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Top Tips for Building a Beautiful Gender-Neutral Nursery

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The trend of creating a gender-neutral space continues to grow. Parents want to create a timeless and versatile space for their little one that blends seamlessly into their home. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create a calming, gender-neutral nursery. We’ll explore serene hues and comforting natural tones to craft a space everyone will love. 

Gender-Neutral Nursery

Gender-neutral nurseries throw away the traditional blue-for-boys and pink-for-girls mentality. Instead, these spaces embrace inclusive decor and earthy tones for a welcoming atmosphere. 

Parents are flocking toward creating gender-neutral nurseries to create a space that transitions with their children as they grow. 

Why choose a gender-neutral nursery?

Choosing to go the gender-neutral route in your nursery design can be a difficult choice. Many nursery items are gender-specific, making shopping challenging. 

However, if the allure of a gender-neutral nursery is pulling you in, consider these benefits:

  • Flexibility. Neutral colors and versatile decor ensure your nursery stays stylish for years to come. Gender-neutral nursery palettes grow with your child and don’t need to be updated as your little one outgrows the baby stage. 
  • Beauty. Traditionally loud, contrasting colors can make your nursery an eyesore. Natural tones and comforting hues create a feeling of serenity and blend your nursery into your home’s environment. 
  • Practicality. By using neutral, basic colors and decor, your nursery will serve your family for years. As you add future siblings, your nursery will be prepared to welcome them.

Choosing to create a gender-neutral nursery may take more planning on the front end. But, the timeless, beautiful space will benefit your family throughout the newborn stage and beyond. 

Key Elements of a Gender-Neutral Nursery

Crafting a gender-neutral nursery is unique to your family’s style. You will select colors and pieces that blend in with your home’s environment. Consider these elements of a well-balanced nursery.

Color palette

Choosing the right colors is the crucial first step in creating your soothing space. 

Consider soft neutrals such as beige, grey, white, and tan as the background of your nursery. These colors create the foundation for serenity and lend themselves well to additional design elements. Neutrals and earth tones offer the flexibility to add personalization over time.

4moms tip: choose a soft, airy neutral for the largest areas of your nursery. Walls and large furniture pieces make the perfect canvases for serene colors. Layer in warmer tones and pops of color with accent pieces and accessories. 

Furniture

Maintain the focus on versatility and timelessness when selecting furniture pieces. Each piece in your nursery should serve a purpose and provide function as your child grows.

Consider adding these furniture pieces to your cohesive space:

  • A convertible crib. A stylish crib that grows with your baby will provide function for years.
  • Storage pieces. Opt for changing tables and dressers with sturdy storage for clothes as your baby grows. 
  • Chair. Choose a comfortable chair that serves as a rocker for the nursery and will flow seamlessly into another room of your home once you’re ready to move it. 

White and natural wood finishes create a timeless look with furniture and guarantee beauty that lasts.

Textures and fabrics

Textures play a vital role in creating a cozy, comfortable gender-neutral nursery.

Choose soft, breathable fabrics for the largest areas like bedding and curtains. Layer different textures like knitted blankets, plush rugs, and cotton cushions to add depth and comfort.

Don’t be afraid to play with color and pattern as you add in different fabrics. Choose warm, tranquil colors that coordinate with your walls and furniture. Simple, delicate patterns can elevate your design and add visual stimulation.

Begin with these key elements when creating your gender-neutral nursery. This will lay the beautiful foundation for your versatile, adaptable space.

Introducing the Down To Earth Collection

Our newest collection of colors blends flawlessly into your gender-neutral nursery. 

The 4moms MamaRoo Down To Earth Collection features a stunning range of neutral colors inspired by nature’s beauty. The new colors – Sandstone, Rosewood, and Slate Blue – are designed to complement any space while providing a calming and stylish addition to your nursery.

Which color is right for you?

  • Sandstone: This beige color is versatile and timeless, bringing a touch of sunshine into any space.
  • Rosewood: A warm, dusty hue that adds a rustic and comforting feel.
  • Slate Blue: A cool, slate-colored blue that provides a subtle pop of color while maintaining a calming atmosphere.

Choose the color that mirrors your taste and flows with your color palette. 

