Expecting? Check out these must-buy items before welcoming your baby

Getting the baby's room ready is a major step in preparing for their arrival. With all the necessary parts that go into preparing for your little one, having ample time to set up the nursery is crucial. Here is a list of important pieces of furniture to consider purchasing and when you should order them.

However, it is important to keep in mind that deliveries can be delayed, and certain products can be out of stock, especially since the pandemic. If you see a deal, or find something you absolutely love, it never hurts to order it then! From then, it can take weeks to months for the furniture to be delivered. Some companies offer to build the furniture upon arrival (possibly with some extra cost) while others will just deliver and leave. Be sure to check the store’s delivery policy before you order!

1. A Crib

A crib is obviously the most crucial piece of furniture for a baby's nursery. Once a baby has grown out of a bassinet in your room, they can finally sleep peacefully in their own room and in their own bed. Cribs ensure that babies will not roll out while sleeping, and that they are safe during all naps and night stretches. Cribs come in a traditional style, where they will remain a crib, or they come in different variations of transitioning - shifting from a crib to a toddler, day bed, and a full-sized bed when baby is ready. This promises babies will have a safe and consistent place to stay into their young adult life. Companies like Natart, Oxford Baby, Stella Baby, and Westwood Design offer incredible cribs that are timeless and reliable.

See more cribs here: https://www.bambibaby.com/cribs

When to order: Best to order when mama is somewhere between 25 & 30 weeks along. This will still give you a great amount of time to set it up. If you are considering co-sleeping with your little one for the first six months to a year, a crib can be the last purchase.

2. A Dresser

Just like a baby needs a place to sleep, all of their clothes need a place to go. A six to seven drawer dresser provides incredible space, storage, and style. Most companies offer dressers in the same style and finish that match the finish on the baby's crib as well, so you can truly finish any nursery in matching style. With incredible features such as lined top drawers, dovetail finishes, and smooth closing glides, these dressers are sturdy and reliable, and can grow with baby as their crib does. Companies like Oxford Baby, Stella Baby, and Natart Juvenile offer incredible dresser options.

See more dressers here: https://www.bambibaby.com/furniture/dressers

When to order: ASAP. Dressers are perfect for storage, and when you announce that you are expecting a little one, it is always a good idea to have a ton of storage space. The outfits and diapers you accumulate as you are preparing for a baby can be a lot, and a dresser helps you neatly tuck them away and organize them.

3. A Changing Table or Changing Topper

Just like a baby needs a place to sleep and store their things, a baby also needs a place for diaper changes. Parents have the option between a changing table, a full-sized table with deep walls to keep baby safe while being changed, or a changing topper that drops right on top of their dresser. Where a changing topper is just a box with a pad that the baby needs to be changed in, a changing table gives more room for storage. Easily store baby’s diapers, wipes, and other necessities on the shelves or drawers under the table. It all depends on preference, especially if you don’t want the baby's changing pad to take up space on their dresser. Check out companies like Sorelle, Westwood Designs, and Oxford Baby for both options.

See more changing table stations here: https://www.bambibaby.com/furniture/changing-tables

When to order: It is best to order a changing table when you order the crib - generally most collections will offer a matching changing table. This will give you time to set up the crib and organize diapers, wipes, and all of the baby health and diapering necessities within the changing table. When it comes to simply changing topper boxes, you can simply place them on a registry, or have one set to go when your dressers come in. Changing toppers are great to have as well, especially if the baby's nursery is upstairs and you spend most of your time on the first floor.

4. Bookshelves

Now that baby’s clothes are put away, there needs to be space to store their growing book collection. Bookshelves are a perfect addition to any nursery. They double not only as extra shelving for keepsakes, but also as a neat and organized space to store books. Many companies offer shelving for books as a hutch topper to a dresser, and this means that even though there are two different pieces of furniture, they are displayed as one. This is a great option for a nursery with limited space. Pali Designs, Oxford Baby, and Natart Juvenile offer great choices of shelving.

See more bookcases and hutches here: https://www.bambibaby.com/furniture/bookcases-hutches

When to order: ASAP. Along with all of the outfits you will be receiving, babies will generally have a large library before they are even born. Having a bookshelf will help you stay organized. When people give you books, you can easily display them in their slowly-forming nursery bookshelf. This is also great for when people give baby gifts - frames, ceramic keepsakes, etc.

5. A Rocking Chair or Glider

In the first few weeks, baby’s sleep is going to be difficult. They may sleep on their own, but most will need help from their parents to get to sleep. A rocking chair or glider are perfect additions for any nursery, not just for babies, but for parents too. This allows parents to comfortably rock the baby to sleep in their own space, and if they fall asleep with the baby in their arms for a bit, they are able to do so comfortably. Check out options like Oilo, Westwood Designs, and Dadada Weebble for incredible glider and rocker options.

See more gliders here: https://www.bambibaby.com/gliders

When to order: Right before the baby is born, with the crib and the changing table. Depending on what you plan on ordering, a rocker or glider can be ordered to match your furniture. Because the baby is not here yet to be rocked, you can generally hold off.

Again, with the availability of products, it does not hurt to order any furniture as you find things you like. With this, you will be able to properly prepare for the baby's arrival. 

One Final Note: Nursery Furniture Sets Offer You Value and Convenience

Though it can be fun to creatively combine baby furniture pieces, it can also be an overwhelming task for expecting parents. Nursery furniture sets offer you a simple and symmetrical solution for your nursery design. And since nursery sets feature bundled furniture pieces, you will usually enjoy cost savings. Take a look at these top-rated baby bedroom sets today to save time, money, and decision stress.