The Complete List Of Nursery Must-Haves
Preparing for your baby’s arrival can feel both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. With so many things on your to-do list, it’s hard to know what to prioritize. Getting your nursery space set up is a great place to start. This room will become a very special place where you will care for and bond with your child, so take your time to set it up in a way that’s both functional and beautiful. As your due date approaches, this complete list of nursery must-haves can serve as your comprehensive checklist. We can’t wait to see the beautiful spaces you create and the special memories you make in them.
Table of Contents
- The Basics
- Clothing Staples
- Change Table Essentials
- Organizational Must-Haves
- Feeding Necessities
- Nice-To-Haves
34 Nursery Must-Haves For Your Baby’s Room
The Basics
- Bassinet/Crib. A crib or bassinet tops our list of nursery must-haves to create a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your baby in their first few months at home.
- Firm Flat Mattress. You’ll need a firm, flat mattress that fits in your newborn’s crib or bassinet, so add this piece to your nursery checklist too.
- Crib Bedding. Our organic cotton fitted sheets are designed to ensure a safe, snug fit and a great night’s sleep.
- Changing Table. You’ll need a changing table or a dresser at the right height to set up your changing station. Having this area well thought out and stocked up with all the essentials will make diaper changes a breeze.
- Baby Monitor. A baby monitor is any new parent’s best friend. So, make sure to add this item somewhere near the top of your list of nursery must-haves.
- Swaddles. Many parents swaddle their newborn babies until they’re about 3 months old. From there, swaddles can grow into blankies, lovies, sun shields and blankets your little one will reach for again and again. We suggest stocking up on these and you’lll want at least three.
- Nursery Rug. Nothing warms up a space quite like a cozy rug. Try these 100% wool rugs to make your nursery cozy and inviting.
- Mobile. A mobile over the crib or change station is not only a beautiful decorative piece, but it also helps soothe and entertain your little one. Here are a few of our favourites and a handy guide for how to hang your mobile.
- Pacifiers. Pacifiers help calm and soothe your baby, so add them to your nursery checklist. This is another one of those items you’ll want to have handy at all times, so stock up on a few. That way, you’ll always have one nearby.
- Towels. You’ll want to keep your little one warm and comfortable, when they get out of the bath. We love hooded towels that are cozy and absorbent like these.
Clothing Staples
- Sleepers are the perfect pajamas for the first 0 - 12 months of your little one’s life. Make sure the ones you add to your list of nursery must-haves include a full two-way zip for easy changes!
- One-Pieces are great for mixing, matching and easy diaper changes, so have a good selection of these on hand as well.
- Leggings and Joggers. You’ll want to have several of these options to pair with your one-pieces.
- Sweaters or jackets are great to have in your nursery, so that you can layer over onesies before heading out on cold days.
- Cold weather accessories like hats and mittens, if you live in a cooler climate, and an outerwear piece to keep your little one toasty on walks and other outings are definite nursery must-haves.
Change Table Essentials
- Diapers. This one is a no-brainer. Newborn-sized diapers are change table essentials. We hate to break it to you, but you’re going to need lots and lots of them.
- Diaper cream. Most babies will need diaper cream at some point. We recommend having a tube for your nursery and a tube for your diaper bag.
- Wipes. Keep wipes handy on your change table and have backup boxes nearby too.
- Hand Sanitizer. It’s always a good idea to sanitize your hands before and after changes, so keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on your change table.
- Changing Pad. A changing pad is kind of like a mattress for your baby. It’s typically made of foam and is often contoured to help keep your baby safe, secure and comfortable during changes.
- Changing Pad Cover. A changing pad is great, but a changing pad and a changing pad cover are ideal, especially during messy changes. Being able to swap out your changing pad cover is a lot easier than having to clean your actual changing pad.
- First Aid Kit. From grooming to runny noses, you’ll be handling a few other tasks at your changing station as well. So, it’s a good idea to have nail clippers, a brush, thermometer and nasal aspirator on hand.
