner and looser feel of plastic diapers are the cause of more blow-outs. So besides the money & environmental savings, plus toxic avoiding benefits of cloth diapering, we can now look forward to less mess, which is key for these adorable little outfits.

  • Mini Cycle: Again I haven’t yet shopped but look forward to joining this marketplace for zero-waste kids fashion. Mini Cycle is a platform that ensures that all clothing, after it is outgrown is bought back, upcycled and resold to new families, ensuring a truly circular economy for kids fashion. And did we mention so stylish? Obviously in order to be recycled time and again they start with brands, like Beya Made, who focus on quality & function over cheap, fast fashion.

  • Nui Organics for 100% organic basics such as onesies, hats, mittens, socks, etc

Safety:

• Thermometer- we already had one that is approved for baby use - you can imagine my delight!

• Baby nail clippers- I am honestly very terrified of having to use these based on all accounts from fellow mothers but I chose the Nail Frida because it looked like it had the least amount of plastic involved.

• Nasal bulb syringe/ snot sucker thing… really not sure about this but I hate the feeling of a stuffy nose so I am hoping I can help our babe avoid this kind of discomfort as well. I chose the Nose Frida to stay consistent and because it came with a good friend’s approval.

• Car Seat- After a bunch of research and convos with friends I choose the UppaBaby Mesa because besides what seems to be standard/ quality safety features it uses Marino wool instead of a plastic-based textile for the fabric that the baby sits on. Wool is naturally fire resistant as an alternative to the more common plastic options. Obviously, I can’t mentally handle thinking about fire in/ around my child so I will let you do further research, but as always I opt to avoid plastic anywhere possible. Also, this car seat will fit the UppaBaby Vista stroller if we ever need one.

• We aren’t buying a stroller outright because I don’t think we need one. Why you wonder? First, I am obsessed with the adorable baby wraps to wear your baby and honestly walking, shopping, brunching, etc seem like they will be more comfortable for both of us if I am wearing instead of pushing this new child of mine. Husband, Brian, is excited to wear the baby as well, just in case you were worried. However, should this wearable fantasy not pan out, we will get the UppaBaby Vista stroller, chosen because it has the potential to expand into a stroller for up to three children which we anticipate coming in handy as well… having to buy one stroller instead of multiple to support a growing family is the epitome of hygge | HABIT minimalism!

Feeding:

• I am going to breastfeed and plan to be with the baby for most of the time after birth. However once I do return to work and am away from the babe for too long for my boobs to handle I have registered for the Haakaa Generation 3 premium pack. This pack is a 5 in 1 system to express, feed and store all with only a handful of pieces. The items are made with silicon instead of plastic. We ordered a free electric breast pump through insurance but given a string of unfortunate insurance events (for another blog) we aren’t counting on it making it to us. Back in the day, my mom used a hand pump with ease, and if I can, I would much prefer that to investing in unnecessary electric equipment.

• We have many a food processor from a blender, mixer, hand processor and an emulsion blender with allllll the attachments from our love of homemade meals. We plan to put these to further work as we make baby food instead of buying new equipment with baby branding on it.

Besides the bare minimum, we have registered and/or splurged for some other items that just seem like a good idea:

• A diaper kit clutch - I hope by now that you know me well enough to know that I would never own a bag for one function. Which is why I was so excited to see the Kit Bag by Storq offered so that we can throw the clutch with all essential diapering items into any bag we already own. Fashion meet function, baby edition.

• A non-toxic and adorable baby teether. Yes I could just freeze a wet washcloth but once you see this natural wood + cotton rainbow teether from Kiin Baby you will understand!

• Pacifiers- again not sure we will need these but if we do I will not be using any with plastic (for many reasons mentioned above) in any format. These are all natural rubber pacifiers from Kiin Baby should work. I saw that many pacifiers that didn’t have plastic in the nipple were cased in plastic so it would still be touching there face, etc Yuck!

• Baby Gear/ toys- I don’t think these are remotely necessary but the play gyms, macrame swing and natural wood rocker from Finn + Emma are too cute not to consider. They are made with all natural materials.

• Summer & West Natural Eco Baby Brush Set- I had the great pleasure or watching a new born enjoy the soft soothing touch of this baby brush and considering that it is sustainably made, I can’t help myself.

• And because we are a musically inclined family, we are obsessed with these intro to instrument toys from BabyNoise. These adorable child-sized instruments are made with love by a family in Australia out of wood and non-toxic paint.

From one nesting, soon to be mom to another, I sincerely hope that you enjoyed our simplified list of baby essentials. Please let us know in the comments what was/is necessary for you as a new parents.