For new parents the task of setting up a nursery for your little one can be overwhelming.
There are so many products on the market and it can be difficult to know which nursery must-haves are truly essential.
Plus if you’re on a budget it can be tricky to know what you truly need when browsing the endless number of gadgets on the market for babies!
Having had two babies I know exactly the stuff that you are going to really need, versus the stuff that is going to prove to be a waste of your hard-earned money.
This article will share the ultimate list of nursery must-haves – stuff that you will actually need in the first year and beyond.
My complete list features everything for your nursery, from basics like the crib and changing table, to more specialist items such as sleep sacks and baby monitors.
These will help you to create a comfortable and practical space for your baby.
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Nursery essentials
As you begin to plan and prepare your nursery, it’s important to keep in mind the needs of both you and your baby.
The goal is to create a space that is not only functional and practical, but also comfortable and welcoming.
You’ll want to add some personalised touches – including artwork and colours that you love to make it warm and happy.
Here are the key items you will actually use for your nursery.
Crib
Your baby’s crib is where they will spend a large amount of their time in the first year getting some much-needed snooze time.
A safe bed is absolutely crucial to reduce the risk of SIDs and meet all safety standards. There are lots of tips for picking a safe bed from the Lullaby Trust.
The NHS advises your baby should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months after birth. This helps to reduce the risk of SIDs.
Your bedroom may have plenty of space to fit a crib alongside your bed until you are ready to move the crib permanently into the nursery.
However some parents choose to buy either a Moses basket or side sleeper – which attaches to the side of your bed for easy access to your baby for night feeds. Read more about whether you actually need a Moses basket here.
You may like to consider purchasing a cotbed instead of a small crib. These can be adapted once your baby is ready for a toddler bed, as the railings can be removed.
This will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Mattress
The mattress should fit your baby’s bed with no gaps around the edges and conform to safety standards.
Most manufacturers of baby beds will also sell mattresses that fit their products.
Waterproof mattress cover
Nap and nighttime accidents are pretty much a certainty in the first year.
Your baby may spit up a little milk, or have a leaky nappy.
Whatever happens, it’s far easier to have a waterproof mattress cover that can be quickly put into the washing machine than it is to deal with a soaking wet mattress.
Purchase at least two waterproof mattress covers, so you always have a spare if there are any accidents.
Check that your mattress cover is the correct size for your mattress.
Bedding
You can make your baby’s bed super cosy with a few essential items of bedding.
It’s important for your baby’s safety not to crowd their bed with stuff. And there are items you do not need for a baby, such as cotbed bumpers and pillows, which can actually be a suffocation hazard for your little one.
The key stuff you actually need is:
- Fitted sheet – purchase at least three fitted sheets for your baby’s bed just in case of accidents. These go on top of the waterproof mattress cover.
- Blankets – these can be layered to keep baby warm depending on the weather. Choose lightweight blankets made from cotton. Muslin and cellular blankets work really well.
- Swaddles – You do not have to swaddle your baby, but many parents find it helps their baby to sleep as the snugness reminds them of being in the womb. You can find swaddles that are pre-made and you simply do up with zips or poppers, to make it easier for you.
- Sleep sacks – these can be used after your baby is a few weeks old and are great because your baby cannot kick them off in the night, unlike with blankets. They fasten over your baby’s shoulders with poppers or a zip.
Changing station
Another thing you will be doing a lot of in your baby’s room is changing nappies!
Your changing station should include the following:
- Changing table
- Padded changing mat – look for something that is wipe clean.
- Nappies
- Wipes
- Barrier cream
- Baby safe moisturiser
- Muslin – to mop up any accidents. Giant muslins make great changing mat covers.
- Baby nail clippers
- Changing caddy – this can be useful for organising all of your items
Choose a changing table that is sturdy and features raised sides so you baby cannot roll off.
If room is tight in your baby’s nursery then you can purchase a cot top changer – this is a changing table that sits on top of the rails of your baby’s bed.
I had one of these and they are a brilliant space saver!
If you have space for a separate changing table then look for one with storage for all of the essentials you need within reach of your changing station.
When placing the changing station in your baby’s nursery, consider its proximity to your baby’s spare clothes.
You may need to change their outfit and it’s best not to step away and leave them unattended when on the changing mat.
Some changing tables will have storage space for clothes underneath so that’s a feature worth shopping for.
Muslins
You will use these during feeding. Giant muslins can also be used as lightweight blankets for swaddling or for just covering baby in the summer.
I recommend the giant muslins as they are so versatile, and can be used as changing mat covers too.
You will need at least five muslins for your baby – and may end up finding yourself buying more!
Bin/diaper pail
Once you have changed your baby’s nappy you will need somewhere to put the dirty one.
You can choose either a normal bin – which you will need to change often to prevent the smell from building up – or a pail designed specifically for the job of keeping the bad smells at bay.
The design of these diaper pails, or nappy bins, varies. However the purpose of all is to control the smell and provide you with a way to dispose of the dirty nappies hands-free – using a pedal on the bin.
Of course a diaper pail is much pricier than a normal bin. Which one you choose depends on your budget.
Comfortable chair
A comfortable chair is essential for feeding and cuddles with your baby.
Whether you are nursing your baby or not, you’ll need somewhere comfy to sit.
The nursery chair does not have to be a specific design. Some people opt for a rocking or gliding chair, while others just look for something that is padded and works in the space.
I used an Ikea chair in my children’s nursery.
Storage for baby clothes
It’s nice to have your baby’s clothes organised, with space for the extra items you will accrue as they get older, before they are born.
