Everything You Need: The Ultimate Nursery Essentials Guide
- kaylieestrada2405
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Preparing your baby’s nursery is one of the most exciting parts of getting ready to welcome a new family member, but it can also feel overwhelming. With so many products on the market, it's hard to know what’s actually useful in those early months. That’s why we’ve created this focused guide to help you outfit your nursery with the essentials you’ll truly need. From sleep and diaper changes to sensory development and soothing routines, this list is here to help you create a space that’s both practical and comforting for you and your baby. Click here for a printable pdf version of the list.
WHAT YOU NEED TO OUTFIT YOUR NURSERY
Cribs, mattresses, and bedding
I am sure that I don't need to tell you why you need a crib or a crib mattress. Even if you are co-sleeping, you still need a crib because unless you plan on laying in bed 14-17 hours a day (the number of hours babies sleep), you need a place to put down the baby when you are puttering around the house. Now that I think about it, laying in bed 14 hours a day sounds like a dreamy lifestyle choice when your baby is fresh from the womb... but I digress. You need 2 waterproof mattress covers. Two. You need 2. One will be in the washing machine after your baby figures out how to remove their diaper and the other will be protecting the crib mattress from feces, vomit, and urine. You will be using this mattress for the next 4 years because this is the mattress that you will be using for the toddler bed. You don't want your child sleeping on a urine stained mattress for years. Likewise you will need at least 4 fitted sheets. Not every leaking diaper will require the mattress pad to be washed. But you will multiple sheets for those rough days when fluid containment becomes unmanageable.
Make sure that you place your crib in the center of the room to help your baby's eye development. If you want to read more about why or what to do if you don't have the room, read our post about 5 ways to strengthen your baby's eye muscles.
While you will need multiple baby blankets for a multitude of uses, you won't use them in the crib because it might suffocate your baby. I put 4 on the list: one for your diaper bag, car, nursery, and where ever you will be settling into feed your baby.
Other furniture
Technically you don't need a ton of furniture yet. You just need a dresser to store clean clothes, hamper for the dirty ones, as well as a changing station set up. Your comfy chair for feeding may or may not be in this room. If so, maybe a side table and lamp to put a glass of water, book, and/or bluetooth speaker to listen to podcasts or music.
Nursery items that help with your baby's eye development
A black & white crib mobile is a must to strengthen your baby's eyes. You read about why in the blog post to which I referred to above. A night light is also important to strengthen your baby's eye muscles. You can help build the muscles used for tracking if you shine the night light or rechargeable flashlight on the mobile at night. As the mobile moves, fascinating shadows will be created.
If you are the kind of person who would be more at ease if you can lay eyes on your baby at all times, then baby monitor is for you. Double check the company's privacy policy and check for any reports on devices begin hacked before purchasing.
The last thing that you will need to outfit your nursery is a tummy time mat. These can be the foam ones that connect like jigsaw puzzles or a fabric one with a variety of sensory activities. Tummy time can begin as soon as your baby gets home from the hospital. Just make sure that you put down your phone and keep your eyes glued onto your baby during this time for safety. Your baby cannot lift their own head if something blocks their ability to breathe. You need to be present in case this happens.
Changing station and supplies
You will need the following items to set up your changing station: waterproof changing mat or pad, as well as baby wipes or washcloths for cleaning up baby's bottom. Speaking of your baby's bottom, a baby wipe warmer will be appreciated. Cold wipes can be very distressing especially for babies with heightened senses. Make sure you add water occasionally to the package of wipes that can dry out over time. Diaper cream will help to prevent diaper rash. You will need at least 24 cloth diapers or disposable diapers. You can change diapers up to 16 times a day. Make sure your station is fully stocked. If you are using cloth diapers, you will need 7 diaper covers. Lastly you will need a diaper pail to hold either soiled cloth diapers or act as a trash can for disposable ones.
Outfitting your nursery doesn’t have to mean filling it with every gadget and piece of furniture you come across. It’s about creating a space that supports your baby’s growth while making your daily routine easier and more peaceful. With the right foundation and a few thoughtful additions, you’ll be ready to handle the beautiful, messy, and memorable moments that come with those early days at home.
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