Features of the MamaRoo Baby Swing

The MamaRoo Baby Swing is designed for you. As a busy parent, you need a safe, comfortable space to entertain your little one that gives you hands-free moments. 

At 4moms, we’ve given you the MamaRoo Baby Swing that’s been known for its innovative design and function for over a decade. And with our first color update since conception, we’re growing with you. All the features you love in a beautiful design to match your taste. 

Enjoy these features of the MamaRoo Baby Swing in your stylish, functional nursery.

  • Natural Movements: The swing mimics parents’ natural rhythms and movements, offering five unique motions and speeds to entertain your baby.
  • Customizable Experience: With four built-in sounds and Bluetooth compatibility, you can easily control the motion, speed, and sounds right from your phone.
  • Comfort and Safety: The MamaRoo Baby Swing provides a comfortable and secure place for your baby to relax, giving peace of mind as you watch your little one have fun. 

Creating a gender-neutral nursery is a wonderful way to build a functional space that grows with your baby and fits your life. By choosing calming colors, versatile furniture, and thoughtful accessories, you can create the perfect environment for your baby’s development. The muted tones in the Down To Earth Collection complement your nursery by adding style and innovation. 

As you look to create your gender-neutral haven, shop the Down To Earth Collection to bring beauty and functionality. 

Crafting a gender-neutral space is not just a trend. It’s a thoughtful choice that embraces comfort and inclusivity while supporting your growing little one for years to come. 

You Need This on Your Baby Registry in 2024

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Being a new parent can be scary. Even after you read every eBook and watch all the how-to’s, you still don’t feel prepared. 

Once you bring your bundle of joy home, it’s up to you to get it all figured out. 

Sometimes, you need a little help to boost your confidence and give you the peace of mind you need. 

Enter, Aura. 

Aura is your perfect parent assistant and is here to help day or night. 

“The Aura monitor has been a life saver for me. I have been able to take care of tasks that seemed impossible before, thanks to this monitor.” – Kelsea H. 12/12/2023

Read on to see how Aura can simplify your life and let you breathe easy.

Non-wearable Breathing Motion Monitoring

A sleeping baby should be your cue for rest and relaxation, right? For most parents, that is completely wrong!

A sleeping baby triggers overwhelming anxiety. 

  • Are they breathing?
  • Are they comfortable?
  • What if they roll over – can they still breathe?

These are all legitimate concerns and your natural instinct to keep your baby safe. 

But with Aura, you CAN take time to rest while your baby’s asleep. You don’t have to give in to the flood of anxiety anymore. 

“The app measures the baby’s breathing rate when they are not actively moving, giving comfort that a quiet sleeping baby is healthy and happy.” – Donald W. 12/19/2023

Aura uses AI vision technology to monitor your baby’s breathing so you don’t have to. 

This breakthrough technology replaces the need to strap your baby into uncomfortable monitors. You don’t have to struggle between having peace and the fear of sensors connected to your developing newborn. Aura gives you trusted breathing detection without any wearable monitors or sensors – the best of both worlds.

“Not having to attach any wearable device or “tracking” clothing is so convenient and you don’t have to worry about anything harming your child.” – Karen R. 10/17/2023

Forget checking on them every few minutes. Gone are the days of waking up in a panic to make sure they’re still breathing. 

Aura works all the time, giving you a well-deserved moment of rest. 

Wake-up Call

Once your newborn hits three months, you’ll want to develop a sleep schedule. But no matter what the latest and greatest books say, babies don’t conform to a pre-set schedule. 

You have to learn your baby’s individual sleep patterns and create a schedule that works for them. 

Of course, you can encourage your little one to sleep longer and have less overnight waking. But following a rigid timeline of exactly when your little one should nap, eat, and sleep isn’t going to happen. 

When it’s time to create a sleep schedule for your baby, the first step is monitoring their natural sleep habits. Do they fall asleep after eating? Do they wake and self-soothe? Do they need you as soon as they wake up?

Trying to keep track of your little one’s sleep patterns on an overtired, busy brain can be impossible.

Log sleep and receive notifications from Aura when your baby falls asleep or wakes up.  You can monitor your little one from afar and log the wake-up information in the in-app diary. 

