Every parent has some advice to give new parents about what furniture they should be buying for their new little addition. When I was pregnant I got some great recommendations and some not so great recommendations that ended up being a waste of my money. What I really wanted was advice on what exactly was the necessary baby furniture I would need, and what I wouldn’t need.
While advice on what your baby will need is great, it’s so important to keep in mind that necessary baby furniture will be based on where you live, how much space you have, how much you can afford, and the choices you make for your baby.
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When I was pregnant and trying to find what baby furniture I needed and didn’t need it was hard to find a list that worked for me. All baby furniture lists were either telling me items what I absolutely needed or didn’t need at all (with no real reason why). What I wanted was a master list of everything I could possibly need with the pros and cons of each item that could allow me to choose for myself what I needed. So, after my first baby, I made a master list myself and want to share it with you!
That’s why my ultimate list of necessary baby furniture is designed to help YOU choose what you need and what you don’t need. It not only includes the item you will need but also the rank of how important it is and the pros and cons of each item!
That way you can assess for yourself if you need the item based on your family’s needs- not just because someone told you to get it and wanted you to be “trendy”.
Not only does this post include my list of necessary baby furniture with information to help you choose what you need and don’t need, but it also includes my “Necessary Baby Furniture Worksheet” which is a place where you write down all your personal details about each item you need such as which store you are buying it from, a cost comparison chart, where you are going to place it in your house, and more. My awesome baby furniture assessment worksheet will help you organize and prioritize what you items you need and don’t need! It’s a real time saver and life saver and takes the “task” out of finding what furniture you want to buy and makes furniture shopping easy and fun! Be sure to get it below!
So, let’s get down to the ultimate list of necessary baby furniture!
The Ultimate List of Necessary Baby Furniture!
I purchased all of these items on Amazon and some of the items were purchased for me from my Amazon Baby Registry.
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Crib
We chose a 4 in 1 Transitional crib so the crib can grow with my daughter!
Rank of Importance– Obviously, a crib is a necessary baby furniture item!
You have a couple options when it comes to your baby’s sleeping arrangements.
- Some people chose to have their baby sleep with them in their room in a bassinet
- Others chose to put their baby in a crib from the beginning
If you’re going for option 1 then you will need a bassinet for your room and a crib for when they transition out of the bassinet. If you choose to put your baby in an actual crib then you’ll need a crib right away.
Pro– it is a crib, a toddler bed, and then can transform into a full-size headboard and footer. We thought this would be the most cost efficient since we can use it for years to come as she gets older
Con– In order to use for the future, you have to keep it in good condition so it can last.
My husband and I chose to put Baby L in her crib from day one so we wanted to buy a crib that had great durability and was long lasting. Our bedrooms shared a wall and our doors were literally 3 inches away from each other so we chose to put our daughter in her own room in her crib from the day she got home from the hospital. Personally, this worked very well for us!
We purchased the: Fischer Price Transitional 4 in 1 Crib
Crib Mattress
Rank of Importance– If you are using a crib for your newborn baby and not a bassinet than a crib mattress, out of a scale of 1 to 5, is a 5!
You want to make sure to get a mattress that is comfortable yet firm. It is advised that babies do not sleep on very soft surfaces due to SIDS. (I am not a doctor but I received this information from my pediatrician so be sure to ask a professional about the exact mattress that is recommended.) You also want to make sure that the mattress is waterproof!
We purchased the: Serta Sertapedic Fiber Core Crib and Toddler Mattress (Waterproof)
Bassinet
Rank of Importance– If you are not using a crib right away and choose to have your baby sleep in a bassinet in your room or their own room, then you will definitely need a bassinet.
I personally had a crib and a bassinet. I put the bassinet in the downstairs living room and had my daughter’s crib in her nursery. The bassinet actually came bundled with our stroller so it was not an added cost for us. The stroller we purchased actually had the option to attach the bassinet the stroller- it was VERY multifunctional. We purchased the UPPA Baby Vista Stroller (With Included Bassinet).
Pro– I enjoyed having the bassinet because I was able to put my baby to sleep anywhere that I set the bassinet up. It is also where my daughter slept when we stayed at my parent’s house during the first couple months of her life. It is A LOT more portable than a crib and a lot more comfortable than a pack and play.
Con– Though I liked the bassinet for her early stages, my daughter quickly outgrew the bassinet and it became rather useless.
Changing Table
Rank of Importance– on a scale from 1 to 5 I would say our changing table is a 4, for everyday baby necessities.
Pro– The changing table had 2 built-in shelves. I was able to use the bottom shelves of the changing table to organize her diapers and make organized baskets of her lotions, creams, diapers, wipes, socks, and onesies.
Con– It can take up a bit of space if you only have a small room to work with. Our daughter’s room was small but we decided to add the changing table because it was practical for us.
I know many people who say a changing table was absolutely unnecessary for them and was just a waste of space. For us, the changing table was super helpful! We had a changing table in Baby L’s nursery upstairs and one downstairs in the living room as well. But we used the changing station that came attached to her pack and play (this item is below). I wasn’t a fan of changing her on odd and ends surfaces. Of course, we were fine when we had to change her on a bed or couch when needed, but we loved having a designated place to change her in our house.
We purchased the: Child Craft Arched Top Changing Table with Pad
Don’t forget to get my “Necessary Baby Furniture Worksheet” with detailed baby furniture assessments to help you personally write out what you need and don’t need. Get the awesome FREE worksheet below!
