The Essential Checklist Guide For Perfecting Your Baby's First Nursery
Setting up a nursery can be the first thing that makes your pregnancy feel really real – it's one of the first signs that things in your home and life are about to change.
With all the excitement, it can be easy to get caught up in the emotions, and before long, you realise you've forgotten some pretty important things! Well, don't worry, here at Snüz, we've got your back.
We know a thing or two about babies and nurseries, and we've poured all that knowledge into this complete guide to help you get just what you need for your baby's first nursery, ready to welcome them home.
So, if you find yourself asking: What do I need in a baby nursery? Read on.
Our Checklist of Nursery Essentials:
Key Elements of a Baby-Friendly Nursery
When designing your baby's first nursery, you need to incorporate a few key elements into your plans. Some of these elements will be glaringly obvious, but if you're a first-time parent, some of them might not be so obvious until your bundle of joy is already home, which can lead to a stressful situation.
Here's our list of the most important elements to incorporate into your nursery so you don't miss any.
- Safety: This is an obvious one, but the most important consideration when setting up your baby's first nursery should be their safety and yours. All furniture, especially the crib, should adhere to safety standards and regulations. (our SnüzPod4 meets the UK's bedside crib safety standards) You should also ensure the room has a working smoke detector.
- Functional Layout: The layout of your nursery is one of the most important parts of planning. You need to incorporate a sleeping area, changing area, and feeding area, as well as making sure there's room to move around the room easily with the baby in your arms. Getting the layout right helps the room flow and work better.
- Adaptive Lighting: While you'll want to be able to stare at your bundle of joy all the time, using harsh, bright lights all the time isn't going to be fun for your little one. Ensuring there's decent lighting over the changing table is practical, but make sure you have plenty of softer lighting options, like night lights, to create a calming atmosphere when you need it.
- Storage: This is another obvious one, but you might need more storage than you think. Babies come with plenty of clothes, supplies, toys, books, and bedding. If you're smart about your storage, you can make these things work for your baby as they grow into a toddler and a child.
- Comfortable Seating: As a new parent, you're going to spend a lot of your time sitting in the nursery with your little one, so making sure you have comfortable seating will be something you're grateful for during those 3 am feeds.
- Room Temperature: This is something that's often overlooked until the temperature of the nursery becomes uncomfortable for your little one. Think about how the rooms in your home feel during the height of summer and the depths of winter. If they get particularly hot or cold, take steps to minimise these fluctuations in the baby's nursery.
What Do I Need in My Baby’s Nursery? Here are the Essentials
Okay, now that you know the key elements that’ll make up your baby's perfect nursery, you might be asking: what do you actually need in a nursery, and what's just fluff?
Below is our complete nursery essentials checklist to make sure you're on the right track with your nursery planning.
1. The Crib or Bassinet
A nursery isn't a nursery if your baby doesn't have anywhere to sleep. The crib is often the first thing new parents purchase for their little one’s room as it's a big ticket item that's easy to remember. The hardest part about this essential piece of furniture is deciding which model to go for.
The UK’s Best Bedside Crib
The SnüzPod Bedside Crib is a popular choice with new parents – in fact, it’s the UK’s bestselling bedside crib! You can use this crib in your room for the first few months of bringing your baby home and transition it to their own room once they’re ready.
We’ve cleverly designed this baby crib with ComfortAir technology, helping to regulate your little one’s temperature and create better airflow as they sleep. It also features mesh drop-down walls, a lift-off bassinet, and a rocking stand – all contributing to a longer, comfier, and safer sleep experience.
The Moses Basket Reinvented for Modern Parents
The SnüzBaskit is another fantastic option. Our reinvention of the classic Moses Basket is stronger than traditional versions with its 100% solid beech wood. The basket itself is made out of our innovative KinderFelt™ material – 100% recycled materials and certified free from over 100 harmful substances.
It also features dual mesh windows so you can check in on your baby, and they can feel secure by seeing you, too.
You can rest assured your baby is sleeping safely and soundly.