“Has a great notification system that lets you know when your baby is asleep or awake, but also when they are waking up! This great feature gives you a little time to finish up what you are doing instead of having to abruptly stop.” – Peter B. 12/11/2023

Wake-up notifications give you the liberty to decide what you want to do while your baby sleeps. Whether you want to sleep, eat, do laundry, or binge-watch your favorite show, you know Aura will alert you the moment your babe needs you.

Gentle Soothing Is Just a Click Away

Often when babies wake up, they don’t need anything but a little comfort to drift back to sleep. Fusses, squirms, and screams don’t always mean they’re hungry or need a change. 

Newborns are used to the comforting sounds of the womb. Now they’re in a world that can sometimes be loud or scary. 

When your baby wakes, easily soothe them back into peaceful sleep through Aura’s built-in sound machine. With access right at your fingertips, Aura’s in-app playlist transports even the toughest sleepers into a land of tranquility. 

You’ll find calming melodies, gentle white noise, relaxing nature sounds, and comfortable shushing. The sweet sounds will help your sleepy baby give up the battle and drift into dreamland. 

And what baby doesn’t love the mom’s voice? Give your baby reassurance that you’re still with them through Aura’s two-way-talk feature. Hearing your familiar voice will help them settle back down into calm slumber. 

With the touch of a button, you’ll both feel at ease in no time. 

Crystal Clear Streaming From All Angles

The perfect parent assistant gives you confidence. Resume your normal life knowing you can check on your baby anytime, anywhere. 

Aura’s crystal-clear streaming allows you to see your little one perfectly. No fuzz. No blur. A perfect picture of your perfect babe. 

And at night, Aura’s HD clarity truly shines. You won’t miss a thing just because the lights are out. From sleepy smiles to adorable yawns to wide-open eyes, Aura captures it all even in pitch-black darkness. 

“The hi-definition of the camera is truly out of this world. The nursery room is very dark, however with a small LED light and fantastic camera, the video on the monitor is crystal clear. The options through the app are very helpful and easy to use. Best investment for a nursery!” – Jessica A. 10/16/2023

Once your baby becomes mobile, traditional baby monitors can’t keep up. Aura’s 360-degree viewing capability allows you to pan the camera around the nursery remotely. 

Keep track of every roll, flop, and crawl during resting time. Outside of the crib, watch your little one play and explore. Stay connected to them no matter where their curious mind takes them. 

Here for You From Newborn Through Childhood

Your desire to keep a close watch on your little one starts with the first look. But just because your baby outgrows the infant stage doesn’t mean you stop checking on them. 

As your baby grows and becomes more mobile, Aura’s smart features continue to help you keep a watchful eye on them. 

  • Look in as they toddle throughout the room.
  • Watch them play and interact with toys.
  •  Check-in to keep track of safe sleep practices. 

The in-app diary empowers you to be prepared for well-check doctor visits. Log diaper changes, bottle-feeding volumes, breastfeeding duration, weight, and more.  You’ll feel confident stepping into the doctor’s office knowing you’ve kept track of everything. 

As your little one outgrows the infancy stage, they’ll spend more time outside of the nursery. As your perfect parent assistant, Aura goes where your baby goes. Thanks to the floor stand, you’re free to keep eyes on your little one no matter which room they’re in. 

Embrace your flexibility while confidently knowing you can check on your little one at any time. Since the Aura’s here for you no matter the time of day or place, traveling with a baby becomes much easier. Pack Aura on your trip to see the grandparents or a far-off getaway. You’ll have peace of mind no matter where you are.

Ready to bring Aura into your family as your perfect parent assistant? 

Click here to grab one for yourself. 

Aura is now available to add to your registry on Babylist and Target.

Enjoy the comfort and tranquility of having an extra set of eyes on your baby anytime, anywhere.

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Allergen-Free Round Up

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It’s allergy season but for babies that can be year-round. Babies’ skin is sensitive and there’s nothing worse than when they’re having an allergic reaction to something not food-related and you can’t figure out the cause. That’s why allergen-free products are not only healthy for baby but put your mind at ease, too! Read on about some of our favorite products for your baby registry that are allergen-free and then enter to win them all:

Bambo Nature Diapers

Bambo Nature
Looking for an allergen-free and eco-friendly way to diaper your baby, but still want disposable diapers? Bambo Nature is the perfect answer. Made to fit your baby’s growing body, these diapers are free from chlorine, perfumes, optical brighteners and lotions, as well as phthalates, latex, and gluten. Bambo Nature diapers feature a breathable back-sheet, which ensures that the skin can breathe, keeping the skin drier and less prone to rash or infection. Bambo Nature also features hypoallergenic baby wipes and training pants for older toddlers.

