(collaborative post) Welcoming a new baby to the family can be a very exciting thing indeed. Some parents will choose to keep the baby in the bedroom with them whereas others will choose to set up a nursery for their bouncing bundle of joy. This of course was be influenced by the available space in the home. There are certain items that every nursery will require. Here we look at the Main Essentials for A Nursery.
Main Essentials for A Nursery
A Moses Basket
A Pod Moses Basket was something I found invaluable for my children. It really did come in handy. I loved that you could remove the basket from the stand easy to move the little one around whilst in the basket as and when required. I used it daily after each child was born and would take it with me after travelling too so they would have somewhere that they could lie flat. It’s perfect for in home use and placing baby safely next to your own bed at night. It is also useful to place baby into from the car seat if you go out to someone’s home. Moses baskets are preferable to cots initially as they are more comforting due to the confined space. These days they can even be found with bedding and mattresses that prevent dust mites settling and are allergen free.
A Cot or Cot Bed
Cots and cot beds are normally suggested for babies from four and six months old. You’ll find that some are multi purpose. A cot is smaller than a cot bed. We opted for a cot bed as you’ll get to use this for much longer as it’s larger. You can find cot beds that convert to chairs that can be used when your little one progresses to the next size bed. This can be converted back to a cot bed for siblings where required. If you have space it can help to buy one of these in advance when you buy the Moses basket. You’ll be exhausted as it’s a shock to the system especially when it’s your first child.
A Changing Table
There are all sorts available from solid wooden ones with shelving or drawers where you can keep all of your changing items, to ones that fold away to allow you to use the space in the room efficiently. It all depends on your requirements and the available space available but these are handy to help change your little one comfortably.
A Chest of Draws
You’ll have baby grows, socks, hats, sleepsuits, muslin cloths and more to store away so a chest of draws will be useful. A chest of draws also allows space for blankets and other items to be tidied away. You’ll be amazed at how many items the baby needs and may get through daily. We even prebought clothing for the next stage to have ready for when required. It’s amazing how quickly babies grow.
A Night Light
A night light can be useful to have in the nursery. It means you don’t need to put the overhead lights which are normally very bright and a bit too harsh for parent and baby if you’re feeding or checking in on them at some unearthly hour in the morning.
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A Baby Monitor
I bought a baby monitor before baby came and it was very reassuring. I could see the baby when I left them to sleep in the bedroom which helped me do other things I needed to do and not worry. Options of these are varied. It all depends on what you’d like and are willing to spend. You can get ones that are audio only and others that also allow you to see your little one.
A Mobile
A mobile can be a great item to hang over a cot etc. The music they play can help to soothe your baby and the dangly toys can keep them entertained as they move around. You may even find one comes with the cot you buy. If not there are plenty of options available.
Other Items
There are various additional items that parents may want to have although aren’t necessarily essential. These include a clothes hamper, rocking chair, toy tidy, nappy bin etc. It all depends on your requirements so just because others have something for their nursery it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be something you’ll need. If money is tight buy essentials or add them to a baby shower list. Items that are nice to have can always be bought later if you have the means to do so.
I hope you enjoyed reading my Main Essentials for A Nursery post. Are there any nursery items that you found helpful or that you’d think a new parent might like or find useful?
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Great suggestions and must-haves for any nursery. Thanks for sharing!
Glad to read that I had all of these things, except a moses basket. Though I wish I had one!
No kids here! This sounds like a great list for any news or expecting parents!
It sure is. It helps to know what items to focus on otherwise it can be very overwhelming.
I love this list. I had a lot of these when my kids were small. A baby monitor is a must. Now they are so fancy. When my kids were babies it was just the noise ones, no videos!
I agree that a baby monitor is essential, it’s so import to invest in a great one.
It really does settle your nerves when you can see and hear them.
oooo! I’m thinking that cute baby is an essential too! This is a great list, perfect for that new mom or dad!
I always recommend a good sound machine to expecting mothers. I still turn it on for my 2 and a half year old during her naps. It helps soothe her so well, and has from the day we brought her home.
Thanks for the tips, baby monitor is so important, in my opinion.
We weren’t able to set up a nursery for our kids but when my wife and I were planning to put up one, we thought of including most of the items in your list.
It isn’t easy especially when space is limited. These really are the main items you’ll need as you will have discovered.
For me a changing table is a must. It’s the right space for me and the kid!
A changing table really does help save your back. They can store all sorts of items too depending on what you buy.
Welcoming a baby is such an exciting time! Last baby in our family arrived 2 years ago, hopefully more to come they are such blessings.
Fantastic post! We never had a Moses basket or a changing table due to lack of space, but every other item you mention was certainly essential for us. For all the new parents out there, don’t get overwhelmed and look at posts like this that are so helpful. Thanks for haring.
you’ve nailed these essentials. a nursery can be a big thing to complete
It can be fun to prepare too.
I do love looking at baby stuff, preparing for it is a lot of fun and everything is so cute! Thanks for your shortlist!
There are so many great options it really can be fun x
These are all nursery essentials for sure. Finding the right furniture and accessories can be so much fun.
It sure can, and it eases your mind when you have everything you need.
As a mom of grown kids now, I can say these are all essentials. Great list!
Thanks Catherine. It helps to buy the main things. Many other items targeted at new parents really aren’t necessary.
Great list! The only thing that we didn’t have was a Moses basket for our girls but I would like one if we have a 3rd!
It’s amazing how many things you need to buy and have when you have a kid and this list is a great start x
It really is but it’s easy to buy unnecessary items if you’ve not done it before.
Some great ideas here! Moses basket and Baby Monitor was a must have for us. We also had night light which came with sleep music to calm baby before bedtime
Definitely a chest of drawers, monitor and cot. They are very essential
They really are. It’s amazing what other items people buy and never use. No point cluttering the place up.
It is nice to have a list of essentials and not get too many things and gadgets that just end up as clutter or wasted money. I absolutely loved having a baby monitor and it was one of my top essentials! Allowed me to get stuff done around the house without worrying!
Aw I loved planning the nursery for my babies. Thankfully (in a nice way haha) I am happy with the children I have and there will be no more babies until grandchildren in many years time hopefully but this is the perfect list to follow when expecting.
I love seeing cute themes in children’s rooms! My partner’s children still sleep with night lights, even though they are slightly older, so having a night light that can go from nursery to pre-teen might be essential.
That’s very true, we have a nightlight and mine are older.
My kids are all growing up and none are at this age anymore but I sure do miss it. These are all must haves for sure and there is really so much to prep for with a baby….especially the first one for a new family. Thank you for sharing and God bless 😉
In my experience as first time Mom , a good quality rocking chair and sleep noise machine is a must. Also invest to a good quality diaper pail esp. . when you wanted to keep it in your nursery.
It all depends on your set up what works best. Rocking chairs can be quite popular and useful.
That would be nightlight for me as my kids are older now
Nightlights are always handy!
This is some great thinking. Having a well set up nursery is very convenient.
It helps to have it prepared well in advance.
Awwwwww… it should be nice to go shopping for a baby. My best friend is having his first baby soon, and they’re having a good time shopping. Will share your must-haves.
It is really lovely to see all the teeny clothes and other items.