What Are the Essential Things I Need for a Baby's Room?

The arrival of a baby is an exciting time. It can also be very stressful because your baby needs 24-hour care and supervision. When creating your baby's nursery, there are a number of essential items you will need so that your baby is comfortable and your job of looking after him is a bit easier.

Crib

A crib is the most important item in a nursery. A baby sleeps in a crib until the age of 2 or 3 when he will transition to a bed. Buy a crib before the baby is born so that you have time to set it up properly and safely. The slats on the crib shouldn't be more than 2 3/8 inches apart; this will stop a baby's head from getting stuck. Check that it is stable and fitted together properly. Also choose a mattress that fits into the crib well. If there is a gap around the edge of the mattress, your baby could get his arm or leg trapped.

Changing Table

Babies need their diapers changed frequently, and the easiest place to do it is on a changing table. It's more convenient to change your baby on a table made for this purpose because you won't have to bend down. The table usually comes with a foam mat on top for your baby to lie on. Several drawers underneath can hold diapers, lotion and wipes. Make sure the table has a guardrail so that your baby is protected from rolling off. Attach safety straps (if they're not already attached) to secure the baby when she is lying on the table.

Glider

When your baby needs to be fed throughout the day, a soothing and useful item to have is a glider. The glider acts as a rocking chair, and the motion will calm your baby. Gliders are safer than rocking chairs, however, because they sit flat on the floor. Add cushions specifically designed for a glider to give you an extra bit of comfort when holding your baby.

Hamper

A hamper is a convenient item when changing your baby. Use it to toss in dirty clothing as soon as you've changed taken it off, as well as dirty bibs and burp cloths. Place the hamper next to your changing table for easy reach while your baby is on the table. More expensive hampers include decorative trim and a removable liner to make it easier to take the dirty clothing to your laundry area. A hamper can come in handy for many years.

Storage

In the first few years of your baby's life, he will need a lot of small items. These include new clothing every few months, diapers, toys, lotions, baby wipes, blankets, bedding and towels. You baby's nursery should have several areas for storage. An armoire is an ideal large storage unit for clothing, bedding, towels and blankets. The armoire should be properly fastened to a wall so that it can't fall over. For toys, buy a toy chest that can hold a variety of items, including stuffed animals, books and stacking blocks. Make sure the chest lid can't slam shut, which could hurt your baby when she can move around independently.

Accessories

There are several small accessories that are needed to make your baby's room complete. A baby monitor is necessary so that when you leave your baby in the nursery, you can hear her from other parts of the house. You may want to hang a musical mobile over the crib to entertain your baby and send her off to sleep.