Breeze-All-Colors-Front
Lullaby Earth Breeze Mattress
Babies spend a lot of time sleeping (if you’re lucky!), so many parents are looking for allergen-free and healthy crib mattresses. Lullaby Earth Breeze mattresses are made without vinyl, PVC, and phthalates; they are also free of flame retardants, yet still pass all government flammability standards. In order to provide a waterproof barrier, Lullaby Earth uses food-grade polyethylene and does not contain any polyurethane foam, which is known to “off-gas,” and is not healthy for small babies. But, the best part of Lullaby Earth mattresses are that they are the only crib mattress to offer a breathable surface with a waterproof core; this means that they are completely allergy-friendly for even the most sensitive of babies.

Molly's Suds Starter Pack

Molly’s Suds
Started by a mom and nurse, Molly’s Suds features laundry powders, cloth diaper wash, and even dog shampoo – all of which are phthalate and fragrance-free, as well as aluminum free. Have a baby with super sensitive skin? You’re going to want to wash baby’s clothing and cloth diapers in Molly’s Suds. With their “no compromise” attitude, you can rest easy knowing that what your baby is wearing, swaddled in, and sleeping in all day long is washed with only healthy, non-toxic ingredients.

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How to Create a Gender-Neutral Nursery With Crane Baby

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Creating the perfect nursery can be overwhelming but Crane Baby makes it easy to create the nursery of your dreams! They strive to bridge the gap between modern design and old-world craftsmanship resulting in stylish, eco-friendly, and luxurious newborn bedding and nursery décor. 

Although your baby doesn’t need much during the newborn stage, it is a good idea to create a calm, safe place for them to sleep and play.

Let’s start with the basics.

Crib Bedding 

Crane Baby carries a variety of bedding items with mixing and matching in mind. All pieces, from crib sheets, bed skirts and baby blankets are neutral and will complement any nursery decor.

Blankets, Blankets, and More Blankets

Can you ever really have enough blankets? We don’t think so, especially when it comes to snuggling your baby or decorating the nursery. Muslin blankets are so versatile. They can be used as a swaddle, diaper bag blanket, nursing cover, floor blanket, or even for a quick clean up. The material is 100% cotton, stretchy and warm. Made with eco-friendly dyes and machine washable.

Babies aren’t supposed to sleep with blankets or quilts, but there are many other uses: tummy time, warm cuddles, and accentuating nursery decor! Crane’s quilted baby blankets are made with eco-friendly dyes, are machine washable and mix and match effortlessly with other Crane Baby crib sheets, swaddle wraps, blankets and bed skirts. We love them as a soft accent on the side of the crib (when baby isn’t sleeping) or on the back of the recliner.

Gender-Neutral Nursery Bedding

We love this combo of bedding and blankets for a serene, gender-neutral nursery.

Check out how we would complete this gender-neutral nursery look with accessories and decor from Crane Baby!

If you are not sure how you want to mix and match the pieces to create the perfect nursery you can shop Crane Baby’s curated collections. The pieces featured in this gender-neutral nursery are from the Kendi and Ezra collection. The warm, neutral colors are perfect for either gender. The neutral tones create a calm space for your baby to rest, grow and learn!

Related Posts:
The Newest Collection at Crane Baby
2022 Nursery Trends 

Thank you to Crane Baby for sponsoring this post!

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The Newest Nursery Necessities from Crane Baby

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Designing a nursery is not for the faint of heart. A quick Google search gives you 1000’s of inspiration photos to help narrow in on ‘that look’ you are going for. Not to mention the everchanging Nursery Trends that you want to keep up with. Luckily, our friends at Crane have done it again, with their new line; Crane Baby. Their curated nursery collections are truly a one-stop shop for decorating your perfect nursery. The high-quality, durable items perfectly balance both style and function.

