Furnishing the first child's room - Our must-haves

In this blog post, our mara mea co-founder Maren Will talks about her first time at home with her daughter Lotti, how they wanted to design her nursery, and what they ultimately put together. She talks about changing areas, cribs, and all the baby essentials you really need.

At some point during pregnancy, setting up a nursery is on the to-do list. The excitement is immense, and the smaller (and cuter) the baby shoes look, the more you want to buy. This is how many parents out there feel as they prepare for the birth and experience the nesting instinct. With the arrival of their first child, you're often so excited that you're unsure what you need to buy and what might just end up gathering dust in the corner. This report lists products that shouldn't be missing from the first nursery and which purchases you can do without: a guide to baby must-haves.

A baby doesn't need its own room right from the start—that was our conclusion from the first few months together after Lotti's birth. Initially, there wasn't enough space in our two-bedroom apartment in Berlin to set up a complete nursery, but that wasn't a problem at all. We used a pretty corner in our bedroom and simply redesigned it. It became a cozy changing area where we had everything we needed.

Our absolute must-haves:

First of all, I'll name the things we've actually used consistently and consider to be good purchases. First, of course, a changing table – it's clearly a necessity. We opted for one with a removable top so we can continue to use the table over time. We also bought a matching changing mat, which is easy to wash and therefore very hygienic. At first, we used fabric covers, but gave up on that after a while. Now we're very happy with our waxed cotton mat, as it's easy to care for and much more comfortable than the typical plastic ones. We've actually used a heat lamp consistently – even in the summer. In the cool old building, it's simply still too cold for such a little worm.

In addition to these products, a diaper basket is a must – we still use it today for Lotti's clothes, diapers, and toys to keep things organized. We always use the mara mea storage basket for dirty laundry. Furthermore, we always have a dispenser of almond oil on the changing table.

Another must-have in the bedroom is the side bed. Even though Lotti never slept in it, it was super practical because I could lay her down there during the day and we always had a safety rail. So we never had to worry about her falling out of our bed. During the postpartum period, I even converted it into a storage space.

Last but not least, we never wanted to be without a beautiful mobile - whether on the changing table or above the cot... Babies simply love the colors and movements and Lotti is still thrilled with her favorite mara mea mobile.

Purchases not necessary for us:

One thing we never needed was a diaper pail. We converted a regular cosmetics bin from the start and are very happy with it. A diaper pail produces a lot of waste and requires very expensive cartridges. Initially, the diapers don't smell either way – and if you empty the bin regularly, it works wonderfully.

The move & the first children's room:

After a few months, we moved to the countryside and into a larger apartment, so Lotti had her own room. Since she was 8 months old, she's also been sleeping in her own bed sometimes. I'd like to say something to all parents: don't drive yourself crazy! No matter where your child sleeps, there's no right or wrong. Lotti slept in our bed until she was 8 months old, and she still sleeps with us sometimes. Grandparents always like to say that babies in their generation were already sleeping alone after 3 months—everyone should just decide for themselves what feels right.

The first thing we did for Lotti's new nursery was get a nice crib. We think it's great if she sleeps in her own bed, at least for the first few months, because our box spring bed is no longer safe for her. It's now in the middle of the room, and Lotti moves around a lot in her sleep.

Next, we needed a baby monitor—quite clear and self-explanatory. In addition to the tried-and-true changing table, various baskets and boxes moved into the room, as well as a beautiful wardrobe. Depending on how much storage space you need, this is a great purchase. We use it to neatly and beautifully store bedding, muslin cloths, flannel sheets, toys, and towels. The wardrobe is my great-grandfather's masterpiece, and the beautiful macrame was made by our dear PR lady, Maria.

Personally, I find it incredibly enjoyable to furnish and decorate. As a baby, Lotti certainly doesn't need many of the items in her room yet – but she does really enjoy turning everything into a massive mess in just a few minutes. Lotti's room consists of a lovingly curated collection of heirlooms, travel souvenirs, and found objects – and that's exactly what I love.

The bookshelves are adorned with favorite items like a glittering cactus snow globe, postcards with their own stories, and little elephants that Dorina brought me from India. (Due to my pregnancy, I couldn't go on the production trip at the time, and I was incredibly happy about the little gift.) Some of you may even recognize the rainbow in Lotti's room from the stories—we made it together last year shortly before her birth. My old favorite books are also in the room: Mary Poppins and Pippi Longstocking. We find the play mats on the floor super practical for cuddling, cozying up to books, or simply relaxing while Lotti takes the room apart.

We use the baby blankets all the time, both at home and on the go; they're always the perfect, cozy companion. Last but not least, we mounted our beautiful mara mea growth chart on the wall and set up stacking boxes made of recycled plastic.

So we now feel right at home in Lotti's first nursery <3