Setting up the nursery is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for a baby — and also one of the most important from a safety standpoint. A beautiful nursery means nothing if it is not a safe one. This baby nursery checklist walks you through every room-ready essential, from crib safety to the details parents most often overlook, so your baby’s room is ready long before the due date.
The Crib: The Heart of Nursery Safety
Your baby will spend more time in the crib than anywhere else, so start here.
- Choose a certified crib. Look for current safety certification marks (such as ASTM or equivalent national standards). Avoid second-hand cribs with missing parts, peeling paint, or slats more than 6 cm (2⅜ inches) apart.
- Firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet only. The mattress should fit snugly — no more than two fingers of gap between mattress and frame. Use a fitted sheet and nothing else.
- Bare is best. No pillows, blankets, quilts, bumpers, or stuffed toys in the crib. Loose bedding is a leading suffocation and SIDS risk. Use a wearable sleep sack for warmth instead.
- Drop-side cribs are out. If you inherit one, do not use it — they have been banned in many countries after safety failures.
Room-by-Room Baby Nursery Checklist
1. Sleeping Area
- Crib positioned away from windows, cords, and radiators.
- Room thermometer near the crib to monitor temperature (aim for 20–22°C / 68–72°F).
- White noise machine or fan kept out of baby’s reach, with cords secured behind furniture.
- Blackout curtains to support daytime naps — mount brackets securely so they cannot pull free.
2. Changing Station
- A sturdy dresser-top changing pad or dedicated changing table with raised edges or a safety strap.
- Keep one hand on baby at all times — never leave baby unattended on the station.
- Store nappies, wipes, and cream within arm’s reach so you never need to step away.
- A covered nappy bin with a lid, placed where small hands cannot tip it.
3. Feeding Corner
- A comfortable chair with good back and arm support, positioned away from windows with cords.
- A small side table for water, burp cloths, and a night light.
- A dim, warm night light — bright enough to see by, soft enough not to wake baby fully.
The Safety Details Parents Miss
Anchor All Furniture
Dressers, bookshelves, and wardrobes must be anchored to the wall with anti-tip straps. Furniture tip-overs are a serious and entirely preventable cause of infant injury. Do this before baby arrives — not after they start pulling up.
Cord Safety
Keep blind cords, monitor cords, and charger cables at least one metre from the crib. Use cordless window coverings where possible, and secure baby monitor cables along the wall with clips so they cannot be grabbed.
Air Quality and Temperature
- Keep the nursery smoke-free — third-hand smoke on walls and fabrics matters too.
- Maintain humidity around 40–60% to ease breathing and protect skin.
- Ensure a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in or near the nursery, and test them monthly.
Electrical and Small Objects
- Cover all outlets with sliding-plate safety covers (better than removable plugs, which become choking hazards).
- Do the “toilet roll test”: if an object fits through a toilet paper tube, it is a choking hazard — remove it from the nursery.
- Secure rugs with non-slip pads, and keep the floor clear of laundry baskets and clutter once baby is mobile.
Paint, Flooring, and Finishes
Use low-VOC or zero-VOC paint and let the room air out for several days before baby sleeps in it. Avoid wall decals or wallpaper borders that could peel into mouth-sized pieces. If you are laying new flooring, choose washable, non-toxic materials and let them off-gas before the baby arrives.
Final Walk-Through
- Get down to floor level and look at the room from baby’s perspective — cords, small objects, and sharp corners become obvious.
- Test every drawer, door, and gate you installed.
- Check that the crib mattress is still firm and the fitted sheet is snug.
- Confirm detectors are working and emergency numbers are saved in your phone.
A safe nursery gives you something no gadget can: peace of mind on those 3 a.m. wake-ups. For more practical, evidence-based parenting guides, explore the Healthy Baby Guide homepage.
