For many people bringing their first baby home is the greatest milestone in their life, and being prepared is paramount. Long before your baby is born, you likely have a Pinterest board full of nursery design trends and themes and spend a lo
t of time coming up with the ideal nursery for your bundle of joy. But, in the hustle and bustle of designing the baby’s room, many parents overlook first-time nursery essentials that can make all the difference in keeping you and your baby comfortable and healthy. Keep reading for some of the most stylish and important nursery essentials every new parent needs.
White Noise Machines
We all know how little sleep new parents get, but sleep doesn’t come easily to many babies, whether they are colicky or not. Countless studies have shown that white noise machines are beneficial when it comes to your baby getting a solid night’s rest. While they may not guarantee sleeping through the night at an early age, they can drown out background noises in the home from pets, humans, and appliances, making it easy for your newborn to enjoy long and healthy naps.
Baby Blankets
Getting caught up in all the furniture, toys, and clothing you want for your newborn is easy, but baby blankets should always be a priority. While placing your newborn in a bassinet without pillows, stuffed animals, or blankets are best for sleeping; baby blankets are still important in the nursery. They provide comfort during feedings, can be used as a play mat for tummy time, and are an essential item to grab on your way out of the door to keep baby cozy and their stroller during afternoon walks. You should opt for blankets made of organic cotton and natural textiles.
Humidifiers
It’s widely accepted that most babies and toddlers will benefit from including a humidifier and their nursery. Not only do humidifiers improve conventional ailments in babies like dry skin, the common cold, the flu, and nasal congestion, but they also bring other benefits. It would be best if you placed your nursery humidifier in a central location, not the corner of the room, which could disrupt the moisture flow. Generally, three to four feet from the crib or sleeping area is ideal. Please ensure the humidifier is placed high enough that curious hands can’t reach it.
Night Lights
Even though your baby isn’t old enough to be scared of the dark, night lights are handy in nurseries, not just children’s rooms. There will be many times when you need to check on your infant, but you don’t want to wake them up by turning on a light; a night light plugged into the wall outlet can give you just enough visibility to check on your child without disrupting them. Additionally, the baby isn’t scared of the dark; having visibility is also important for them when they wake up. If you’re sleep training and plan on putting your infant down before they fall asleep, a night light is also a thoughtful touch.
Baby Monitors
If you ask any parent, their top priority is keeping their babies safe and healthy. You’d probably be surprised by how many families still opt to forgo a baby monitor, but they’re something that no one should overlook. The baby monitor provides peace of mind for you as a parent, and today’s designs are more modern and sleeker than ever. If you’re on the fence about a baby monitor, at a minimum, install a monitoring app on your smartphone and leave another device like an iPad or other cell phone in the room to keep an eye on your child.
Nurseries are one of the most fun and whimsical rooms to design in a home; you get to play with color schemes and anesthetics in a way that most adults don’t throughout the rest of their homes. However, taking time to get back to basics and ensuring you have all the items to keep your baby comfortable and healthy is just as important. By adding the above essentials to your nursery shopping list, you can be sure you have the nursery of your dreams and keep your baby safe.