There’s something about planning a nursery that makes even the most grounded parents feel like they need everything. As Midwives we see it all the time; beautiful mood boards, lists as long as your arm, and a lot of things that simply aren’t necessary (or safe).
So, let’s strip it back. This is your calm, evidence-based guide, My Expert Midwife style, to creating a safe, practical nursery without wasting your money, filling your home with clutter, or investing in unsafe products.
Start With What Matters Most - Safe Sleep
Before anything else safe sleep comes first but remember in the UK, we advise that your baby “Rooms In” with you for the first 6 months, meaning that they should sleep in the same room as you so that you can respond to their needs and keep them safe.
At My Expert Midwife we follow and always signpost parents-to-be to The Lullaby Trust website for the best most up-to-date and evidence-based research on Safe sleeping and in a nutshell their most basic advice includes:
Your baby should sleep on their back, in their own clear sleep space, in your room for the first 6 months.
The sleep space should be a cot, crib, or Moses basket with a firm, flat mattress.
Keep it completely empty no pillows, bumpers, toys, or loose bedding.
The Only Sleep Essentials You Need
1. Cot, Crib or Moses Basket
A safe sleep space that meets UK safety standards (BS EN 716).
Shop Moses Baskets and Cribs at John Lewis
2. Firm, Flat Mattress (New is always advised)
This is non-negotiable. It should:
Fit snugly (gaps can cause babies to come trapped)
Be breathable and waterproof or have a waterproof cover that can be removed for washing.
Stay firm (your baby’s head should not sink in)
3. Fitted Sheets (3–4 is plenty)
That’s it. No fancy bedding sets needed. Avoid pillows, cot bumpers, and duvets all of which can cause harm through suffocation and overheating.
You can pick up affordable basics from:
· Tesco baby bedding essentials
· Asda George baby nursery range
· Sainsbury’s Tu baby essentials
4. Blanket or Baby Sleeping Bag
Cellular blankets are breathable and ideal for newborn babies.
Or a baby sleeping bag (correct tog for season and age/size appropriate)
Room temperature for anywhere a baby will be sleeping should be between 16–20°C to reduce risk of baby overheating and avoid placing their bed near a heat source such as a radiator or portable heater, or near a window which can be draughty.
Essential Nursery Equipment (Keep It Minimal)
Here’s your Midwife-compiled realistic list of the things you’ll realistically use on a daily basis:
Changing Area
Changing mat (no need for a full changing table unless you want one)
Nappies + wipes
Bum Balm to use at every nappy change from birth.
We like:
Boots baby changing essentials
Clothing Basics
6–8 sleepsuits
4–6 vests
A couple of cardigans
That’s it. Babies grow quickly—don’t overbuy. If you are gifted lots of newborn clothes, consider swapping some in store for a larger size.
Somewhere to Store Things
Drawers, a small wardrobe, or even boxes, keep it functional and something that can be used in the future as your child grows.
What NOT to Buy (Yes, Really)
This is where most money is wasted, and more importantly where safety matters.
· Cot Bumpers are not recommended—they increase the risk of overheating and suffocation.
· Pillows & Duvets (under 1 year) - unsafe due to suffocation risk.
· Baby Nests / Sleep Positioners are not suitable for unsupervised sleep.
· Fancy Bedding Sets may look lovely but they’re not safe or necessary.
· Over-the-Top Furniture - you do not need a full nursery set before baby arrives, a rocking chair (nice, but not essential), a dedicated changing unit (a mot on the floor is the safest option)
A Midwife’s Honest Advice
The safest, calmest nurseries we see aren’t the most expensive, they’re the simplest.
A safe, simple crib, Moses basket, or cot.
A firm, clean, waterproof, and breathable mattress.
A few clean natural-fibre fitted sheets.
A calm and uncluttered space, free from soft toys and mobiles which babies can get tangled in.
A room with an even temperature of between 16-20 degrees Centigrade with beds free from draughts and direct heat sources.
Final Thought
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, come back to this thought:
“Your baby needs you far more than they need stuff.”
