My Bedside Nursery Cart Essentials (As A Second Time Mom!)

As a second-time mom, you likely have a much better understanding of what you truly need during those early, sleep-deprived days with a newborn. You’ve been through this journey before, and this time, you’re aiming for efficiency and convenience.

One of the best ways to streamline your nighttime parenting duties is by setting up a bedside nursery cart. This portable station can save you countless trips across the house and make late-night feeds, diaper changes, and soothing sessions much more manageable!

I’m linking the 3-tiered rolling cart I bought from Amazon. It’s so versatile to use as a bedside cart, in the livingroom, in a bedroom or even kitchen. It’s easy to transport around the home & to keep essentials together.

I’m linking the diaper caddy in the photo below. I love how it keeps its shape and I can pick it up by the handles to bring around the home wherever baby is!

Tips for Setting Up Your Nursery Cart

• Use a multi-tiered cart: A three-tier rolling cart provides ample space to organize your essentials.
• Organize with bins or baskets: Small containers can keep everything neat and accessible.
• Restock regularly: Take a few minutes each day to refill diapers, wipes, and other essentials so you’re always prepared.

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Here is a list of my nursery cart essentials broken down by category:

DIAPERING ESSENTIALS:

1. Tuddy Todd Cream – An all around favorite to help with dry skin and diaper rash. Safe to use for newborns on the entire body!
2. Diaper Rash Cream Applicator – It helps apply diaper cream so your hands can stay clean. It’s easy to wash and has built in suction so it attaches to flat surfaces. It comes with a portable container!
3. Wipes – An essential to keep in your nursing cart!
4. Diapers – I have both preemie and newborn sized diapers.

FEEDING ESSENTIALS:

1. Muslin Cloths – I initially bought a set of 10 but I was going through them SO quickly with all the newborn spit up, I ended up making another order. I left a few cloths in our nursery cart because they’re soft & great for cleaning up baby after feedings.
2. My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow – I have this nearby to help prop baby up when feeding! It’s adjustable & even has a side pocket.

HEALTH & HYGIENE ITEMS:

1. Nasal Saline Mist – I still remember the first time my newborn had clogged nasal passages. I was so stressed out & my husband ran to CVS to buy this. It immediately helped to clear her nose so she could breathe better & actually breastfeed.
2. Pipette Baby Lotion – Fragrance free, hydrating and safe for newborns!
3. Vitamin D Drops – Did you know breastfed or partially breastfed newborns need vitamin D days shortly after birth? I wasn’t prepared last time around so this time, I knew it was an essential vitamin to include. I added a drop on my breast every morning before a breastfeeding session.
4. Fridababy Snotsucker – A nasal aspirator for baby that’s gentle and effective.

CLOTHING ITEMS:

1. Zippered Onesies – I recommend zipper or magnetic onesies for easy changing when it comes to newborn. You don’t want to be closing buttons while your little one is cold and crying.
2. Blanket – On the colder days, it’ll be nice to have a blanket of reach after feedings if you’re holding onto baby for a nap!
3. Mittens & Beanies – Here’s a 12-piece mitten + beanie set with cute prints and patterns. It’s made with soft cotton rib fabric and keeps baby warm!
4. Bibs – I bought lots of bibs because babies are always drooling and it helps catch spit up before it gets on the clothing. I’d rather switch out a bib than a onesie!

BREASTFEEDING/NURSING:

1. Silverettes – Nursing Cups/Nursing Shields. This is a TOP essential for breastfeeding! I wore them in between feedings and I truly believe it saved me during the first month or two. The nipple shields soothe irritation and support painful nipples due to the silver’s natural soothing properties!
2. Reusable Nursing Pads – These come as a 10 pack and with a bag! They’re helpful to absorb breastmilk and keep you dry. It’s washable and reusable, and they wash well. They’re made with organic viscose derived from bamboo.
3. Disposable Nursing Pads – These are great for on-the-go when you don’t have time to wash the reusable pads. They’re super absorbent & are individually wrapped.
4. Haaka Ladybug Milk Catcher – With my firstborn, I used the Haaka Breast Pump which seems to be more popular. I find the Ladybug catcher to be WAY more useful & less prone to spilling. It stays in your nursing bra & there’s no need to worry about baby knocking it over while feeding.
5. Lactation Massager – This helps stimulate more milk production & also helped me massage out clogged ducts!
6. Breast Therapy Packs – I left these packs in the freezer to help relieve engorgement and clogged ducts.
7. Nipple Cream – I used the nipple cream when I wasn’t using the Silverettes. This cream helps -prevent and heal sore cracked nipples from nursing.
8. Breastfeeding Essentials Kit – If you want the nursing pads, breast pump catcher, breast therapy packs and nipple cream as a set, get this kit! It would make for a great gift too.

POSTPARTUM:

1. Boyshort Undies – These are stretchy & great to wear postpartum!
2. Peri Bottle – To help clean your perineal area during limited mobility recovery. It’s easy to squeeze with an upside down design with an angled neck to help during postpartum.
3. Postpartum Cotton Undies – Another option for postpartum undies!
4. Perineal Ice Packs – These were a lifesaver for 1 week postpartum! They are quick and easy to activate. You just squeeze the top and bottom of the pack together until a pop is heard.
5. Medicated Cooling Pads – Protects from irritation and provides relief from burning/itching caused by hemorrhoids.