Nursery Textiles Checklist: What You Need Before Baby Arrives

Quick answer

Start with two fitted sheets or bedding sets in the cot size, three to four muslin cloths, two bandana bibs, a portable changing mat, and one lightweight blanket or sleep bag appropriate for the season. Add a storage basket for changing essentials and a couple of soft cotton basics like leggings. Buy organic where it touches skin, and keep spares minimal until you know your baby's spit-up and laundry rhythm.

Preparing a nursery can feel like a race to buy everything before the baby arrives. Textiles are where most parents overspend, because it's hard to know how many sheets, cloths, and layers you actually need until you're in the middle of night feeds and sudden laundry emergencies.

This nursery textiles checklist focuses on what to buy first, what can wait, and how to choose pieces that work together. It covers bedding, layering, and care items, with concrete decision rules so you can build a practical setup without a cupboard full of unused blankets.

Start with the sleep space: bedding and sheets

For a cot or pram, the core textile is the bedding set. A standard baby bedding set often includes a duvet cover 70x100cm and a pillow case 40x45cm, both closed with a YKK zipper. That size fits many cribs and prams, but always measure your sleep space first. If you use a sleep bag instead of a duvet, you may only need fitted sheets and a light blanket for supervised naps.

Two bedding sets is a sensible starting point: one on the bed, one in the wash. If your baby spits up frequently or you line-dry, three sets gives you breathing room. Look for GOTS-certified organic cotton in a sateen weave if you want a smooth, soft feel that holds up to repeated washing. Avoid buying more than three sets until you know your baby's patterns.

• Measure your cot or pram mattress before buying any bedding set.
• Check the closure type: zippers are quick and secure for night changes.
• If you use a sleep bag, you may not need a duvet cover at all.

Layers for day and night: leggings, bibs, and cloths

Babies need easy layers more than they need outfits. Soft stretchy jersey leggings with a stretchy waistband allow freedom of movement and pair with any bodysuit. For the first weeks, three to five pairs in rotation is realistic. Bandana bibs and muslin cloths are the workhorses: keep two bibs and three to four muslin cloths within arm's reach of the changing area and feeding chair.

Muslin cloths double as burp cloths, lightweight covers, and emergency changing mats. Choose a set of solid colours if you want to spot stains easily, or prints if you prefer to hide them. Organic cotton is worth it here because these cloths touch your baby's face and skin constantly.

• Keep a small basket of cloths and bibs in every room you feed in.
• Buy leggings in one size up if your baby is long-torsoed.
• Solid colours show spit-up stains faster than busy prints.

Changing and care: mats, baskets, and teethers

A portable changing mat is essential if you'll be changing the baby on different floors or on the go. Pair it with a quilted storage basket for nappies, creams, and spare cloths so you can carry the whole setup from room to room. A natural rubber teether shaped with different textures can soothe sore gums and is easy for tiny hands to grab.

When choosing a care gift set, check what's included rather than assuming. A good set might include a quilted storage basket, two bandana bibs, a portable changing mat, and two muslin cloths. That covers the changing table essentials in one purchase. If you already have some of these, buy the pieces individually instead.

• A portable mat saves you from setting up a full changing station on every floor.
• Natural rubber teethers are flexible and biodegradable, but check for holes where water can collect.
• A storage basket keeps small items contained and makes night changes faster.

How many of each item to buy

The right quantity depends on how often you do laundry and how much your baby spits up. As a baseline, plan for two bedding sets, three to four muslin cloths, two to three bibs, three to five leggings, and one portable changing mat. Add one extra bedding set if you line-dry or if your baby has reflux.

Don't stock up on seasonal items like thick blankets before the baby arrives. You won't know your baby's temperature preferences or your home's heating patterns until you're living with them. Buy one lightweight layer and one warmer layer, then adjust after the first week.

• Count how often you're willing to do laundry before buying multiples.
• Buy one extra of anything that touches milk or spit-up.
• Wait on heavy blankets until you know your baby's sleep environment.

Decision rules for nursery textiles

• If you have a cot or pram with a 70x100cm mattress: Choose a bedding set that includes a 70x100cm duvet cover and a 40x45cm pillow case. Check the closure: a YKK zipper keeps bedding in place and is quick to open for night changes. Buy two sets so one is always clean.
• If your baby spits up often or you line-dry: Add a third bedding set and extra muslin cloths. Organic cotton sateen weave handles frequent washing well and feels soft against skin. Three bedding sets and four to six muslin cloths is a realistic buffer.
• If you change the baby in more than one room: Get a portable changing mat and a quilted storage basket you can carry. Keep a set of bandana bibs and muslin cloths in the basket so you're not hunting for supplies. A portable setup saves time and reduces middle-of-the-night stress.
• If you want to avoid overbuying before birth: Stick to the baseline quantities: two bedding sets, three to four muslin cloths, two bibs, three to five leggings, one portable changing mat, one teether. Wait on heavy blankets and extra prints. You can always buy more once you know your baby's needs.

Product facts to guide your choices

• Bedding, Baby, 70x100cm - GOTS - Capri: Soft organic, GOTS-certified baby bedding in sateen-weave cotton. The set includes a duvet cover 70x100cm and a pillow case 40x45cm, both closed with a YKK zipper. Available in many different Cam Cam prints, and the set comes in a matching fabric tote bag. The zipper closure keeps bedding secure during night changes, and the included tote bag makes storage or travel easier. The 70x100cm size fits standard cot and pram mattresses, but measure yours first.
• Embroidered Bedding, Baby, 70x100cm - GOTS - Sea Garden: Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, this exclusive bedding features delicate embroidery of beautiful sea horses. The luxuriously soft and 100% organic sateen weave cotton ensures a cosy and restful sleep. The embroidered detail adds a decorative touch without extra loose parts. GOTS certification means the cotton meets organic processing standards, which matters for sensitive skin.
• Baby Care Gift Set - OCS - Blueberries: The perfect baby gift set featuring selected care bestsellers made from organic cotton. A Quilted Storage Basket (the larger sized basket from our Set of 2) ideal for the changing table essentials, a set of 2 Bandana Bibs, a portable Changing Mat for family life on the go, and a set of 2 solid coloured Muslin Cloths. This set covers four changing-table essentials in one purchase, which reduces the number of separate decisions you need to make. It's a practical starting point if you don't already own these items.
• Baby Leggings Louie - GOTS - Praline: Made from the softest stretchy jersey cotton quality, these leggings offer unparalleled comfort, perfect for the most delicate skin. The stretchy waistband ensures a snug fit while allowing freedom of movement. Available in a variety of muted colours. Stretchy jersey and a soft waistband make these easy to pull on and comfortable for sleep or play. Muted colours coordinate easily with other nursery textiles.

Who this checklist is for

Best for

• First-time parents who want a practical starting point without overbuying
• Parents setting up a cot or pram with a 70x100cm mattress
• Anyone looking for GOTS-certified organic cotton options for sleep and care

Not for

• Parents who already have a full set of nursery textiles and only need one specific item
• Those looking for a complete furniture or decor plan, since this checklist covers textiles only

Use this nursery textiles checklist to buy the essentials first and leave the extras until you know your baby's routines. Focus on organic cotton where it touches skin, keep quantities modest, and choose pieces that wash well and work together.