Nursery Essentials for First-Time Parents
Creating a baby registry can be overwhelming to a first-time parent. With so many products available, it’s difficult to know what’s what.
As a mom of four, I’ve learned that less is more for the newborn stage. Our nursery setups became more practical and less whimsical with each baby. I’ve started helping friends with their own baby registries and nurseries, and this passion project has evolved into parent coaching and a book called Let’s Choose Less.
Here’s the reality: Babies don’t require much during their first few months, and you don’t need a perfectly curated nursery. Below are some essentials to help ease your transition into parenthood.
SLEEP
A safe sleeping space for your baby is priority. We typically began with a bassinet in our room, and once the baby was big enough, we transitioned to a pack ‘n play in our bedroom or a crib in theirs. Some babies may not like a bassinet. Our oldest wasn’t a fan, while our third really enjoyed hers. Keep extra crib sheets and mattress protectors available for middle-of-the-night messes, and double make the bed if you can. Sleep sacks or swaddles and a humidifier will keep the baby comfortable, and a sound machine is excellent for drowning out noise. There are many sound machine options you can pick, but we love the ones that have a built-in nightlight. Regardless of which room your baby sleeps in, always be sure to follow all safe sleep guidelines.
DIAPER SUPPLIES
When it comes to diaper changes, make sure to have diapers, wipes, diaper cream, a safe location for changing, and a wipeable changing pad. In our household, we were big fans of Honest diapers, but you’ll discover which brand works best for you and your baby. It’s a good idea to keep a small selection of newborn-sized and size-one diapers on hand. Some babies go straight into size one.
CLOTHING
Your little one will need clothing, but not as much as you might think. Many people love to gift baby clothes, which often results in an abundance of outfits in sizes they’ll outgrow almost immediately. Consider adding larger sizes to your baby registry or including gift cards for shopping later instead of just registering for newborn or 3-month sizes. Always pick the onesies with zippers if you can—bonus for 2-way zippers! If you plan to do laundry every day, you could manage with even fewer outfits, but I recommend having no more than 12 to 15 outfits. Keep in mind that baby clothes are small, so it’s easy to accumulate a lot, as they don’t take up much space. And don’t forget stain remover!
A GOOD PLACE TO SIT
Nursing or pumping requires a significant time commitment, so it’s important to have a comfortable place to sit during those long, overnight hours. We chose a large leather recliner that was easy to clean, extremely comfortable, and offered ample space for all the necessary breastfeeding and pumping supplies.
It’s better to start with fewer items in your nursery because you can’t predict what your baby will like or need. You might find that you need to purchase something entirely different from what you already have. Babies also outgrow things much faster than you might expect. Bouncy seats and swings are nice to have, but you’ll only use them for a short time. Also keep in mind that baby clothes often shrink in the wash, so don’t stock up too many small sizes; you’ll need the larger ones sooner than you think.
The great thing about online shopping is that it’s always accessible, allowing you to easily order items you may need that you don’t already have. I also recommend local buy, sell, and trade groups on Facebook. These groups can help you find used items that you can resell once you’re finished with them, rather than just storing them.
JENNA MICHAEL is a wife, mother, author, and coach specializing in simplified and intentional living for families. For more information, or to purchase Lets Choose Less, visit yourpurposefulparenting.com.
