Choosing Baby Crib Bedding Confidently: Important Things to Consider

The perfect nursery usually starts with the perfect crib set. The nursery is all planned out. You've chosen the crib, the rug, the stuffed animals, even the light-switch covers... but have you forgotten something? Babies sleep a lot and so their bedding is very important. Take these things into account before making a decision:

- Choose natural, soft fibers like 100% cotton.

- Keep in mind that you're not going to have a lot of time with a new baby in the house, so you will want bedding that's as easy to care for as possible - in other words, make sure it's machine washable.

- The crib sheet has to fit the crib mattress properly, or there could be a saftey concern. There are, however, elastic straps designed to improve the fit of your crib sheets, so you can use those if you have any concerns.

- While you will definitely need bedding for your crib, you do not necessarily 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. Buying individual pieces can therefore make a lot more sense than buying a set. Many people buy bedding sets because all the pieces coordinate, but buying separates can reward those with creativity.

- Now you should think about the decor. Coordinate your bedding with the style and colors of the room and its furniture.

When considering how much you spend, think about the long term. If you are using a convertible crib then you can use the same sheets from birth through the end of the toddler years. If you're just starting your family and think you might have more children, try neutral baby bedding like the Vintage baby crib bedding set, because you can reuse it (and the whole nursery decor) no matter what the gender of your next child. On the other hand, if you are sure there will be no more babies, or if you like to redecorate frequently, cheaper bedding is probably more cost-efficient. In any case, keep extra sets of sheets on hand, in case of emergency!