jenna July 26, 2025

My Take On Must-Have Nursery Gear and Sleep Tips

**Some links in this post are affiliate links and I do make commissions off your purchase at no extra cost to you! Thank you for your support! 

Building a baby registry can cause some series stress and anxiety. Some of the first things I thought about while preparing for my little one was: “Where is the baby going to sleep?” “What kind of room do I want to create?” “What’s the theme?” “What do I really need in their room?”

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not the most aesthetic mom. I’m all about practical, functional, and simple when it comes to decor and gear. So, my take on the nursery was making sure we had the absolute basics and a few decorative touches to keep it feeling cozy and calm. I knew I was going to be in there a lot. 

Now, you might be the complete opposite and if designing the perfect aesthetic room is your way of creating a calm space for your family, I absolutely LOVE that. Either way, this post is here to help you focus on the foundation of what really matters when it comes to setting up your baby’s sleep space.

📝 How This Guide Works

I’m breaking down the absolute essentials for a baby’s bedroom: furniture, organization, and sleep gear.

  • Look for the ⭐ for my must-have favorites.
  • A 👍 means it’s nice-to-have, but not necessarily essential right away. Honestly, it might be something you borrow or wait to purchase later.

🛒 However, for a quick glance at all these items – check out this Amazon Idea List so you can easily add them to your registry!

🪑 NURSERY FURNITURE ESSENTIALS

⭐ Swivel Recliner or Rocking Chair

Firstly, we invested in the Parker House Swivel Glider Recliner and it’s been one of the best purchases we made. Comfortable, supportive, and perfect for all those late-night feedings and bedtime stories. I can’t tell you how many times I slept in that chair. Surprisingly, I didn’t mind at all.
Pro Tip: If you’re tall (or your partner is), be sure to find a chair with a taller back.
Another great, alternative Amazon chair option: CHITA Power Recliner Chair Swivel Glider

⭐ Crib

We went with the IKEA SMÅGÖRA Crib, which converts to a toddler bed. Simple and functional and we’ll be able to keep it for a while!
We also purchased the Dream On Me Quinn Full-Size Folding Crib for when we visit the grandparents back in our hometown. It stays there permanently, but if they need to get it out of the way, it folds up flat! 

👍 Dresser

We love the IKEA Hemnes 8-Drawer Dresser. It has tons of storage, and it’s a great height for a changing station. No need for a separate changing table! 

👍 Bassinet

We borrowed the HALO BassiNest Luxe Swivel Sleeper from a friend and really liked it. The swivel feature and flexible sides made nighttime feedings so much easier.

🧺 ORGANIZATION & SAFETY

⭐ Safety Gear

You can start baby-proofing early (before they start crawling) or wait for some things later on. Here are some great safety hacks:

👍 Blackout Curtains

Controversially, these aren’t a must, however, I really like having them for consistent naps and for time changes when it’s brighter later in the evening or earlier in the mornings. We used the Blackout Braxton Thermaback Panels in the Navy color.
Travel Hack: Black trash bags + painter’s tape = instant blackout curtains on the go. A little sketchy-looking, but hey, it works!

👍 Laundry Hamper

We’ve used this Large Woven Roper Laundry Hamper for two years now – it’s held up great and looks nice, too!

Shelving & Storage

Totally depends on your space, but here’s what worked for us:

🖼️ NURSERY DECOR

I’ll be honest, decor is not my strong suit. But that’s the fun part for a lot of people! Do what feels right for you.
We went with:

  • Safari animal prints from Etsy in white frames
  • A faux plant from IKEA
  • Simple, calming, and done!

🛏️ BEDDING ESSENTIALS

⭐ Crib Mattress

We chose the Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Mattress—affordable and supportive.
(So many moms I know swear by the Newton mattress too!)

⭐ Fitted Crib Sheets (at least 2)

My favorites:

👍 Mattress Pad / Mattress Cover

You may not need this right away—especially with newborns. We skipped it at first and haven’t missed it yet! 

🌙 SLEEP GEAR

⭐ Baby Monitor

Personal preference here! I prefer a non-WiFi model for safety.
We use the Motorola VM75 Indoor Video Baby Monitor and love it.
We’ve also found these are so helpful:

⭐ Sound Machine

We used this Hatch Rest Sound Machine on day one. You can program sleep routines, adjust the light/sound, and control it from your phone.
Also, this portable/travel sound machine has been a top-notch sound machine at home and on-the-go.
Hot Take: White noise isn’t necessary for babies, but it does help me sleep better knowing outside sounds are partially blocked!

⭐ Sleep Gowns vs Zipper Onesies

Forever Team Sleep Gown over here. Especially during the newborn stage. Diaper changes are TEN TIMES easier. We had these Sleep Gowns and a couple others as gifts. We only just started with two-piece PJs.

👍 Swaddle Blankets

Even if you don’t swaddle, these are great for everything from burp cloths to nursing covers, to light blankets.
Our favorite: Momcozy Muslin Swaddle Blankets

👍 Velcro Swaddles

Every baby is different—you may need to try a few before finding the right one. Borrow from friends before buying! I ended up buying a set of these SwaddleMe swaddles and they worked well for us! 

⭐ Sleep Sacks

Once your baby transitions out of swaddling (around 3-4 months), you’ll use sleep sacks all the time.
We love the Yoofoss Baby Sleep Sack—soft, affordable, and comes in different TOG weights for the different seasons (if you live somewhere that goes through all four seasons like Arkansas.) 

🏆 My Top 5 Must-Have Nursery Items

If I had to narrow it down to just five things I’m SO glad we had as new parents:

  1. ⭐ Swivel Recliner / Rocking Chair – Invest in comfort. You’ll use it every day.
  2. ⭐ Baby Monitor – Off-WiFi, reliable, and gives peace of mind.
  3. ⭐ Portable Sound Machine – Helpful for naps, bedtime, and travel.
  4. ⭐ Sleep Gowns – Absolute game-changer for middle-of-the-night changes.
  5. ⭐ Sleep Sacks – Never have to worry about a blanket falling off!

Let’s Put This to Bed! 

Every nursery looks different, and that’s the beauty of it. Whether you’re building the perfect Pinterest-worthy room or just making sure your baby has a safe place to sleep, you’re doing it just right.

Overall, this list is meant to help simplify your choices, not overwhelm. Pick what works for you and your space. Don’t forget: you can always add later or borrow from mom friends! Check out the Part 3 of the Ultimate Baby Registry series where I share transportation and baby gear – what we actually used and what you actually might not need.

I would love to hear what items in your nursery you have found helpful and you wouldn’t go without! Drop a comment below!

Go be Loyal & Limitless, my friends!

One thought on “How To Build Your Baby’s Room Without the Stress [Part 2: Ultimate Baby Registry Guide & Advice]”

  1. Pingback: Ultimate Baby Registry Guide & Advice: Real Tips from a First-Time Mom - Part One - That's Me, Jenna Leigh!

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