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Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok are all used to portray the picture-perfect nursery and unrealistic expectations of what you need to have a baby. A lot of what you can see online at these beautiful nurseries you’ll never use. Some of it is rented for the photo shoot that is used to post online. Will your newborn actually care about the trendy paint and name-brand accessories? NO. Will they ooh and ahh over all the likes and comments mom and dad got on the posts about the high-end items to be used once or not at all? NO. Do they need mom and dad to break the bank while setting up their first room? NO. Newborns want only a handful of things, most of which are attached to their mother (if breastfeeding). The others couldn’t care less about the brand, the status symbol it may represent, or how it pulls the room together. Yes, I understand the whole nesting phase of pregnancy. I have lived through it twice, painted and repainted multiple rooms, and quickly laid kitchen flooring to welcome our first home. I have also seen absolute must-haves bought, never touched, and stuffed into closets or storage, never to be seen again.
So, what do nurseries really need?
Short and sweet, a nursery really only needs four key items to bring home your newborn and allow them to grow quite easily.
- Crib with Mattress
- Changing Station
- Garbage
- Comfortable Chair
I know, boring no style and no way that is the only things you need. Yes it is. But where will all their things go? I can explain.
Crib and Mattress
Cribs can be all shapes, sizes, and styles. You can spend as much as you want, get them handed down from friends and family, or find something gently used for sale wherever you purchase used items. I went the extreme route with our first and built a crib from scratch. It was an undertaking, but woodworking is a small hobby of mine, and our extremely tiny one-car garage became a workshop/ paint shop. All the while, my pregnant wife hovered over my progress, pushing her deadline for its completion up week after week. You definitely DO NOT need to take this route. It is something I am proud of, but it was a lot of work. Ultimately buying one is easier, and a good idea is to get one that will transform while your child grows. That is adjustable in height as they get taller and able to climb. Turns into a toddler bed for when the time is right that they no longer need a “crib”. and can be quickly converted back to stage 1 if a sibling is on the way. If you can find one with storage built in bonus. Extra Sheets and blankets will always be needed.
Changing Station
Just buy a dresser. You need one anyway to store all their clothes and blankies. So why get two pieces of furniture to take up more room? Get a dresser that is wide enough to lay a changing pad on top and will last there until diapers are behind you, and about 32 to 36 inches tall, so you’re not bending over or on your tippy toes changing diapers. Store diapers, wipes, creams, and any other accessories you’ll constantly need in the top drawer and clothes in all the others. But just like a standalone changing station, you need to constantly monitor your child on top, even if equipped with a strap, so they do not fall.
Alongside your dresser with everything you need to change your baby, you will need a diaper disposal or a Diaper Genie. Trust me, get one. Diapers stink. A regular garbage bin could work, but you will ultimately want one of these to help keep odors down in the room.
Comfortable Chair
You need a very comfortable chair in this room. The amount of hours, and yes, I mean hours, that both you and especially your wife will spend in it is incredible, from nursing to comforting to story time, or just falling asleep in it while trying to get through sleep regression nights. We can speak on those terrible, long, rage-inducing nights another time. Let’s keep the magic alive right now. The point is to get something comfortable—function over fashion. Many beautiful rustic-looking rocking chairs will pull the whole room together aesthetically. You will hate it weeks later, when you or your wife are running on fumes, half asleep, comforting your newborn, and wanting to fall asleep in that chair but can’t. So I repeat for those in the back. COMFORTABLE! We got one similar to this and it has lasted well.
Save Where You Can
Children are expensive, and for such tiny little beings, they come with so much. All these items are perfect Registry gifts to start with, and hopefully, family, friends, or co-workers can help out. It is simple to set up, and you would be surprised what will actually be purchased for you. Is this everything you need for a newborn? Absolutely not. It is a good start, and I am trying to show you do not need to blow the budget or go into Credit card debt to start life as a dad. That will lead to more stress later in life. These are the basics, and I know some may not agree. That is okay, I would love to hear their opinions. This is what worked for our family and may not for yours. Again I am just Trying to Dad myself.
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