Caution Before Everything Else: Finding the Perfect Crib Set

With just about any theme, style, and color combination you can dream of available for your baby’s nursery and bedding, it’s no wonder that so many new parents get confused about how to decorate their nursery. Animal designs come in everything from a caterpillar baby crib bedding set to safari themes. Or maybe you’re looking for angels? There are well over a hundred unique options. If you’re looking for a really popular theme like cartoon characters or nursery rhymes, you may be doomed LOL.

Whether it’s boy baby bedding or baby girl, with so many adorable choices, your first instinct might be to just buy it all. It’s natural to want a beautiful room for your baby, but don’t let looks overshadow more important concerns. Here are some things that your baby actually will care about:

- Many people can’t imagine a crib without bumper pads, but recent controversy indicates they may not be such a good idea. Crib bumpers are a potential cause of suffocation, because they can loosen and cover baby’s face. Until his or her first birthday, it is highly recommended to keep bumpers (and any other loose or unnecessary bedding) out of your child’s crib. But for anyone who decides to put them in anyway, at least make sure that the ties are short, on the outside of the crib, and very tightly tied.

- You’ll soon find out that when people talk about crib sheets, they’re referring to the fitted sheet only. That’s because flat sheets and pillowcases are usually not available for cribs. Be sure to check the size of the crib sheets you’re buying and confirm that they’re right for your mattress. Although crib mattress are basically all the same size, there can be minor variations in dimensions. If the sheets you buy don’t fit your mattress, they may come off and cause a suffocation risk for your child. Think about buying a waterproof mattress cover, because babies are messy creatures! And avoid white sheets, they’re really not a good idea.

- Loose blankets are a safety hazard for babies under one, so stick to sleep sacks or warm pajamas instead. One other thing that you need to keep out of the crib is pillows and stuffed animals - they’re a suffocation hazard.

When selecting baby crib bedding, first make sure it’s safe. With so many options available, you can still find something adorable.