10 Must-Have Purchases for Your Nesting Phase

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The nesting phase of pregnancy was one of the most exciting (and slightly overwhelming) parts of preparing for my baby’s arrival. By this point, I was well past my baby registry and baby shower, and suddenly, I felt a burst of energy and an intense urge to prepare my home for my son’s arrival.

While my Minimalist Baby Registry covered all the essentials for my baby, the nesting phase was different. It involved over-preparing, organizing, and ensuring everything was perfect for the first few weeks postpartum.

Here are the 10 must-have nesting purchases that helped me feel calm, prepared, and ready to welcome my baby home.

Pregnancy Pillow – The Ultimate Comfort Item

By the third trimester, sleeping became challenging, and my pregnancy pillow was a lifesaver. It supported my back, hips, and belly, helping me get better rest before the baby arrived. A full-body or C-shaped pillow can significantly affect sleep quality and postpartum recovery comfort.

Cozy Loungewear & Self-Care Items

Comfort was key during the nesting phase. I invested in:

• A soft robe and slippers – Perfect for lounging at home and postpartum hospital wear.
• Nursing-friendly pajamas – Easy access for night feedings made those first few weeks easier.
• A delivery gown – Having my soft, comfortable gown for labor made me feel more at ease at the hospital.
• A good moisturizer and lip balm – Pregnancy hormones left my skin dry, so having a few skincare essentials was necessary.

Taking care of myself helped me feel more relaxed and prepared for the big day.

Bassinet, Infant Lounger & Newborn Sleep Essentials

A safe, cozy sleep space was a top priority for my husband and me. We decided to have our baby in the room and eventually transition to bed-sharing. Since safe sleep is always a concern, I researched best practices to ensure our setup was as secure as possible. (If you’re considering bed-sharing, follow up-to-date, safe sleep guidelines!)

When preparing, I also remembered that newborn sleep habits change quickly. I didn’t want to overbuy things that might only be useful for a short period, so I focused on what made sense for our setup.

Other sleep essentials included:

•  A second-hand bassinet – This allowed my baby to sleep safely beside my bed, making nighttime feedings easier.
• Snuggle Me Infant Lounger – A cozy spot for supervised naps and lounging.
• 2-3 swaddle blankets – Helped my baby feel secure and sleep longer.
• No white noise machine – Instead of changing the environment, I wanted our baby to naturally adapt to our household noises.

This small decision and a few other sleep strategies helped my baby sleep through the night early on!

A well-planned sleep setup made those first few weeks smoother and more practical for our family’s lifestyle.

Diapering Station & Rolling Cart Organization

Setting up a well-stocked, easily accessible diapering station saved me so much stress. Here’s what I found most helpful:

• Diaper Caddy – Kept diapers, wipes, and creams organized for quick changes anywhere in the house.
• Rolling Cart—I loved using a 3-tier cart to store diapering essentials, extra onesies, burp cloths, and swaddles. It was easy to move between the nursery and living room.
• A waterproof changing pad – Easy to clean and place on any surface.
• Diapers and fragrance-free wipes – Stocking up in advance meant fewer emergency store runs.

Diaper changes became quick and fuss-free by keeping everything within arm’s reach.

Footed Onesies & Seasonal Layers

Newborn clothing can be overwhelming, but I learned that less is more. My essentials included:

• 5-7-footed onesies (Girls/Boys) – No need for socks when built-in feet keep baby warm.
• A few lightweight blankets or jackets – Depending on the season.
• Soft mittens and hats – Prevented scratching and kept my baby cozy.

I avoided unnecessary laundry piles and clutter by focusing on practical, easy-to-use clothing.

Breastfeeding & Bottle-Feeding Must-Haves

Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, having supplies ready-made feeding time is more manageable. I stocked up on the following:

• A supportive nursing pillow – Saved my back and arms during long feedings.
• A few quality bottles – Even if breastfeeding, having bottles for pumped milk was helpful.
• A hands-free pumping bra – Made pumping much easier and more efficient.
• A manual breast pump – perfect for late nights when I am too tired to sit through an entire pumping session or suffer a letdown while breastfeeding.
• A colostrum collector kit – This allowed me to collect and store colostrum before my baby arrived.
• Burp cloths and bibs – Essential for cleaning up little messes.
• Gripe Water – A must-have for relieving hiccups and minor tummy discomfort

Starting with these basics helped me determine what I needed before buying more.

Hospital Bag Essentials for a Stress-Free Birth

Packing my hospital bag ahead of time was a game-changer. Some must-haves included:

• Comfortable clothing – Loose pajamas, a nursing bra, and cozy socks.
• Toiletries – Dry shampoo, face wipes, and chapstick were lifesavers.
• Snacks and a water bottle – Labor and postpartum recovery made me hungry!

Having my bag ready-made the trip to the hospital much less stressful.

Stroller & Car Seat Combo: Finding the Right Fit

One of my most significant nesting purchases was a stroller with a car seat—a travel system that made getting around much more straightforward. Instead of buying these separately, I loved the convenience of having a compatible set that worked together seamlessly.

To find the right stroller for us, my husband and I went to the store and tried them all out. We tested how they folded, maneuvered, and fit in our car before deciding on the most practical option for where we lived and how we planned to use it.

• Car seat + stroller combo – Made travel and everyday outings smoother.
• Tested in-store – Helped us choose what worked best for our needs.
• Prioritized practicality – Picked a stroller that fit our daily routine.

Investing in a safe and versatile travel system gave me peace of mind, knowing my baby would be comfortable from day one.

Playtime & Developmental Items (Budget-Friendly & Practical Choices)

I kept toys minimal and focused on simple, engaging items that supported my baby’s development without cluttering our space. Instead of rushing to buy everything immediately, I purchased items as my baby grew and showed readiness for them.

• Black-and-white contrast cards – A great way to stimulate newborn vision.
• A soft teether and rattle – Perfect for tiny hands to grasp and explore.
• Throw pillows and blankets for floor play: I skipped a traditional playmat and used soft layers instead since we have carpet.
• Skip Hop Play Gym (purchased later at 3–4 months) – I waited until my baby showed signs of sitting before getting a play gym.

By keeping things simple and waiting for the right time to buy, I avoided unnecessary purchases while supporting my baby’s development.

Baby Memory Book & Keepsakes

Not everything was about practicality—I also made sentimental purchases, like:

• A baby memory book – Documenting milestones made me feel more connected to the experience.
• A belly casting kit – A beautiful way to capture how big my belly was before birth and create a unique keepsake.
• Baby milestone cards – These were perfect for capturing my baby’s monthly growth in photos. I used [this adorable hot air balloon milestone card set to mark each month, making it easy to look back and see how much my baby changed over time.
• Personalized nursery decor – A name sign and soft lighting can make the room feel special.
• A cute going-home outfit: While I kept my clothing minimal, I loved picking one special outfit for our first trip home.

These little extras made the nesting phase even more exciting.

Bonus Tips for Saving Money While Nesting

• Avoid buying extras – Skip unnecessary items like wipe warmers and fancy outfits.
• Buy secondhand – Clothes, cribs, and strollers are great to source secondhand.
• Start with essentials – You can always buy more as you learn what works best.
• Accept hand-me-downs – Saves money and simplifies decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

Looking back, these purchases made my nesting phase enjoyable and helped me transition into motherhood with more confidence. While every parent’s list may look slightly different, the key is focusing on what brings comfort, convenience, and joy.

What were your favorite nesting-phase purchases? Share your must-haves in the comments below!

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