Complete Nursery Setup Checklist: Everything You Actually Need Before Baby Arrives

First baby on the way and worried about missing something important before they arrive? The list of 87 'must-have' nursery items can seem endless, and it’s hard to be sure which ones you genuinely need and which ones you will use exactly once. 

Here is the honest version. Most nursery essentials lists are written by people who benefit from you buying more things. This guide is not that. It covers what you actually need for a safe, functional newborn nursery from the first night, what is genuinely useful to add over the first few months, and the things you can skip entirely. 

The list is shorter than you think. Start with safety. Everything else can wait until you know what your specific baby actually needs.

What Does a Newborn Nursery Actually Need to Have?

The answer from a safety perspective is clear.

The AAP's guidance for parents on reducing the risk of SIDS and suffocation identifies the sleep environment as the most important factor in newborn sleep safety: a firm, flat, non-inclined mattress in a safety-approved sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet, with nothing else in the space. That is the foundation around which everything else is built.

Everything in this guide is organised from most important to least. The items at the top are non-negotiable. The items toward the bottom are useful but optional. The 'skip it' sections are things that are commonly bought and rarely necessary.

Category 1: What Parts of the Sleep Setup are Non-Negotiable?

You absolutely need these items before the baby comes home. 

What Does The Sleep Surface Need to Be Like?

You need one CPSC-approved sleep surface before the baby arrives. Your choice depends on your space, your budget, and your plan for the first few months. For help choosing between a bassinet, a standard crib, and a mini crib, see our guide on bassinet vs crib vs mini crib.

• Bassinet: ideal for the first 3 to 5 months and for room-sharing, which the AAP recommends for at least the first 6 months. Used from birth until rolling or weight limit
• Standard crib: used from birth or from the end of the bassinet stage through toddlerhood.
• Mini crib: space-saving alternative to a full crib, used for the same developmental stage but with a smaller footprint. Harder to find sheets for. 
• How Important is the Fitted Sheet? (One Per Surface Is Not Enough)

The fitted sheet is the only item that belongs on the sleep surface. You need three to four per sleep surface as a practical minimum: one on the mattress, one clean and ready for an immediate swap, and one or two in the wash.

The sheet must be sized for the specific mattress model, not a generic 'fits most' label. It must be OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class 1 certified, 100% jersey cotton for breathability and secure fit, and have full-surround elastic that holds all four corners flat through the night. Bassinet, crib, and mini crib sheets are different sizes and are not interchangeable.

• Bassinet sheets: 3 to 4 minimum, sized to your specific bassinet model. See our guide on how many bassinet sheets you really need.
• Standard crib sheets: 3 to 4 minimum, ~52" x 28", standardised size
• Mini crib sheets: 3 minimum, sized to your specific mini crib mattress dimensions (not standardised)

Is A Waterproof Mattress Protector Necessary?

A thin, fitted waterproof layer is placed between the mattress and the fitted sheet. Protects the mattress from soaking through without affecting firmness. One per sleep surface. Goes under the sheet, never directly against the baby.

What to Skip: Soft Mattress Toppers, Bumpers, Pillows, Blankets, Positioners

None of these belongs in the sleep space. Soft toppers change the firmness of the sleep surface. Bumpers have a documented association with infant deaths and no evidence of benefit. Blankets, pillows, and positioners are loose fabric in the sleep space. The rule is absolute: if it is not the mattress and one fitted sheet, it does not go in the crib or bassinet during sleep.

Category 2: How To Regulate Nursery Temperature and Environment?

These are some nice-to-haves. 

How Important is a Nursery Room Thermometer?

A  thermometer tells you whether you are in the correct temperature range for baby sleep. It can help you plan how to dress the baby for a peaceful sleep. 

How Important is a White Noise Machine?

White noise masks environmental disruptions and mimics the womb environment. The important caveat is volume. AAP research on infant sleep machines and sound pressure levels found that some white noise machines played at maximum volume exceeded safe limits for infant hearing. Keep the volume low enough that you can hold a normal conversation in the room, and place the machine at least 7 feet (2 metres) from the baby's sleep surface.

How Important are Blackout Curtains?

