Baby Sleep Essentials for Nursery (aka The Sleep Zone)

A comfortable, safe sleep environment is the heart of every nursery.

• Crib or bassinet: Choose one that meets current safety standards, always. A firm, flat mattress is essential for safe sleep. A pack-n-play with mesh sides or crib is also great.
  • For newborns a bassinet is a must if you can get one. One that is next to the bed, swivels, and has mesh sides. This is the one I used for my kids and it did not disappoint called Halo BassiNest. Baby feels so safe when next to mom.
• Fitted crib sheets (2–3): Go for soft, breathable cotton that’s gentle on baby’s skin. The sheets HAVE to be fitted or else you risk the sheets moving around and getting all over the baby. Then swaddle your baby with swaddle sheets or just a cozy onesie. It’s not recommended to have any blankets in the sleep area for babies.
• Waterproof mattress protector: Keeps the mattress clean and dry through leaks and spills.
• Baby monitor: Optional but useful for peace of mind during naps or nighttime sleep. There are inexpensive baby monitors that work perfect…it’s a video with sound and you can see your baby easily. Do not rely on baby monitors, but it is a nice compliment to the baby essentials nursery setup.

Note: Never let your baby sleep in swings and those bouncy seats. Their necks can get compressed and they can’t breathe well. Always do safe sleep practices.

How to Setup a Nursery Changing Station

Keeping diaper time efficient and sanitary helps make the day go smoother. Trust! You will need the idea setup for diaper changing because there’s lots of pee pee poo poo.

Must-Haves:

• Changing pad: Choose one with safety straps and a washable cover or a waterproof pad you can wipe down. You do not need a changing table if you can’t swing it…you can use a cozy changing pad that is portable and use that for all changes. Always be aware that babies wiggle so even using the changing pad on the floor is good or be sure to watch baby like a hawk when changing on other elevated surfaces.
• Disposable Pee Pee Pads: This is such a mom hack for baby nursery setup because the pads keep changing surfaces clean…because there will be blow outs! Just lay the pee pee pad down, change and wipe, and gather it all up and dispose. This can help clean messy situations up easier and keep babies nursery essentials sanitary.
• Diapers and wipes: Whether disposable or cloth, stock up before baby arrives. Newborn babies need 8 or more diapers a day and also keep in mind, they grow fast…so stock several sizes! NB size diapers only last a short time so one pack is good and then buy the next size up so you have it handy.
  • If your place where the wipes are kept gets really cold, you could get a diaper wipes warmer. I didn’t have one for my kids, but it would have helped on cold mornings.
• Diaper pail or sealed trash can: Keeps odors contained. THROW diapers out every day. You really don’t need a Diaper “genie” or diaper trash…because honestly, you’re just going to have twenty dirty diapers in there. So get a basic trash can and just dispose of the diapers each day.
  • Use a small trash bag (the same a doggy poop bags) to wrap the diaper up and avoid more leaking smells. These are the small trash bags I am talking about that are so perfect and a mom hack for the dirty poopy diapers.
• Diaper cream: To prevent and soothe irritation. Triple Paste is my personal favorite that clears up redness right away, but use what works for you. Avoid fragrance and extra ingredients.
  • ALWAYS change your baby’s diaper frequently and you will avoid many diaper rashes. Also just use the baby wipe to help you smear the cream. You don’t need all those “applicators” that are extra and also unsanitary.
• Diaper Caddy or organizer: Keeps everything within arm’s reach—especially helpful for middle-of-the-night changes.
  • In the caddy put diapers, booty cream, thermometer, a rattle or small toy, pee pee pads, and a pair of pants or onesie. Then restock it every other day as needed. You can take it throughout the house and not have to worry about missing anything or reaching far during diaper changes.
  • Have the same caddy duplicated for your car.

Flooring for Baby Nursery

Choosing the right flooring for your baby’s nursery is more than just aesthetics—it’s about safety, comfort, and ease of cleaning. Babies spend a lot of time on the floor as they grow, so having a safe, practical surface is essential.

You might change baby on the floor, have messes to clean, do tummy time, and you might be laying on the floor too! Well, you will actually be on the floor a lot.

• Non-slip flooring: Whether hardwood, laminate, or tile, make sure the surface isn’t slippery. Use rugs with non-slip backing to prevent accidents.
• Modular foam tiles: Great for creating a defined play area; easy to replace individual pieces if stained. This is my personal favorite. The ones with ABC’s and numbers is so cute, fun, and grows with your baby. They are not very expensive and transport and pack very easily.
• Soft area rugs or portable play mats: Provides a cushioned surface for tummy time, crawling, and play. Foam or cotton mats are easy to clean and gentle on baby’s skin.
  • A waterproof portable play mat is a must-have for me because you can easily transport it to different rooms, have snacks on it, clean it, and then roll it up easily.
• Easy-to-clean surface: Babies can be messy—choose flooring that’s simple to wipe or vacuum. Avoid high-pile carpets that trap dust, allergens, or spills. Yea, you might see a nursery with fluffy fur rugs, but it’s not as practical and won’t stay white for very long.
• Hypoallergenic options: If anyone in the household has allergies, consider hardwood, cork, or vinyl with washable rugs instead of carpet.

Tip: Layering a soft rug over a firm, safe surface gives your nursery the cozy feel you want without compromising safety.

Cozy Touches

You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect nursery—just a warm, nurturing space.

• Swaddles and sleep sacks: Safer than loose blankets.
• White noise machine or fan: Helps mimic the womb and encourage deeper sleep.
• Room thermometer: Keeps the nursery at a comfortable temperature (68–72°F).

Nice-to-Have:

• Wall art or photos: Adds warmth and makes the space feel like home.