April 2007
Crib bedding 101
Here's a rundown of what you'll need to outfit your baby's crib:
Mattress pad. Buy two waterproof mattress pads so you can have one as a backup. These quilted pads should be thin--one inch or less in thickness. They're usually made of cotton or a synthetic material and should cover the mattress securely. Most, like fitted sheets, have elastic all the way around. Never use a plastic bag as a mattress cover. Plastic is a suffocation hazard.
Fitted sheet. Most crib sheets have fitted corners, which keep them secure. Fabrics range from woven cottons and cotton blends to lightweight flannel. Two to three should get you off to a good start. Don't use fitted sheets that are loose or bunchy; they should fit your baby's crib mattress like a skin.
A swaddle wrap. This sleep sack is made for infants as an alternative to a receiving blanket (a very thin blanket typically made of woven cotton used for swaddling), though that's also an option. A swaddle wrap slips over a regular sleeper or diaper and has plenty of room for little legs to stretch and kick. Use a swaddle wrap or receiving blanket to swaddle your newborn during nap and nighttime for the first few months. Buy a half-dozen waffle-weave receiving blankets made of 100 percent cotton for good absorbency (or put them on your shower gift list), or four swaddle wraps. Leading swaddle wraps are the 2-in-1 SleepSack Swaddle by Halo (www.halosleep.com), $29.95, which is recommended by First Candle/SIDS Alliance (an organization that provides information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and ways to reduce the risk of infant death), and the Original 2-in-1 Swaddler & Sleep Sack by Swaddleaze (www.2virtues.com), $25. Both brands convert to a conventional sleeveless sleep sack when your baby no longer needs swaddling. Look for flame-resistant fabric, such as polyester. Use it instead of a crib blanket (not recommended).
Wearable blanket. After your baby outgrows his swaddler, he'll be ready for a regular sleep sack, a wearable blanket that goes over a regular sleeper or diaper, with lots of leg room for stretching and kicking. Popular brands are the Halo SleepSack, which usually retails for $20 (and is recommended by the First Candle/SIDS Alliance, www.halosleep.com), the Back to Sleep Sack by Prince LionHeart ($21.99, www.princelionheart.com), and the BeddieBye wearable blanket by Kiddopotamus ($15 to $20, www.kiddopotamus.com). Look for flame-resistant fabric.
Crib skirt. It's not necessary, but it does add design flair to the crib and your baby's room.
Mattress pad. Buy two waterproof mattress pads so you can have one as a backup. These quilted pads should be thin--one inch or less in thickness. They're usually made of cotton or a synthetic material and should cover the mattress securely. Most, like fitted sheets, have elastic all the way around. Never use a plastic bag as a mattress cover. Plastic is a suffocation hazard.
Fitted sheet. Most crib sheets have fitted corners, which keep them secure. Fabrics range from woven cottons and cotton blends to lightweight flannel. Two to three should get you off to a good start. Don't use fitted sheets that are loose or bunchy; they should fit your baby's crib mattress like a skin.
A swaddle wrap. This sleep sack is made for infants as an alternative to a receiving blanket (a very thin blanket typically made of woven cotton used for swaddling), though that's also an option. A swaddle wrap slips over a regular sleeper or diaper and has plenty of room for little legs to stretch and kick. Use a swaddle wrap or receiving blanket to swaddle your newborn during nap and nighttime for the first few months. Buy a half-dozen waffle-weave receiving blankets made of 100 percent cotton for good absorbency (or put them on your shower gift list), or four swaddle wraps. Leading swaddle wraps are the 2-in-1 SleepSack Swaddle by Halo (www.halosleep.com), $29.95, which is recommended by First Candle/SIDS Alliance (an organization that provides information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and ways to reduce the risk of infant death), and the Original 2-in-1 Swaddler & Sleep Sack by Swaddleaze (www.2virtues.com), $25. Both brands convert to a conventional sleeveless sleep sack when your baby no longer needs swaddling. Look for flame-resistant fabric, such as polyester. Use it instead of a crib blanket (not recommended).
Wearable blanket. After your baby outgrows his swaddler, he'll be ready for a regular sleep sack, a wearable blanket that goes over a regular sleeper or diaper, with lots of leg room for stretching and kicking. Popular brands are the Halo SleepSack, which usually retails for $20 (and is recommended by the First Candle/SIDS Alliance, www.halosleep.com), the Back to Sleep Sack by Prince LionHeart ($21.99, www.princelionheart.com), and the BeddieBye wearable blanket by Kiddopotamus ($15 to $20, www.kiddopotamus.com). Look for flame-resistant fabric.
Crib skirt. It's not necessary, but it does add design flair to the crib and your baby's room.
