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.