What to Consider When Choosing Crib Bedding

When it come to about crib bedding your first thoughts may be about which colors to choose or if you should go with a theme bedding. No matter what you settle on, one thing you should never settle for is quality.

First and foremost, consider safety. Even though most, if not all crib sets comes with additional blankets, comforters, pillows and even baby bumpers, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises "Remove pillows, pillow-like bumper pads, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products from the crib." Several infant crib deaths have been attributed to these items. With this in mind, instead of spending money on crib bedding sets, it might be better to invest money in quality sheets and other nursery accessories. If you're set on the beautiful comforters that come with crib bedding sets, you always display it as a wall hanging.

Many parents think that a crib bumper is a must have. Unfortunately several documented infant deaths have been specifically attributed to crib bumpers. However, there are safer options to consider. One option that is becoming increasingly popular is a mesh bumper. Mesh bumpers are made up of breathable material that allows air to circulate to baby while keeping his or her limbs contained within the crib. Listed below are a few more reasons why mesh bumpers are a better option:

• Traditional crib bumpers should be removed from the crib when baby begins to pull up or stand. This extra padding may provide the baby with the extra boost needed to escape from the crib and suffer an injury from a fall.
• The breathable fabric reduces the risk of suffocation, re-breathing, and nasal/oral compression.
• Mesh bumpers secure with velcro rather than dangerous ties. Documented deaths have occurred due to strangulations by bumper ties.
• These products are able to be machine washed and dried.

When choosing crib bedding make sure you are aware of what the fabric is made out of and how it is sew together. Some baby bedding is sewn with nylon thread, which is very poor choice. Nylon thread can melt in the high heat of a dryer. Bedding sewn with cotton or cotton blend threads will be safer and much more durable.
Avoid the type of designs that are known as ‘stamped designs' as these types of designs are merely patterns that only are on top of the fabric and they will not hold up in the wash. As different pieces of the set are laundered more frequently, some will fade faster, giving a mismatched look to the bedding set. Your best bet is to find crib bedding with patterns on the material that are actually woven into the fabric.

Now that you have knowledge regarding safety and material, let the fun begin choosing the crib bedding best suited for the new arrival!

K. Green has a great deal of experience with children and babies, being a mother herself. She has had to buy crib bedding on a regular basis and knows which companies have the highest quality.