Bedding & Décor

Your newborn only needs a tight-fitting crib sheet to complete his/her crib, but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on other nursery décor. Crane Baby has gorgeous wall hangings and changing pad covers. They have matching muslin blankets, which are great for the stroller on a chilly day or for your toddler to cuddle up. They also have adorable pillow and rug accents, excellent to help complete the look around your nursery chair. The best part? No more guessing if things will ‘match.’ Throughout the site, Crane Baby highlights different nursery looks making design choices easy peasy!

Christine’s Review of Crane Baby Décor

Playtime

We may try to keep toys out of the nursery, but the reality is that your little one will play in there. Luckily, this does not mean that you have to give up your desired aesthetic. A corresponding play mat, neutral storage baskets, and even matching toys will complete your look. These options are eco-friendly, unique, and eye-catching.

Essentials

Crane Baby’s décor pieces are such a wonderful addition to every home, but we can’t forget to mention the nursery essentials. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention our top recommended product from Crane, the 4-in-1 Humidifier. A sound machine, cool-mist humidifier and nightlight in one, this is a must for baby’s first set of sniffles and every dry winter day. Their air purifiers will also keep your little one breathing easy. Add in some hooded towels and wearable blankets and you’re set!

Thank you to Crane Baby for making this sponsored post possible.

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Nursery Trends for 2022

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A quick search for baby bedding in 2022 brings up no less than 2 billion options. How do you choose? When it comes to design, how do you pick one of the nursery trends for your baby’s first room? We broke down 5 of the top nursery trends for 2022 to help you come up with some design ideas.

Neutral Nursery Trend

The neutral nursery remains a trend for 2022. One reason we continue to love this nursery look is that it’s truly gender-neutral. Whether you’re expecting a boy, girl, or surprise, you can put together a neutral toned nursery with ease. Additionally, you can reuse the neutral tones with future babies, making it both a financially smart and green option to boot. If you’re looking for some neutral tone inspiration, check out the Kendi Collection from Crane Baby. They combine earth tones with some subtle jungle friend accents to make a truly adorable nursery. 

Nursery Trend
Kendi Collection from Crane Baby

Teach your baby to reach for the stars from day one. There are so many ways you can take this particular 2022 nursery trend. Maybe you want to go light and bright with whites and silvers like this option from Pottery Barn. Perhaps you want something a touch more scientific in nature like the Outer Space set from Crate and Barrel. Create a dream wall by adding some temporary star wallpaper. The main point here is that there are so many ways you can take the space, sun, moon, and stars theme. You can truly make it your own beautiful space for baby.

Nursery Trend
Skye Baby Beeding from Pottery Barn Kids

Green Nursery Trend

The green here refers to natural and not the color, though a green-colored nursery also sounds lovely. More parents are looking for natural fabrics and products to put in their newborn’s room. From organic sheets to organic cotton swaddle blankets to toys made with organic cotton and wood — and beyond — parents are really focusing on the products to which they expose their babies. 

If this speaks to you, pay attention to what the products are made from more than the over all look. This may also lead you in the direction of a more minimalist nursery as the two often walk hand in hand. 

Nursery Trend

The geometric print nursery trend is one that all trend lovers can embrace. Why? You can pair geometric prints with any of the other trends you’re also loving. Going with a neutral theme? Add some detail to the bedding with a geometric print. Thinking about going black and white for some high contrast stimulation? Add some dots to an accent wall to really liven up the space . Embracing the celestial trend? Opt for a half moon print on the crib sheets. Mixing the geometric print in with your theme print adds some spice. When you add some geometric detail in parts of your nursery — or the whole thing — you can add some texture and detail in unique little ways. 

Nursery Trend
Little Bits Temporary Wallpaper from Love vs Design

Nature Nursery Trend

Bring the outdoors in! Whatever makes you most passionate about the outdoors can also make a lovely theme in your baby’s room. You love hiking? Make one wall a mountain adventure. Go even deeper into the forest for your little cub with some cute bedding featuring bears or whatever animal strikes your fancy. Think foxes, owls, deer, and more. If flowers are your thing, you’re in luck because florals are also in, both bold and subtle alike. 

Nursery Trend
Vintage Floral from Caden Lane

One reminder: When it comes to designing your baby’s nursery, remember that you can embrace the 2022 nursery trends with open arms or you can do your own thing. If you want something more traditional, go for it. If you’re feeling more inclined to do something totally modern and unique, do it! You and your baby will be spending time in their room, not anyone out there picking the trends. So create something you find beautiful, inspiring, and calming. 

