When you're preparing for your new baby, one of the most exciting preparations is decorating your baby's nursery. The easiest, most effective way to decorate a nursery is to start with the crib bedding and go from there. The baby bedding you choose can inspire the decor of the entire nursery. This baby bedding buying guide will help you figure out how to buy baby bedding that will best meet your needs.
Crib bedding is a great place to start when you're searching for inspiration in your nursery decor. Once you have the bedding, you can easily decide what color to paint the walls or which wallpaper to choose as well as which themed accessories to buy, such as mobiles, toys, window treatments and rugs.
Most crib bedding is themed, and the themes vary widely from traditional pastels to modern color schemes to brightly colored character themes. There is a wide selection of gender neutral and gender specific options, plus every matching nursery accessory you can imagine, so you can often decorate an entire nursery with one crib set.
Baby bedding commonly comes in a set, although you sometimes have the option of picking and choosing which components you want and purchasing pieces individually instead of as a set. A baby bedding set can include everything from the minimum -- fitted sheet and a comforter -- to the maximum -- fitted sheet, comforter, crib skirt, wall hangings, diaper stacker, window valance, crib bumper, mobile and more. You may not want or need everything that comes in a comprehensive baby crib set package, so even though you may end up paying a little more buying it piecemeal, it's nice to only buy the things you need.
Sheets: Unlike adult bedding, baby bedding typically doesn't include a flat sheet, only a fitted sheet. Fitted crib sheets usually come in a standard crib size, but if you're using a non-conventional crib or an older crib, you may want to measure the size of the mattress before you go shopping. You should make sure that your fitted crib sheet fits your crib mattress like a second skin. It should not be loose or bunchy. If you receive fitted crib sheets as a gift at a baby shower, do not use them unless they fit your mattress.
Comforter: Baby comforters and baby blankets are great for decoration and can add a lot to the look of your nursery, but remember to always take the comforter out of the crib before laying your baby down to sleep or nap. The same goes for all soft bedding such as throw blankets, pillows or stuffed animals. It's much safer for babies to sleep without a comforter or blanket. Allowing your baby to sleep in a crib with lots of soft bedding and stuffed animals is a dangerous suffocation hazard, so soft bedding and plush toys should only be used decoratively.
Crib bumpers: Crib bumpers are oblong pillows that tie to the bars of your crib along the inner walls. Crib bumpers are there to prevent your baby from rolling into the hard walls of the crib and being bumped or bruised. Like other forms of soft bedding, crib bumpers can be dangerous hazards when not used properly. If you choose to use crib bumpers, make sure they're as thin, breathable and mesh-like as possible to reduce the risk of suffocation. When your baby gets big enough to stand up in his crib by himself, then it's time to take out the crib bumpers as they can be used as a stepping stool for your baby to climb over the side of the crib.
Wall hangings: You will find that most wall hangings included in crib sets are made of quilted fabric in shapes or forms to match the theme of the set. These soft, quilted pieces of artwork are a much safer option than hanging a framed piece of art or other heavy object over the crib. If you do hang artwork or other heavy objects on the walls of your baby's nursery, make sure they are always securely hung with the help of a stud finder and they are never hung above the crib. If you choose not to use wall hangings but you don't want a bare wall behind your crib, stenciling a design onto the wall with paints is a crafty and creative alternative that adds a personal touch.
Crib skirt: A crib skirt gives your entire nursery that completed look. Crib skirts are especially nice if you opt for minimal crib dressings. Visually, a crib skirt can be a good alternative to a crib bumper. Crib skirts are a safer option than crib bumpers for creating a cozy, inviting look without the suffocation hazard.
Mobiles: Babies spend a lot of time in their cribs looking up at the ceiling, so don't forget to give them something to look at. Hanging a mobile over the crib is a great way to add a finishing touch to your nursery decor while at the same time giving your baby something entertaining to focus on. Make sure you hang the mobile high enough that your baby can't reach it but not so high that he can't see it. Painting or stenciling the ceiling is another great idea for decorating the nursery as well as exciting your baby's active imagination.
Window valances: Window valances let you bring the crib decor up to the windows. You could even use a window valance to decorate a closet door. Most crib sets only come with one window valance, so if your nursery has multiple windows, you will need to purchase extra valances separately. Make sure to check the measurements of the valance before buying, so you don't end up with something unusable.
