Are you busy setting up your new baby’s nursery? While it is lots of fun picking out the perfect decor and colour scheme, you may feel overwhelmed with the number of nursery ‘must-haves’ with which you are bombarded. Actually, there is very little you’ll need for your baby’s sleep space and a ton of nursery items you don’t need. In this post, you’ll learn about the items you really need in your nursery and the unnecessary nursery items you don’t need and will probably never use.
Whether you’re looking to create a budget friendly nursery, a minimalist space or just don’t want to waste your money on junk, read one to learn about nursery items you definitely DON’T need.
Nursery Items You Don’t Need
So without further ado, here’s my list of the items you don’t actually need in your nursery.
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The Biggest Unnecessary Nursery Item of All
You’ll never guess what the biggest unnecessary nursery item of all is:
You don’t really need a nursery at all.
What?
Safe sleep recommendations state that your baby is safest when sleeping near you (not in the same bed, but in the same room) for the first six to twelve months of life.
As a breastfeeding mom, I can tell you it is far easier to have your baby nearby so you can whisk them into bed to nurse and then get them right back in their crib or bassinet. Especially in the early days, it’s so much easier to get them (and you) back to sleep this way.
So if baby’s sleeping in the same room as you, why bother setting up a nursery at all?
Although we did set up a nursery with my first daughter, we didn’t bother with my second daughter. Instead we set up a nursery nook in our bedroom.
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However, you want have a nursery set up. Whether it’s for naps only, you choose not to room share, or you simply have been dreaming of setting up a special room for your little baby, creating a nursery is a right of passage for new parents.
Whether you decide to set up a full nursery, or just a nursery nook, here are a few things you can avoid.
Unnecessary Nursery Item #1: A Crib Set
Lots of stores sell adorable blanket sets for cribs. Many include a tiny cozy duvet, along with sheets, and even coordinating wall decor, lamps, etc., etc., etc. You’ve seen these sets in baby magazines and on Pinterest.
Here’s the thing:
Babies should NOT sleep with blankets of any king (other than a swaddle or sleep sack). That gorgeous duvet you’ve bought is not going to touch baby for a year or more and will wind up stuffed in a closet.
Instead, you can invest in some super stylish fitted sheets. These ones make me swoon. They are perfect for Instagram photos!
Unnecessary Nursery Item #2: Bumper Pads
Along with blankets, bumper pads have no place in safe sleep space for baby. Even the ‘breathable’ kind are not recommended (breathable is a marketing term, and has not been endorsed by sleep experts.).
If you’re worried about baby’s legs getting stuck between the slats of your crib, a sleep sack like this one will prevent that from happening.
Unnecessary Nursery Item #3: Change Table
Change tables are expensive and you really don’t need one. Instead, buy a change pad to place on top of the baby’s dresser, and boom, you have a perfect changing station.
Unnecessary Nursery Item #4: Baby Monitor
This may seem controversial, but I really don’t think most families need a baby monitor, especially an expensive video monitor.
Unless you have an enormous house or you’re more than one floor away from where baby is sleeping, you will be able to hear when he or she wakes up without a monitor.
We have a large house and the baby sleeps on the second floor. I can ALWAYS hear her when she cries, monitor or not.
One instance where a monitor is very useful is if you plan on spending a lot of time outside. We have a pool and a garden, so I do use my monitor in the summer quite often.
Unnecessary Nursery Item #5: Heartbeat Sensor
I honestly think heartbeat sensor companies prey on nervous new parents. These sensors are more likely to malfunction than detect a real problem, heaping more stress on new parents. Practice safe sleep practices and don’t worry more than you have to.
Unnecessary Nursery Item #6: Expensive Diaper Genie
Guys, a diaper genie is soooooo unnecessary (if you use cloth diapers, you definitely don’t need one!). Newborn diapers are not that smelly. Honestly, you can throw them right in the garbage and you’d never notice.
I have done this; I swear it is true.
Now:
Once baby starts solids at six months, things do get a little funkier. Still, they will not stink up an entire room.
We do use the occasional disposable diaper for overnight, or the very rare time that baby has a diaper rash. I toss those diapers in the trash and they’re completely fine!
