by Baby Care Guide on October 11, 2008
Now that you’ve got a baby crib, the next thing you’ll need to get is a crib set. A big portion of baby bedding sets include a number of pieces - but do you really need them all? It’s really best to keep any extraneous bedding out of the crib, and this is what pediatricians now recommend. Leaks will happen, of course, so buy a few extra crib sheets. It’s better to spend your money on a few really good, durable, and comfortable crib sheets than on accessories you don’t even need.
Both comforters and crib bumpers are now on the “not recommended” list, because they pose a pretty serious risk of suffocation. Swaddling blankets or sleep sacks are the best alternative to loose blankets and quilts. Wearable blankets have become quite common and most people are now familiar with the concept. If you interested in a swaddling blanket, you might want to investigate some of the more modern styles that aid in getting the right fit. Swaddling is supposed to mimic the close quarters of the uterus, and it comforts many newborns. If you rock your baby a lot, you might still want a quilt or blanket to wrap around him or her. But remove the comforter before baby goes into the crib.
You may have seen the foam wedges that are sometimes recommended for young babies, to keep them sleeping on their backs. Keep in mind, though, that babies can’t roll over until they are about 6 months old, at which point tummy-sleeping no longer seems to cause the same risk of SIDS. As was already mentioned, any soft crib bedding should be removed from the crib, but the foam wedges are themselves a type of soft bedding.
Bedding sets are more than just quilts and bumper pads, though. They often include things like wall hangings, window valances, and even a mobile. These can make the nursery look great, but aren’t necessary if you’re on a budget.
But most parents are going to want a bedding set anyway, just for the look of the nursery. In this case, try gender neutral crib bedding like Hot Cocoa crib bedding. It’s much more cost effective because you can use it again and again, regardless of the sex of your next baby.
by Baby Care Guide on October 7, 2008
When designing your nursery, it’s easiest to first choose the crib bedding. The nursery is all planned out. You’ve chosen the crib, the rug, the stuffed animals, even the light-switch covers… but have you forgotten something? You baby is going to spend a lot of time in the crib, so choose the bedding carefully. Here are some things you need to think about:
- Comfort is very important, so choose 100% cotton or another soft (and preferably natural) fiber. Flannels or knits are fabulous choices.
- Do not buy bedding that is hand-wash or dry clean only, you’re not going to have time for it. Make sure it’s machine washable or don’t buy it.
- To ensure the safety of your baby, makes sure that your crib bedding fits the crib mattress tightly. If you crib sheets don’t seem snug enough, there is an easy solution: buy elastic straps that clip onto the crib sheet and hold it in its place.
- While you will definitely need bedding for your crib, you do not necessarily need a set. The American Academy of pediatrics recommends against unnecessary bedding that is included in most bedding sets (like crib bumpers or quilts). Purchasing separates and leaving out the useless pieces can be significantly cheaper than buying a crib set. Buying separates has the added advantage of giving you a lot more freedom in choosing bedding - you can mix and match to get a truly unique look.
- And finally, after taking everything else into consideration, consider the theme of the room and coordinate with the furniture and other accessories you already have.
Depending on your needs, you may need want to spend more money on higher-quality bedding, or you may want to choose something a little less expensive. If you get good-quality bedding, you can use it on both the crib and your toddler bed, allowing you to use it for several years. Unless you know you’re not having more children, it makes sense to purchase gender neutral crib bedding like the Vintage baby bedding, so that you can use it again. On the other hand, if you are sure there will be no more babies, or if you like to redecorate frequently, cheaper bedding is probably more cost-efficient. You are definitely going to need more than one set of sheets, so be prepared and buy extras!
by Baby Care Guide on September 29, 2008
Crib bedding for girls: pink and frilly. Baby boy bedding: space explorers. But wait! You need to choose your baby bedding carefully, because it’s more than just a decoration.
It can be difficult to tell if a baby has any allergies or sensitivities, and most nurseries are planned before the baby is even born. There is no need to sacrifice comfort for looks, but be sure to consider the material of your baby’s bedding before you worry about the theme. Any decent quality baby bedding will provide certain important information: fill material and power, cover fabric, and thread count. The first thing you might consider is the warmth of the bedding, especially if you’re having a winter baby, but it should also be lightweight and breathable. Research on the Internet is easy, so take advantage of the resource to investigate potential bedding choices.
To reduce the chances of sensitivities, try fabrics like wool, cotton, or down. Synthetic fabrics usually do not breathe and they may break down over time - emitting toxic fumes. This can cause respiratory problems and sleeping difficulties. If you are leaning toward a crib set such as the Max nursery bedding, then you will need to consider that it does contain some amount of polyester, and decide if that risk is worth it.
Opinions differ, but many people argue that wool blankets are the softest and most comfortable for a young baby. You will probably want a blanket that is backed with cotton flannel. It’s pretty easy to decide what sized blanket you will need. If you’re swaddling, choose a small one. If you want a daycare blankie or something to keep in the car, then choose a larger size.
Because down is a natural material, it provides warmth while remaining light and breathable at the same time. Down comforters that are dry clean only are not practical, so look for the ones that are machine washable (that’s actually most of them). To ensure that your comforter is hypoallergenic, make sure it has a high cleanliness rating. There are two tests to determine the cleanliness of down - the oxygen test and the turbidity test. A lower number is preferred for the oxygen test, and it should go no higher than 10 (the government standard). For the turbidity test, on the other hand, a higher number is better, going up to around 550 at the top of the scale.
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