What to buy for your nursery
Deciding what your baby will need can feel overwhelming, but our shopping list of essentials – from £14 – does the hard work for you
From the moment there’s a positive pregnancy test to the moment you deliver your baby (and, let’s be honest, the thousands of moments after that), expectant parents are bombarded with all types of information about what to buy, what to do, how to parent.
But we’re here to help you understand the specifics of what you need in your baby’s nursery. For the first few months, your baby will probably be sleeping in the same room as you, but the nursery is a wonderful place to feed them, put them down for their daytime naps, change them, dress them, read to them and more.
Getting them used to their nursery early on will only make the transition to them sleeping in there overnight smoother, so it really is worth the effort now.
The storage basket, £14
As a parent, it can be hard to feel like you’ve got all of your ducks in a row. Days can be a whirlwind of nappies, food, tantrums, tears (from you and them), but if their space is organised, it makes things so much easier.
Investing in a couple of simple storage baskets like this can make the world of difference: pop nappies, muslins, creams, dummies, anything into these and voilà, calmness ensues.
The change station & drawers, £189
If you’re short on space, a double-whammy dresser that provides storage and a changing table is the perfect solution.
Something like this simple ANYDAY design will make the world of difference to the 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’’l 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, £29.99
If you live in a city, own a dog or have a partner who likes to speak several decibels above normal range, a noise machine is a fabulous purchase.
This Tommee Tippee one comes with a nightlight too, which is perfect for those stupid o’clock changes when you don’t want to burn your retinas with the big light. It mimics sounds from the womb, adding extra comfort to your baby’s slumber.
The BabyBjörn bouncer, £210
This is a cult buy for a reason – 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. Pop a baby gym over the top or invest in some of BabyBjörn’s specifically designed toys for added entertainment.
The baby blanket, £24
Whether you use this in their cot, your bed or during walks round the block when you’re desperately trying to get them to nod off, this knitted, pure cotton blanket is a must for added cosiness (and it’s machine washable). It’s also the perfect gift and will last well into 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 one 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.
This Click and Twist design from Tommee Tippee is genius: you pop the used nappy inside, twist the mechanism to individually wrap it in a layer of anti-bacterial film and boom, no nappy smell. 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.
Plus, when you buy kids' sleepwear, we'll donate 10% of the retail price to our Building Happier Futures fund as part of our ongoing commitment to help make a difference to young people from care.
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