Becoming a new parent can be both exciting and overwhelming when preparing for the arrival of your little one. Walk into a baby boutique and they’ll have you thinking every item is absolutely necessary in order to ensure your bub is happy and blessed with the “perfect” nursery. There are many things to consider but honestly babies don’t need a lot.
To make the process, and your new stage of life, a little bit easier, we have put together a list of our 5 must-have nursery accessories for new parents. We’ll keep it simple.
The Kids Home Fashion Guide to the essential Nursery Accessories for New Parents
1. A Comfortable Rocking Chair
One of the most important items in any nursery is a comfortable rocking chair for you to spend that quality time with your baby. Whether you’re feeding your little one, reading to them, or just cuddling, a rocking chair can provide a comfortable and calming space for both you and your bub. Look for a chair with a supportive backrest and armrests, and ensure it’s upholstered in a fabric that is easy to clean.
2. A Cot & Change Station
Probably the most essential accessory for your nursery is the cot or bassinet. Make sure you choose a cot that meets the following Australian Safety Standards:
- Castor wheels with brakes
- Protrusions from tops and sides of cot no more than 8mm
- Space between cot sides, ends and mattress no more than 20mm
- Space between bars 50mm – 95mm
- Top of cot to top of mattress 500mm minimum
A cot with wheels is always a winner ensuring easy movement around the room when needed. The materials should be non toxic for when the teething phase hits and finally a firm comfortable mattress.
Changing stations are also super important as changing nappies can be messy work! Having a dedicated changing area can help keep things organised and clean. Look for a table with ample storage space for nappies, wipes, and other essentials, as well as a changing pad that is easy to wipe down or has removable changing covers. Soft close draw features will also help keep little fingers safe.
3. A Sound Machine
Including a sound machine in your baby’s nursery is essential and here is a list of reason why you
need one:
Sleep Aid:
Babies find comfort in repetitive and soothing sounds. Make sure you purchase a sound machine that plays a variety of different noises such as heartbeat, lullabies and nature sounds. These create that oh so important calm environment to help aid sleep.
Routine:
Using the same noise to help baby sleep will establish a healthy sleep routine. The sound will be a signal “it’s time for a nap” and they’ll easily transition to sleep, including during their REM (Rapid eye movement) period.
Masking Loud Noises:
Household unavoidable sounds from siblings and pets can be masked with a sound machine. If you live in a noisy neighbourhood or close to a busy road, it can be handy to have a soothing noise to block out sudden noises that would otherwise wake you little one.
Longer Sleep Durations:
Those soothing sounds can contribute to longer and more restful sleep for bub which promotes a healthy development, not to mention a more peaceful nights sleep for Mum and Dad!
4. A Baby Monitor
Keeping an eye on the baby is important but you’re not always going to be able to be with your newest addition. A baby monitor allows you to keep tabs on your bub from another room, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to get other things done around the house.
5. A Fancy Nappy Bin
Nappy changes are a fact of life with a new baby, and a good quality nappy bin can help keep unpleasant smells at bay! Look for one that has a tight-fitting lid and uses disposable bags, which can make emptying and cleaning the bin a breeze. There are many fancy nappy bins on the market and they’re definitely worth their weight in gold when it comes to odour control!
These 5 must-have nursery accessories for new parents can help make the transition to parenthood a little bit easier. By investing in a comfortable rocking chair, quality cot & changing station, sound machine, baby monitor, and nappy bin you can create a nursery that is both functional and welcoming for your newest member of the family!