10 Nursery Items I Used Most as a First-Time Mom

There are a lot of options out there when it comes to picking out items for your nursey, so it can be hard to narrow down what you truly need. Here are ten items that I used (and still use) the most as a first-time mom.

1. Newton Breathable Crib Mattress
   This is a splurge item, but it gave me so much peace of mind when my daughter became a stomach sleeper. The mattress uses a patented Wovenaire core, which is 90 percent air and 10 percent food-grade polymer. Simply put, you can put your face into the mattress and breathe normally. The cover that zips over the woven core is also breathable, soft and completely removable to throw in the wash. Plus, the materials used are free of toxic chemicals and allergens.
2. Nanit Pro Camera with Wall Mount
   Narrowing down which baby monitor to use was one of my toughest decisions. I ended up going with another splurge item but was able to get a great Black Friday discount on it. The main reason I chose the Nanit Pro was because you can monitor the camera from an app on your phone or iPad. This gives me peace of mind when someone else is putting my daughter down for a nap or bedtime, so I can check in to make sure she went down. Other features I like include baby’s movement and breathing tracking, sleep pattern analysis and personalized tips based on your baby’s age. Plus, the app can split into two screens if you end up having a second child. Pro tip: you can use your HSA or FSA to buy this item.
3. A Comfortable Rocking Chair
   You are going to spend a lot of time in this chair, so make sure it’s a comfortable one. I chose a reclining swivel glider from Target and my husband and I love it. In fact, my husband accidently falls asleep in it quite often. I chose a reclining chair instead of a traditional rocking chair with a footrest to maximize bedroom space. Plus, being able to recline allows for additional nursing positions if you have a stronger flow.
4. Convertible Crib
   I chose this crib mostly for aesthetic reasons, but it also has some great safety features, adjustable mattress height positions and it converts to a toddler bed. Overall, it’s been a great crib.
5. Ubbi Diaper Pail
   It’s not the most glamourous and exciting item to purchase, but it is definitely an essential for any nursery. I chose this diaper pail because it’s pretty minimal, it holds a fair number of diapers (about 55), you can use any standard trash bag and most importantly it holds in all of the stink – and trust me, the diapers get smelly as your child gets older.
6. Changing Pad
   I was deciding between the Hatch Smart Changing Pad and Scale and the Keekaroo Peanut Changer. I ultimately chose the Hatch because I wanted the scale feature, which we used a lot when our daughter was a newborn. Now looking at the two, I also prefer the shape of the Hatch pad because it has allowed us to use it for a lot longer.
7. Waist-Height, 6-Drawer Dresser
   I was hesitant to get a new dresser for our nursery because we had an older, taller dresser than we were going to use. I ended up buying this dresser because it was a better height to set the changing table on, and I am so glad I did. I love having six drawers to separate clothes, towels and diapers. I also love the edging around the top of the dresser because it saves toys, creams and lotions from rolling over the edge when I’m changing my baby.
8. Canopy Humidifier
   I live in a state with very cold, dry winters, so the Canopy Humidifier has been a life saver. Babies skin is so soft and delicate, so it’s important their room has some moisture in it. I chose this humidifier because it combats mold growth, and you can put it in the dishwasher to clean. I also love putting in a few drops of their clean and pure aroma oils.
9. Sleep Sacks
   I’ve used a few varieties of sleep sacks throughout the last nine months. When my daughter was really little, and still swaddled we used the Halo and Ollie This kept her nice and snug, and helped her sleep great. They also allow you to transition with one arm and two arms out. We went straight from the swaddles to the arms out sleep sacks from Kyte and Nanit. The Kyte sleep sacks are very soft and cozy, but I purchased the Nanit versions when she was sick because it works with the camera and detects breathing.
10. Hatch Sound Machine
    Finally, another item we use every day is our Hatch Sound Machine. This immediately sets the mood for naptime or bedtime. We keep it lit dimly at night in case we need to pop in for a quick night feeding. The sound machine turns on with a simple tap, or you can control it with an app on your phone. I’m excited to use it’s “Time-To Rise” feature when our daughter is old enough to understand, which turns a certain color to let your child know they can get out of bed.

These items have been essentials for our nursey, and I would recommend them to any mom. But the costs add up, so take advantage of discount codes, prioritize what items you might splurge on and add a bunch of them to your registry. And remember, go with your instincts on what you feel will work best for you and your baby.