Baby's bedding, furniture, clothes, so many things to think about, what should you buy to welcome baby?
A must have of course is a relative term, and I accept the fact that not everyone "needs" the items I am listing below, but in general before baby comes home these are the things your nursery or baby room should be equipped with, to make baby comfortable, make you more comfortable and ease your task of caring for the new bundle of joy.
Convertible Changing Table
Baby stores are full of "stuff" all cute and charming as can be, furniture, Winnie the Pooh bedding, toys, accessories, all of these items are tempting but it is easy to forget what is really necessary and what we can do without. So what does baby really need? Probably not all that much.
Here is my list.
For sleeping:a cradle, a bassinet a crib, or a convertible crib.
A cradle is a luxurious solution, that will last about 3 months. Baby during the first 3 months sleeps a lot, he will be very happy in a cradle because it will be just his/her size, he/she will not feel lost. The ideal is to borrow one from a family member or a friend because they can be costly, and you will only use it a very short period of time.
A bassinet is not indispensable but can be useful. It it light and the handles allows you to take it anywhere. Although today the old fashion bassinet has been largely replaced by the baby car carrier that goes everywhere. The bassinet can serve as a temporary bed for a couple of month at the same title as the cradle. Some bassinet come with a stand to ease parent's care of baby at home.
Tip: Later when baby is older it can be converted to a doll bed, to hold dolls and stuffed animals.
A crib is absolutely indispensable. It is the corner stone of your baby's room and provides safety as well as security and comfort for baby. He/she could sleep in it up to 3 years, but some parents opt for a regular bed sometimes a little sooner. Choices of cribs are plentiful. You will find some in wood, plastic, metal, plexiglass. To ensure safety and comfort you should equip it with a bumper.
The last solution is a convertible crib. This is really a great solution but a little more expensive to start with. The additional money spent will be recouped as baby will be able to stay in this crib up to five years possibly even a little more. As baby get older it takes only a few tool and a little time to convert the crib to a toddler bed. As I said these models cost more but last longer, you make the call.
Regardless of the type of sleeping furniture you choose you will need some baby's bedding to keep it clean, and make baby comfortable. A baby does not need a pillow. You will need some fitted sheets to cover the mattress, and some baby blankets, although your baby will be very comfortable sleeping in a footed sleeper.
To change baby and to organize his possessions:
You can buy a diaper bag to hang over the bed or the changing table but the really necessary items are few.
A changing table, if you have space, is nice but if you do not have the space to set one up remember that our grandmothers managed just fine by changing babies on the bed. If you can of course a changing table is convenient and will help spare your back, it also put everything you need for changing or cleaning baby right at hand. Some even have a little integrated bathtub, that can be tucked away when not needed. Some can later be changed into a toy shelf for your little one's many stuffed animals.
To put away all of baby's clothes a dresser is more than sufficient. If you have a family one that you could repaint it would do just fine. If not dressers for babies are available in all prices and styles that you can imagine.
Should you buy a toy chest? Soon enough baby will be walking on all fours in the room and it would be nice to have a central area for all the toys. This will also clear the room for you as well as leaving space for baby's exploration. In choosing a toy chest the only concern is to ensure that it is fitted with a closing system that is safe for little fingers.
