Baby Bedding Sets and Infant Safety

Now that you’ve got a baby crib, the next thing you’ll need to get is a crib set. Many bedding sets have from 4 up to 10 pieces included, but how many of those should you actually use? To be honest, the only thing you really need is a couple of crib sheets, because modern crib safety standards recommend keeping cribs free of all soft bedding. 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. Most parents worry about their baby getting too cold, but this problem is easily solved with swaddling blankets or a sleep sack. Sleep sacks are worn like clothing, but have a closed “bag” at the legs to keep baby warm. Swaddling blankets are now much more than just a square of cloth. There are various styles that come with fasteners so you can make sure the blanket fits snugly and won’t come loose. Swaddling can be an excellent way to help a newborn sleep, but it is generally not recommended beyond 6 weeks because of fears it can hinder hip development. Baby will be spending much of his time in your arms, so you might want a quilt or comforter to wrap around him at those times. You’ll be fine as long as you remember not to leave the blanket in the crib with the baby.

You might be considering a sleep wedge for your baby. After all, it’s supposed to reduce the risk of SIDS, something most new parents worry about. It should be pointed out here that infants are unable to roll onto their tummies until they are about 6 months old. At this point, SIDS risks are considerably reduced anyway. You should also realize that these foam wedges are themselves soft bedding, which is not recommended by most pediatricians for very young babies.

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 be very tempting because they match the crib bedding, but your baby will not suffer without them.

If you really care about the look of the nursery (and who doesn’t?), then thing about gender neutral baby bedding like a Hot Cocoa crib set. {It’s much more cost effective because you can use it again and again, regardless of the sex of your next baby.}