Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! Sharing baby news with friends and family is exciting and a wonderful feeling. Once the congratulations have ended and you realize that you’re about to become a parent for the first, second, third time, it’s time to start baby nursery prep. Preparing the new room usually requires some research and building your nursery essentials list. As you start to see your belly grow and begin to feel those tiny kicks, getting a nursery together becomes your priority. 

Setting up the nursery should be the part that’s done with ease and with nursery furniture that works for your space. Being able to enjoy parenthood means making new memories with a new addition to the family, regardless of what phase your nursery is at. Bringing a new life into the world should be a reason to celebrate, mom should be stress-free setting up the nursery and dad should provide all of the help. 

Types of Nursery Furniture: Gliders, Cribs & Dressers 

Walking into the baby and kids section your heart instantly melts with all the nursery furniture. It becomes so hard to figure out what you actually need because everything is so freaking cute. When it comes time to make that purchase – you want everything. Especially when you’re a new parent, having everything ready and set up in the baby nursery is important to do well before the baby arrives. So, what exactly should you be adding to your registry or shopping for? These three nursery essentials will be a must-have to make the baby’s room feel complete.

The Crib

Shopping for cribs becomes easier once you know the dimensions of your space, exactly what your nursery theme is, and what functionality you would like your crib to have. Some questions to keep in mind are: 

  • Would you like it to transform into a toddler bed?  
  • Does it need to fit a specific aesthetic? 
  • When will your baby start sleeping in their crib? 
  • How much weight does the crib need to hold?  

If a transitional crib is something you’re looking into, the Nolan 4-in-1 Convertible Crib is a great option. It features four mattress levels to adjust the height as your baby begins to sit up and stand. The crib easily converts into a toddler bed, daybed, and full-size bed for use past the nursery years.  

Along with the crib, another important factor is the crib mattress. Having the right mattress for your baby helps support your baby’s body as they grow and reduce the risk of suffocation hazards. The Peaceful Dreams Dual-Sided Crib mattress features a double-sided cover that is both waterproof and hypoallergenic. It’s finished with square corners to ensure that the mattress fits snug in the crib. You are also able to use the mattress for your toddler’s bed once that transition begins.  

Nursery Glider

Having a nursery glider, a rocking chair or just an armchair will be essential to your baby’s room. This will be your go-to place for feedings and bonding. When looking for a glider you should focus on one with full motion. The Mikayla Nursery Swivel Glider Recliner Chair has a ball-bearing mechanism that allows for 360-degree swivel and smooth gliding motion. It also features an easy-pull tab to prop up your legs or stretch out and fully recline to help mom or dad relax.

Nursery Dresser

The last furniture piece on the top of your nursery checklist should be a dresser for storing all the baby clothes, burp cloths, and pajamas. Adding a dresser to the room helps to complete the entire look of the baby nursery. The Delta Children Simmons Kids Emma 4 Dresser features remove the changing top and keep it as a kids dresser for the after-diaper years. Storing baby clothes can become messy very quickly. Using drawer inserts can help keep all your baby clothes organized and in the same drawer. 

Nursery Organization & Storage

We know that once you enter parenthood, getting organized quick becomes a lot more important. Adding organization to your nursery essentials helps you save time packing your diaper bag for a busy day out with your new baby. When deciding on what to use for organization, some items that make life a bit easier are: 

  • Closet systems: installing a closet system in your baby’s closet helps to free up space for nursery furniture, especially if you have a small space. A closet system can include a mix of drawers, hanging poles and shelves that are adjustable in height that grows in height as your baby becomes a toddler and child.  
     
  • Nursery Storage sets: can include hangers, drawer dividers, storage bins and a hanging organizer. These sets, such as the Delta Children 24-piece Nursery Storage Set. give you everything you need to straighten up your child’s drawers, shelves, closet and dresser. It is constructed with durable material that can handle heavy use.  
     
  • Baskets: baskets are essential for storing toys, using for dirty baby clothes or storing items near your nursery glider. For an out-of-the-way approach, putting baskets on a shelf can help keep any items away from your baby once they get to the crawling age.  

Nursery Safety

Now that you’ve compiled your list of must-have nursery essentials. It’s time to talk about keeping little ones safe while they are in their new room. Nursery safety must be an integral part of putting a baby’s room together as this will be their space for years to come. Keep these important factors in mind when setting up your baby nursery.  

  • Mattress height: mattress height should be adjusted as your baby grows. Once they are able to roll around or sit up, you should lower the crib mattress to prevent your little one from getting too close to the edge. As they learn to stand, the crib mattress should also be lowered so that baby is able to stand in the crib without leaning forward and falling out.  
  • Secure items to wall: secure all bookshelves, dressers and any other item that may tip over if baby is crawling around in the space and climbs on the furniture. Some items may have passed the voluntary tip-over standards, so it’s important to check with the manufacturer to ensure that the right precautions are taken.  
  • Baby proofing: baby proofing the apartment can help ensure that your little one can freely explore their new home, with parental supervision of course. Making sure to add those corner protectors, cabinet latches, doorknob covers, and outlet covers will make your home a little safe once your baby reaches those crawling and walking milestones.   
  • Dangling items: any crib mobile, nursery curtain tassels, or any other item that could dangle into the crib or that baby can pull on once they begin grabbing or crawling. Hang mobiles high enough so that baby can watch but can’t pull down and adjust as your baby grows. 
  • Cribs & Bedding: keep loose bedding, stuffed animals, and blankets out of the crib while baby sleeps to prevent your baby from pulling over themselves while they sleep or roll around.  

Becoming a parent is a wonderful thing. Sometimes can seem a bit stressful but always filled with lots of cuddles and love for baby. Having the essentials for the baby nursery can make becoming a parent more about reaching this amazing new phase in life with your partner. Enjoy all the little milestones and always create memories in the nursery that you dreamed of for your baby.