What Do You Put in a Nursery?

This guide will help you find what you should put in a nursery, where the crib and other furniture should be, what kind of storage you will need, and what is safe for your baby? 

It’s quite reasonable to get overwhelmed while planning a baby nursery. With so many choices available, it is challenging to figure out what items are essential and worth buying.

Baby stores will make you go gaga over scores of items, which all seem crucial for your kid’s well-being. You would want to buy that blue couch by some great designer, and also you would want to buy that expensive toy that your baby might never play with.

Babies only need a few genuine important things, and everything else is simply nice to have. So, the items you buy depends partly on your preferences. Still, a few essential items are must-have for every baby and new parents.

Below are the essentials that will help you get started and further inspire you to add items right for you, your parenting style, and your little one. 

Here is the list of essential baby nursery items:

1- Crib or bassinet

Newborn babies spend most of their time sleeping (67% of the time) in a crib or a bassinet. Therefore having a comfortable bassinet or crib is crucial.

The main difference between crib and bassinet is that bassinets come with wheels, and you can move the baby around if you want to co-sleep. The bassinets are useful for only 6 to 8 months after that the baby outgrows them.

On the other hand, cribs are a long term investment and useful for years. If budget is a concern, avoid buying a bassinet. 

Whatever you choose, it will be the focal point for the nursery. Baby beds come in various sizes and price ranges. However, ensure that you select a sturdy crib or bassinet made with high-quality materials. 

Drop-side cribs are a big NO-NO. Always prefer buying a new crib as per safety standards, and the old crib might be unsafe for babies. 

For inspiration on which crib to get for your baby, I suggest you check out this list of the safest and most beautiful cribs you could get!

2- Bedding

Choosing the right mattress and other bedding items is difficult. You can not just walk in the store and buy the cheapest one available. Cheap materials can be harmful to babies. 

When it comes to mattresses, choosing between organic, waterproof, and foam mattresses, seem very confusing. Along with the child’s comfort, baby bedding is also a fun part of decorating the nursery. 

One can choose from a variety of bedding options like bed sheets, pillows, crib skirts, blankets, etc. The firmness of baby bedding is also necessary as, according to a few studies, a hard and firm bed has significantly reduced SIDS. 

It is advisable to go for an organic, hypoallergenic crib mattress to avoid any kind of risk. 

3- Changing Tables or changing pads

During the 1st year of the baby, you are going to change thousands of dirty diapers. While you will become a pro, having a dedicated and organized changing table in your nursery is always a good idea. 

You can choose a dedicated changing table or just a changing pad that can be placed on the top of any furniture. This decision depends on how much space you have in the room. 

Many people feel that having a dedicated changing table is unnecessary as long as you have the right height dresser or table. But it is essential for new parents as it makes the whole diaper changing experience a lot less stressful and quicker. 

It is of the perfect height, so you don’t have to bend down to change the diapers. It also lets you store all the necessary diapers changing things in one place, so it’s always on hand. 

On the other hand, a changing pad is a cheaper option and also flexible. You can place it on a table, dresser, or anywhere you want. It is not confined to changing diapers in the nursery only. 

4- Storage space

With the arrival of a baby, you will need a lot of storage space. You will need a place for all the little things like baby clothes, washcloths, diapers, beddings, baby gears, toys, etc. 

It is crucial to plan the storage accordingly. For example, place the wipes and diapers by the changing table or changing pad, toys within reach of children. 

A big basket can be more than just a cute piece of decor. It can be used for housing burp, clothes, toys, blankets, quilts, etc. You can also go for a full-sized closet or open baskets. If you opt for open baskets or boxes, ensure that the lids are off so you can easily access everything you need. 

5- Nursing Chair and Pillow

A nursing chair and pillow is not 100% necessary, but they are beneficial. After the baby arrives, your sleep schedule will be a mess, and you will be up for weird hours of the night for feeding and diaper changes. 

A nursing chair allows you to sit comfortably and feed your baby. It will enable you to lean, swivel, rock, and put your feet up. Go for the one with the footrest for more convenience. 

Your tyke will need to be fed every hour, it’s better to have a seat that is convenient for feeding and also soothes your child. These nursing chairs are a little expensive, but if you have a budget, they are worth buying. 

Also, nursing pillows are helpful for babies as it helps them burp. After feeding, the baby’s head needs to be propped up to avoid gas and indigestion. Thus, a baby nursing pillow gives you support while holding the baby up and can also be used for tummy exercises.  

6- Baby Monitor

When you can not be physically present in the room, a baby monitor becomes a perfect way to keep an eye on your baby while they are asleep. 

There are mostly two types of baby monitors available in the market – An audio-only and a digital video recorder. 

The audio monitors are very affordable, but you can not see the baby. On the other hand, a video monitor allows you to understand what your baby is doing. At the same time, it is comforting and gives you peace of mind.

Some high-end video monitors come with top-notch features. They allow you to pan and zoom the video with the help of remote control and provide a clear picture of your baby even at night with night vision. 

Buy the one with multiple receivers so that you can carry one with you, or keep it in a bedroom, office or living room. 

7- Diapers pails

Throwing soiled diapers into the bin won’t contain the smell, and your room might end up smelling like a big dirty diaper. 

To avoid this, the best option is to go for a diaper pail. It keeps the smell of diaper into a plastic bag, and when the plastic bag gets full, you can dispose of it sealed with the rest of the trash. 

Though some people might feel it is unnecessary, they are worth it. They are affordable and come in cute designs. 

8- Other essentials

For sleeping, you will need mattress protectors, but also thick curtains or blinds, and night light. 

For changing the diapers, you will also need changing mats, wipes, trash cans, etc.

For storage, you will need shelves for baby books, toys, etc.

For feeding, besides the rocking chair or gliders, you might need a footstool, side table, and night lamps. 

Tips and tricks on setting up a safe nursery

1. Avoid placing the baby crib near a window as they can get caught in the window’s blind cords or in drapes.
2. Keep the cribs away from all the electrical wires. Keep the crib in an open space and not under some shelves or anything heavy. 
3. Never hang anything with ribbons or strings on your baby’s crib. This includes crib mobiles also. Remove it when your baby can sit up.
4. When your newborn becomes a toddler, he/she will love climbing. This means you will have to secure all the heavy and tall furniture using furniture straps. 
5. A night light is also a must-have nursery essential as it will help you get in and out of the room easily in the dark when you are half asleep. 
6. A working smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide detector are a must-have in your baby nursery. 

Conclusion

Now that you know what all are the nursery essentials, it’s time to bring all them together. Putting together a nursery is one of the most fun and important things you do during your pregnancy. 

We hope this article helps you in setting up your nursery.