When you have a baby on the way, you need to ensure you have the necessary products prepared! Not only that, but you need to make sure that the products are of excellent quality for the safety and security of your little one.
It can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you have friends, family, and other parents chipping in and informing your decision-making. While they can be well-meaning, they can lead to a lot of confusion and stress.
But we are here to help! One of the products you may have heard being discussed is crib sheets. You may not know what a crib sheet is, how many you need, and if they’re really necessary for your baby.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about crib sheets, including if they’re necessary, how many you need, what sort of crib sheets to look out for, and more!
What Are Crib Sheets?
The answer to this question is simple! Crib sheets are lightweight, breathable sheets you place over your baby’s mattress. They help you keep your baby safe and comfortable while sleeping in a crib.
It’s important that a baby sleeps on a clean surface. This will prevent them from getting sick or having an accident.
Crib sheets come in many different designs and colors. They can be made of cotton, polyester, bamboo, and other materials.
Some have a soft feel while others are more firm. You should also choose one that fits well with the design of your nursery.
Are Crib Sheets Necessary?
Placing blankets, pillows, and other soft items into your baby’s crib are advised against by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This is because they pose a significant risk to your baby of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
However, while it is better to keep your little one’s sleeping arrangements simple, it is important that their crib is not totally bare.
Crib sheets are recommended for your baby’s crib, along with a firm mattress and a waterproof mattress pad. These items promote proper breathing and reduce the chance of SIDS.
How Many Fitted Sheets Do You Need For A Crib?
This totally depends! Newborn babies are likely to create a lot of laundry for you, from burp cloths to their spit-ups.
It will surprise you how much dirty washing can accumulate from your little one within a short space of time. You may find yourself needing to do frequent laundry washes so the clothes in the basket doesn’t pile up.
So, if you’re the type of person that does a lot of weekly washing, you have a lot of opportunities in the week to wash the crib sheet multiple times, which means that you may need less of them.
However, if you like to space out the days between washing the dirty laundry, you will need more! It is a good idea to have an extra sheet or two, to ensure you won’t run out in between wash days.
As a general rule, we recommend three sets of fitted sheets. This is more than enough for your baby to sleep on fresh, clean crib sheets and accommodate a variety of laundry lifestyles.
However, if you feel like your baby has frequent leaks or spit-ups, it may be worth getting five different crib sheets.
Generally, the number of crib sheets you have is totally up to you, but it can never hurt to have spare sheets!
What Is The Best Way To Use A Crib Sheet?
Similar to a normal bedsheet, a crib sheet is placed over your baby’s mattress. When you fit the sheet on the mattress, make sure it covers the entire area.
If there is any space left uncovered, then the airflow may not be sufficient. This could lead to overheating or coldness, and the risk of suffocation or SIDS.
How Often Should You Change Crib Sheets?
The minimum you should be changing your little one’s crib sheet is 1-2 times a week. However, if your baby has had any kind of accident in their crib, then the sheets should be changed immediately.
It is important to note that crib sheets are not the only part of a crib that needs frequent changing.
You will also need to purchase waterproof mattress protectors. Often, the mattress itself will say it is waterproof, but it is always better to use a mattress protector.
This is because it guarantees waterproof protection, and will help to increase the long-term usage of the mattress. It also helps to ease cleanups when accidents do occur.
How Many Waterproof Crib Pads Do You Need?
We would recommend having a minimum of two waterproof crib pads – and using one as a backup for the other.
How Do I Know Which Crib Sheets Are Best?
While there are many adorable crib sheets out there, you have to choose the sheets that will work the best.
While it is nice to have pretty or fun crib sheets, when it comes to safety and comfort, it is necessary that they are fully functional.
Here are the top things we look for when it comes to a crib sheet!
Snug-fitting – this ensures there is no loose fabric that can get in your little one’s face as they sleep. This reduces the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
Open-weave – open-weaved crib sheets allow for great airflow. Open-weaved crib sheets are also often softer to touch, so they are more comfortable for your baby.
Muslin – There are some other great fabrics for crib sheets, but we recommend using muslin! Muslin is a temperate fabric and a breathable material, making it safer for your little one because it reduces the risk of SIDS or suffocation.
Our favorite crib sheets are Newton Baby Crib Sheets. This brand has the necessary qualities outlined above. They’re snug and made from a breathable fabric. They would make an excellent choice for your little one’s crib! These sheets also come in colors or patterns, so you can choose something decorative as well as functional! And, they’re machine washable!
You can find Newton Baby Crib Sheets by clicking the link here.
If you’re looking for an alternative, then you can try these crib sheets.
What Size Crib Sheet Will You Need?
The size of the crib sheets you’ll need depends entirely on the size of the crib you have! There are two crib sheet sizes:
Standard Crib Sheets: Generally, standard crib sheets will measure 52 by 28 inches.
Mini Crib Sheets: Mini crib sheets will typically measure 24 by 38 inches.
So, to work out the size you’ll need, it is a good idea to measure the size of your little one’s mattress and check that against the size of the crib sheet you’re thinking of purchasing.
This helps you make an informed decision, and buy the best crib sheets for your baby.
It is important that you double-check the measurements of the crib sheets you’re going to invest in because sizes can differ depending on the company.
Final Thoughts
Crib sheets are an important part of your little one’s crib. Generally, a lot of people say that the number of crib sheets that you need depends on how much washing you do a week.
If you do more washing, you will need fewer crib sheets. However, we always recommend purchasing a minimum of three sets of crib sheets, because it is always good to know you have spares, so your baby can instantly have fresh sheets in case of an emergency or accident.
Not only should you have additional sheets, but the sheets you have need to be of excellent quality to ensure the crib safety of your little one.
Crib sheets should be comfortable, breathable, and snug-fitting. This should come before any decorative pattern or theme (although, you can find many patterned crib sheets that fit the criteria above!)
We hope this article provided all the information you needed to know about crib sheets!
Carly Link, a 33-year old mother of two toddlers. She is a parent and goes through a lot of the usual parenting difficulties herself. Carly shares all her experiences and knowledge about the best baby products through this blog.
