Registry

8 Nursery Essentials You Need to Add to Your Baby Registry

written by BRETT NICOLE HAYDEN

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Source: Alaina Kaz and @missenocha
Source: Alaina Kaz and @missenocha

There’s a reason ‘nesting‘ comes naturally for many moms-to-be. In anticipation of baby’s arrival, many moms will feel an overwhelming desire to clean, organize, and put together the house, especially the baby’s nursery. Much like a mama bird waiting for her eggs to hatch, many moms will feel the strong desire to make a comfortable space for their baby to come home to. 

Of all the excitement that comes with awaiting the arrival of a new baby, putting together a nursery may be the most fun. This is a time for new parents to be creative. Whether we choose to find out the baby’s gender or keep things neutral, pick a theme or go with the flow, putting together a nursery is our first attempt at creating a space just for them.

But, among the excitement may also come feelings of uncertainty, especially for those of us who are becoming parents for the first time. It can be difficult to know everything that a baby will need, and all the nursery essentials we should have on hand. While the benefits of having a baby registry are plentiful, if we don’t know what to include on them, they may not be as helpful as they should be.

That’s why we’re providing some registry guidelines when it comes to the nursery department. Consider this a blueprint (or pink-print, yellow, green—whatever color scheme you prefer) to follow for all nursery essentials to include on a baby registry. These product options are tried and true, and many are hand-selected and approved by our editors at The Everymom who have personally used and recommend them. When it comes time to put together a baby registry so you’re prepped for the nesting stage, look no further than this list for all of the best nursery essentials. 

Creating your baby registry can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help with editor- and expert-approved picks for everything you need for your new baby (and for you!) with our first ever Baby Registry Awards. Click here for our top picks for everything from bouncers to baby bottles. 

 

Nursery Essentials to Add to a Baby Registry

 

1. Cribs

After baby grows out of the bassinet stage, they’ll need a crib to sleep in. These options are tested to be of the highest safety quality and free of toxic chemicals. Plus, they’re designed to fit seamlessly into any nursery theme or color palette. 

babyletto crib
Babyletto
Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

Many of our editors used this convertible crib with their littles. It's easy to put together, and grows with baby from the newborn stage through toddlerhood.

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Nestig
Wave Crib

Many cribs transition from a crib to a toddler bed, and The Wave Crib takes it one step further, starting as a mini crib. The mini crib is super compact and comes with a mini crib mattress—it's an amazing alternative to a bassinet.

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target davinci baby crib
DaVinci
Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

This Greenguard Gold Certified 4-in-1 convertible crib grows as baby does with four adjustable mattress positions. It's beautifully made in several color options, meaning there's an option for every nursery design.

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Storkcraft Tuscany 4-in-1 Convertible Crib Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
Storkcraft
Tuscany 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

The classic design of this crib that grows with baby ensures you won't want to replace it after the first year as style preferences evolve. Meeting the highest level of safety standards, you can rest assured that your LO will always be safe and sound while sleeping in this crib.

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2. Crib Mattresses

When it comes to finding the perfect mattress for the crib, look for one made of high quality, non-toxic materials. Every parent wants peace of mind while their little ones are sleeping.

Newton
Crib Mattress

This crib mattress tops our list for most innovative design—not foam or coil, this hypoallergenic mattress is made with a Wovenaire core that’s 90% air and 10% food-grade polymer, providing the same comfort with more breathability.

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Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic Crib Mattress
Naturepedic
Organic Cotton Classic Crib Mattress

Knowing that baby is sleeping on the highest of quality materials is imperative for a parent's peace of mind. That's why we love the Naturepedic organic cotton mattress that is made of 100% waterproof, food-grade polyethylene. The customer reviews speak for themselves on this one.

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3. Crib Sheets

We love crib sheet options that are made from organic cotton, non-toxic materials, and come in a variety of patterns like these. 

Burt's Bees
Organic Cotton BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet

These Burt's Bees cozy jersey knit crib sheets come in many prints and solid colors and are so soft for your sweet little one's skin.

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Nestig
Crib Sheets

This is our readers' most-shopped crib sheet—and for good reason: they come in adorable patterns and are made with certified, non-toxic dyes.

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4. Humidifiers

When nasal congestion inevitably rears its ugly head, be sure to have a humidifier on hand in the nursery to help baby sleep better. 

Canopy
Humidifier Starter Set

Our editors and readers agree: Canopy's humidifier is a top registry product! Humidifiers can get moldy so quickly and this one can be washed in the dishwasher.

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levoit humidifier
Leviot
Humidifier

We love that this humidifier has both cool and warm mist options. The warm mist allows for greater and quicker relief of congestion.