Diaper stacker: Some baby bedding sets come with a matching diaper stacker that can be tied to the side of the crib or the changing table. If you choose to tie the diaper stacker to the side of the crib, make sure to remove it when your baby gets big enough to stand in the crib and is able to access the diaper stacker.
Mattress pad: Most baby bedding sets do not come with a mattress pad, but it is recommended that you buy a couple of mattress pads to protect your crib mattress from unavoidable accidents. Your mattress pad should be no more than one inch thick and should fit snuggly under your fitted sheet.
The safest way for your baby to sleep is flat on his or her back on a bare, fitted sheet. The crib should be free of blankets, pillows, bumpers or plush toys. To keep your baby warm and cozy through the night without a blanket, dress your baby comfortably and warmly. Footed pajamas or sleep sacks are great alternatives for keeping your baby warm without blankets, comforters or overdressing.
How do I know what size of fitted sheet to buy for my baby's crib?
If you're not sure if your crib mattress is the "standard size," measure the thickness, length and width of the mattress before you go shopping. A standard size crib mattress is 51 5/8-inches long by 27-1/4 inches wide by 5 1/2-inches thick.
What is SIDS?
SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is the unexplained death of an infant under one year of age while sleeping. To reduce the risk of SIDS, babies should be laid to sleep on their backs in a crib without blankets, pillows or toys. Adult beds are not safe for infants, so you should not allow your baby to sleep in your bed with you. Falling asleep with your baby on the couch or in a chair should also be avoided. Do not overdress your baby for sleeping. A baby's skin is very sensitive to temperature, and overheating increases the risk of SIDS. Tobacco smoke increases the risk of SIDS. Always avoid exposing your baby to tobacco smoke whether in your own home and car or someone else's. Respiratory and gastrointestinal infections increase the risk of SIDS, so you should avoid exposing your infant to crowds, unwashed hands and people sick with cold or flu as much as possible. Breast feeding whenever possible is recommended for decreasing the risk of SIDS. Breast milk is known to decrease the occurrence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.
Can I use my crib mattress for a toddler bed later down the road?
In most cases, yes, you can. A standard size crib mattress will fit most standard toddler beds, so you won't have to purchase a whole new mattress when your baby graduates to a big boy or girl bed. If you want to save yourself even more time and money, start planning ahead now and consider purchasing convertible baby furniture that will grow with your baby. For example, you could buy a crib that converts into a toddler bed and a diaper changing station that converts into a desk. To extend the life of your nursery even more, choose a paint color that matches your chosen crib bedding but will also grow with your child. Pale creamy yellows and sage greens are good choices for gender neutral nursery themes while slate blue or lavender are nice gender specific choices.
Baby crib mattress pad
Baby bedding is easy to clean up after an accident; just throw it in the washing machine. Unfortunately, you cannot throw your crib mattress in the wash when it gets dirty. To extend the life of your baby's crib mattress, protect it with a washable, soft, plush, waterproof mattress pad. Mattress pads aren't just for baby cribs; you can protect any mattress in your home with a mattress pad. Mattress pads don't just protect your mattress from liquids and accidents; they also protect your mattress from skin flakes, bacteria and dust mites. Overstock.com has a large selection of mattress pads to fit every bed or crib in your home. You can even use a mattress pad on a couch underneath your couch cover to protect it from occasional pet accidents. Furniture is a big investment. Protect it with a high-quality and inexpensive mattress pad from Overstock.com.
Convertible baby crib
A convertible baby crib can last your baby from infancy through childhood. A convertible crib has adjustable mattress levels to grow with your baby and keep him or her safe from climbing out. When your baby becomes a toddler, the convertible crib becomes a toddler bed with safety rails. And finally, when your toddler is ready for a big boy or girl bed, the convertible crib becomes a day bed or twin bed. A convertible crib saves you money, and when you buy your convertible crib from Overstock.com, you save even more with our lower-than-retail prices and extra-low shipping rates. Come check out our great selection of cribs and baby furniture today.
Convertible baby changing table
Like a convertible crib, a convertible changing table saves you money on furnishing your baby's nursery. When your baby outgrows diapers and no longer needs a changing table, your convertible changing table becomes a desk perfect for craft time. And the diaper storage drawers become the perfect place to keep toys or clothes. Overstock.com has a great selection of baby changing tables to add convenience and versatility to your nursery.
