Nursery planning timeline by trimester
Short answer: Most parents plan in the second trimester and have the sleep space ready by the third. Remember your baby will sleep in your room for at least 6 months.
Step by step
- First trimester: think about where your baby will sleep and your budget.
- Second trimester: choose the cot or cot bed, mattress and storage, and order the pram and car seat.
- Third trimester: build the furniture, wash the sheets, and set up the room-sharing sleep space.
What the guidance says
- The NHS advises placing your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for every sleep, day and night, for at least the first 6 months.
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition, with no raised or cushioned edges, that fits the cot or Moses basket with no gaps.
- Keep the room between about 16C and 20C and check it with a room thermometer.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Rio 3 Piece Room Set
- Nika 2 Piece Room Set - Oak
- Obaby Stamford Classic Sleigh Cot Bed 3 Piece Nursery Set in White
- Nika 3 Piece Room Set - Grey Wash
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Can I buy a second-hand nursery furniture set?Can I buy a second-hand nursery wardrobe?Do nursery wardrobes need to be fixed to the wall?Nursery furniture sets buying guide for UK parentsChanging unit vs nursery chest of drawers: which is better?What nursery furniture does Baby Kingdom sell?All nursery furniture and planning advice →
Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- The Lullaby Trust: Baby mattresses and bedding (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.