Top 8 Items Voted Most Essential For Your Nursery

The time is near...You're already into your third trimester and still need to prepare the nursery. Realistically, baby can come any time, so you need to act fast. Bringing your new baby home to an incomplete nursery is like sky-diving with no parachute. You have to be prepared or else it will be a complete disaster! We've asked parents across America and they all agree that the very first thing to do is to make sure you have the following items on your nursery checklist.

Baby Beds: It's kind of like Goldilocks and The 3 Bears, but you have to be the one that finds the baby bed that is Just Right! It is the very first and most important nursery furniture item you should have for the nursery. Depending on your situation and preference, you may choose to have a traditional, full-sized crib, or maybe a mini/portable crib that is best used for small spaces. Lots of parents like the option of having a smaller and mobile baby bed, like a bassinet or co-sleeper, so they can easily transport baby throughout the house. Whatever you decide, just be sure that the mattress is firm and flat, the baby bed meets all U.S. safety standards, and the crib is free from toys, cushions or anything else that can become a choking or suffocation hazard. If there is room in the nursery budget, I would opt for a musical mobile. It helps with baby?s development, great to incorporate in the bedtime routine, and very entertaining for baby.

? Baby Bedding: Choosing the right baby bedding will not only affect your overall nursery design, but you will need to find bedding that fits your baby bed perfectly. Having a loose fitting mattress sheet is a suffocation hazard so be sure to take measurements. And since you will be facing lots of drool and soiled unpleasantries, it?s a good idea to have several sets of crib bedding so your baby will always have clean sheets to sleep on.

? Changing Table: You will need a good diaper changing station next to the baby bed since you will easily be changing diapers every 2-3 hours. The most convenient way is to have a changing table close to the baby crib so you can have a safe a secure area to change baby?s diaper and plenty of storage space for diaper changing supplies and clothing. Having the changing table close to the baby bed is ideal for late-night changings so you can quickly put baby back in the crib before he/she even wakes up.

? Drawer/Dresser: Like it or not, baby grow very fast and you will be going through tons of clothing and washing many baby bedding sets. So having a good sized dresser is the best way to keep the nursery organized and clutter-free. Most nursery dressers have a detachable changing table on top so you can save space and continue to use the dresser after baby outgrows the changing table. A good safety measure is to fasten the dresser to a wall so there is no chance that it could tip over while you are changing your little one.

? Glider/Rocker: As a mother of two small children, I can?t stress enough how wonderful it is for mom and baby to have a comfortable nursery glider. So much of your time is spent nurturing, feeding and rocking baby to sleep. Having a comfortable nursery glider will definitely help keep mom, dad and baby relaxed and happy.

? Baby Clothes: It?s hard to predict what size your baby will be. With my first child, I made the mistake of getting too many newborn clothes that my baby never wound up wearing because the weather was too cold to go outside. I would suggest having a handful of newborn onesies, sleepers and socks. That way, after the delivery, you will have a better understanding on what size and type of baby clothing to get.

? Blankets and things: Get yourself a handful of receiving blankets for swaddling, bibs, burp cloths and wash cloths.

? Supplies: Below is a list of nursery essentials you should definitely have:

• Diaper Genie: Best place for soiled diapers and helps keep odors from stinking up the nursery.
• Baby Monitor: Will allow you to move around the house and get things done. I would still suggest checking up on baby as often as possible.
• Diapers & Wipes: These items are good to buy in bulk. However, for the very first round of diapers, get a smaller amount of newborn diapers just in case baby will need a bigger size.
• Changing/Bath/Wellness Items:

? Desitin: for rashes

? Baby Powder: to keep area dry

? Nasal Bulb: to clear baby?s nasal passage (not recommended for newborns)

? Baby Bottles: have them sterilized and ready for breast milk or formula.

? Baby Shampoo: purchase shampoo that is tear and fragrance free.

? Digital Thermometer: the easiest place to take a baby?s temperature is under the arm, but you also try the old school way of in the rectum.

Having a baby is a wonderful blessing and huge responsibility. So make sure your nursery is fully equipped with baby furniture and supplies by the third trimester so you can give your baby everything he/she needs for a joyful and bonding experience.