Safety First: Selecting the Correct Baby Nursery Bedding

Anyone who has been baby shopping recently, especially if they’ve browsed online, will tell you that the vast selection of baby bedding online can actually make a decision harder instead of easier. Looking for animals? Find anything you can think of, from caterpillar baby crib bedding to elephants. Are you considering angels as a theme? How many different angel styles can there be? Well over 100. If you’re looking for a really popular theme like cartoon characters or nursery rhymes, you may be doomed LOL.

Whether it’s boy nursery bedding or baby girl, you might be tempted to buy everything you can afford – after all, they’re all so darn cute! 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. It is all too easy for an active infant to pull a bumper loose and get it over his or her face. If this happens at night, a parent may not even realize until the next morning. When installing bumper pads, be sure to follow all safety guidelines. Keep ties on the outside of the bed, and secure them tightly. Even better, take the pads out of the crib for the first year.

– The term “crib sheet” refers only to the fitted sheet, because flat sheets are unnecessary (and potentially dangerous) for newborns. When buying crib sheets, be sure you know the size of your mattress first. If the sheets don’t fit snugly, they may peel off the mattress. Not only is this annoying, it’s a serious health risk. Diaper leaks are inevitable so consider a mattress protector and avoid white sheets!

– Since loose blankets can also be a hazard, stick to a sleep sack or warm PJs instead of a quilt. And don’t overbundle the baby – he doesn’t need to be any warmer than you do. One other thing that you need to keep out of the crib is pillows and stuffed animals – they’re a suffocation hazard.

When you’re looking at a baby crib bedding set, make sure it’s safe first, then worry about looks.