- Laundry Hamper. A laundry hamper is another key item on our nursery must-haves list that you’ll want to have somewhere near your changing station. With all the dirty one-pieces in one place, laundry day is just a little bit less daunting.
- Diaper Pail. You’ll be tackling a lot of diaper changes in the first few months of your newborn's life. Get a diaper pail and thank us later.
Organizational Must-Haves
- Large Storage Bins. When it comes to organizing toys and clothes, storage bins are a game changer.
- Small Storage Bins. Be sure to have a variety of sizes on hand. Small storage bins are great for tiny newborn clothes and accessories.
- Hideaway Storage. Embrace your unused space with hideaway storage. Designed to nest, fit them under the crib, in a drawer or at the bottom of the closet.
Feeding Necessities
- Breast Pump. Even if you’re planning on exclusively breastfeeding your baby, a breast pump is still one of our nursery must-haves. If you’re going to be away from your baby for more than a few hours, you’ll need to pump to prevent engorgement.
- Nursing Pillow. If you’re planning on breastfeeding your baby, make sure you have a nursing pillow to help make feedings more comfortable for both you and your baby.
- Burp Cloths. Just like swaddles, you’ll probably be reaching for your burp cloths over and over again throughout the day. Stock up on these nursery must-haves, so you always have a clean one handy.
Nice-To-Haves
- Humidifier. If your home is especially dry, a humidifier might be a great addition to your nursery checklist.
- Rocking Chair. The soothing back-and-forth motion your baby experiences in a rocking chair can be a helpful way to encourage them to drift off.
- Nursing Light. Soft lighting for nighttime feeds can help make it easier to get your little one back to bed, after nursing or bottle feeds.
- White Noise Machine. If you’re debating about getting a white noise machine, you can read more about them here.
Many new parents get overwhelmed with all the things they need to get done, before their baby arrives. Remember to take it one step at a time. Slowly but surely, your space will start to come together. We hope this list of nursery must-haves has you feeling excited and prepared to start creating your dream nursery!
Frequently Asked Questions
There is really no right or wrong answer. Every parent has their own unique way of preparing for their little one’s arrival and it’s important to do what works best for you. Our only tip? Leave yourself enough time! It’s a good idea to have everything in place for the baby’s arrival a month before your due date. It’s not that you need everything, but you don’t want to be running around buying gear, once baby is here. Start with the basics and then you can add items later.
The number of diaper changes you’ll tackle each day varies, depending on your baby’s age. Here’s what you can expect:
During the first month of life, newborns average about 10 to 12 diaper changes a day.
From the ages of 1 to 3 months, your baby will likely need around 8 to 10 diaper changes a day.
While that may sound like a lot, there’s good news: this number will start to go down as your baby grows. By 6 months of age, your baby should be down to around 5 to 6 diaper changes a day. This number will continue to gradually decrease, as your little one develops more bladder control and moves towards potty training.
The answer to this question depends on whether you plan on breastfeeding your baby or using formula. The reality is, many new moms aren’t sure which path they’ll take, until their baby arrives. So, it’s best to be prepared for both scenarios. This means having about 8 to 10 bottles on hand, before your baby is born. You can start with 5-ounce bottles during the first few months of life and then move on to 8-ounce bottles at around 4 months of age. Remember, life with a newborn is busy, so for days when you get a little behind on sanitizing and cleaning, you’ll be glad to have a few extra bottles on hand.
A humidifier falls into our list of nursery nice-to-haves, rather than nursery must-haves. It’s not necessary to have one on hand, but it might be helpful in certain circumstances. If your baby was born during the colder months and your heating system makes your home particularly dry, a humidifier could be a great addition to your nursery. It’ll keep congestion and dry skin at bay. Cool mist humidifiers are a great option, since they eliminate the burn risk for you and your baby.
