10 Nursery Essentials for Expecting Moms and Dads

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July 09, 2019

By: Allison McHale

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Photo By: Hero Images

Basics for the Baby

Planning a nursery can be overwhelming if you haven’t done it before. To help take the stress away, we’ve compiled a list of basics you may need to comfortably welcome your little one home.

Bassinet

When your baby first comes home, she or he will most likely be sleeping in a bassinet. If you’re planning to co-sleep, this bassinet from HALO is a favorite among new moms. It has a 360-degree swivel that allows you to rotate the position of your baby, and the base tucks conveniently under most beds. The height is adjustable to four levels, and the sidewall lowers quickly, allowing you to reach for your baby with ease.

BUY IT: Target, $210

3-in-1 Convertible Crib

Cost can quickly add up when designing a nursery, which is why this 3-in-1 convertible crib is arguably worth every penny. Babyletto’s Modo Crib grows with your little one, meaning you don’t need to purchase a new bed for each phase. It begins as a crib—with adjustable mattress heights—and can convert into a toddler bed with a partial side rail or a full bed for older boys and girls.

Bonus: It comes in six finishes so you’re sure to find a shade that matches your nursery design.

BUY IT: Target, $280

Changing Pad

Sure, you can purchase a table specifically for changing your baby’s diaper—or you can save a few bucks with this peanut-shaped changing pad that you can lay on any surface in your nursery. While the pad itself is not cheap, the solid (but cushy and soft!) surface means you don’t need to purchase changing pad covers—ever. The material is impermeable to liquids and wipes clean.

BUY IT: Amazon, $125

2-in-1 Night Light and White Noise Machine

Hatch Baby’s Rest is a 2-in-1 night light and sound machine, and it’s the stuff dreams are made of. The music selection ranges from classic lullabies to background noise options like the ocean, rain or white noise. Settings for volume, light, color and brightness are controlled with a handy app, which is perfect for tired parents who are stuck bouncing a little one up and down. Eventually, it can also be used as a time-to-rise clock for your older toddler.

BUY IT: Target, $60

Mobile

The style you choose for a mobile is definitely a personal one, but we really like this one from Manhattan Toy and here’s why. Babies can’t see a whole lot in those early days, except for shapes and, over time, colors. Color contrast—even if it’s black and white—can be really interesting to a tiny baby’s developing brain. This award-winner has 10 interchangeable cards that are labeled by age and you can change the height of the mobile with an easy-to-adjust cord.

BUY IT: Amazon, $24

Glider

Sweet dreams don’t always come so easily for tired little babies who can’t quite settle down. Enter, the glider. Any parent who has struggled to calm their baby can attest that a little motion can go a long way. That’s why we love the Babyletto Kiwi Glider. It’s not just soothing for your baby, it’s extremely comfortable for exhausted parents and has an ultra-handy USB.

BUY IT: Target, $700

Wipe Warmer

Cold wipes can be the enemy of a teeny tiny tush, especially during late night diaper changes. This wipe warmer from Hiccapop solves that problem. A convenient changing light illuminates the changing table, meaning sleepy babies stay sleepy. Wipes stay moist thanks to a silicone seal that locks in moisture, and the case holds all brands of wipes.

BUY IT: Amazon, $35

Monitor

Researching for the best baby monitor is another task that can overwhelm even the most Google-research-loving parent. We’ve liked (and used) this one from Infant Optics. It has three lens types—normal, wide angle (sold separately) and zoom—so you can keep an eye on your snoozing baby at all times. The monitor itself is a compact three-and-a-half-inch LCD color display and includes features such as night vision, talk-back function, room temperature display and sound-activity lights that turn red when your little one is crying.

BUY IT: Target, $166

Hamper

It’s amazing how one tiny human can make so many messes and go through so many clothes in a single day! A hamper just for the baby room mean you’ll save yourself from piles of poop-covered clothes laying around on the floor. This hamper from Munchkin has handles for easy carrying and is collapsible when not in use.

BUY IT: Target, $27

Diaper Pail

Diaper changing is a full-time job when you have a newborn on your hands and things can get really smelly, really fast. A good diaper pail is key for sealing in the stink. The Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail locks in odors and has a child-proof lid—which, take it from us, you’ll be thankful for.

BUY IT: Target, $70