10 Nursery Must-Haves

This Rock n’ Play Sleeper was one of my favorite and most used baby items! Not only is it plush and cozy for Baby, it’s also safe—a buckle strap and an extra-deep seat keeps Baby snug. This portable sleeper folds easily with one hand—perfect for moving around the house so Baby stays in your sights. My newborn slept next to my bed in this for four months! It's also a must-have for babies who are dealing with acid reflux in those first few precious months of life, as it will allow them to sleep at an incline.

To buy: Fisher-Price, $70

Nights with a newborn are restless—and not just when they are keeping you up for midnight feedings! The dangers of SIDS has all parents worried, leading to Mom and Dad sneaking into Baby’s room multiple times a night to make sure the baby is still breathing. The Angelcare Deluxe Movement and Sound Baby Monitor eliminates those middle-of-the-night checks with a sensor pad that tracks the baby’s movement and breathing. If the baby stops breathing, an alarm goes off on the monitor. Combined with a screen displaying the room temperature and clear sound so you can hear your infant, this is one of the best baby monitor options available.

To buy: Target, $100

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Say goodbye to changing table wipes and pads! This Keekaroo Peanut Diaper Changer wipes completely clean. This changing pad was designed for hospital use; liquids pool at the surface instead of soaking in. The pad is nice and thick, so Baby stays comfortable.

To buy: Amazon, $80

This play gym was one of my favorite and most useful baby purchases. Because it’s great for babies who lie flat, my daughter began using this before she was a month old, listening to music and gazing at her reflection in the hanging mirror. As your infant grows, they can kick their little feet to hit the piano keys and grab at the hanging toys above them. My daughter continued to use this after she learned to crawl.

To buy: Amazon, $48

While this may seem obvious, you can never have enough diapers and wipes with a newborn around. NEVER. So whether you're going cloth or disposable, make sure your nursery is stocked up so you won't have to make a midnight run to the market with a screaming poopy baby in tow.

To buy: Amazon, varies

A sound machine was a must-have with my newborn. She was an incredibly light sleeper, so soothing sounds helped drown out some of the noises happening outside her nursery. This little Cloud B Sound Machine Soother is perfect because it’s a stuffed animal! Not only is it adorable (there are five different animal options), it can attach to Baby’s crib and is perfectly portable for naps away from home. My daughter loved consistency, so bringing this along helped for on-the-go naps!

To buy: Amazon, $30

It’s pretty common for babies to suffer from congestion. My now-toddler was congested for the first six months of her life! Unfortunately, this problem often worsens during the nighttime hours, making sleep uncomfortable. A humidifier is the best thing for relieving those nasal passages at night. This Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is adorable, so it will fit right in with nursery décor.

To buy: Amazon, $40

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While it doesn't have to be a rocker or glider specifically, having a comfy chair in the nursery is a life (and back) saver. Bouncing Baby up and down for hours on end is a new parent rite of passage, but rocking back and forth in a cushy chair instead sounds much better, doesn't it? And it's a much better alternative than the ground for all those bedtime stories you're gonna be reading while cuddled up with your little one.

To buy: Pottery Barn Kids, $920

When I first heard about the miraculous Nose Frida I was dubious at best, disgusted at worst. A nose aspirator that involves sucking through your MOUTH?? No, thank you. But after hearing rave reviews and being desperate to rid my baby girl of all her congestion, I decided to give it a try—and it WORKS! It’s less intrusive than a bulb aspirator because it is not inserted IN the nostril. And no snot ever comes near your mouth, promise.

To buy: Amazon, $23

Swings and bouncers are a necessity for the sanity of new moms. If it weren’t for our swing, dinners never would have been prepared and no one would have ever had clean socks! This rockaRoo from 4moms is as good as it gets—the sleek design will fit right in with your nursery décor, and the small size makes it less cumbersome for moving around the house. Five speeds and a rocking horse-like motion keeps Baby happy.

To buy: 4moms, $180