Experts recommend that baby sleeps in your room with you for the first six months; Moses baskets are a popular choice for this as they are easy to move around with strong, supportive handles. You can get stands that have a soothing rocking motion for baby and most come with washable covers

Cribs and cradles are another option for baby’s first months. We’ve got lots of options that help baby drift off to sleep, including gliding and rocking motions and they come in a range of styles from traditional to modern.

Bedside cribs are a popular choice with new mums - these usually affix to the side of your mattress giving easy access to baby for feeding and soothing throughout the night.

Cribs are not suitable once baby has become active. As soon as baby can sit, kneel or pull themselves up, it’s time to move onto a cot.

Once baby is getting more active it’s time to move them into their own room, with either a cot or a cot bed. Cot beds offer the best value, as they will keep your little one sleeping comfortably from birth up to approximately 5 years old, cot bed dimensions are normally 140x70cm. As your tot gets bigger you can make a few simple adjustments so the bed grows with them. If space is an issue then a standard cot is great - most cots have a standard dimension of 120x60cm. but you can even get space saver versions if you’re stuck for room. You can also add teething rails which are clear and non-toxic, perfect when baby gets the urge to have a good chew!

These are a lifesaver if you’re going on holiday or stopping over for the night, they’re really quick and easy to assemble and pack away and they double up as a playpen in most cases. Lots of these come in a travel bag for simple packing, make sure you don’t leave home without one!

You may not have considered the difference between mattresses but it can be really important - for example if baby has allergies, or needs extra support.

Just to be on the safe side you should never use a second hand mattress, no matter how new it is.

Always make sure your mattress is a close fit without any gaps - a standard cot will fit size 120cm x 60cm (size 200) and a standard cot bed will fit a 140cm x 70cm (size 400).

Always measure and check your mattress size requirement before you buy.

With a core foam filling, these mattresses are wipe clean and waterproof with a good level of support for your little one. Great if you’re kitting out the nursery on a budget.

These are a higher quality and contain a sprung unit encased in high-density foam, which is breathable. They are quilted for comfort and provide excellent support for your growing baby.

With individual spring sewn into smaller pockets these offer excellent support for your growing baby as they contour to actually fit your babies shape.

These are brilliant at keeping dust mites at bay and perfect for babies with asthma, eczema or other allergies.

A high quality spring unit is encased in high-density foam beneath a special cool flow, anti allergic cover. This breathable material helps keep your baby’s body temperature cool and comfortable. Some options use materials, which draw moisture away from your baby, this helps regulate their temperature too.

Its exciting decorating your baby’s first bedroom, you’ve got to choose just the right décor that the baby will love to look at plus furniture that is as fabulous as it is functional, with plenty of space for all their things (little people come with a lot of stuff!). One good tip is to lay out the size of your furniture using newspaper before you buy so you know how much space it’s going to take up in the nursery.

A little wardrobe is really useful for hanging all their outfits - they make it easier to find what you’re looking for and give you some extra storage space too. 2 hanging rails optimise the space and then you can remove one as baby’s clothes get bigger. If space is an issue, you could consider getting a single door wardrobe.

Do you want a basic set of drawers or one combined with a changing unit on top? Some brands offer removable changers so you can carry on using the drawers after all that changing comes to an end!

These are fantastic if space is limited - you should always make sure that these will fit your chosen cot or cot bed before you buy. Most are a standard size but it’s definitely worth checking!

Once you’ve got your furniture in place it’s time to have fun bringing in the little extras - whether you want to brighten up the space with wall art or go crazy with vibrant colour coordination, there’s lots you can do to make the room as perfect as can be for baby.

There are so many options when it comes to baby bedding, a quilt and bumper set is ideal because it’s quick and easy to change, and stops baby from rolling into the side of their crib or cot.

It’s important that your baby has enough, but not too many, blankets - this is because you don’t want them to be too hot or too cold - our temperature chart will give you a good idea of how many you’ll need. Babies don’t need pillows and it’s best to save duvets for when they’re over 12 months and can move bedding themselves.

Some new mums and dads prefer a baby sleeping bag instead of bedding as it can’t be kicked off during night time wriggles, just check the age suitability and toggle rating. We recommend 1 tog for summer and 2.5 tog for winter and cooler nights. Make sure the neck of the sleeping bag isn’t wide enough for baby to slip through.

If you’re going to be feeding the baby in his/her nursery then a chair is essential, they are comfortable, practical and some come with a rocking motion which will help soothe your little bundle while you feed.

When it’s all systems go a changing station is really useful - lots of options have wheels so they can be moved around and some even come with a baby bath, that way you have all your essential kit to hand and you don’t have to worry about carrying baby from one room to another or slippy wet floors.

This is top of the list for baby - there are so many types to choose from, some allow you to listen in, some you can even watch! New technology even lets your baby monitor interact with your smartphone so you can always tune in and see how they’re getting on! Look out for models that include movement detectors, these sound an alarm when no movement is detected. You can also get options that play lullabies, and have a talkback function so you can soothe baby with your voice from another room!

As well as giving you a chance to co-ordinate the nursery, window coverings are also important for keeping light out on bright mornings. A good set of curtains is essential and you might also want to consider black-out blinds just in case baby decides that the crack of dawn is playtime!

There are some really cute and colourful options when it comes to wall art - and aside from looking fantastic, they’ll give baby something to look at when he/she wakes up (which may give you a few extra precious minutes in bed!)

These are perfect for keeping baby entertained as he/she lies in her cot - most options are musical or play soothing sounds and you can use them at night time to help them sleep. Just make sure that all mobiles are well out of reach of curious little hands!

For the first six months it’s recommended that your baby sleeps in your room in either a Moses basket or crib

Make sure that swinging cribs are locked when not in use or unattended.

Make sure you have the correct size mattress that fits without leaving a gap.

Don’t use pillows, quilts or duvets for babies under 12 months.

If using a sleeping bag ensure the neck is not too large to allow baby to slip inside the neck.

Make sure there are no hanging decorations or mobiles that baby can reach.

Always place baby on their back - it’s been proven to be the safest position for them to sleep.

Make sure babies head is not covered, bedclothes should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders.

Babies need to be in the feet to foot position at the foot of the cot with bedding arranged to prevent wriggling under the cover.

Don’t place your cot or cot bed near a radiator or window.

Babies should be kept well away from smoky atmospheres.

Look after your mattress by keeping it clean and dry.