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Everything You Need for a Minimalist Nursery

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You already live the minimalist lifestyle, but how does one design a minimalist nursery? It is possible to keep things looking put-together and modern without going overboard on the baby stuff. Knowing the basics that you need will help you buy and register for items that fit perfectly into your minimalist nursery. 

A Place to Sleep

Your baby will need a safe space to sleep in their own nursery. What that space looks like is up to you. Remember that a crib doesn’t have to mean a big, oversized, traditional-looking item. Pick something with clean lines in tones that complement the color scheme you’ve picked for the nursery. If you’re thinking about the future, you should know that even smaller, more contemporary-looking minimalist cribs have convertible options that will grow with your baby through their toddler years. 

Minimalist Crib Photo by Jenna Duxbury on Unsplash

If a smaller but still full-sized crib doesn’t seem like the right option for your minimalist nursery, consider a bassinet, a mini crib, or even a playard. All three of these options fit in smaller areas, making them perfect picks for space-based minimalism. If you’re sharing your room with your baby, these are perfect for corner-of-your-room nursery options. 

A Place to Store Things

Storage is a huge part of the minimalist lifestyle. Do you want a modern-looking dresser? Do you want open shelves with storage bins? Do you want a closet with appropriate organizational options? The trick to making storage work in your minimalist nursery is taking stock of your available space and making the most of that space. Pro minimalist design tip: Consider a dresser that fits *in* the closet to keep things out of sight. 

A Place to Sit

Whether you are breast or bottle feeding, you’ll need a comfortable place to sit in your minimalist nursery. Instead of a traditional rocking chair, go with clean lines and a modern aesthetic when picking a chair. You can go with something simple or step it up a notch with a chair that has — hidden — bells and whistles like USB ports and automatic reclining features. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s comfortable. You’ll be spending lots of hours there with your baby.

A Place to Change

Instead of a single-use, bulky changing table which serves no purpose once your baby no longer wears diapers, consider alternatives. Utilize the top of your dresser and place a changing pad on top. If your baby will be sleeping in a crib, they also make handy crib-top changing pads. If you’re opting for a space-saving pack-and-play, look for one that has a built-in changing area to best use your space. 

Other Necessities in Any Nursery

You’ll need some fitted sheets for whatever sleep space you’ve chosen for your minimalist nursery. It’s smart to have three or four extra sheets for nights that don’t go exactly to plan with diapers or spit-up. Pro-tip: These sheets can act as your decor, too! A humidifier, potentially with a white noise machine, is another smart choice to keep the room both comfortable and quiet, especially if you’re living in a smaller space with other children. Lastly, a monitor is a smart addition to your nursery even if you share a space. You won’t be sitting and staring at your sleeping baby, so having either a video or audio monitor in the room will help you know when your little one is awake. 

Minimalist Nursery Decor Photo by John Mark Arnold on Unsplash

Lastly, when it comes to non-useful decor, remember to keep it simple. You don’t need lots of odds and ends that scream “baby!” A piece of art on the wall that speaks to you may be all you need. Follow a theme both in color and concept to keep things looking put together and simple.

Checklist of things you need for a minimalist nursery

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Top 5 Must-Have Nursery Essentials for 2022

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When you’re creating a baby registry, you may wonder what items you need for your baby’s nursery. Depending on the size and space of your baby’s nursery, you may have a lot of room to fill or a small space in which to fit a lot of newborn accouterments. Either way, we’ve rounded up five things you can register for or buy on your own prior to your baby’s arrival. 

5 Nursery Must-Haves

If you will be using a crib for your baby’s safe sleeping space, you’ll want to grab the Colgate Mattress CuddleSnooze™ Hybrid Grand. This mattress fits all standard cribs, making it a perfect choice for the one you’ve chosen. This unique mattress will grow with your infant into the toddler years. It features two sides of differing firmness. The side for your infant is more firm, offering more support and stability for their growth and development. Flip it over for the toddler side, which features a foam panel for a little more cushioning. You’ll love how the mattress can be used for years to come, saving you time and money in the long run. 

