What to Put in a Nursery?

Waiting for your little one to come into this world involves many things to do and to think about, from medical visits to the many changes you and your partner will experience. Setting up a nursery is crucial for expecting parents as it prepares a special space for the baby’s arrival. This space serves multiple purposes, including providing organization and structure by keeping baby essentials handy.

Also, a nursery ensures the baby’s comfort and safety, offering a secure environment for their growth and development. It also promotes routine and healthy sleep habits, contributing to the well-being of both the baby and the parents. It is also a great way for parents to adapt to the new changes of becoming parents.

Setting up the things you have for the arrival of your little one is a great start because you will notice if something is missing. Beyond functionality, a nursery fosters bonding and interaction between parents and the baby. It becomes a space for cuddling, playing, and reading, strengthening the emotional connection within the family. Decorating the nursery is also an opportunity for personalization and creativity, allowing parents to design a space that reflects their style and preferences while creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for their newborn.

In summary, setting up a nursery is a significant aspect of preparing for a new baby, providing a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment where the baby can thrive and where parents can care for and bond with their little one. But how do you even start setting up your baby nursery, what are the essentials and how can you organize it all?

What is the function of a nursery?

A nursery can provide space for many different activities, from sleeping to changing diapers, and even cuddling with your little one while feedings happen, and later on, it can be a playroom or a shared space to tell stories and read books. So, we advise you to think about the purpose your nursery will have. Imagine what will go on the nursery; do you have a separate room for playing or to store clothes? Or do you need to plan for space for that purpose? Once you have cleared those points then you can go on to the next step.

Choose a design.

This is one of the most fun parts of setting up a nursery because you get to let your creativity out and put all your love into the decoration items, the walls, and so on. Start by getting inspired online and make sure you stick with a design so your process becomes easier. Pick the colors and start by painting the walls, make sure you do this ahead of time so your little one arrives at a finished nursery. There are specialty products for nurseries such as non-toxic paints and washable paints to make your life easier as the years go by.

Safety first.

One common mistake when setting up a nursery is putting aside safety for design; don’t forget your baby will grow up in this room, perhaps while still being a little baby you won’t notice much hazard but as he or she starts to walk and even run, everything around them becomes dangerous. Here is a list of the safety measures you can take as you set up the room:

Furniture

Make sure the furniture you choose, from the crib to the drawers, and bookcases, is proper for a nursery. They must be anchored to the walls to prevent them from falling, choose rounded-edge furniture so when your baby starts to crawl or walk, they don’t hurt themselves.

Windows

Check windows for safety, ensure they lock properly and they are not loose. Also, if you choose to add covers, they should be cordless to minimize strangulation hazard. Choose also covers easy to clean because they tend to store dust and you will have to clean them regularly.

Crib safety

Make sure you buy a crib that meets current safety standards, the mattress should fit snugly so no edges are left around the crib. Avoid placing toys, stuffed animals, bumpers, or soft bedding. Your baby should be placed always on their back and without anything that might represent a suffocation hazard.

Electrical safety

Make sure electrical installations are safe in the nursery room, cover electrical outlets to prevent electrical shock. And keep cords out of reach so your baby doesn’t pull them when he or she starts to explore the room.

Baby proofing

Eventually your baby will crawl, jump, and run around. So, you need to make sure you have secured drawers and cabinets so they don’t get little fingers stuck. Think about getting safety gates for when your little one isn’t that little anymore.

Temperature

If you live in an extreme weather location where summers are especially hard or winters really get cold it would be a good idea to place temperature controllers specifically for the nursery. Remember nurseries should not be warm, they should maintain a cool temperature from 68 to 72 Fahrenheit degrees.

Now that you have a decorated and safe room for your nursery it is time to think about what to actually put in. So here is our full list of essential items to consider for your little one nursery.

Nursery essentials

To make things easier for you we are going to organize the information per categories so you can even do a checklist as you go on.

• Sleeping

The sleeping area of the nursery is centered around the crib, which should adhere to safety standards and feature a firm mattress to provide optimal support for the baby’s sleep. Additionally, it’s essential to have fitted crib sheets and waterproof mattress covers to maintain cleanliness and comfort during sleeping. Have a couple of fitted crib sheets to replace them when necessary.

• Diaper changing

A designated diaper changing station is a crucial component of any nursery, providing a convenient and hygienic space for diaper changes. While you can change diapers pretty much anywhere, having a space with the proper height and equipped with a changing table or pad, along with ample storage for diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream, ensures that parents can attend to the baby’s needs efficiently.

For this station don’t forget diapers in newborn and stage one size, or reusable ones if you don’t plan on using disposable ones. Enough wipes, diaper rash cream, and after-bath items like corporal cream, nail clipper, and a brush. This station will also serve you when you take your little one for a bath.

• Feeding

When you have a little baby feeding is a big part of your day to day. And having a comfortable space to do it will make your days easier. The feeding area of the nursery is designed to facilitate comfortable and stress-free feeding sessions for both the baby and parent. A nursing chair or glider provides a cozy spot for feeding and soothing, complemented by nursing pillows and burp cloths. For bottle-feeding caregivers, it’s important to have bottles, formula, and bottle warmers or sterilizers readily available, along with a water bottle to stay hydrated.

• Storage

Efficient storage solutions are essential for keeping the nursery organized and clutter-free. Think about dressers, shelves, or baskets with ample space to store baby essentials such as clothes, toys, and blankets, while drawer organizers and closet dividers help maintain order within storage compartments. Remember to keep dangerous items such as a first aid kit, medicines, and nail clippers out of the reach of your baby.

• Illumination

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a soothing atmosphere within the nursery, particularly during nighttime routines. Soft and adjustable lighting options such as dimmable overhead lights or nightlights help create a calming ambiance conducive to relaxation and sleep. A nightlight is also a good idea for nurseries.

• Monitoring

Adding a baby monitor with audio and video capabilities provides you peace of mind by allowing, you to monitor the baby’s activities and well-being from afar, ensuring constant supervision even during periods of rest. Having a monitor can give you time to relax, take a bath, or have a snack while your baby rests.

• Playing

To stimulate the baby’s development and provide comfort during playtime, age-appropriate toys and books are essential additions to the nursery. Additionally, comfort items such as blankets, swaddle blankets, and pacifiers offer soothing options for the baby during moments of restlessness or discomfort.

Picking beautiful and meaningful books to tell your baby from the first months until they grow will create bonding moments for your family. As they grow, they will treasure those minutes you spent every night with them. Play is a crucial activity for kids to develop, think about activities you could enjoy within the nursery space.

Conclusion

Setting up a nursery is a vital aspect of preparing for a new baby, offering numerous benefits for both the infant and parents. It provides a space where the baby can sleep, play, and grow in a safe and nurturing environment. By carefully selecting essential items such as cribs, changing tables, and storage solutions, parents can ensure convenience and organization in caring for their little one’s needs.

A well-designed nursery promotes routine and healthy sleep habits, fostering better rest for both the baby and parents. Additionally, the nursery serves as a space for bonding and interaction, where parents can create lasting memories with their child through playtime, reading, and cuddling. Overall, setting up a nursery is essential for creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for the newest member of the family, fostering their growth, development, and well-being from the very beginning.