Home Improvements & Repairs

It only makes sense that when you shop for your baby’s crib, you’ll be looking for bedding, too. A large number of baby crib bedding sets contain 3 to 6 pieces, but how many of those do you actually need? Most pediatricians now recommend keeping the crib free from any extra bedding, so all you really need is a crib sheet. 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.

Suffocation is a serious concern for babies, so remove all soft bedding, including bumper pads and blankets. Babies don’t need to be any warmer than their parents, but in the winter it’s usually not practical to leave a baby without a blanket. The solution is to use a wearable blanket or even really warm PJs instead. Sleep sacks have become a commonplace item these days. While a bit difficult to explain to someone who’s never seen one before, a photograph will clear things up instantly. Swaddling blankets have also come a long way, with many products that aid in getting a snug fit. Because it is similar to the tight space of the womb, many new babies find swaddling comforting. You will be holding your baby a lot, so you might still want a blanket or comforter for those times, especially if you’ve had a winter baby. You’ll be fine as long as you remember not to leave the blanket in the crib with the baby.

Another crib accessory is a sleep positioner - a kind of foam wedge designed to keep baby on his back. It’s supposed to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But a young baby is unable to roll onto his tummy anyway - just put him to bed on his back and you should be fine. Soft bedding of any kind should be kept out of the crib due to suffocation concerns, and these foam wedges are themselves soft.

Aside from the standard bedding, a crib set can also include a diaper stacker, a toy bag, or even a window valance. While these add tremendously to the look of the nursery, they are quite honestly not needed.

If you really care about the look of the nursery (and who doesn’t?), then thing about unisex baby 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.

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