Buying Crib Linens Confidently: Vital Considerations

If you're not sure how you want to decorate your nursery, start by choosing the baby crib bedding. So you've chosen the whole nursery decor, right down to the stuffed animals that will sit on the dresser... but aren't you forgetting something? You baby is going to spend a lot of time in the crib, so choose the bedding carefully. Here are some things you need to think about:

- You baby needs to be comfortable, so choose something soft. Cotton is a natural choice, but look for 100% cotton instead of blends. Knit cotton or flannel are both great choices, but higher-thread-count woven cotton is an option, too.

- Do not buy bedding that is hand-wash or dry clean only, you're not going to have time for it. Make sure it's machine washable or don't buy it.

- Crib bedding needs to fit the mattress tightly, to prevent any risk of suffocation. A small investment can solve the problem, though: elastic straps to hold the sheets in place.

- When buying your baby bedding, you should seriously consider whether or not you need a set. A three piece bedding set includes a comforter, a crib sheet, and a bumper pad. But, the American Academy of Pediatrics questions the safety of crib bumpers and recommends against using loose blankets or comforters on a baby under one year old. So if you are trying to save money, consider buying individual pieces rather than a full bedding set. You might be worried that your bedding won't match, but look at it as an opportunity to get more creative instead.

- When all else has been addressed, spend some time picking bedding that will fit the rest of the room, including your furniture.

Depending on your needs, you may need want to spend more money on higher-quality bedding, or you may want to choose something a little less expensive. By using a convertible crib or a toddler bed that takes standard-sized crib sheets, you can continue to use your bedding for several years. Unless you know you're not having more children, it makes sense to purchase a gender neutral crib set like the Vintage bedding set, because you won't need to buy new bedding. If you are sure there will be no more kids, however, then buying high-quality (and expensive!) baby bedding is not so important. In any case, keep extra sets of sheets on hand, in case of emergency!