When To Start Baby Nursery
No matter where you are in your pregnancy, designing and shopping for the nursery can be a very exciting part of this new journey.
Brainstorming a nursery is one thing, but bringing it to fruition is a whole different task, and that can be daunting for some parents. But don’t stress—this post breaks down the tasks you may want to accomplish each trimester, depending on the designated space you’re using for the nursery and how much you want to complete by the time your sweet bundle arrives.
We encourage you to use this post as a guide and don’t follow it to the tee if it doesn’t make sense for your living situation, finances, or creative energy. Every family is different, and it’s best to remember that all your new baby really needs is food, a safe place to sleep, and lots of love. Everything else is just a bonus!
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First Trimester
For many women, the first trimester is a challenging time in their pregnancy. If this sounds like you, planning the nursery, shopping for items, or feeling excited about the process may be difficult. We want to remind you that it’s perfectly fine if you are not feeling inspired or excited about designing the nursery.
If this is the case, put your feet up, find your nausea candies, and get as comfortable as possible. You have plenty of time in the coming months to plan and design the nursery once you’re feeling better.
For other women, pregnancy is a smooth ride from the beginning, and they’re eager to start working on their baby’s room. Take this time to browse Pinterest, choose a nursery theme or design you like, and begin browsing for the big items, like a crib, dresser/ changing table, glider, and any other furniture.
You can also begin by choosing painting colors, window treatments, and other textiles, like rugs.
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Second Trimester
Most parents and families start putting everything together in the nursery in the second trimester. If Mom is sick in the first trimester, she’s usually feeling better and more energized by the second trimester. Once you’ve decided on a theme, color scheme, or overall design for the room, it’s time to get to shopping!
Choose the crib, changing table, rocking chair, and any other big furniture you’ll need. Store the furniture in the nursery or put the items together as they arrive, depending on the space you have available and your timeline.
The second trimester is a great time to paint the nursery or install wallpaper. Once you have the walls completed, you can begin thinking about what decor pieces you’d like to hang on the walls, along with selecting the textiles and other fabrics you’ll include in the room.
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Third Trimester
You may be planning on having your baby shower in the third trimester, where you will likely receive nursery items on your baby registry, like a sound machine, night light, diaper products, and more.
Many women experience nesting in the third trimester when they have the sudden motivation to clean, get things organized, and get everything set up in time to meet their new baby.
Nesting is a common part of the third trimester, and we encourage you to embrace this newfound inspiration! You can wash and fold all the baby clothes you received at your shower and get them organized in the dresser or closet.
If you’re stocking up on diapers, organize them in the closet or on a diaper cart or the changing table. You’ll want to ensure you have all the right products for diaper changes. If you haven’t purchased those yet or didn’t get them at your baby shower, don’t forget the baby wipes, diaper rash cream, lotion, and a diaper genie to reduce any unwanted smells in the nursery.
Now that the walls are painted, it’s time to hang decor on them! You may want to display your baby’s books on some adorable shelves on the walls.
This is also a great time to get the crib’s bedding washed and ready for use. From a fitted crib sheet to a cozy quilt (not to be used when your baby is sleeping) to a themed mobile to hang above the crib, it’s a special moment to design and install the pieces you love for your baby’s bed.
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Starting the Nursery: Frequently Asked Questions
Get all your questions answered about planning and starting the baby nursery here.
When is the best time to buy baby furniture?
This answer depends on your available space, the theme or design you’re going with, and what products you are registering for.
Most parents opt to style and purchase their nursery furniture in the second trimester of pregnancy. Most mothers are feeling better and more energized, so nursery planning is in full swing.
We recommend choosing a crib first and selecting the other nursery furniture around this central item. You’ll need a crib, a changing table or a dresser with a changing pad, and a rocking chair or glider.
Depending on the time of year you are pregnant, you can plan to buy your nursery furniture around seasonal sales and big store markdowns. Shop ahead of time and find out what pieces you like, then keep an eye on each one in the coming months to see how low the price drops during sales.
What do I need in my baby’s nursery?
The bare essentials for a baby nursery are a crib or bassinet, a changing table or dresser, and a comfortable chair where you can lounge and rock your baby.
It’s important to remember that most safe sleep guidelines recommend sleeping in the same room as your baby for at least the first six months of their life. There’s no rush to start or finish the nursery, particularly if you are short on space or you don’t have the energy to design and shop for the room.
If you have the space and want to create a relaxing room for you and your baby to spend time, adding special touches like a cozy blanket to the glider, pictures on the walls, and a sound machine will help create the perfect environment.
Final Thoughts on When to Start Baby Nursery
If a nursery isn’t in your immediate plans, just know that your baby will be completely content sleeping safely in a crib or bassinet beside your bed. Depending on your home and sleeping situation, there’s no rush to finish the nursery by any specific time period. Your baby won’t know the difference!
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