Your nursery. Decorating and organizing a baby’s nursery can be a lot of fun for parents-to-be. You get to pick out colors, maybe a theme, furniture, etc. Having the nursery prepared can also help flip the mental switch to realizing that a baby will soon be arriving. The nursery category on your baby registry might be an area you really want to spend some time thinking about before adding items to your list.
On one hand, you want to get the nursery completed on time. If your baby shower is close to your due date you may not want to wait and instead purchase these items yourself.
On the other hand, nursery items tend to be some of the most expensive things you will need before the baby arrives. Sometimes, couples put furniture on the registry hoping someone will splurge or that friends and family might go in on a piece together.
If you do decide to put furniture on your registry, keep in mind that big items tend to be harder to return. Are your baby shower guests likely to stick to exactly what you registered for, or are there some loose canons invited?
Remember, you will be in the nursery multiple times a day (and a lot at night!). You are going to want to enjoy the way the nursery looks. Furthermore, you’ll want to organize it so everything you need frequently is in close reach.
Here is everything you will need for the baby’s room. Whether you decide to buy certain items or to put them on your registry is entirely up to you.
The AAP recommends that babies should sleep in the same room as the parents for at least the first six months (preferably up to a year) to help reduce the risk of SIDS.
Read More: Safe Sleep
As a parent, you have options for what your baby should sleep in. Depending on the size of your room, your baby could sleep in a bassinet, cradle, or crib.
Personally, we use a cradle for the first few months until switching our children to the crib. The cradle takes up less space and it is easy to have next to the bed for night-time feedings.
I will be honest and tell you that many times we did use the Rock ‘n Play for our children to sleep in (especially with our colicky daughter). Rock ‘n Plays are now completely off the market because of a massive recall after numerous infant deaths.
Make sure to register for at least two fitted sheets for your bassinet or cradle. Two ensures that you have an extra sheet to swap in after a middle of the night diaper blow-out.
We purchased this dresser knowing we wanted to use it for a changing table as well. The dresser is a great size and for such a cheap price has worked wonderfully for us.
I think having a separate changing table is a total waste of space and money. I need the drawers a dresser provides. To see how we easily converted the dresser to a changing table take a look at Baby Registry: Diapering.
Obviously, you will need a crib at some point. We found ours at a local furniture store heavily discounted because the model was discontinued – score!
Make sure the crib you select has multiple heights for adjusting the mattress up and down (your back will thank you).
The main decision to make is if you want a convertible crib. Personally, I think you can make any crib a convertible crib by just taking the front side off. Convertible cribs are more expensive and usually, the extra pieces are sold separately.
We did not select a convertible crib because we hope to use the crib for multiple children and we’ll buy a twin bed separately. Plus, storage space is very limited in our house.
Most crib mattresses are a standard size so you shouldn’t need to worry about that aspect when looking at mattresses. You may not even need to register for a crib mattress depending on where you purchase your crib. Our crib came with the mattress.
You should register for at least two waterproof crib mattress protectors. Between spit-up, vomit, urine, and poo there will be a lot of liquids coming out of your baby. Protect that mattress!
Again, make sure to get at least two fitted crib sheets. Remember, a baby is not supposed to sleep with any other type of bedding; no bumpers, blankets, pillows, etc.
The item I feel is absolutely necessary on your baby registry is a monitor.
If you and your partner want to have a glass of wine on the patio while your baby sleeps, bring the monitor. Need to mow the lawn while the baby catches a few zzzs, bring the monitor.
Our baby still wakes up multiple times a night and is not able to self-soothe (grr) so we still keep the monitor on all night.
Our monitor can have up to four different cameras associated with the screen which comes in handy as we have a toddler in one room and a baby is a separate room.
There are many monitors on the market but I would absolutely recommend getting a video monitor. Although not necessary, the video monitor can catch some pretty funny things and lets you know if the baby is standing in the crib.
We are unable to view our monitor on either of our cell phones but I have friends who have those types of monitors. I would think a Wi-Fi baby monitor would only come in handy if the parent(s) travels a lot, works late often, or goes on many date nights (lucky you!).
You are going to want this piece of furniture in the baby’s room, especially if you plan on breastfeeding. I would suggest picking whatever glider or rocker you think is comfortable and looks good.
Make sure your breastfeeding pillow fits easily between the two arms of the chair! I would also highly recommend getting a footstool, ottoman, or poof for your feet if you plan on breastfeeding – trust me it helps.
Read More: How to Set Up Your Nursing Station
Although your baby won’t be able to sleep with blankets for a year (except for swaddle blankets) they are still nice to have on hand during the day.
Multiple friends told me I would need a ton of swaddle blankets. I don’t really see why? Four I think would have been plenty for me but I received way more than four. These swaddle blankets are large, soft, and breathable.
A blankie is a special blanket that your baby will grow attached to. This blanket will end up going everywhere with your child – vacation, car rides, etc. I highly recommend getting a blankie with “silkie” edging, kids love it.
You will also want to register for a few thicker blankets. These blankets can be laid out on the ground for the baby to play on at other people’s houses or outside. Even in your own home, you may sometimes put a blanket over carpeting to lay your baby on.
Such a simple concept and invention but the latchy catchy is a life-saver none the less. You will want one of these on your nursery room door for safety and decreasing sound.
Adult-sized clothing hangers don’t work too well with baby clothes. Although you may have a dresser, there will still be a few items you will want to hang in a closet on child-size hangers.
I prefer the concept of less is more when it comes to decorating a nursery but to each his/her own.
You will need all the storage you can get when it comes to baby items. Merge the two categories and make the organizing bins and baskets part of your nursery’s decor.
In my humble opinion, I deem the following items unnecessary;
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