Nursery 101: 16 Essentials for Your Baby's Room
Plan ahead and design a space with everything you and your baby will need in the first few months and beyond
Coming home from hospital with your new baby can be a daunting experience for first-time parents, but if you’ve planned ahead and have everything in place, all you’ll have to think about is meeting baby’s minute-by-minute needs, and taking care of your own in the process. The more organised you are, the less stressful the transition will be … and before you know it you’ll be into a routine that suits the whole family.
These ideas will make sure you’ve thought of everything.
These ideas will make sure you’ve thought of everything.
2. A fabulous mobile
Your baby won’t be able to see very far when he’s first born, but before long he’ll be gazing about and grasping for things with those new-found hands. Hang something worth reaching for above his cot.
Your baby won’t be able to see very far when he’s first born, but before long he’ll be gazing about and grasping for things with those new-found hands. Hang something worth reaching for above his cot.
3. A changing table
Save your back and use a change table for those endless nappy changes and clothing swaps. Buy a purpose-built change table, or make use of a chest of drawers like this one – then all you’ll need is the change mat popped on top.
Save your back and use a change table for those endless nappy changes and clothing swaps. Buy a purpose-built change table, or make use of a chest of drawers like this one – then all you’ll need is the change mat popped on top.
4. A bassinet
Whether it’s a bureau drawer or a beautiful cane basket like this one, a bassinet that can be moved from room to room is a handy thing to have if you want to keep an eye on baby wherever you are. Many parents feel more secure when their babies sleep in their bedroom with them for at least the first few months.
Whether it’s a bureau drawer or a beautiful cane basket like this one, a bassinet that can be moved from room to room is a handy thing to have if you want to keep an eye on baby wherever you are. Many parents feel more secure when their babies sleep in their bedroom with them for at least the first few months.
5. Plenty of storage
It’s surprising the amount of storage one small baby needs, so it will pay to have a well-organised system. A whole drawer can be dedicated to nappies, wipes and creams alone, and then there are the wraps, clothes, blankets, sheets and toys. Need I go on?
It’s surprising the amount of storage one small baby needs, so it will pay to have a well-organised system. A whole drawer can be dedicated to nappies, wipes and creams alone, and then there are the wraps, clothes, blankets, sheets and toys. Need I go on?
6. An adorable set of sheets
Ok, so this one is not strictly a necessity – the baby isn’t going to notice one way or the other what kind of sheets are in the cot. But you will, so make sure you love them. There are some super-cute bedding options out there for baby, and why shouldn’t you choose something that brings you a little joy?
Ok, so this one is not strictly a necessity – the baby isn’t going to notice one way or the other what kind of sheets are in the cot. But you will, so make sure you love them. There are some super-cute bedding options out there for baby, and why shouldn’t you choose something that brings you a little joy?
7. A floor rocker
You probably won’t want to carry your baby around all the time – all parents need a break – so a rocker like this can be worth its weight in gold. Hanging out the washing? Take it with you. Going to a friend’s house for a cuppa? Throw it in the car to make life easier. And when you’re cooking in the kitchen, your baby will love to watch you work from the comfort of her own rocker … and you’ll be sure not to miss her first smile.
You probably won’t want to carry your baby around all the time – all parents need a break – so a rocker like this can be worth its weight in gold. Hanging out the washing? Take it with you. Going to a friend’s house for a cuppa? Throw it in the car to make life easier. And when you’re cooking in the kitchen, your baby will love to watch you work from the comfort of her own rocker … and you’ll be sure not to miss her first smile.
8. A sleep inducer
Those exhausting nights when you can’t convince your baby to go to sleep will be a whole lot easier with a hammock like this strung up from the ceiling. Rocking your baby in your arms is one thing, but the swinging motion of a hammock is just as soothing, and a lot easier on your arms.
Those exhausting nights when you can’t convince your baby to go to sleep will be a whole lot easier with a hammock like this strung up from the ceiling. Rocking your baby in your arms is one thing, but the swinging motion of a hammock is just as soothing, and a lot easier on your arms.
9. Flexible seating
Before you know it, your baby will be taking solids from a spoon and sitting up in a high chair making a right old mess. An adjustable high chair that grows with them can be the way to go. This one will last them right through to their teenage years, and is easy to wipe down, too.
Before you know it, your baby will be taking solids from a spoon and sitting up in a high chair making a right old mess. An adjustable high chair that grows with them can be the way to go. This one will last them right through to their teenage years, and is easy to wipe down, too.
10. Bathroom necessities
Bathing baby would be much easier if you had four arms instead of two. Keeping everything you need within arm’s reach is the next best thing, whether you’re bathing him or her in the sink or wheeling in a portable bath.
Bathing baby would be much easier if you had four arms instead of two. Keeping everything you need within arm’s reach is the next best thing, whether you’re bathing him or her in the sink or wheeling in a portable bath.
11. A tummy time mat or rug
When babies are put to sleep on their backs, tummy time is often encouraged to strengthen all those muscles your baby will need for optimal development. A soft rug like this will prove irresistible for them, and there’s a seat for you to keep a close watch alongside.
When babies are put to sleep on their backs, tummy time is often encouraged to strengthen all those muscles your baby will need for optimal development. A soft rug like this will prove irresistible for them, and there’s a seat for you to keep a close watch alongside.
12. Hanging space
How great would this walk-in wardrobe be for your baby’s new room? You can reach for the perfect outfit without sifting through piles of clothes in drawers, and there’s a place for toys, shoes and other bits and pieces, too.
How great would this walk-in wardrobe be for your baby’s new room? You can reach for the perfect outfit without sifting through piles of clothes in drawers, and there’s a place for toys, shoes and other bits and pieces, too.
13. A display unit
It’s never too early for a shelving unit like this one, and with all the baby gifts you’re likely to receive, you’ll need somewhere to put them.
It’s never too early for a shelving unit like this one, and with all the baby gifts you’re likely to receive, you’ll need somewhere to put them.
14. Soft lighting
When you’re changing nappies or feeding baby in the middle of the night, the last thing you feel like doing is flicking on a bright overhead light. Minimise the disruption to both of you with a softly lit lamp. Your baby will soon be drifting back to sleep until morning.
When you’re changing nappies or feeding baby in the middle of the night, the last thing you feel like doing is flicking on a bright overhead light. Minimise the disruption to both of you with a softly lit lamp. Your baby will soon be drifting back to sleep until morning.
15. Safety gates
Your baby may not be crawling yet, but better to plan ahead when it comes to safety. A gate that blends in with your existing stairway will be easiest to live with.
Your baby may not be crawling yet, but better to plan ahead when it comes to safety. A gate that blends in with your existing stairway will be easiest to live with.
16. Pet barriers
Even if you think the safety gate can wait, being able to keep your dog away from the baby when you need to could prove a sanity saver.
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How did you prepare baby’s space? Post a high-resolution picture in the comments below.
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Even if you think the safety gate can wait, being able to keep your dog away from the baby when you need to could prove a sanity saver.
SHOW US
How did you prepare baby’s space? Post a high-resolution picture in the comments below.
MORE
The Path to a Sophisticated Nursery
10 Steps to a Scandi-Style Nursery
When you’re getting up every few hours to feed your new baby, having a supportive chair is essential. Whether baby is feeding from bottle or breast, caring for your back is vital in those early months. An armchair like this will be a welcoming, tranquil place to sit, and being able to put your feet up is an added bonus.