The Nursery Checklist
Every nursery essential for bringing your little one home, in one list you can tick off.
A nursery checklist takes the guesswork out of setting up your baby's room. This one covers the nursery essentials most families use in the first year: somewhere safe to sleep, a place to change, a comfortable spot to feed and settle, and a few finishing touches. Tick items off as you go and your progress is saved on this device. Each item shows how many you are likely to need, what to look for, and a few options from our range.
Best ticked off in your third trimester
Your nursery checklist
0 of 16 ticked offSleep
- Bassinet× 1
- Cot× 1
- Cot and mattress packageOptional
- Cot mattress× 1
- Mattress protector× 2
- Bassinet sheets× 2 to 3
- Cot sheets× 2 to 3
Change
- Dresser or change table× 1
- Change mat× 1
- Nappy caddy× 1
Feed and settle
Finishing touches
- Baby monitor× 1
- Night light× 1
- White noise and sleep aidsOptional
- Cot mobileOptional
Sleep
Bassinet
A bassinet is a small first bed that keeps your newborn close, often beside your own bed. Most are outgrown once your baby starts to roll or push up, so check the age and weight limit for the model you choose.
Cot
A cot is the bed your baby will use longest, so pick one that suits your room and your plans. Many cots convert to a toddler bed, and some need a conversion kit that is sold separately.
Cot and mattress package
A cot package pairs the cot with a mattress made to fit it, and some add a dresser or change table. It is a simple way to tick off two or three items at once. Always check the listing to see exactly what is included.
Cot mattress
Cot mattresses are not one size. The mattress must fit your cot snugly, with no gaps at the sides or ends, so match the mattress size to the size listed for your cot.
Mattress protector
A waterproof, fitted protector keeps the mattress clean and dry through leaks and spills. Two means one can be on the bed while the other is in the wash.
Bassinet sheets
Fitted sheets made for your bassinet's mattress size. Two or three sets covers one on the bed, one in the wash and a spare for night changes.
Cot sheets
Fitted cot sheets should sit firm and flat on the mattress. Check the sheet size against your cot mattress before you buy.
Change
Dresser or change table
A dresser with a change top stores clothes and nappies and gives you a change station at a comfortable height. Anchor dressers and other tall furniture to the wall to prevent tip-overs.
Change mat
You will use a change mat many times a day, so choose one that wipes clean easily and fits the top of your dresser or change table. Never leave your baby unattended on a change surface.
Nappy caddy
A caddy keeps nappies, wipes and creams within arm's reach, so you can keep one hand on your baby. It also moves easily between the nursery and the living room.
Feed and settle
Nursing chair
A supportive nursing chair makes long feeds and night settles more comfortable. Gliders, rockers and recliners each move differently, and recliners need extra space behind and in front, so measure your room first.
Bouncer or rocker
A bouncer or rocker gives your baby a safe place to sit nearby while you have your hands free. Bouncers and rockers are for supervised awake time, not for sleep.
Finishing touches
Baby monitor
A monitor lets you hear, and with video models see, your baby from another room. Choose between audio, video and Wi-Fi models depending on how you want to check in.
Night light
A soft night light lets you feed and change overnight without switching on the main light.
White noise and sleep aids
White noise machines and other sleep aids can help mask household noise at nap time. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on volume and placement.
Cot mobile
A mobile gives your baby something gentle to watch. Fix it firmly out of reach and follow the manufacturer's advice on when to remove it.
Nursery checklist FAQs
What do I need for a baby nursery?
The nursery essentials are a safe place to sleep, a place to change your baby, and a comfortable place to feed. In practice that means a bassinet or cot with a snug-fitting mattress, a mattress protector and fitted sheets, a change mat on a dresser or change table, and a nursing chair. A baby monitor, night light and bouncer are useful extras rather than must-haves.
When should I start setting up the nursery?
Most parents set up the nursery in the third trimester. Order larger furniture such as cots, dressers and nursing chairs earlier where you can, because some pieces are made to order or need assembly, and it is easier to build furniture before your baby arrives.
Do I need both a bassinet and a cot?
No, you do not need both. A cot is suitable from birth, so a bassinet is optional. Many families choose a bassinet for the first months because it is smaller and fits beside the bed, then move to a cot later. If you want to buy only one item, choose the cot.
When should I move my baby from a bassinet to a cot?
Move your baby to a cot once they reach the bassinet's age or weight limit, or as soon as they start to roll, push up on their hands or pull themselves up, whichever comes first. The limit differs between bassinets, so check the manufacturer's instructions for your model.
How many bassinet and cot sheets do I need?
Two to three fitted sheets for each bed is enough for most families. That gives you one on the bed, one in the wash and one spare for a night-time change. The same goes for mattress protectors, where two is a practical minimum.
What size cot mattress do I need?
You need the mattress size listed for your specific cot, because cot sizes vary between brands and models. The mattress should fit snugly with no gaps at the sides or ends. If you would rather not match sizes yourself, a cot and mattress package includes a mattress made to fit.
What is the difference between a nursing chair, a glider and a recliner?
A nursing chair is any supportive chair made for feeding. A glider moves smoothly back and forth, a rocker moves in an arc, and a recliner tilts back with a footrest, either manually or electrically depending on the model. Recliners need more floor space than gliders. Avoid falling asleep in any chair while holding your baby.
Looking for more options? Explore our wider range of nursery furniture, baby cots and nursing chairs.
More BLP checklists:
The Feeding Checklist · The Bath and Care Checklist · The Out and About Checklist · The Car Checklist · The Play and Bonding Checklist · The Family Travel Checklist · The Hospital Bag Checklist · All checklists