It’s nearly time to bring your little bundle of joy home, so get ready with everything you need for the perfect nursery.
Sleeping station:
• Moses basket, cot or bedside cot
• New mattress – make sure it’s the right size (it should fit snuggly with no gaps down the sides), is waterproof, firm and flat, and carries the BSI number BS 1877-10:2011+A1:2012
• 3 or 4 fitted sheets
• 2 or 3 sleeping bags as an alternative option to blankets (0.5 tog to 3.5 tog, depending on room temperature/season)
• 3 or 4 blankets OR a swaddling blanket for when it gets cold
• Room thermometer
• Baby monitor
• Nightlight
• Musical mobile (optional, but some babies find them very soothing)
Changing station:
• Changing table and changing mat
• Cotton wool and small bowl for water
• Nappies (as many as you can fit in your nursery – a newborn will need around 12 changes a day)
• Baby wipes
• Nappy sacks/nappy bin or both
• 10 muslins
Feeding station:
• Nursing chair
• Breastfeeding pillow
• Breast pads
• Nipple shields, if required
• Nipple cream
• More muslins! (honestly, you can never have enough)
Feeding extras
(these will generally live in the kitchen, but remember if you’re bottle feeding, you’ll need…):
• 6-8 bottles and teats
• Sterilizer (choose steam, microwave or cold water)
• Bottle warmer
• Bottle brush
• Er… more muslins