Yes, a comfortable chair for nursing, soothing and later on for reading books to the baby. Also, a good place for changing diapers...

space to change diapers is essential...

Changing table for sure!

A long charging cord!!

A changing station that is high enough for mom or dad not to break their tired backs with lots of drawers. Some interesting artwork and a mobile above to keep baby interested.

Mom to 5 here.... I ditched the changing tables eventually, they're used for such a short time! A nice, lidded basket to contain diapers, wipes, and misc like a mat and diaper cream was much more helpful to me in the long run because, seriously, most moms change wiggly babies and young toddlers on the floor. I never had a changing table that was on top of a dresser, but if you're going to have one, that's the best kind because... you're left with a functional dresser.
I think after the crib, what I could've used the most was a good closet organization system that could adjust as they get older.

The dressers with removable changing table tops are so great. And, you gotta have a rocking chair.

Yes...dressers with changing table tops are really nice.

This slider chair and ottoman have been wonderful in our grandson's nursery.

A rocking chair.

Definitely the changing table! We used an old piece of furniture and updated it by painting it a bold color. My mother in law insisted we buy a generic one from babies r us, but to me its a waste bc you can't use it after they are potty trained.

Someplace to store diapers, clothes, blankets, and sheets. Next most important a comfy chair preferably a rocking chair.

A rocking recliner! Preferably if front of a TV.
And, I have to say, I have used a changing table until my 5 kids were too heavy to lift up on to it, even after potty trained. (I have back problems so the floor is not an option.)

changing table or a dresser with a changing topper and a rocker.

I would say a dresser with a changing topper. I had a changing table and it was really not useful once my daughter was potty trained. Put your money towards a piece of furniture you can use in the future. I would like to suggest a rocking chair of some sort as well. Congratulations on your little bundle of joy!

Ditch the crib bumpers - they are a suffocation hazard. But then I see you started the poll, so you've seen the debate.

I agree with the comfy chair - whether it's a glider, rocker, or stationary.

A cradle is the first most important piece of furniture for a new born and baby. 2nd is a rocking chair for the parents to rock the baby asleep... at any time. At least a twin bed in the baby's room, so a parent can lie down when the baby is fussy, up and down all night long. We didn't have our children in bed with us. My daughter does. That saves a lot of sleepless nights for the parents. Without that philosophy, the twin bed saved me many a night, so I could rest... but the baby still saw I was in the room with her.

Definitely a comfortable place to sit and rest. I never used a changing table...took up too much space...so I would say an organized place to store the baby's clothing and other gadgets is great.

A tall dresser for organizing all that baby stuff!

I felt like the dresser was the 2nd most important piece of furniture. My son + daughter still have theirs. A comfy chair is located in the living room only a short distance from the bedrooms and there was not enough room to put it in the bedrooms. Also a place for books and toys if you don't have a separate playroom type of area.

The change table off course!!

Tall changing table with drawers, a diaper pail that seals in odors, and dresser for the zillions of onesies, pjs, waterproof pads, sheets, etc.. Never had use for chairs, as I never sat in the nursery. If needed, I'd prefer to sit in my favorite chair in the living room.

A mom of 4 here. A dresser that can be used as they grow. I never used our change table as a change table, I changed our babies on our big counter in the bathroom. A rocker or glider is nice in the room for the first or 2nd child, but unrealistic for #3 or more, especially when sharing rooms.

Changing table for sure. Another mother of 5 - changing table a must for me with washable covers. Don't like the thoughts of laying baby on the hard floor or worrying about diaper changing messes on carpets or beds, etc. (will happen no matter how careful you are :)

A changing table and a rocking chair are very nice things to have - especially a rocking chair for those sweet moments with your child.

It's a tie between the changing table and comfy chair (from a mom of 6).

Dresser. You are going to need a place to keep all the cloths people will give you.

My comfy glider chair with ottoman! I have spent so much time there! We've also hidden a cord nearby, attached to the dresser for easy device charging, and a small sofa for cat naps with the bebe, or for dad to be company for mom while nursing - a great addition. One of my favorite spaces now!

A soft, comfortable rocking chair.

Mom of three. I crib is not an essential piece of furniture. You can sleep with your babe in bed and safe plenty of space.

1. A changing table or dresser that can be used to change/dress baby on, and store clothes, diapers, extra sheets and blankets in. My husband built me a generously sized dresser at the perfect height for changing babies before the birth of our first child. I've used it for all 6 of our babies, and am looking forward to getting it set up again for the birth of our 7th in March.

2. A comfortable rocker.

Sorry skmom, I disagree with you. "...a changing table is used for such a short time." I don't call 2 years per child a short time. I'm expecting child number 7, that adds up to roughly 14 years of diaper changing for me. And "...most moms I know change their babies on the floor anyway". I personally don't know any moms who regularly change their baby on the floor. How unhandy and uncomfortable, not to mention the prospect of staining the carpet. I keep a washable cover on my changing table pad and I wash all the time, it is constantly getting stained or peed on.

A rocking chair with easy to clean fabric, ideally Sunbrella. Footstool and a table next to the chair.

When my kids were born, (the youngest is now 18), I had the crib, changing table and gliding rocker/ottoman with removable cushions. If I were doing it over and had an adequate budget, I'd go for the long, wide dresser and a changing pad (with some way to strap baby in for safety) that can later be removed. And I'd probably go with a fully cushioned and upholstered rocker with ottoman.

Good luck to you!

Besides a crib, we use a deep dresser with a changing pad on top. And if you're nursing, you need somewhere comfy to sit.

We had the whole set up for the first born. He never ended up sleeping in the crib. He did in the bassinet for naps and us at night. By number 3 we opted for a king size bed for all of us at night. And bunk beds with a full size futon on the bottom so momma had a couch in the "playroom" when the floor got too hard. As number two got older, momma's college desk also went in the playroom. I also had a stroller that converted to a backpack, held a diaper and small pack of wipes and we were ready to go. Those were the days, youngest of 3 is a senior in high school now!