But what do you put in a nursery?
There are hundreds of items you can choose from, but not everything is a nursery essential. What you need will depend on how you plan to parent, your baby, and your tastes. However, there are some things that are pretty universal and are required for most babies.
If you are completely stuck on what to put into a perfect nursery, start with these ten nursery essentials:
Step 1: Choose a Crib or Bassinet
Naturally, you are going to want to start with a crib or bassinet for your baby. Many parents will do a lot of research about the bed, choose one, and then base the rest of the room that crib. If you start anywhere else, you may settle for something you don’t really want. Avoid side-drop cribs because they have actually been banned in the United States, though sometimes they slip through the cracks.
Cribs and bassinets comes in a variety of styles, finishes, and prices. Narrow down your list and then try to physically see the cribs to get a better vision of what the crib looks like. If you can’t see it, you may want to grab some Painter’s Tape and put the measurements onto the floor of the nursery. This will allow you to visualize the crib.
Step 2: Choose a Rocking Chair
While this isn’t actually for your baby, you are going to be spending quite a bit of time in a rocking chair, so you want to make that a priority. A rocking chair or glider that you can sit in, feed in, and sleep in is very helpful, especially for breast-feeding moms. Look for a chair that allows you to put your feet up during the night.
A great rocking chair will be sturdy and comfortable – and will be one of the most used items in the nursery.
Step 3: Choose a Dresser
The next essential? A dresser that will hold your baby’s clothing. This is third because it is another big-ticket item. Babies will go through many different items of clothing per day, making a great dresser an absolute essential. You want to have at least three drawers for different articles of clothing. For many parents, drawer organizers or compartments will help to keep things like socks and bibs from getting lost in the shuffle. Consider getting a dresser that you can anchor in the wall for later on – you will be glad you thought ahead.
Step 4: A Changing Table
Within the first year of your baby’s life, a changing table is going to be essential. While this won’t stay around too long, it is helpful with changing diapers quickly and safely so that you can get back to playing and bonding with your child. It is a good idea to have a stationary changing table with all of the essentials – diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, and other ointments. Look for a changing table that has a pad on it that is easily washable, either in a machine or just by wiping it off.
Look for a sturdy changing table instead of a collapsible one as they are safer.
Step 5: Buy a Clothes hamper
It might surprise you, but babies create quite a bit of smelly clothing. It might seem strange that something so small can create so much gross clothing, but it is possible. Hampers range from extremely affordable to luxe, so you will have your choice amidst the masses. Choose something that won’t show stains and allows you to sort the clothing into darks and lights.
As an added bonus, a clothes hamper will allow you to keep baby’s clothing separate so you can use special detergent that is easier on baby’s sensitive skin.
Step 6: Choose the Bedding (and set the theme)
The next nursery essential is the bedding set. This will typically set the theme for your child’s room and will help with the rest of the list. You want to ensure that your child is comfortable and safe in this bedding, so you have quite a few things to think about. You definitely want something that is non-flammable, if possible. You also don’t want a lot of ruffles and puffiness, especially once your child starts to roll around in his/her sleep.
The bedding essentials for your nursery include bumpers for inside the crib, sheets, pads, pillows, blankets, and a crib skirt, if you so choose. You can also use a sleep sack for the first few months, especially for safety. If you so choose, the baby quilt or comforter can be used as decoration as it already matches with the room.
Step 7: Choose a Mobile
While many people might not initially put a mobile into the “nursery essentials” list, it is actually something that you will want to invest in for your baby. Mobiles can soothe your child to sleep, especially in the early months. Since their eyes are not the best, you want to get ones that play music and move around. There are many themed mobiles out there that do everything from move up and down to light up. You can even get motion detector mobiles that will help to soothe your baby in the middle of the night!
The best options will have a lot of contrast in color – the best ones are actually black and white because babies will see those sooner than they’d see colorful or pastel mobiles.
Step 8: Choose a Baby Monitor
Baby monitors are another standard nursery essential because they come in handy. Many new parents have trouble sleeping in the other room, especially if they aren’t close to the baby. Monitors allow parents to have constant audio and/or visual contact with the baby. If they start to cry, you will know immediately. Video monitors are increasingly popular because they can be used as your child ages when they play by themselves or nap throughout the afternoon. Just make sure to buy one that is high quality, especially if you live in an apartment or close to another baby. Some monitors have been known to connect with other ones, which you definitely don’t want (and it’s a little creepy).
Step 9: Choose a Nightlight
You might not think this is necessary until your child is older, but nightlight is another nursery essential that benefits the parents. You will have to make many late-night trips into the nursery, and nothing wakes up a baby faster than a stubbed toe yelp. As new parents love to check on their babies when they aren’t awake, it will allow you to peek in whenever you want to see him or her.
If your baby is awake, putting on the overhead light might make the situation worse. The low light may make it easier to put your baby back to sleep.
Step 10: A Diaper Pail
The final nursery essential to purchase is a diaper pail. While this might seem like it isn’t an essential, it helps to make your nursery a bit more sanitary and cleanly. There are quite a few diaper pails on the market, including ones that seal off the odor to keep everything smelling good. You may want to consider either getting a diaper pail that has liners or putting plastic bags in as liners.
At the end of the day, every baby and every set of parents are going to need different things in their nursery. However, these essentials should start you off on the right foot and allow you to start planning. What other essentials do you think we should add to the list? Let us know in the comments.