Every nursery needs a diaper pail. We recommend the Dékor Plus Hands-Free Diaper Pail for a convenient and sanitary diaper disposal system. When you’re wrangling a wiggly baby, you’ll appreciate the hands-free foot control to lift the lid. You simply step on the foot pedal and drop the diaper through the spring-loaded trap door. There’s nothing else to worry about, including smells. As a note: This diaper pail is a perfect option for cloth diapering families as it has the largest opening on the market. We also love how easy it is to remove the liner as needed without wasting a whole bag.

If your baby’s nursery faces the rising sun or features large windows, you’ll want to invest in some room darkening curtains or these reusable ergoPouch Window Blockout clings. The blackout clings not only block the light from waking your baby but also reflect the heat back from the window to help regulate the temperature in the room. You will love how these clings use static and not adhesive, meaning you won’t have to deal with any residue on your window when you remove them in the future. You can simply roll them up when not in use. The clings arrive in a roll, so you can cut and customize the fit to your baby’s nursery windows. 

Every nursery needs a cool mist humidifier, and you can’t beat this one from Crane. Not only does the Crane 4-in-1 Cool Mist Humidifier offer all the features you want in one — from easy fill to an aroma tray to a one gallon tank and a 24-hour run time for all night use — but it also features a white noise machine. You can help your little one breathe easier while also helping them drift off to sleep without distractions from the rest of the family outside their nursery room door. 

When it comes to video monitoring your baby’s nursery, you will want to invest in the Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System with wall mount. This particular bundle gives you everything you need to make sure your baby is okay when they’re in their own room. It comes with the Nanit pro camera, wall mount, a small breathing band, a smart sheet that helps record your baby’s height over time, and a multi-stand so you can take the camera with you when you travel. You’ll breathe a little easier when you can use the app on your smartphone to check in on your baby as they snooze comfortably in their crib. 

Registry Dilemma: Bouncer or Swing?

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Here’s a hint from the team at Gugu Guru: you might not need a bouncer AND a swing. Both bouncers and swings have a specific function and each fits a certain lifestyle and living situation. If you have the space to accommodate both, awesome! But babies come with a lot of gear and it really depends on if you have the space to accommodate both or not.

Take the quiz below to find out what’s the best choice for you…bouncer? or swing?

If you still want to shop all of the options, here are our unbiased pros and cons for both types of baby chill out styles from the team at Gugu Guru.

BOUNCER

What is it? 

A bouncer is usually lightweight and moves with baby’s own movements, or a nudge from mom and dad’s hand or foot. Bouncers tend to be more compact, low to the ground, and easy to store.

Pros

  • Many baby bouncer seats don’t require batteries and even if they do, your little one will still get the benefits of bounce, no batteries required.
  • If you have limited space, a baby bouncer only takes up a little bit of real estate.
  • Bouncers are portable. You can easily move it from room to room or throw it in the trunk to bring to grandma’s house.
  • They are generally less expensive than swings.

Cons

  • There’s typically only one motion with a bouncer—bouncing.
  • Some babies are less likely to drift off to sleep in a bouncer than in a swing.
  • Some bouncers can easily tip over and seem a bit less stable than swings. Take caution with where you place them and make sure not to leave baby unattended in one.

Our favorite bouncers:

SWING

What is it?

A swing is often larger than a bouncer and is mechanically powered to rock baby back and forth or side to side. Many swings have additional features like songs, white noise, vibration, and more. 

Pros

  • Many swings come with toys and various settings with lights, vibration, music and other sounds, making them a one-stop-shop of entertainment for babies.
  • Swings have the magic ability of soothing most babies when they’re fussy.
  • The swinging motion is like an instant sleep inducer.

Cons

  • Baby might get accustomed to the back and forth motion and may have trouble falling asleep without it.
  • These things tend to have a big footprint. A swing can take up a lot of space in a small apartment.
  • Swings need a power source and/or they go through a lot of batteries.
  • Swings are heavy. Once you decide on a spot for one, it’s staying there until you can call for backup to move it.

Our favorite swings:

Can’t decide? Still think you need both? It happens! Here are some great hybrid options we recommend. These hybrid products offer parents the best of both worlds, and help you avoid a home taken over by too much baby “stuff”.

