Even though I’m one hundred percent done having babies, I still get pangs when I see sweet nurseries on Instagram. Those first few months with a new baby are so special and a peaceful + organized place to spend your time feeding, changing or reading to the baby is key. This post is for all the soon to be mamas out there (especially first time mamas) who are navigating this exciting, joyful and sometimes overwhelming time. Fortunately, newborns don’t really need much in the beginning — just milk, lots of diapers + wipes, onesies, burp cloths, swaddle blankets, a good diaper pail and cute laundry hamper and a safe place to sleep.

Here are a few helpful tips and tricks when it comes to setting up your beautiful baby’s nursery.

1. Instead of a changing table, use a dresser and put a changing pad on top.  This dresser is affordable and I love this changing pad  because it doesn’t slide around and is washable and so easy to sanitize after inevitable messes.

Studio McGee

In the top drawer use drawer dividers and put all the diapers and diapering stuff there so it’s easily accessible.  You can also put all the diaper gear in a basket and keep a few around the house so you can change the baby wherever without running up stairs or from one end of the house to the other.  And Drawer dividers  or drawer organizers are perfect for those tiny baby clothes and onesies.

Jillian Harris

2.  Put a little table next to your rocker or chair in the nursery where you can keep water, a book or computer, or whatever you need.  Even better if it has a drawer for hair ties, lip balm or snacks.  You’ll be spending a lot of time feeding so important to have a spot to put everything you need to pass the time.

Chris Loves Julia

3.  Hang baby clothes by size using these. You can write the size and category of clothing on them in sharpie marker.  Eg. 0-6 month dresses, 6-12 month dresses, etc.  If you’ve had a baby shower, you probably received adorable clothes of all sizes and some that baby won’t fit into for a year or more so these help keep everything organized.

4.  If you don’t have a closet organization system, put a cubby organizer like this one  (or a less expensive option here from Target) in the closet with baskets  to keep extra diapers and wipes, receiving blankets, stuffed animals, burp cloths or anything else.  Just make sure you label everything!  The last thing you need is to be digging around for things in a sleep deprived state.

Ordinato

5.  Create a bin or use a drawer divider for the necessary baby supplies – like a nasal aspirator, nail clippers, gas drops and balm or lotion for dry skin. You will use these things regularly and it’s nice to have them all together in one spot.

6.  Hang wall shelves for the cute accessories and special keepsake items.

Monika Hibbs

7.  Fill up a bookshelf with sweet, classic and colorful baby books.  A low to the ground bookshelf like this one where your baby then toddler can pick books out and put them back is the best! You’ll be using these a lot once baby grows.

Ordinato

Once the room organized, get ready on for the greatest adventure of your life. Good luck and try to get some sleep!

xo

Mary