Shopping for baby bedding is one of the fun parts of getting a nursery ready. Matching quilts, bumpers and plush pillows look sweet in catalogs, but current safe-sleep guidance says a baby’s crib should be much simpler than that. The good news is that a safe crib is also easy to set up and easy to keep clean.
This post is general information, not medical advice. For the full guidance, read the AAP’s parent guide to safe sleep and the NIH’s Safe to Sleep campaign, and talk to your pediatrician about your baby.
Start with the crib and mattress
The AAP recommends a firm, flat sleep surface. A firm mattress shouldn’t indent when your baby lies on it, and the surface shouldn’t be inclined. Choose a crib, bassinet or play yard that meets current federal safety standards, and if you’re using a hand-me-down crib, check that it hasn’t been recalled and isn’t missing hardware.
The mattress should be made for that crib and fit snugly, with no gaps around the edges.
The fitted sheet is the only bedding you need
According to the AAP, a fitted sheet made for the crib mattress is the only bedding that belongs in the crib. Nothing else should be in there with your baby. When you shop for crib sheets:
- Check the size. Buy sheets made for your specific crib or bassinet mattress.
- Look for a snug fit with elastic all the way around, so the sheet can’t pull loose.
- Choose soft, breathable fabric such as cotton.
- Buy several. Spit-up and diaper leaks happen, and a spare sheet makes middle-of-the-night changes easier.
- Wash new sheets before use following the care label.
What to keep out of the crib
The AAP lists these items as unsafe in a baby’s sleep area, because they can raise the risk of suffocation, entrapment or strangulation:
- Pillows and pillow-like toys
- Quilts, comforters and loose blankets
- Bumper pads, including mesh bumpers and products that attach to crib slats or sides
- Mattress toppers and non-fitted sheets
- Stuffed toys
- Weighted blankets, weighted sleepers and weighted swaddles
That means many “crib bedding sets” sold with quilts and bumpers are better used as nursery decoration than as bedding. A pretty quilt can hang on the wall or drape over a rocking chair instead.
Keeping baby warm without blankets
Parents often worry that a baby without a blanket will be cold. The AAP suggests dressing your baby in layers or using a wearable blanket (often called a sleep sack). As a general guide, your baby needs only one more layer than you would wear to be comfortable in the same room.
Overheating is also a risk, so avoid hats indoors during sleep and don’t over-bundle. Signs your baby may be too warm include sweating or a hot chest.
Swaddling
Swaddling is fine if you like it, but the AAP notes that it doesn’t reduce the risk of SIDS. If you swaddle, always place your baby on their back, keep the swaddle loose enough at the hips and stop once your baby starts trying to roll over. Never use a weighted swaddle.
Back to sleep, every time
Place your baby on their back for every nap and at night. If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, swing or carrier, move them to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as you can. The AAP also recommends sharing a room with your baby, but not a bed, for at least the first six months.
Decorating the nursery safely
You can still make the nursery feel cozy and personal:
- Put color and pattern on the walls, curtains, rug and a chair throw instead of in the crib.
- Choose a sheet in a favorite print. It’s the one piece of bedding that gets seen every day.
- Keep mobiles and wall decor well out of reach, and keep cords from blinds or monitors away from the crib.
When can kids have pillows and blankets?
As children move from a crib to a toddler or twin bed, bedding needs change. Ask your pediatrician when your child is ready for a pillow and blanket. When the time comes, our guides to children’s bedding, choosing a pillow for your child and kids’ bedding can help.
FAQ
Are crib bumpers safe?
No. The AAP advises against bumper pads of any kind, including mesh bumpers, in a baby’s sleep area.
When can my baby sleep with a blanket?
Loose blankets are not recommended for babies. Use a wearable blanket instead, and ask your pediatrician when a regular blanket is appropriate for your child.
Do I need a mattress protector for the crib?
If you use one, choose a waterproof cover made for crib mattresses that fits tightly under the fitted sheet. Don’t add pads or toppers that make the surface softer.
How many crib sheets do I need?
Most families find three or more is practical, so there’s always a clean one ready.