In a world where the baby industry is growing by leaps and bounds, where the lists of adorable must-haves seem to have no end, how do you begin weeding through them and figuring out whether each so-called “necessity” is actually a necessity? Well  here is a little head start to help with the nursery.

1. Crib – this is a must-have for any nursery no matter who you talk to! Although the style options are endless consider a few things when choosing a crib. First and foremost is safety. Read reviews on the crib(s) you’re interested in and check to see that there haven’t been any re-calls, look for the Juvenille Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification. Although it may be tempting to use a crib or bassinet that is a family heirloom they may not meet current safety standards so be sure to inspect them carefully.

2. Changing Table – although there are a variety of alternatives to serve this purpose, the botton line is you will definitely need something to change baby on! One option is the traditional changing table. Another option (I tend to love any piece that can grow with baby!) is a dresser able to accomodate rails and changing pad on the top. That way, when there aren’t any more diapers to change it will simply serve as a dresser in baby’s room. A few other interesting options are the wall-mounted changing table or a crib with attached table. Whatever you go with, make sure to have somewhere to keep extra diapers, wipes, etc like a hanging caddy if your changing area doesn’t have enough storage space.

3. Rocking Chair/Glider – There will be many a night when you have to get up in the wee hours to feed or soothe baby so be sure to have a comfy place to do so. When it’s 3am, the closer that place is to baby’s crib, the happier you’ll be! Traditional rockers are a great option but I also love the variety of gliders now – especially the ones that don’t look like it! One of my favs that I’ve found so far is this one to the left from Babies R Us.

4. Storage – Everything for baby seems too tiny to take up much space but surprise, it does! A few fab solutions I love are:

bins – great for toys and books, especially if you find fun colors or patterns to coordinate with baby’s room

hanging closet organizers – perfect for all of those adorable outfits, countless socks, and onesies you have

wall-mounted shelves – especially nice to keep more breakable pieces out of reach (frames, piggy bank, etc) and save on floor space

5. Baby Monitor – a must-have in order to give you peace of mind! This handy little device will allow you to get things done around the house and maybe even socialize while being able to keep the much needed ear (or eye) on baby while they are sleeping. Today hundreds of models are available from the simple to the simply everything! Lots of great reviews can be found online or in-store to help you decide which one fits your family’s needs.

Although the list can be endless, figure out what items are a must-have for your family and be willing to let go of the others. I always love things that can grow with baby from the colors in the room to a crib-turned-toddler bed. Keep it simple and keep it beautiful! Most importantly, it’s all about you and baby!