Pack and Play with changing pad and sleeper
Rank of Importance– On a scale from 1 to 5 I would say this pack and play is a 4 for us, for everyday baby necessities.
Pro– The pack and play has a changing station attached to the top and right beside it was a bassinet insert as a sleeping station. It also has 2 organization pockets hanging from the changing station so you can store the diapers and wipes
When we had Baby L we lived in a 2 story duplex. So, for half of the day I was upstairs with the baby and the second half of the day, I would bring the baby downstairs. Because of this, I liked to have a second “set” of things downstairs of necessities so I didn’t have to keep running up and down the stairs with a newborn. We kept the pack and play in the living room (our floor plan is open so it connects through to the kitchen and dining area). The pack and play has a changing station attached to the top and right beside it was a bassinet insert as a sleeping station. This really helped me because I was able to change her and lay her down all in one area and didn’t have to run upstairs.
Con– It is quite big. If your house has a layout that allows you to access her changing table or crib without an issue then I could see how some parents can view this as unnecessary. Or if you have a bassinet and don’t need a changing station then you may not need this.
We purchased the: Graco Pack N’ Play Playard with Newborn Napperstation DLX
Swing/Rocker
Rank of Importance– On a scale from 1 to 5, I would say these items are a 3 for everyday baby necessities.
Pro– Baby L had borderline colic so having a swing/rocker really helped soothe her during her difficult days. It was also a safe place to put her in when I had to do dishes or run to the bathroom.
Con– It’s sort of a waste of space if you don’t feel like you need a device to “soothe” your baby. It can also be a potential sleep prop- meaning your baby get so used to being in there that they can’t sleep in anything else that isn’t rocking or vibrating.
We purchased the: Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing and the Fischer Price Deluxe Auto Rock N’ Play Sleeper with Smart Connect
The Fischer Price Deluxe Auto Rock N’ Play Sleeper with Smart Connect was a lifesaver! My daughter has a bit of colic for a couple weeks and this rocker was the only thing that would soothe her. It comes with a free app that allows you to turn it on without even touching it! It also has a bunch of sounds, music, and vibration. It was amazing!
Glider
Rank of Importance– On a scale of 1 to 5 a glider for us was a 3. I do not think it is a necessity to all parents but it was definitely beneficial to us.
Pro– We really loved having a glider for Baby L. We still use it to this day and she is well over a year old. I used it for nursing her, bottle feeding, and soothing her. It also became a staple of where we read to her every day. We were blessed to be able to have a family member buy a glider for us.
Con– I can see how parents may feel like this item is unnecessary. It can also be quite expensive if you cannot afford another piece of baby furniture. A glider can also take up space but you can find ones that are space saving.
We purchased the: DaVinci Upholstered Swivel Glider with Bonus Ottoman
High Chair
Rank of Importance– A high chair is not necessary before your baby starts to eat solids but once your baby begins solids a high chair is definitely a necessary baby furniture item.
There is a countless amount of options for high chairs these days, including a full high chair that has multi-functions such as reclining, detaching, and so much more, or you can buy a basic high chair for much cheaper. You can also purchase a high chair seat which is just a tabletop seat that can be placed anywhere you want your baby to eat! The options are endless!
We purchased the: Graco Duo Diner 3-in1 Convertible High Chair
Dresser/Storage Area
Rank of Importance– Having a storage is or dresser area to store your baby’s clothes and personal items is a must!
Your Options: You can choose to use bins for shelves or a closet with a combination of hangers and shelves. Or you can choose to purchase a full dresser with a bunch of drawers. Remember, think of your space and plan accordingly. My daughter’s room was not large at all so we used a combination of shelves in her closet, a small rack for hangers, and utilized the shelves under her changing table for storage bins. The possibilities are endless! Be sure to research an intuitive nursery/baby organization system and you will find a bunch of resources!
And there you have it!! This is the ultimate list of necessary baby furniture! Remember, not everything on this list is things that you will want. Talk to your spouse about what you will actually need, what you can afford, and how much space you have. The last thing you want to do is purchase a bunch of furniture and baby items and realize that 1) you didn’t even use it or 2) you don’t have space for it.
This list was designed to help YOU choose what you will need and won’t need for your new little addition to the family. Ask your friends and relatives what they really used and what was a waste. Make sure to purchase things that you know you will need! Also, keep in mind that something someone didn’t use can actually be the very thing that you need. You’ll never know what you’ll need until you sit down and plan!
That’s why I created the “Necessary Baby Furniture Worksheet: Baby Furniture Assessment”! Be sure to download and complete the worksheet to help you plan what items you need, what items you want, and what items you don’t need. It will help you organize your thoughts and give you an easy overview to help you shop or create your registry. Let’s face it, as a pregnant woman and expectant parents you don’t need to do things that are overly complicated and that take a lot of work. My goal is to make things as easy as possible for you!
Get my FREE Necessary Baby Furniture Worksheet Now!
I hope this list and my “Necessary Baby Furniture Worksheet: Baby Furniture Assessment” will help you easily and efficiently figure out what baby furniture you need and don’t need!
Wondering what other baby necessities you’ll need?? Check out my post on what everyday baby necessities I used by reading my post “Ultimate List of Everyday Baby Necessities” here.