More playtime favorites:
Tummy Time & Play: Gugu Picks
Best Baby Activity Cards

Feminine and Whimsical Nursery Reveal

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Today we are featuring a guest post from our favorite nursery e-design service, YouthfulNest!

YouthfulNest is a service that matches you with an expert nursery room designer for an entire custom room design. Their e-design service helps expecting parents find more ease and joy in nesting. Let a YouthfulNest Design BFF de-stress the process of designing a nursery. Taking the guesswork out of choosing the right products for your specific style and budget. All at an affordable price.

You can check out their services on our shop and sign up for your own specialized nursery design package.

Oh girl, here we go! This fresh, feminine nursery designed for a mom of three boys is so ready for her spotlight. It started with a blank canvas and bloomed into a whimsical space full of flirty fauna in pinks and greens. 

We started following Megan Sullivan on Instagram a couple years ago. She was already following YouthfulNest and we appreciated her likes and comments on our work. When we learned she was pregnant with her fourth child, her first baby girl, we reached out to her and recommend our eDesign service. 

THE GIFT OF TIME

Megan has her hands full with three young boys, is a real estate expert undergoing a huge home remodel, and is also the co-founder of The Local Moms Network. An organized community that strives to give moms the gifts of time in cities across the country, currently in 30 states. Let’s just say she had her hands full. It was our goal to give Megan the gift of time by helping her plan and design her nursery.

​It was also all happening during the heart of a global pandemic due to the invasion of covid-19. Megan had worked with a traditional interior design in the past but this time needed a contactless option for the health and safety of her and her family. Our completely virtual series allowed just for that.

YouthfulNest design service Biggie on Gugu Guru
Final floor plan and direction for installation

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Megan was already thinking to purchase our services and landed on the Biggie eDesign package exclusively sold on the Gugu guru website. From there we paired her up with YouthfulNest Design BFF Jolene Fontaine.

Megan already had her eye on a particular wallpaper and the rest of the room sprouted up from its style and color. The Frida print in pink by Pepper Home captured Megan’s heart. And even though there were a couple moments spent considering another style this flirty print stayed on top.

THE THREE NURSERY ESSENTIALS

With the color and style direction set, the designer started pulling in the three essentials; glider, dresser and crib. A few of our favorite brands wanted to contribute to our design and gifted premium pieces to the nursery.

First, we have the Stokke Sleepi crib taking center stage in front of the wallpapered wall. With a Tiktak Design custom crib mobile dangling over this cozy sleep space.

Then we move over to mom’s haven for all things baby, the glider. The Compass Rocker was selected from Project Nursery. The curved body in a creamy plush upholstery is luxurious and supportive. We loved the touch of pink from the rose gold metal legs.

The other top spot any parent looks to be functional and stylish is the changing area. The Schooner dresser was found on Paynes Gray. This piece is a beautiful blend of retro and modern styling, featuring brass metal accents.

ABOVE AND BEYOND

With the three essential nursery spots nailed down, there was one more spot that was important for the family to incorporate in the room. With all the little brothers wanting to get in on welcoming their baby sister to the family we needed a spot for them and other guests to sit. This meant the need for additional seating. Originally we selected the Natural Daybed Boho from CB2. Then it was delivered damaged and a replacement was unavailable for weeks. We quickly sourced a few other styles and it was The Mid-Century Daybed from West Elm was ready to ship and fit the bill for both form and function. A clean line daybed lined with plush pillows from Paynes Gray and One Affirmation. 

With all the main functionality covered let’s move on to some fun details! We can almost hear those adorable baby giggles as baby Scout is pushed by those big brothers in her macrame swing from Emma and Finn. When baby Scout is tired of play, it’s time for snuggling up with her new BFF, a plush Narwhal creature, and listening to his story, both from Slumberkins.

BEFORE & AFTER

​ROUND OF APPLAUSE

We can’t take all the credit for this fabulous nursery room reveal. The fact is Megan and her install crew are ultimately responsible for taking their designers’ product and styling recommendations and installing it all themselves. As you can see they did an impeccable job.

Our best wishes to this lovely family and welcome to the world Scout Sullivan!
–XOYN

Thank you to YouthfulNest for this guest post and don’t forget to check them out on our shop and follow them on Instagram for even more nursery design inspiration!