Newborn Nursery Checklist
An organized, well-stocked nursery with decorative accents makes caring for a newborn more enjoyable because you can find what you need quickly in the middle of the night. Design a nursery that you love spending time in, and don't forget to include all the essentials needed for newborn care. Preparing a nursery checklist early can help you stay organized and have a functional nursery ready before your baby arrives. Does this Spark an idea?
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Crib, Mattress and Other Bedding Essentials
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Every nursery needs a place for the baby to sleep, so plan on buying the crib first, unless you plan on using a bassinet or cosleeping. If you decide to buy a crib, look for a good-quality mattress and buy a mattress cover to protect the mattress from stains. Choose bedding such as a comforter, sheets, crib bumpers and other thick blankets. You may not use the larger blankets until your child is older, but it's never too early to stock up on what you might need later.
Toys, Decor and Other Comfort Items
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Stock your nursery with plenty of toys and other comfort items for you and your newborn. Having a nursing pillow along with a rocking chair or glider chair can make breastfeeding easier. Babies also teeth as they get older, so stock the dresser with a few teething toys. Place decorative toys on the shelves, dresser and in your baby's toy box. Include framed pictures, decal stickers or painted wall designs that match the theme of your nursery. Baby blocks, decorative bookends and a collection of children's books also make good decorations on a nursery shelf. Other comfort items include pacifiers, breast pads, a baby first-aid kit and lotions.
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Furniture
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Every nursery needs furniture in addition to the crib. Choose furniture that matches your theme. Many furniture sets include a matching crib, dresser, toy box and other furnishings. You might want a changing table with extra drawer space for supplies, but you can also change your baby on a bed if a changing table isn't in your budget. A dresser is needed to hold clothing and other items, unless you plan on hanging up most or all of your baby's clothes.
Diapers, Wipes, Supplies and Clothing
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Your nursery needs plenty of supplies to keep your baby happy and content. Babies love clean diapers, so stock up on newborn and other infant-size diapers. Get more than one size, because babies grow rapidly, but don't open the packages until it's time to use the diapers. Some stores will allow you to exchange an unopened package of diapers for a different size. Place extra packages of diapers in the closet, and keep your changing table stocked with diapers, baby wipes and diaper cream. Buy extra receiving blankets and plenty of clothing for your new baby. Stock the closet and dresser with newborn and infant clothing that fits the season. Buy larger-sized clothes for future seasons. It's always a good idea to buy bigger sizes since it's hard to know how fast your baby is going to grow. It's okay if the clothes fit loosely.
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