According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Nesting during pregnancy is the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new baby,” and it’s a common instinct that occurs during the third trimester.
Whether you experience the nesting urge or not, you’ll want to get as organized as possible while you anticipate the arrival of your new family member. These are our favorite must-haves for baby.
For the Nursery
Land of Nod’s ‘I Think I Canvas’ Organizers
I’ve tried practically every baby room organizer that’s been created and nothing beat these Land of Nod space savers. They’re inexpensive, durable, colorful and easy to clean. Available in varying colors and sizes, they can store clothing, hold smaller items like socks and bibs, or be used as a diaper caddy, as a toy bin or as a hanging closet organizer. Land of Nod, $9-19
Pottery Barn Kids Madison 4-Shelf Bookrack
If you’re tight on space, this bookrack takes the place of a standard bookshelf, and since it’s designed to hold books facing forward, children have easy access when choosing a bedtime story. Pottery Barn, $119-149
Babyletto Spruce Tree Bookcase
Add a touch of whimsy to your child’s room with this tree-shaped bookcase that holds both books and toys. Each branch holds 12 to 15 books, so you’ll be able to fill it with all of your favorite classics. Buy Buy Baby, $199
Baby Buddy Size-It Closet Organizers
Separating clothes by size will make it much easier to find an outfit when dressing your baby, especially since he or she will go through multiple changes of clothes in one day. Buy Buy Baby, $5 for set of five
For the Stroller
This insulated beverage and essentials caddy is a favorite at Galt Baby in Westfield Old Orchard. You can store your keys, coffee and wallet while plugging your headphones into the attached port for hands-free phone calls. The Galt Baby team says, “We love that this caddy fits on almost every stroller—truly universal!” Galt Baby, $20
These easy-to-attach and durable stroller hooks become a much-needed “extra pair of hands” when lugging groceries, your diaper bag or purse. They Velcro onto your stroller and swivel a full 360 degrees, which means less fuss when slipping bags on and off. choopie.com, $10 for pack of two
Slide these onto your stroller’s handlebars to avoid having sweaty or callused hands from constant use. Plus, the stylish patterns make your stroller look a lot snazzier! choopie.com, $19-25 for pack of two
For the Diaper Bag
It may not seem necessary, but when your baby is screaming and you cannot find a pacifier in your black hole of a diaper bag, you’ll wish you had this handy paci holder. Antimicrobial-protected lining reduces odor-causing bacteria and the easy-to-snap strap attaches easily to the handle of your diaper bag. Holds two pacifiers. skiphop.com, $8
Marc by Marc Jacobs Eliz-a-Baby Diaper Bag
You don’t have to sacrifice style for convenience. While this popular diaper bag is a splurge, it’s also a worthwhile investment. Double shoulder straps and a longer cross-body strap allow for two ways of wearing. You’ll love the included changing pad, multiple outer and inner pockets for small items, and the fact that it’s machine washable (a must when it comes to all things baby). Bloomingdale’s, $298
Skip Hop’s original diaper bag is a modern classic. A shoulder strap makes it Dad-friendly, and there are straps to attach to any stroller handle. Ten magnetic closure pockets mean plenty of room for all of baby’s essentials (as well as your wallet and cell phone), and the included changing pad makes for convenient on-the-go diaper changes. Galt Baby, $58
