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When I was pregnant with my first, I researched everything. I spent hours scrolling Pinterest and Instagram, carefully picking out the perfect stroller, car seat, and rocking chair (which, fun fact, I never could decide on—this one just kind of ended up in the nursery). The crib sheets had to be the cutest, the baskets had to match, and I even designed my own art prints to fit the carefully curated theme I was certain my newborn would somehow appreciate. I bought baby lotion because it smelled nice and folded all those tiny onesies with love (and way too much time on my hands).
But now, two kids later, I’ve learned that while cute things are nice, practical things are what actually save your sanity at 2 a.m The pretty stuff might make for a nice photo, but the real MVPs of the nursery are the things you might not put on your baby registry because they’re… well… kind of gross. Or boring. Or just overlooked.
So today I’m sharing a list of the not-so-glamorous nursery items I didn’t know I needed—but now would never do without. These are the practical, the unpretty, and the seriously underrated tools that kept me sane.
1. Boogie Wipes
I used to think these were just glorified wet wipes. “Can’t I just use a tissue?” I said, smug in my pre-mom confidence. Then came our first real cold, when my baby’s little nose was raw from being wiped a hundred times a day. That’s when I gave Boogie Wipes a try—and never looked back.
They’re made with saline, super gentle, and surprisingly effective. I buy these in bulk now and make sure to always have some on hand. You may not think you need them—until you do.
2. The Oogiebear Nose & Ear Cleaner
This tiny tool is one of the grossest things I love. It’s this little dual-ended wand with scoop and loop tips that safely clean out visible boogers and earwax without going too deep. I was skeptical until I tried it—and was shocked at how effective (and satisfying?) it is.
The first time I used it, I managed to get a giant booger out of my baby’s nose that had been blocking her breathing for what felt like hours. She looked at me like I had performed a miracle. Was it gross? Absolutely. Did I feel like a superhero? Also yes.
3. A Compact Adjustable Night Light for Bathrooms & Hallways
Middle-of-the-night diaper changes, toddler potty trips, or tiptoeing out of the nursery without stepping on a squeaky toy—all made better with a little hallway light. This night light can be used in horizontal or vertical plugs, and has adjustable brightness levels. We keep one in the hallway and one in the bathroom, and they give off just enough light to guide you without turning the house into a spotlight.
4. The NoseFrida (a.k.a the Snot Sucker and the Electric Upgrade)
Before kids: “That’s disgusting.”
After kids: “Hand me the NoseFrida—I can’t let her sleep like this.”
We started with the classic NoseFrida, and yes, it’s weird. It involves suctioning snot through a tube with your mouth (don’t worry, there’s a filter). But when your baby is congested and miserable, it becomes your best friend. It works. It’s gross. You’ll get over it. End of story.
By the time our second baby arrived, we decided to try the electric version. This one features three suction levels, a distraction light and music to keep your little one calm, and it’s USB rechargeable. As long as we made sure to charge it every once in a while it was super convenient, especially during late-night congestion battles.
While the electric model offers convenience, there are times we still prefer the manual version for its simplicity and effectiveness. Ultimately, both tools have their place in our baby care arsenal, and we’ve found that having both on hand covers all our bases.
5. The Hatch Rest Night Light + Sound Machine
I got the Hatch at my first baby shower and knew instantly it would be a staple. When baby #2 came along, I didn’t even hesitate—I got another one. We’ve had them from the very beginning and I still use them every single day.
What I love most is that it grows with your child. As a baby, the soft light and white noise were perfect for overnight feeds and helping everyone sleep. But now that we’re in the toddler phase, the built-in programs are clutch. We use color-coded cues—red means stay in bed, green means it’s okay to wake up. It helps set gentle boundaries without constant negotiation.
Also? I can control the whole thing from my phone. That means if I forget to dim the light or want to adjust the sound, I don’t have to sneak back into the room and risk waking anyone up. Total game changer.
6. Little Remedies New Baby Essentials Kit
Someone gave me this at my baby shower, and at the time I was like, “Cool, medicine stuff—maybe I’ll use it?” Fast forward to 2 a.m. with a gassy, screaming newborn and no idea what to do… I was tearing that kit open like it was a treasure chest.
It has all the things you don’t think about until you’re in crisis mode—saline drops, gas relief drops, gripe water, a tiny nasal aspirator. Basically, the medicine cabinet starter pack for new parents. And it all comes in a neat little pouch so you’re not rummaging through drawers while your baby is melting down.
7. Waterproof Crib Pads (and Layered Sheets!)
Few things are more miserable than changing crib sheets in the middle of the night. Between blowouts, spit-up, and diaper leaks, it’s a miracle the mattress survived at all.
It’s a perfect baby shower gift. Especially for new moms. It’s not flashy, but it’s everything when you’re desperate for a solution and the stores are closed.
Here’s my favorite hack: layer a waterproof pad, then a fitted sheet, then another waterproof pad, and another sheet. That way, when disaster strikes, you can just peel off a layer and go back to sleep in under five minutes. It’s the nursery version of winning the lottery.
8. Extra Crib Sheets—Like, More Than You Think
On that note, stock up on crib sheets—and keep them somewhere you can grab in a hurry. We hit a stretch of diaper leaks where I went through three sheets in one night. Now, I always keep at least three clean ones folded and ready in the nursery. Having a backup for the backup isn’t just smart—it’s sanity-saving when you’re half-asleep and just trying to get everyone back to bed.
9. A Forehead Thermometer
Wiggly babies and traditional thermometers are not a good match. The forehead swipe thermometers aren’t always perfectly accurate, but they give you a good idea—and fast.
During our first bout of teething + fever + “Why won’t she stop crying,” having a quick and gentle thermometer helped me figure out what was going on without turning the whole thing into a wrestling match.
10. Aquaphor: The Unsung Hero of Baby Supplies
If I could hand one product to every new parent and say, “Trust me,” it would be a tub of Aquaphor. Before kids, I thought it was just fancy Vaseline. After kids? It’s basically liquid gold.
We’ve used it for diaper rashes, chapped cheeks, random mystery scratches, dry baby legs, cradle cap—you name it. One time, my daughter had a little rough patch on her chin from drooling so much while teething, and Aquaphor cleared it up in a day.
It’s one of those things you don’t fully appreciate until you realize you’ve reached for it every single day for six months straight. I now buy the biggest tub I can find and treat it like a household staple.
Honorable Mentions
Because narrowing it down was hard…
- Hand sanitizer pump – Because you won’t always make it to the sink.
- A “throw blanket” for the rocking chair – For you. Because your baby may be warm and cozy, but you’ll be freezing at 4 a.m.
- Nipple balm, even if you’re not nursing – Dry skin happens.
- Laundry baskets in every room – Because baby laundry multiplies faster than you think.
Final Thoughts
The nursery doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, the best nurseries aren’t the ones with matching everything—they’re the ones that actually work for your life.
So if you’re deep in nesting mode or trying to figure out what to add to your registry, don’t forget the not-so-glamorous stuff. These little items might not make for cute Instagram photos, but they’re the ones you’ll thank yourself for having when the real chaos of parenthood begins.
What are your ride-or-die nursery finds? I’d love to know what unexpected items saved your sanity!