What to buy for your nursery
Deciding what you need in your baby's room can feel overwhelming, but our list of essentials will help you create a nursery that you and baby will love
From the moment there’s a positive pregnancy test, expectant parents are bombarded with information about what to buy, what to do, what to think... We’re here to help you work what you really need when it comes to kitting out a room for your baby.
At first, your baby will probably sleep in the same room as you, but a nursery is a wonderful place to feed them, put them down for naps, change them, dress them, read to them and more. Plus, getting them used to their nursery early on might also make the transition to them sleeping in there overnight smoother, so its worth the effort to get the room ready now.
The storage basket, £30
Sleep-deprived and with so much to do, it can be hard to feel like you’ve got all of your ducks in a row as a new parent. Days can be a whirlwind of nappies, tantrums, tears (you and them) and more nappies.
However, getting organised can make things feel a whole lot easier. Investing in few simple storage baskets like this to stash nappies, muslins, creams and everything else you suddenly have laying around will transform your nursery into a highly functional space.
Change station & drawers, £179
If you’re short on space, this double-whammy dresser pluschanging table is the perfect solution.
With clean lines and practical storage, this design will make a world of difference to your nursery, not to mention your back. Even with a changing mat on top, there’s still room for a nappy stash and wipes.
The change wedge, £18
Speaking of changes, you’ll need one of these. Even if you decide not to invest in a dresser, you’ll need somewhere to change your baby and don’t listen to anyone who tells you to ‘just put a towel down’ – they clearly haven’t experienced what it’s like changing a newborn or a full-nappied wriggly toddler.
A wedge like this one is extra comfortable for the baby and also adds a bit of extra protection when they start learning to roll.
The noise machine, £19.99
If you live in a city, own a dog or have a partner who speaks several decibels above normal range, a noise machine is a fantastic purchase to make sure baby's slumber is undisturbed.
This Tommee Tippee model mimics sounds from the womb and comes with a nightlight, which is perfect for those middle of the night changes when you don’t want to burn your retinas with the big light.
BabyBjörn Baby Bouncer Balance Soft
This is a cult buy for a reason, it's a brilliant bit of kit that your baby will love until they start moving. It’s a safe alternative to popping your baby on the floor while you try to fold laundry/drink your brew while it’s still hot. Plus, the entire cover comes off and is machine washable – genius.
When they’re out of the newborn phase and start learning their own strength, they’ll understand how to kick out to make the bouncer, well, bounce. Freeing you up to make a dent in the to do list.
The baby blanket, £24
Whether you use this in their cot, your bed or during tucked into the pram during walks round the block when you’re desperately trying to get them to nod off, this knitted blanket is a must for added cosiness. Plus it’s pure cotton meaning its both breathable and machine washable, and built to last all through childhood.
The cot, £155
The last of the big ticket pieces: a cot. Even if you choose to co-sleep or have your baby in your bedroom, getting them used to their cot in their own room at an early stage will pay off massively in the long run.
This ANYDAY design comes with all three settings; the highest intended for newborns and the lowest for toddlers. Its simple white design is timeless and as an added bonus it comes with teething rails that will protect your little one when they decide to gnaw everything in plain sight. Yes, even their cot.
The cot mattress, £65
It’s recommended that you buy a new mattress for every baby so even if you already have a hand-me-down cot, you’ll want to invest in a high quality mattress to protect your growing babe. Be sure to check out the dimensions of your cot, as they can come in slightly varying sizes and you need your mattress to fit perfectly inside.
This one comes with a reversible and washable mattress cover, which is a must-have for all stages of your little one’s life.
The cot sheets, £24 for two
Sheets. Ah, sheets. You will need many, many sheets from newborn to nappy training and all of the wonderful stages in between. Choose something that’s 100% cotton for two reasons: comfort and easy washing.
Need we say more?
The nappy bin, £29.99
And finally, the least glamorous in the list but arguably one of the most important: a nappy bin.
The Angelcare Classic XL Nappy Bin is so easy to use – just open the lid, push the nappy through the clamp and the nappies fall conveniently into the antibacterial and multi-layered film bag. And as nappy bins go, it actually looks quite chic.
Check out our All Things Baby page to book an appointment with one of our Nursery Experts and get all the essential advice you need for your new arrival.