2. Mattress & Bedding
Of course, you can't lay your newborn in an empty crib – they need something soft, comfortable, and supportive to sleep on.
Our SnüzPod4 and SnüzBaskit both come with a mattress as standard.
Making sure you purchase the right mattress that not only fits your baby's crib snugly but also offers enough support and comfort that’s paramount when ensuring your baby's safety and well-being in their nursery.
Our SnüzSurface Mattresses are designed to give your little one the most luxurious sleep, helping them sleep through the night. Each baby mattress features a 3D breathable surface to further support temperature regulation and breathability. The cover is removable and machine washable, as well as being waterproof for those unavoidable accidents.
Our SnüzSurface Mattresses are available in a wide range of sizes to fit Snüz beds as well as other standard-sized beds.
Once you've got your mattress, you'll also need some bedding to make it look and feel more cosy. Our fitted sheets range includes pieces for cot beds, Moses baskets, and prams, all of which fit perfectly and are super soft on your baby’s skin. We offer plain sheets and patterned ones to give your nursery a splash of colour and personality.
3. Storage Space: a Changing Table & Wardrobe
Another crucial part of setting up the nursery is thinking about the storage space, which is where a changing table and wardrobe come in.
Changing tables come in all shapes and sizes, so you should choose one that fits your room best and provides plenty of changing space. And if it can match the rest of your decor, that’s even better!
Our Changing Units double up as standalone dressers thanks to the handy removable changing frames. That saves you from having to buy two separate pieces of furniture, taking up much less space in the nursery. The units feature 3 spacious drawers to help you organise everything you need to keep your baby comfortable and clean, including plenty of spare clothes and wipes.
Our baby wardrobes offer even more space for little outfits and shoes (and for more bedding if you need it!). Inside, you’ll find interchangeable railings, so you can rearrange the space as needed to fit everything in nicely.
Choose from our SnüzKot and SnüzFino styles – depending on the aesthetic you’re going for and to match the rest of your furniture.
We also offer nursery furniture bundles to help you getting all your nursery essentials even easier.
4. Nursing Chair
Your baby's nursery is more than just a place for them to sleep and be changed. It's a room where you're going to be spending the vast majority of your time, especially in the early days. So, a comfortable nursing chair is a must-have!
This is a purchase that should be researched and tried out before you make a decision. No one wants to be trying to get their baby back to sleep in the early hours of the morning and discover the chair they bought is uncomfortable.
We recommend opting for a chair that has plenty of support – a high back is also a good choice so you can rest your head back when you're doing night feeds.
5. Baby Monitor
Having a baby monitor is a lifesaver and will become your new favourite piece of tech. Hearing your children from anywhere in your home allows you to do things away from the baby's nursery while they sleep.
Some baby monitors only convey sound so you can hear when your little one's stirring or crying, others offer a video feed, too, so you can see your baby. Many parents prefer baby monitors with a video feed as well as sound to give them extra peace of mind.
6. Night Light
You might think that night lights are only necessary for children who are old enough to get out of bed to use the toilet at night, but that's not the case.
Having a night light in your baby's room can be the perfect way to add just enough light to the room to check on them while they sleep. It saves you from having to turn the main light on and disturb them. You can even get motion-activated ones to make things even easier for you.
7. Thermostat
Finally, a thermostat can be a great idea in your baby's nursery. Having control over the temperature allows you to make sure the nursery is always at the optimum temperature to keep your baby happy, healthy, and comfortable and help them get the perfect night's sleep.
If you can't install a thermostat control for your nursery, having a thermometer in the room can help you tell whether your baby will need more or fewer layers as they sleep.
Safety Considerations for Baby's Nursery
It's very easy to get caught up in the appearance of your baby's nursery and create the most cosy-looking space possible with all your favourite pieces of baby room equipment.
However, the most important thing to consider is the health and safety requirements of the space. Here are some of the most important safety factors you should consider.
- Crib safety - Ensure the crib you choose meets the latest safety standards. The bars should not be more than 6 cm apart. Make sure there are no sharp edges or protruding pieces.