A chest of drawers is best for storing onesies and babygros. If your baby’s room has a closet, then you can hang some items, such as dresses, cardigans and jackets, up.
Because baby clothes are tiny you will find there is space underneath your hanging rail in the closet, and it is well worth using that space for something like a cubed storage unit to keep folded clothes.
I always found it easier to store baby clothes folded in categories. Drawer organisers can help you keep tiny baby clothes separated and neat.
The KonMari folding method is a great way to store baby clothes!
Baby monitor
A video baby monitor is a really useful product to have in your baby’s nursery.
They give you a window into your baby’s room so that you can see what’s going on without having to rush into the room and so you can get on with other things elsewhere in the house.
There is a huge range of products in this area on the market. You do not have to purchase the most expensive one on the market.
Keep in mind that crystal clear video is not quite necessarily, you just need something that picks up audio and lets you see what your baby is up to.
Room thermometer
It’s really handy to know the exact temperature in your baby’s nursery so that you can make decisions about how to dress them for sleep.
This is especially the case if you are a first-time parent still unsure of exactly how many layers they need.
I really rate the GroEgg thermometer, which changes colour depending on whether the room is too hot or too cold.
But any simple thermometer is absolutely find.
You can follow my guide to how to dress baby for sleep for extra tips.
Mobile
A crib mobile is something that attaches to your baby’s bed and provides them with something engaging to look at.
Many crib mobiles double up as music players, with a library of lullabies to soothe your baby to sleep. Others may have white noise.
Ensure whatever you get for the job can be attached firmly to the bed with no parts dangling within baby’s reach.
Night light
A night light is essential to help your baby learn the difference between night and day.
You’ll use it to illuminate the room during night feeds or emergency nappy changes at night.
Plug-in night lights can be good and some room thermometers like the GroEgg double as a night light.
Blanket for you
You may spend many hours in the nursery feeding and cuddling your baby.
So it’s important that the nursery is a comfy place for you as well!
A blanket to keep you warm will help make it a more welcoming place for you during late nights and early mornings.
Toys
Your newborn baby won’t immediately bond with a specific toy but they will at some stage in the first year start to form attachments to specific objects and comforters.
Choose toys that are marked as safe for kids from 0+. Look for a mixture of comforters and toys that make sounds or have interesting textures.
For my babies I would put them down at nap and bedtime with one specific toy. Both formed strong attachments to their comforters and still have them in their beds now.
Toy storage
Although you may start with just a couple of toys, you’ll need some storage to cope as your baby’s toy collection grows.
Keeping multiple soft toys in baby’s bed is best avoided, as they can be a suffocation risk.
Toy storage options include large baskets with handles where you can just throw the toys into quickly when tidying up at the end of a busy day.
Another option is a cube storage unit which will take up more space, but it’s easier to organise your toys by category in units such as this.
Books
It’s nice to read to your baby as part of your bedtime routine.
Your baby is never too young to be read to – they love hearing the sound of your voice!
White noise machine
White noise can help your baby to sleep, according to this study on infant sleep.
The only downside with relying on white noise to help your baby sleep is that they may become so attached to it they cannot settle without it.
If your white noise machine requires you to push a button to switch it back on, that may create a problem for you being repeatedly woken at night.
There are some white noise machines that respond to noises your baby makes and start playing when it seems they are stirring.
I love Ewan the Dream Sheep – it’s a lovely soft toy that also emits a glowing light to soothe your baby.
You could save yourself the money by simply using videos of white noise on YouTube.
Blackout curtains or blind
It’s much easier to settle your baby to sleep in a darkened room.
In the summer it can be really tricky to settle baby during light summer evenings and bright summer days, so blackout curtains or a blackout blind can be really handy.
I’m a big fan of the easy-to-remove blackout blinds you can stick to your windows. I have an article featuring my Tommee Tippee blackout blind review here.
Nursery extras
These are a few extra items for your nursery that are nice-to-have but you don’t need to rush to get them ready for before baby is born.
Decor
The nursery decor is something you can build on over time. It’s nice to have your baby’s room decorated to some extent before they arrive – for example with a fresh coat of paint.
Consider what colour palette you want to use in the room and add splashes of those colours with items like the light shade and you can also add decal stickers to the walls too.
Pictures of your family and fun posters will also make the room feel more homely.
Footstool
A footstool may be a handy extra to go with your nursery chair to make it a little more comfortable for you.
While some chairs may have matching footstools available, it can also be useful to look for one with storage inside for keeping toys.
Book shelves
Some small book shelves on the walls are great places to keep your baby’s favourite books as well as small items of decor.
Memory box
This is a place where you keep precious items such as your baby scans, the first lock of your baby’s hair, their hand and footprints and anything else you collect over time.
You can use any box of course, but there are some really pretty baby memory boxes on Etsy that are very cute and can be personalised with your baby’s name.
A pullout sofa or bed
As you should be sharing a room with your baby for the first six months, and they wake frequently in the night, it can be useful to have a pullout bed in their room.
This is handy if you have a partner who needs to be up early for work the next day – there’s no use both of you missing out on sleep.
The extra bed is really an optional extra and is not for everyone, you may prefer sleeping in your own bed rather than being stuck on a pullout. It’s really whatever works for you.
Baby nursery checklist
Need help getting organised? You can download this free baby essentials checklist featuring all of the items you need to buy for baby’s nursery plus all the other newborn must-haves.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE:
Use it to create your baby registry or to stay on top of what you need as you shop for your baby.
If you need more help with getting your baby’s nursery ready then check out this nursery prep guide.
And for all of the other baby items you need, check out my complete newborn checklist.
