Nursery Checklist: What You Really Need

A nursery needs far less than the shop displays suggest. The true essentials are a safe sleep space with a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress, a few fitted sheets or baby sleeping bags, somewhere safe to change nappies, a room thermometer and some storage. Almost everything else is optional, and a few popular items are things official safer sleep guidance actively advises against.

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In this guide

One thing worth knowing before you start: the NHS and The Lullaby Trust both advise that your baby sleeps in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for at least the first six months. So the “nursery” may not be where your baby sleeps at first. That is a good reason not to rush or overspend on it.

The short list

Item	Do you need it?	Why
Cot, cot bed, Moses basket or bedside crib	Essential	Your baby needs their own clear, flat, separate sleep space.
Firm, flat, waterproof-covered mattress that fits	Essential	The single most important safety item after the cot itself.
Fitted sheets (2–3)	Essential	Night-time leaks happen; you will want a spare ready.
Baby sleeping bags or lightweight blankets	Essential	Either works if used correctly; sleeping bags remove the loose-bedding worry.
Room thermometer	Essential	Guidance is to keep the room at 16–20°C, and guessing is unreliable.
Changing mat	Essential	A wipe-clean surface you can put on the floor.
Chest of drawers or other storage	Essential	Clothes, nappies and spare bedding need a home.
Changing unit or dresser changer	Useful	Saves your back, but the floor is actually the safest place to change.
Comfortable chair for feeds	Useful	Night feeds are long; any supportive chair you already own may do.
Dim night light	Useful	Lets you check, feed and change without switching on the main light.
Blackout blind	Useful	Helpful for daytime naps and early summer mornings.
Audio or video monitor	Useful	Handy once your baby naps in another room; not a substitute for supervision.
Cot bumpers, pods, nests, pillows, duvets	Skip	The Lullaby Trust and NHS advise against them in a baby’s sleep space.
Wipe warmer, nappy bin, cot mobile	Skip	Nice ideas, little practical benefit for most families.

Sleep

This is where to spend your attention and, if you have it, your budget. The Lullaby Trust describes the safest cot as a clear cot: a firm, flat mattress, the right bedding, and nothing else.

A cot or cot bed. The Lullaby Trust says cots should meet BS EN 716, and Moses baskets BS EN 1466. Bedside cribs should meet BS EN 1130:2019. A cot bed converts to a toddler bed later, which can save buying twice.
A mattress that fits snugly. The Lullaby Trust advises a mattress that is firm, flat and protected by a waterproof cover, with no gaps around the edges, no sagging and no raised or cushioned edges. Your baby’s head should sink no more than a few millimetres.
A new mattress if you can. The Lullaby Trust generally recommends a new mattress for each baby. If you use a second-hand one, it should have a fully waterproof cover, no tears or water damage, and still fit well.
Two or three fitted sheets in the right size for your mattress.
Two or three baby sleeping bags (or lightweight cellular blankets). Sleeping bags should fit well; the Lullaby Trust says they should meet BS EN 16781:2018 and that most manufacturers size them by baby’s weight.
If you use blankets, tuck them in firmly no higher than your baby’s shoulders, with baby in the “feet to foot” position (feet at the bottom of the cot).

Example: Mamas & Papas Vyne Cot

A straightforward, fairly compact cot that keeps the essentials simple. It suits a standard 120 x 60cm mattress, which is easy to find sheets for.

Dimensions: 125 x 66 x 80cm
Takes a 120 x 60 x 10cm mattress (not included on its own)
Two base heights; the manufacturer says the lower setting helps keep growing babies safe
Manufacturer lists cot use from birth to around 18 months, and bed mode from 18 months to 4 years
Stated standard: BS EN 716:2017
MDF and particle board; no teething rail
Price: around £150–£200 at UK retailers, October 2026 (a cot-and-mattress bundle is also offered)

Good to know: There is no teething rail, and it is made from board rather than solid wood. The product page showed mixed stock messages when we checked, so confirm availability at checkout.

See Vyne cot at Mamas & Papas

Example: Mamas & Papas Signature Airflow Fibre Cot Mattress

A budget-friendly mattress in the standard 120 x 60cm size. Mamas & Papas states it meets EN 16890:2017 + A1:2021, the standard for cot mattresses.

Size: 120 x 60 x 10cm
Zip-off outer cover that the manufacturer says is machine washable, plus a fixed wipeable inner protector
Manufacturer advises the gap between mattress and cot sides should not exceed 30mm
Price: around £40–£50 at UK retailers, October 2026

Good to know: Mamas & Papas describes this range as protecting against light to moderate water exposure rather than calling it fully waterproof, so a waterproof mattress protector is worth adding. Always check the mattress fits your specific cot.

