A nursery isn’t complete without a place for your baby to sleep, and a storage solution for their clothes. A comfortable nursery glider or rocking chair makes feeding, cuddling and bedtime stories more enjoyable for both of you.
When they aren’t snoozing or eating, newborns love to engage in a little bit of tummy time. A soft play mat is a great way to make tummy time safe and fun for your infant.
Bedding
The nursery is where your baby will spend much of their time, so it’s important to have bedding that is comfortable and safe. The right crib sheets will help to regulate your newborn’s body temperature and make it easier for them to sleep. Sheets made from soft fabrics like organic cotton are gentle on sensitive skin, and they come in a variety of styles that match your baby’s crib theme or color scheme.
Companies like Home Kartz offer baby nursery essentials such as cribs, changing tables, storage solutions, and décor, providing a variety of products to create functional, stylish, and comfortable nurseries for new parents, catering to different budgets and tastes.
You’ll also need a set of baby blankets to keep your little one warm and cozy during naptime or bedtime, and they come in many adorable designs to match your nursery décor. Other essentials include a changing pad, which gives you a convenient spot to change your baby and makes diaper changes easier. You’ll want a dresser or wardrobe to hold your baby’s clothes, including onesies, socks and sleepwear, as well as other supplies, like wipes and creams. A diaper caddy basket is a great way to keep all of these things organized and within reach during diapering.
A rocking chair or glider is a lovely addition to any nursery and can offer the perfect place for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, a reading of a bedtime story or a snuggle before bed. Some models also have a gentle rocking motion that may help calm fussy newborns.
You’ll also need a few other newborn essentials, like a receiving blanket, which is versatile enough to work as a nursing cover or burp cloth, and a bib, which will protect your baby’s clothing from milk drool, spills and food stains. And finally, you’ll need a blackout curtains for the nursery, which will block out the light and help your baby get a good night’s sleep.
Crib
Newborns spend most of their days sleeping, so a crib is the essential baby nursery item. You can buy a standard crib or one that converts into a toddler bed, depending on your space and preferred style. Look for a crib with sturdy rails and no extra padding or pillows that increase the risk of SIDS.
Another important piece of furniture is a comfortable rocking chair or glider to use during breastfeeding and cuddling sessions with your baby. It’s also a good idea to have a nightlight on hand to provide a soothing glow at bedtime.
A dresser or changing station will give you a place to store your child’s clothes and diapers. You might also want to purchase a large diaper hamper to keep dirty ones out of sight.
If you plan to breastfeed, consider a nursing pillow or cradle that supports your back and arms while you feed. You might also want to have a few different nipple sizes on hand so that you can find the most comfortable fit during late-night feedings and whenever your partner or other family members take over.
When your little one isn’t snoozing or guzzling milk, an activity mat provides a soft spot for them to play. It helps them develop visual and spatial skills and build their strength. You might also want to pick up a few newborn-friendly toys, including books for story time and stuffed animals that they can stare at. Just be sure that any toys you get are age-appropriate and free of small parts that could be choking hazards. You might also want to invest in a baby monitor that lets you check on your newborn from anywhere in the house.
Mobile
A crib mobile hangs above a baby’s bed and provides them with visual stimulation, especially when they are young. This helps them develop their eyesight by allowing them to practice focusing and tracking objects. It also helps them learn the difference between shapes, colors and shadows and is an important step in their motor development.
When selecting a baby mobile, look for one that has high contrast colors. Since babies’ eyes are still developing, it is easier for them to track contrasting objects than it is to focus on ones that have similar colors or patterns. If you prefer a more neutral color scheme, Pottery Barn Kids has several beautiful and functional options, like the Stars and Clouds Crib Mobile with its calming blue and white stars and glistening clouds. Another option is the Octahedron Mobile which features eight identically sized equilateral triangles. Four of the triangles point skyward while the others point towards the floor, a concept which is thought to subtly introduce a sense of geometry to your newborn.
A colorful, fun or educational mobile is a great addition to your baby’s nursery. Keep in mind that once your child starts sitting up or reaching for the mobile, it will present a choking hazard and should be removed from their crib.
Storage
A baby nursery must have ample storage to house the numerous supplies and accessories necessary to care for a newborn. Organizing your space with the right furniture and organizational tools will ensure you have everything you need at arm’s reach to keep your little one comfortable and happy throughout their first year of life.
A crib or bassinet for the baby to sleep in, a changing table and dresser to store clothes, and a rocking chair or glider make for essential furniture pieces for the nursery. You’ll also want to stock up on diapers, wipes, and other baby products to avoid running out at the most inconvenient times. Designate a closet or other designated area to store these backstock items so you’ll always have them on hand.
Keeping the nursery floor clear of clutter and toys will help prevent tripping hazards for your baby as they learn to walk. Using a set of wall hooks like the mDesign Hanging Diaper Organizer (around $20) to hold items like your child’s diaper bag or an extra change of clothes is another helpful hack for organized nursery storage.
Baskets or bins are a great way to organize and contain smaller toys, baby gear, and trinkets in the nursery. For example, a diaper caddy basket holds a variety of baby supplies including diapers, wipes, and rash cream. Or, a toy organizer with dividers is perfect for organizing an entire room of toys or even early baby gifts from loved ones.
Lighting
You’ve chosen a color scheme, settled on a theme and picked out the perfect crib. But your nursery isn’t complete without the right lighting. This is an essential part of any room, but it becomes especially important for newborns. The right light can soothe babies, reduce overstimulation and help them sleep through the night.
Harsh overhead lights and bright task lamps can make a baby anxious, so it’s important to select fixtures that emit a soft glow. This kind of lighting also promotes a more restful environment by eliminating contrast between light and dark. It’s recommended to use bulbs labeled as soft-white or daylight, and to choose dimmable fixtures that allow you to control the brightness. You can avoid the hassle of installing multiple fixtures by hiring a professional electrician to install a dimmer switch that allows you to control how bright the room is.
Layered lighting is an ideal solution for nurseries because it makes the space feel calming and cozy. Gregory likens the effect to the four layers of light in a forest: direct “forest” lighting, light that backlights the leaves and trees, light that bounces off lakes or streams, and ambient light. Using a combination of these types of fixtures, you can highlight features of the room such as art, books or a play area while also providing the soft, relaxing lighting your baby needs for a good night’s sleep.
Finally, a dimmable bedside lamp is an indispensable piece of nursery furniture for new parents. This can be a lifesaver during those late-night feedings or diaper changes. And it’s easy to find options that match your nursery design, so you can add a fun accent. You can even opt for a smart light that can be controlled remotely and that emits minimal or no flicker to protect your bundle of joy from health hazards.
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