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5. Dressers

With all of the stuff babies come with, we’re going to need a space to store it all. A sturdy dresser will not only hold all of the baby clothes and other essentials, but it can also hold a changing pad atop for diaper changes. Plus, the right dresser will last long after the infant stage and transfer into a big kid room seamlessly. Remember to anchor baby’s dresser—along with any other heavy furniture—as part of baby-proofing.

Babyletto
Lolly White & Natural Wood 3-Drawer Changing Dresser

If a changing table is on your list, you can't go wrong with this Babyletto convertible dresser that looks just as good in a baby's room as it will as a dresser in a big kid's space.

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DaVinci Kalani 6-Drawer Double Wide Dresser
DaVinci
Kalani 6-Drawer Double Dresser

For a dresser that matches baby's crib (the DaVinci Kalani linked above), consider this highly-rated, six-drawer option. With the same great color options as the crib, the nursery will look more put together than ever with this set.

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nursery essentials
Storkcraft
Crescent 6-Drawer Double Dresser

For a minimalist design option, the Storkcraft dresser might be the perfect option. This modern dresser is built with the highest of quality and includes features like roller glide drawers with German cam locks.

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Universal 6 Drawer Double Dresser
Delta Children
Universal 6-Drawer Double Dresser

Investing in a quality nursery piece that can then transition into a dresser your little one uses for years is always a good idea. That's why we love this option from Delta Children that's not only great for styling a nursery, but would be a great addition to a big kid's room.

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6. Recliners and Gliders

A functional chair is one of the most important nursery essentials—especially for late night feedings. You’ll want supportive armrests and the ability to rest both your head and feet while holding your little one. The best chairs, known as gliders, rock back and forth noiselessly so baby doesn’t wake up after drifting back to sleep. 

Namesake
Crewe Recliner and Swivel Glider

A comfy glider can make all the difference for a new parent. The Namesake Crewe has our vote because it's quiet, comfortable, durable, and stain-resistant—plus it reclines and swivels.

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nursery essentials
DaVinci
Olive Swivel Glider with Ottoman

While this glider doesn't have an attached footrest, but it does come with a matching ottoman. Also included is a lumbar pillow for added comfort and support.

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glider recliner
Babyletto
Kiwi Nursery Glider Recliner Chair

This chair is unique and beloved for having an electric footrest (AKA, less noise), soft fabric, and USB charges built in for the ultimate level of convenience.

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7. Storage Shelves

Like any bedroom, storage is a must in a baby’s nursery. Not only will you have endless amounts of baby clothes, but also baby grooming essentials, toys, books, blankets, and more. So, have a sturdy place for storage in the room with one of these options like cube shelves that offer a lot of space and the option to either house items on display or tuck them away in storage cubes.

Target
Brightroom 4 Cube Organizer

That little baby eventually grows into a toddler and that toddler will come with many things to store. A reader and editor favorite, this cube organizer is a budget-friendly must for bins full of toys and other supplies.

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storage shelves
Target
Room Essentials 6 Cube Organizer

For a larger room or a nursery meant for twins, consider this larger cube organizer for additional storage space.

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fabric cube
Target
Room Essentials Fabric Cube Storage Bin

These fabric cubes are lightweight, sturdy, and perfect for storing any items we don't want on display in the baby's nursery.

many colors and patterns available

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8. Bookracks

No doubt baby will receive a small library of books whether at your baby shower or as gifts as they grow. We love having plenty of options for books as reading to baby is a wonderful learning and bonding opportunity. Store baby’s books proudly in one of these stylish bookracks. 

Pottery Barn
Sydney Bookrack

A bookrack is one piece that can seamlessly go from a baby or toddler's room into a big kid's space. You'll need a chic place to store all of those books that your little is bound to receive as gifts over the years.

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fabric book rack
Humble Crew
4-Tier Bookrack

Including this bookrack in a baby's nursery is a great option for a shelf that will come in handy in the future. As baby grows into a toddler, they can reach each shelf on this rack made of fabric to safely grab out their book of choice on their own.

5 colors available

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bookrack
Delta Children
MySize Bookshelf

Another option beloved for its size is this bookrack by Delta Children. It's also known for being sturdy and easy to assemble at home.

5 colors available

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bookrack
ECR4Kids
Single-Sided Book Display

The birchwood material of this bookrack makes it both chic and modest. It will fit into any design preference seamlessly and hold plenty of books.

3 finishes available

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Building Your Baby Registry? Make Sure to Add These Must-Have Items to Your List
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