Genuinely useful, not just a nice-to-have. Newborns do not have an established circadian rhythm and cannot distinguish day from night. Darkness during sleep times helps signal the distinction.

What to Skip: Smart Bassinets That Claim to Extend Sleep

Several auto-rocking or motion-sensing bassinet products are marketed as extending infant sleep. The AAP's safe sleep guidelines specify a firm, flat, non-inclined surface. Any surface that inclines more than 10 degrees is not safe for infant sleep. Any product that can’t back its claims with evidence is unnecessary.

Category 3: What Baby Feeding Products are Essential?

Anything that helps, especially during those first chaotic cluster feeding weeks, is worth investing in. 

What to Buy if Breastfeeding?

• Nursing pillow: supports positioning for extended feeds. Not necessary before birth, but useful from the first days
• Breast pump:  If you plan to pump, have it ready before birth. Many insurance plans cover this.
• Nursing bras and breast pads: useful from day one
• Nipple cream: lanolin or similar for the early weeks

What to Buy if Formula Feeding?

• Bottles and teats in size 1 (newborn): start with 4 to 6 bottles
• Bottle brush and steriliser, or a microwave steam bag, as a cheaper alternative
• Formula: Have at least one can ready before birth, even if you plan to breastfeed. Plans change in the first days

What to Skip: Bottle Warmers (Usually)

A mug of warm water works just as well as a bottle warmer for most parents. If you later find yourself doing multiple night feeds and the mug method feels slow, a bottle warmer is a low-cost addition at that point. It is not worth buying before you know whether you will need it.

Category 4: What is Needed to Set Up a Baby Changing Station?

You’ll never forget your first poopy diaper. 

What You Actually Need

• Changing mat or changing table: a floor-level mat is the safest option for solo changes. A changing table with a raised edge is convenient, but requires you to keep a hand on the baby at all times.
• Changing pad cover: 2 to 3 minimum for rotation. The same material and certification logic applies as for sheets: jersey cotton, OEKO-TEX certified.
• Nappies/diapers: size newborn and size 1. Have both: some babies skip newborn size entirely
• Fragrance-free wipes: unscented and hypoallergenic
• Barrier cream: zinc-based for nappy rash prevention
• Small covered bin with liner: within arm's reach of the changing surface

What to Skip: Nappy Bins With Proprietary Liners

A small lidded bin with standard bin bags works identically to a specialist nappy bin at a fraction of the ongoing cost. The refill cartridges for proprietary systems are a recurring expense that adds up significantly over the nappy stage.

Category 5: What to Add to the Baby Clothing and Swaddling List?

This is one of the categories that new parents worry about the most. 

What Clothing Does a New Baby Need?

• Sleepsuits/onesies with poppers or zips: 6 to 8 in newborn size, 6 to 8 in size 0 to 3 months. More if you have limited laundry access
• Vest/bodysuit layer underneath: 4 to 6 in newborn size
• Hat for the first days only: the AAP specifies that indoor hats should not be worn for sleep after the first hours post-birth
• Make sure to choose the season in which the baby is expected. 

Do Babies Need Swaddles?

Swaddling has solid research behind it for the first 8 to 12 weeks. A square muslin swaddle blanket works well. Aim for 4 to 6 so you always have clean ones. Stop swaddling at the first sign of rolling.

Are Sleep Sacks Necessary?

A wearable sleep sack replaces the swaddle and provides warmth without loose fabric in the sleep space. Have at least 2 ready in the 0 to 6 month size before birth: the transition from swaddle to sleep sack happens suddenly when rolling starts.

Category 6: How Much Monitoring Do Baby Nurseries Need?

Babies need a lot of attention. 

What Kind of Baby Monitor to Buy?

A basic audio monitor or video monitor is useful, particularly when the baby moves to a separate room. A simple video monitor with night vision and audio is sufficient. The primary function is to hear and see the baby: you do not need two-way audio, app connectivity, or remote pan/tilt controls for a newborn.