See Signature cot mattress at Mamas & Papas

Example: Tommee Tippee 2.5 Tog Sleeping Bag, 0–3 months

A simple zip-up sleeping bag for newborns from the Grobag range. It is sold as a swaddle-style bag; the Lullaby Trust advises stopping arms-in swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling.

Size: birth to 3 months, approx. 6.1kg (retailer listing)
2.5 tog; the retailer suggests it for room temperatures of 14–20°C
100% cotton, zip closure, roomy bottom for natural hip and leg position
Price: around £20–£25 at UK retailers, October 2026

Good to know: The Lullaby Trust does not publish tog-to-temperature charts, because fabrics, layers and babies vary. Use the manufacturer’s guide as a starting point, then check your baby’s chest or the back of their neck to see whether they are too warm.

See sleeping bags at Smyths

Changing

You will change a lot of nappies, so make it easy. The NHS says the best place to change a nappy is on a mat or towel on the floor, because your baby cannot fall. If you use a raised changing table, the NHS advises keeping an eye on your baby at all times and not relying on straps.

A wipe-clean changing mat (one for the nursery, perhaps one downstairs).
Nappies in newborn and size 1. Buy small packs until you know what fits.
Cotton wool and warm water, or fragrance-free, alcohol-free baby wipes, as the NHS suggests.
Barrier cream.
A bag or bucket kept only for dirty nappies.
A spare outfit and muslins within arm’s reach, so you never need to step away.

Example: Mamas & Papas Essentials Changing Mattress

A padded, wipe-clean mat that works on the floor, on a bed you are sitting beside, or on a changing unit.

Shaped and padded; suitable from birth
Recycled polyester outer; wipe-clean care
Price: around £15–£25 at UK retailers, October 2026

Good to know: The product page does not list dimensions, so measure your changing surface and check before buying. Stock messages were mixed when we checked.

See changing mat at Mamas & Papas

Storage

Babies come with a surprising amount of stuff, but you do not need a full matching furniture set. A chest of drawers you already own often does the job.

A chest of drawers for clothes, sleeping bags and spare sheets. Use the wall fixings if the manufacturer supplies or requires them.
A shelf or basket for nappy supplies near where you change.
A laundry basket. You will do more washing than you expect.

Example: Mamas & Papas Harwell Dresser Changer

If you want storage and a raised changing surface in one, a dresser changer combines both. The changing top lifts off later, leaving an ordinary chest of drawers.

Dimensions: 98 x 54 x 96.8cm with the changer fitted; 96 x 53 x 86cm without
Two large soft-close drawers plus open storage
Removable changing top; manufacturer lists the changer for birth to 11kg (about 12 months)
Stated standards: BS EN 12221 (changing units) and BS EN 14749
Manufacturer says it must be fixed to the wall for safe use
Price: around £500–£600 at UK retailers, October 2026

Good to know: This is a real splurge for what is, in the end, a chest of drawers with a tray on top. The page does not say whether a changing mat is included. Stock messages were mixed when we checked.

Not for you if… you are happy changing on the floor or on a mat on a bed you sit beside.

See Harwell dresser at Mamas & Papas

Feeding corner

Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed or both, a comfortable spot makes night feeds easier. It does not have to be in the nursery; in the early months it may be in your bedroom.

A supportive chair with armrests. Try before you buy if you can, sitting as you would to feed.
A small side table for water, a phone and burp cloths.
A dim night light so you are not switching on bright lights.
Muslins and burp cloths – lots of them.
A footstool or cushion if your feet do not rest flat.

A safety note: the NHS advises never sleeping on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby. If you feel drowsy during a night feed, put your baby back in their own sleep space.

Example: Mamas & Papas Hilston Nursing Chair

A fully upholstered rocking armchair with solid oak rocking legs, aimed at people who want a dedicated feeding chair that will live on in a living room later.

Approx. 76cm wide x 85.5cm deep x 81.7cm high
Rocking legs; reversible, removable seat cushion
Made in the UK, according to the manufacturer; footstool sold as a set
Price: around £600–£700 at UK retailers, October 2026

Good to know: This is firmly in the “useful, not essential” bracket and priced accordingly. Check the depth suits your room. The page showed pre-order and mixed stock messages when we checked.

Not for you if… you already have a comfortable armchair with good arm support.

See Hilston nursing chair at Mamas & Papas

Comfort & monitoring

The NHS and The Lullaby Trust both advise keeping the room where your baby sleeps at roughly 16–20°C. The Lullaby Trust lists a room thermometer as one of the few things you need for safer sleep.