If you’re really concerned, you can always have a small garbage can in your nursery and change it every night. Line it with a old plastic bag and take it outside at night. It’s so much cheaper than a fancy diaper genie and the ridiculously expensive refill bags they require.
If you are totally grossed out by having uncontained dirty diapers, the Ubbi diaper pail is more expensive, but really well-made. It contains any little smell and you can use normal garbage bags instead of a specific diaper genie refill, which will save you in the long run.
Must-Haves for Your Nursery
OK, so there are some items you definitely don’t need for your nursery, but there are some must-haves.
Must-Have Nursery Item # 1: Safe Sleep Space
You will need a crib, bassinet or pack and play that has been approved for safe sleep. You can get away with just a bassinet at first, but you’ll need a crib after the first few months.
Did you know babies should not be allowed to sleep in the ‘napper’ section of many pack’n’plays? Babies must sleep on a flat firm surface. I definitely did not know this with my first!
Must-Have Nursery Item #1: Swaddles/Wearable Blankets
So you know baby blankets are NOT safe for baby, but what do you put them to sleep in? Swaddles and sleep sacks or wearable blankets are the best and safest options for babies to sleep in. Buy at least three of each, because you will be washing them constantly!
Must-Have Nursery Item #3: Blackout Blinds
Blackout curtains are a game changer for baby sleep! They help baby sleep longer. You can get super affordable paper blackout shades like these for a fraction of the price of the price of traditional blinds and they work AMAZINGLY.
Must-Have Nursery Item #4: Storage for Baby Clothes
You’ll definitely need some storage for the hundreds of teeny outfits and socks you’ll have accumulated by the time the baby is born. A dresser is a great option because it can grow with the baby.
if you’re tight on space or budget, another option is to invest in some cute storage bins that would be perfect for a closet. Check out this sweet closet organization set. It’s all you’ll need for clothes storage and at a fraction of the price of a dresser!
Nursery Items That are Nice to Have:
Nice-to-Have Nursery Item #1: Mobile
A mobile might fall into the unnecessary category, if it’s purely decorative, but many mobiles play music and are very interesting for baby. This can come in so handy during the day and at night.
You might choose one that plays soothing, quiet music for baby’s nap time. This can be a great sleep cue for baby.
You can also use a mobile while baby is awake. For us, it’s a great way to entertain baby while she’s in the crib.
The crib is a safe place for baby to be unattended, especially if you have pets and toddlers running around! I always lay my youngest in her crib while I’m showering, so I can be sure she’s safe. The cheerful music from the mobile and the rotating toys keep her entertained so mommy can shower in peace!
Nice-to-Have Nursery Item #2: Rocking Chair/Glider
You’ll probably be spending a lot of time rocking your baby to sleep, at least in the early months (and during sleep regressions!). Save your back and get a rocker. You’ll thank yourself in the wee hours of the morning.
Nice-to-Have Nursery Item #3: White Noise Machine
A white noise machine is another awesome addition to your nursery that will help your baby sleep better. The womb is a noisy place, with blood whooshing and your heart beating. Mimicking that noise in the nursery can help baby sleep more soundly.
If you have an old iPhone laying around, you can download an app and play white noise from it. I don’t recommend relying on your current phone. You’ll want that for yourself during nap time!
Nice-to-Have Nursery Item #4: A Rug
If your nursery is not carpeted, seriously consider a rug beside the crib.
The reason?
You’ll likely be spending (what seems like) hours standing in front of the crib rocking baby, slowly transitioning baby to the crib and patted or rubbing their little back. This will probably be done in the middle of the night and presumably you won’t be wearing socks.
Take it from a mom whose feet were absolutely freezing for the first months of motherhood and get a rug (or a good pair of slippers).
Don’t forget to start an Amazon Baby Registry right now! If you’re like me, you don’t want to get off the couch and rive to a bunch of stores to make a bunch of registries. Amazon allows you to grab all your favorite brands and have one registry in one spot, all without getting up from the couch! Amazon is a game changer for registries!
So, there you have my list of nursery items you don’t need, as well as some essentials and nice-to-have items. Whether you are being frugal, minimalist, are low on space, or just want to streamline the baby items in your home, you can definitely skip these unnecessary nursery items.
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