It's essential to choose the right
baby bedding for your child's crib, so that your baby is sure to have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Sometimes this can be a challenge if you don't know all the facts. There are tons of baby bedding selections available and many factors to recollect when making this decision. Items are sold as singles or sets, so it's important that you assess your needs and purchase enough bedding to keep your baby comfortable. Since your options are without limits, take your time and find the bedding that will create the ideal sleep environment for your precious angel.
Crib Bedding Options for the Nursery
Regular Baby Blankets
The standard size baby blanket measures 36" x 52" and this is the size that's recommended for a baby's crib. This type of blanket fits a standard mattress absolutely. It's also perfect for keeping your baby swaddled at naptime. These blankets are offered in all sorts of fabrics, patterns and textures, but remember, a higher thread count means the fabric is softer for baby's delicate skin. The most commonly purchased baby blankets are made of 100% cotton, but other fabrics such as: fleece are popular too because of their softness. The higher-end fabrics like faux fur are also a hit because they add class to the nursery. Sometimes baby bedding can even be an inspiration to the total nursery décor. You could get the crib bedding first, then use the patterns and colors to inspire the rest of the room design.
Sheets for the Crib
It's imperative that any crib sheet you choose fits the mattress perfectly. Most crib sheets fit standard crib mattresses, but if your mattress is a dissimilar shape or size make sure to get a sheet set that's made for those mattress dimensions. Also, sheets come in different colors, patterns and fabrics, so be sure to select a set that will not only look pretty in the room, but will also keep your baby comfortable. Consider a set with a higher thread count, so you're sure the sheets are baby-soft. To keep your baby free from allergens, you might also want to consider getting hypo-allergenic sheets.
Crib Mattress Pads
You use a mattress pad to protect the crib mattress from getting wet if your baby has an unexpected diaper leak during the night. A mattress pad goes under the fitted crib sheet. Crib mattress pads are usually quilted for baby-comfort and 100% water proof. Finding one that fits the mattress well is imperative, so that it doesn't move when baby moves, keeping baby safe all night long.
A Crib Skirt or Dust Ruffle
Both a crib skirt and dust ruffle are made to wrap near the bottom of the crib to enhance the look of the crib while also covering up any under-the-crib storage and keeping dust bunnies from forming under your baby's sleep space.
Swaddle or Receiving Baby Blankets
This type of blanket is used to swaddle your baby tight to keep your precious angel warm at naps or all night long. They're also made of lighter weight fabric so that your baby doesn't get too hot while being swaddled.
Quality Baby Bedding Fabric Terms
To differentiate high quality from low quality baby bedding, check to see if the bedding has any of the following features.
Thread Count: If the thread count is high, then that usually means that the bedding is higher-end and softer for baby's delicate skin. Thread count refers to the number of threads per inch, the more per inch the softer the fabric.
Brushed: This refers to a process that makes fabric softer, by sanding the fabric before it's been made into bedding.
Pre-washed: This refers to the process of washing and drying fabrics before they've been made into bedding. Pre-washed fabric is less likely to shrink or fade.
Why Buy Crib Bedding Sets?
A crib bedding set tends to include everything needed to create a beautiful and comfortable sleep space for your baby. Sets come with items like quilts, fitted sheet, dust ruffle, bumper, pillow, blankets and more. Getting a baby bedding set can save you money and time because it will offer everything you need.
Why Buy Baby Bedding Singles?
You should also consider getting extra blankets and sheets for those times that the baby makes unexpected messes in the crib and new bedding is needed in a hurry. Buying singles is a must so you have clean and extra bedding on hand at all times.
Final Thoughts
The final thing you should consider, when buying baby bedding, is the design and color. Are you just planning to use the bedding for the nursery or would you like it to carry over into your toddler's room? If you plan to toss the bedding when your child becomes a toddler, then you can pick bedding that's just for babies. If you want to use it for years after the baby stage, then consider getting a baby bedding set that has a general pattern that younger or older children will enjoy. Crib bedding does fit on a toddler bed, so take that into consideration when picking your baby bedding set.