A room thermometer in every room your baby sleeps in.
A blackout blind or curtains for naps and light summer evenings.
Cot placement away from radiators, heaters and direct sunlight, as The Lullaby Trust advises.
A fan for hot weather, pointed away from your baby rather than directly at them.
A baby monitor, if your baby will nap in a different room to you.

Example: The Lullaby Trust Room Thermometer

A simple, flat card thermometer sold by the charity itself, with marked temperature zones. It is the cheapest way to tick off this essential, and it is light enough to take on trips.

Card thermometer with a clearly marked scale
Wipe-clean, compact and portable
Price: under £5 from The Lullaby Trust shop, October 2026

Good to know: It is a basic card, not a digital display, so you need enough light to read it.

See room thermometer at The Lullaby Trust

Example: Tommee Tippee Gro Egg 2

A digital thermometer that doubles as a night light, changing colour to show the room temperature at a glance.

Digital readout with a lit display
Colour changes with room temperature
Night light with three brightness levels
USB rechargeable, so no batteries
Price: around £20–£35 at UK retailers, October 2026

Good to know: The retailer page we checked does not list which colour matches which temperature, so read the number rather than relying on the colour alone.

See Gro Egg 2 at Mamas & Papas

Example: Philips Avent Video Baby Monitor Advanced (SCD881/05)

A video monitor with its own parent unit, so you can check on naps without using your phone.

2.8-inch colour screen with 2x zoom
Automatic infrared night vision
Two-way talkback and built-in lullabies
Philips describes it as using 2.4GHz wireless with unique pairing between the camera and parent unit
A major UK retailer lists range up to 300m and up to 12 hours’ parent-unit battery
Price: around £120–£150 at UK retailers, October 2026

Good to know: Range always depends on your walls and interference. The Lullaby Trust is clear that a monitor cannot replace supervision by a parent or carer.

See Philips Avent SCD881 at Philips

What you can skip

Some items are simply unnecessary. Others are things safer sleep guidance says to keep out of the cot.

Cot bumpers. The Lullaby Trust says no cot bumpers, and the NHS advises against them too.
Pillows, duvets and quilts. Both organisations advise against these for babies.
Sleep pods, nests and positioners. The Lullaby Trust advises against soft-sided pods and nests and against products designed to hold a baby in one position, such as wedges or straps.
Soft toys and comforters in the cot. The Lullaby Trust recommends keeping them out of the sleep space.
Weighted sleeping bags, swaddles or blankets. The Lullaby Trust lists these as items to avoid.
Sheepskins. The Lullaby Trust warns they can make the sleep surface too soft.
Coordinated cot bedding sets. Often they include a quilt and bumper you should not use anyway; buy plain fitted sheets instead.
Indoor hats for sleep. The Lullaby Trust says babies do not need hats indoors.
Wipe warmers. Room-temperature wipes or cotton wool with warm water do the job.
Specialist nappy bins. A lidded bin you empty often works fine.
Movement or breathing monitors “for peace of mind”. The Lullaby Trust notes there is no research showing they help prevent SIDS, and that extra readings can add to anxiety. If you do buy one, follow the Trust’s guidance on choosing it.

FAQ

When should I set up the nursery?

Aim to have the sleep space and changing basics ready a few weeks before the due date. Because your baby should sleep in your room for at least the first six months, the full nursery can wait.

What does a newborn actually need to sleep?

A clear, flat, separate sleep space, a firm, flat, waterproof-covered mattress that fits without gaps, fitted sheets, and either a well-fitting sleeping bag or lightweight blankets tucked in at shoulder height. Add a room thermometer. That is it.

Are cot bumpers safe?

The Lullaby Trust advises against cot bumpers, and the NHS lists them among items to keep out of the cot. The safest cot is a clear cot.

Can I use a second-hand cot or mattress?

A second-hand cot can be fine if it is in good condition and meets current standards; the Lullaby Trust notes cots should no longer have a side that fully drops down. For mattresses, the Trust generally recommends a new one for each baby. If you reuse one, check it is firm, flat, undamaged, fully waterproof-covered and fits snugly.

Do I need a changing table?

No. The NHS says the floor is the best place to change a nappy, because your baby cannot fall. A changing unit is useful if you have back problems, but never step away while your baby is on it.

What temperature should the nursery be?

The NHS and The Lullaby Trust advise around 16–20°C. Use a room thermometer, and check your baby by feeling their chest or the back of their neck. If they feel hot or sweaty, remove a layer.

Nursery checklist: what you really need (and what you don’t)