- Soft toys - Do not leave soft toys, blankets, clothing, or loose bedding in the crib, as they might pose a risk of suffocation.
- Non-toxic materials - Opt for furniture, paint, and bedding that are non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals.
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the nursery and test them regularly to ensure they're working properly.
- Baby monitor placement - Place the baby monitor at least 1 metre away from the cot bed so your baby can't reach the cord.
- Cordless window treatments - Corded window blinds or curtains pose a strangulation hazard. Opt for cordless window treatments to ensure safety.
Personalising Your Baby's Sleep Space
Personalising your baby's nursery can turn a functional room into a charming, comfortable space for your little one to grow. You might consider a theme that reflects your style or even an aspect of your family's culture or heritage. Use wall art, like decals or paintings, that can be easily changed as your child grows.
Consider personal touches like a hand-painted mural or your baby's name displayed artistically on a wall.
Use a colour scheme that's soothing yet stimulating, and don't forget the ceiling – your baby will spend a lot of time looking up.
Top Tips for Creating a Calm & Soothing Atmosphere
Creating a calm and soothing atmosphere in a baby's nursery can significantly contribute to your baby's sleep and relaxation. Here are some top tips:
- Colour Scheme: Opt for calming colours. Soft, muted tones are typically best for promoting sleep and relaxation. Pale blues, lilacs, or greens can create a soothing environment. If you prefer neutral colours, consider off-white, beige, or soft grey.
- Lighting: Install dimmable lights or invest in a dimming lamp. This will give you control over the brightness of the room, creating a soothing environment for sleep and more illuminated areas for activities like changing or feeding.
- Soothing Sounds: Consider a white noise machine or a musical mobile above the cot. The gentle, consistent sound can help soothe your baby to sleep.
- Comfortable Furniture: Ensure all furniture, especially the feeding or rocking chair, is comfortable, as you'll be spending a lot of time sitting with your baby.
- Curtains or Blinds: Blackout curtains or blinds can be helpful to block out any external light, especially during summer months when it stays light outside until later.
Remember that every baby is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. The key is to create a peaceful, safe and loving environment.
Create Your Dream Nursery With Snuz
At Snuz, we understand that having the perfect nursery is high on the list of priorities for new parents. That's why we've created a range of functional yet stylish pieces of furniture to help you create the ultimate relaxing space for your baby to sleep in.
Regardless of the type of nursery you're going for, we've got the furniture to get you started. Check out our range of beautifully crafted nursery furniture online at Snüz today and get started crossing things off your nursery checklist.
If you're looking for more design inspiration, check out our blog!
Faqs
To create a nursery for your baby, it's essential to have somewhere for them to sleep, like a cot bed or bassinet, a mattress that fits the cot bed snugly, bedding, a changing table, a nursing chair, baby monitor, night light, and a thermostat or room thermometer. Things such as decorations are nice and can be helpful for stimulation, calming, or development, but they aren't essential if you're just starting out. You may also have to think about accessible baby essentials if you or your baby have additional needs.
The four basic needs of a newborn baby are:
1. Nutrition: Regular feeding, either through breastfeeding or formula.
2. Sleep: A safe and comfortable space for frequent naps and overnight sleep.
3. Hygiene: Regular diaper changes and baths to maintain cleanliness.
4. Comfort & Security: Comfort through holding, cuddling and physical contact, and a secure environment that helps them feel loved and cared for.
Providing these things for your child helps them develop properly and gives them a good start in life. Of course, anything extra you do is always a bonus.
A nursery for a newborn offers a dedicated space for sleep, nappy changes, and storing baby essentials. It helps create a consistent sleeping environment and makes caregiving tasks more convenient.
According to the NHS and the American Academy of Pediatrics, it's safest for babies to sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months. This reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
After six months, it's usually safe for a baby to sleep in their own room if they are sleeping through the night consistently after the first few months. However, this decision ultimately depends on the parents' comfort level and the baby's readiness.
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