What to Skip: Wearable Breathing and Oxygen Monitors for Healthy Newborns

Unprescribed pulse oximetry wearables and breathing monitor mats marketed for healthy home use are not recommended by the AAP for healthy babies born at term without known medical conditions. These devices generate false alarms at rates that cause a lot of anxiety without really reducing SIDS risk in low-risk infants. 

Category 7: What Bathing Products to Buy for a Nursery?

Babies don’t need a 10-step routine. 

What You Need

• Baby bath tub or bath support: a small tub that can be placed in the regular bath or on a counter
• Fragrance-free, tear-free baby wash and shampoo: one bottle of each is enough to start.
• Fragrance-free baby lotion. 
• Soft baby towels: 2 to 3
• Soft washcloths: 6 to 8
• Nail scissors or nail file: newborn nails need attention more often than expected

What to Skip: Elaborate Bath Seats and Loungers

Bathing a newborn requires one hand on the baby at all times, regardless of what support product is being used. A simple bathtub with a non-slip surface does the same job as an elaborate bath lounger at a fraction of the cost and storage footprint.

What's the Complete Nursery Checklist for Before Baby Arrives?

Use this list to plan your shopping:

What to Skip and What to Keep?

These items are not essential:

What to Buy Last (Or Not at All)

These come after the sleep and changing space are covered:

Which Nursery Furniture Is Important?

A glider or nursing chair is used heavily in the early months for night feeds and is worth buying before birth if your budget allows. A wardrobe or drawer unit for baby clothes is useful but not urgent: a single drawer or shelf works fine for the newborn stage when clothing turnover is fast. A dedicated bookshelf, toy storage, and decorative furniture can wait until you know what space you actually have and use.

The One Thing Worth Buying More of Than You Think

Sheets. Every type of sleep surface will need more sheets than seems logical before the baby arrives. Three to four per surface is the minimum. For a reflux-prone baby or a household with limited laundry access, five to six per surface is closer to comfortable. The cost is modest, and the alternative is doing laundry at 3 am3am.

Set Up the Safe Part First. The Rest Can Wait.

The nursery essentials list that actually matters before your baby arrives is short. A safe sleep surface, fitted sheets in the right size and quantity, a waterproof mattress protector, a changing station, a room thermometer, and the right clothing and swaddling. That is the complete setup for a safe, functional newborn environment.

Everything beyond that is useful, optional, or worth skipping entirely. The baby does not care about matching furniture. They care about being warm, fed, and on a safe sleep surface with a sheet that lies flat all night.

Every Sheet for Every Surface, Ready Before You Need It

At Joey + Joan, our 100% OEKO-TEX certified jersey cotton fitted sheets are sized to specific sleep surface models rather than generic labels, with full-surround elastic that holds through every wash. Browse sheets for every sleep surface your baby will use: bassinet sheets, crib sheets, mini crib sheets, and portable crib sheets at joeyandjoan.com/collections/all. Each 2-pack is $29.99.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far in advance should the nursery be set up before the due date?

Have the sleep surface assembled and sheets washed by 36 weeks: babies arrive early sometimes, and a ready sleep setup is the one thing you do not want to be scrambling for after birth.

Q: Do I need a bassinet and a crib, or just one?

You only need one sleep surface at a time: a bassinet is used for the first few months, then a crib, but some families go straight to a crib from birth, and it is a perfectly safe choice.

Q: Is a changing table necessary,y or can I use the floor?

A floor mat is actually safer than a raised changing table for solo changes because there is no fall risk: a changing table is convenient, efficient, but not necessary if budget or space is a constraint.

Q: How many sleep suits do I need in newborn size?

6 to 8 is a practical number: newborn size is outgrown quickly (sometimes within weeks), so buying more than 10 in this size is rarely worth it.

Q: What temperature should the nursery be kept at?

68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22 degrees Celsius) is the recommended range: dress the baby in one more layer than you would wear at that temperature, rather than adding blankets.

Sources

1. Safe Sleep and Your Baby: How Parents Can Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Suffocation - An American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education article detailing the 2022 Safe Sleep Guidelines and how they can be applied. 
2. Infant Sleep Machines and Hazardous Sound Pressure Levels - A 2014 AAP Pediatrics article on how to use white noise machines safely.