12 Top Nursery Picks That Every New Parent Will Appreciate

Babies are one of life's greatest joys. They can also be one of life's greatest stressors — after all, they don't come with an instruction manual.

We're here to help! Being a first-time parent can be confusing and scary, so we want to take some of that anxiety away with this handy guide to the 12 items you'll absolutely want to stock your nursery with before that bundle of joy arrives.

Some of the items on this list might seem obvious — of course, your baby needs a crib. But we're aiming to be comprehensive here. I know very well how stress and panic can lead someone to overlook the obvious, so we're going to go into detail with every item you need so you can focus on the joy instead of the fear.

A Safe Crib

As I said, it may seem obvious that your baby will need someplace to sleep, but a bit more goes into choosing the right crib than you might realize.

When selecting your newborn's new sleeping space, consider factors such as the ability to adjust the mattress height, the spacing of the slats, and the materials the crib is constructed from. Some older beds could contain toxic or other unsafe materials.

Washable Mattress Pads

On the subject of sleep, you will want to have spare mattress pads on hand to swap out in case of messes. Diapers don't always hold in 100% of expelled fluid — not to mention the potential for mouth-based messes. So, having spare mattress pads is a must.

Many parents recommend at least two mattress pads so they can be quickly switched in the case of accidents. But you might want three or even four to make sure you are prepared for a particularly rough night.

White Noise Machine

Every once in a while, you might hear of a miracle unicorn of a baby who falls asleep fast, sleeps through the night, and can stay in dreamland through almost any noise. Unfortunately, the chances of this baby being yours are pretty slim.

A study published by the Archives of Disease in Childhood found infants had an easier time nodding off with white noise playing. Make sure you do your research first, though, as the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions that white noise played too loud could lead to hearing damage.

Nursing Pillow

A U-shaped nursing pillow can keep both you and your baby more comfortable during feeding time, making the experience easier on your back, shoulders, and arms.

It might be commonly called a “nursing pillow,” but this tool isn't just useful for breastfeeding moms  —it holds the same benefits for moms and dads (not to mention older siblings, nannies, and babysitters) who bottle-feed their babies.

Rocking Chair

A rocking chair or glider in your nursery is a comfy place to sit at feeding time. But it can also have health benefits for both you and your baby.

A study published in the journal Infant Behavior and Development found distressed babies calmed more quickly when a rocking motion was involved. Research has also suggested that rocking could have benefits when it comes to neuromuscular development.

Dimmable Light

A dimmable lamp or overhead light will give you precise control over the intensity of the light in your nursery. After all, you don't want the same level of light at all times.

You'll want to be able to make the room nice and bright for cleaning, diaper changing, and playtime, but a more subtle light is more suitable when you're trying to put your baby down to sleep. A dimmer will get you both in one light.

Nightlight

Speaking of illumination, I can't stress enough how important you'll find it to have a decent nightlight in your nursery.

You don't want to risk waking your baby up with a bright light during a nighttime check, and similarly, you don't want to put your own toes at risk when a crying baby summons you to the nursery late at night.

Changing Table

Changing your baby's diaper right in the crib is a risky move and one I don't recommend. Changing can get messy — sometimes very messy — and you don't want to have to clean your baby's sleeping space, either (although, if you do, it's a good thing you got those extra mattress pads).

A table with the proper height and storage capacity will make changing a faster and easier experience. The table will give you a place to store those diapers, wet wipes, creams, and anything else you might need to keep your child feeling fresh and clean.

Dresser

It may seem like a no-brainer, but I'm going to say it anyway: You're going to want a dresser for your baby's clothes. Infants outgrow their outfits at an advanced pace, so you're going to be cycling through clothes fast. Without a place to put them, this can quickly become extreme clutter.

Luckily, you can also save space by looking at combination changing tables/dressers. These are handy because you'll have a change of clothes ready in case your baby's diaper springs a leak.

Diaper Pail

Having a baby in the house will bring all new smells into your life, and not all of them are pleasant. Whether you're using disposable or reusable diapers, a pail with a lid is a must.

These will help prevent the odor of your infant's messes from ruining the peace of your nursery and reduce the chances of an absolute nightmare scenario if you happen to have a curious dog. Trust me on this one.

Baby Swing

There are numerous positive effects of a baby swing or bouncer. Similar to when you sit together in a rocking chair, the motion will help soothe your infant, but it also has other positive implications for development.

These moving seats can help your baby develop balance, spatial orientation, and motor skills. Also, to be honest, they just look like a lot of fun.

Baby Monitor

Remember when I said bringing a new baby home can be scary? Well, the way I see it, you have two options: You can spend 24 hours a day staring at your infant, or you can get a baby monitor.

Basic baby monitor models allow you to listen in and know when your baby is sleeping or awake, while the now-common video monitors can let you check in to see if your bundle of joy is still sleeping peacefully without entering their nursery.