A nursery does not need to be large or expensive. It needs to be safe, dark enough to sleep in, and arranged so that you can do the things you will actually be doing at 2am without thinking about it.
Where the cot goes
Cot placement is the most important decision in the room. Keep the cot:
- Away from all cords, including blind cords, curtain chains, lamp cables and baby monitor leads. This is the single most serious hazard in a nursery. Cords should be secured high on the wall with a cleat, well out of any possible reach.
- Away from windows, for temperature, draughts and direct sun.
- Away from heaters and air conditioning outlets.
- Away from furniture that could be climbed onto from inside the cot.
- Clear of anything hanging above it, including shelves, pictures and mobiles once the baby can reach.
Anchor the furniture
Every tall or heavy item, including chests of drawers, bookshelves, change tables and wardrobes, should be anchored to the wall with the supplied brackets or an anchoring kit. Toppling furniture injures young children in Australia every year, and a toddler pulling open drawers to climb is the usual cause.
Do this on assembly day, not later. Later rarely comes.
Light
Australian summer mornings are bright by five. Block-out blinds or curtains are the highest-value purchase in a nursery, either cordless or with cords secured high.
For night feeds, a warm, dim light is far better than the main ceiling light. A small lamp with a low-output warm globe, or a dimmable night light, lets you feed and change without fully waking either of you.
Temperature
Aim for a room that feels comfortable for a lightly dressed adult. Precise numbers matter less than avoiding overheating, which is the greater risk.
Check your baby by feeling the back of the neck or the chest, not the hands or feet, which are normally cooler. If the neck feels sweaty, remove a layer.
Dress for the room, not the season, and let a sleeping bag's TOG rating do the work rather than adding blankets.
The change area
Whether you use a change table or the top of a chest of drawers, the rule is the same: everything you need must be reachable with one hand while the other stays on the baby. Never step away, not for a second.
Keep nappies, wipes, cream and a spare outfit within arm's reach. Have a bin nearby. Set the surface at a height that does not wreck your back, roughly your waist.
The feeding chair
If you have room, a comfortable chair with arm support earns its place quickly. You will spend many hours in it. A small side table for a water glass and your phone makes more difference than it sounds.
Storage that works at 2am
Organise by frequency, not by category. Nappies, wipes and sleepsuits at hand height. Next size up, spare bedding and keepsakes higher or lower. Label things, because you will not be thinking clearly when you need them.
What the room does not need
Cot bumpers, decorative cushions, canopies and mobiles hanging within reach all look good in photographs and belong nowhere near a sleeping baby. Keep the cot clear and put the personality on the walls instead.
Frequently asked questions
Does the baby need their own room?
Not at first. Red Nose Australia recommends room sharing with parents for the first six to twelve months.
Is a nursery rug a good idea?
Useful for floor play later. Use a non-slip underlay and keep it away from the cot base.
When should I set the nursery up?
Around 30 to 34 weeks is comfortable. Assembling cots late in pregnancy is no fun.
Plan the whole room at once
Babyworth nursery packages bring the cot, mattress and change furniture together in matching finishes. See them set up at our Peakhurst showroom.
General information only. For safe sleep guidance see Red Nose Australia; for furniture stability see Product Safety Australia (ACCC).