Confused about what to look for in a baby bedding set? Here you will find out about the basics and the extras–a list that covers all of the important criteria. After that, the design choice is up to you!

The most important thing is proper fit–you want the bumper pad to completely cover the inside perimeter of the crib, so there are no gaps that baby can get stuck in. Avoid inexpensive sets that will shrink after the first wash, and end up too short to go all the way around. This will result in having to pull hard on the bumper ties in an effort to stretch it, which often leads to pulling the ties off completely–not a good thing! A quality set may seem too large at first, but this is to compensate for the difference in size after washing.

Speaking of bumper ties, they should be sewn directly into the seams of the bumper pad…..not attached afterwards with bias tape–a practice commonly used that doubles as “trim.” The most common bedding failure is with the ties pulling off, and what good is a bumper with no ties? Those that are sewn inside the bumper pad seam have a much stronger attachment, while those simply added on the outside do not hold up well to the stress that baby will be putting on them!

Now about quilts–there is a lot of misinformation about the thicker comforters that come with quality bedding sets. What you need to know is this: Newborns should never be covered with a comforter–you will use receiving blankets and larger cotton baby blankets for the first months. During this time the bedding quilts are mostly for use outside of the crib, for example when placing your baby on the floor, sofa or other surface that you want to cover for cleanliness and comfort. Later on you can use the comforter in the crib, usually after baby is able to crawl and would not be in danger of suffocation. Some parents only use the bedding quilt as a wallhanging or crib decoration to preserve its beauty, while others find that baby becomes attached to it and wants to take it everywhere as their favorite “blankie.” If this happens, the quilt will be the piece that is washed most often, so be sure to buy one that will go the distance. It is very difficult to get baby to switch if it wears out too soon and you cannot get a replacement. So the recommendations for comforters are:

Be sure there is plenty of polyester fiberfill and that it is quilted with large stitching to hold it in place. (Small stitches can cut the filling and cause it to bunch up when washed.) Polyester is recommended both for ease of laundering, as well as maintaining its’s shape and fluffiness. Cotton batting may be available but is generally flat and tends to bunch up, leaving bare spots with only fabric and no filling. Sizes vary, but are generally wider and shorter than the crib mattress, so don’t worry if the quilt does not cover the entire length of the crib….this is normal.

Next the sheets–in baby bedding sets you should only find a bottom fitted sheet, since top sheets are not recommended for babies. This is to keep baby from getting tangled up and avoid possible suffocation. If you do have crib size top sheets, save them for later use on a toddler bed, for safety’s sake. As for the fitted sheets, they should fit tight–be sure to tuck them in well so that there is no extra fabric for baby to pull on.

Now that the top of the crib is covered, many people stop there since crib sets are often sold as just 3 pieces. However the dust ruffle (or crib skirt) is more than just for looks. Unless you have a youth bed where the mattress sits on a solid foundation, you should include the dust ruffle for a couple of reasons. First, it hides the mattress support from view–especially a toddler’s view. What they don’t see, they won’t be tempted to investigate. Most cribs incorporate a mattress support that involves springs, which can pinch little fingers or get caught in toddlers hair if they crawl under it….so a dust ruffle can help stave off their curiosity under the crib. The second reason for a dust ruffle has to do with those same mattress support springs–the springs are famous for ripping the fitted sheet when it’s edges get caught in them. A dust ruffle helps to avoid this by preventing the sheet from coming into contact with the springs. (It can also save your own fingers as well when making the bed!) So to avoid harming fingers as well as fitted sheets, get a set that includes the dust ruffle.

There you have the 4 basics of a complete crib set. The most common “extras” are the diaper stacker, pillow, window valance and mobile, so here are a few words about each and whether they are necessary.

The diaper stacker is very useful for saving space, whether you have a changing table or dresser. The dressing station will fill up fast with all of babies clothes and necessities, so most people find the diaper stacker is a necessity they didn’t know they needed. Handy and convenient, it can hang almost anywhere and keep the diapers within reach no matter what room you spend time in.

The pillow is to be used as an accent only, at least until baby is 1-2 years old. Before then, remove it from the crib whenever baby is in it.

Sometimes a crib bedding set includes a window valance, however this may or may not be worth paying extra for. First of all, many nurseries have more than one window, or a larger window than one valance can cover…so unless you can buy more valances separately, one may be useless. Second, a valance is only a topper, made to go over curtains or blinds. You may not want that particular window treatment, especially for the long term. If you change the nursery bedding in a few years, you will need to do the windows over again as well. Many people opt for a more neutral window treatment that can be used throughout the growing years, as a child’s room encounters many changes.

Finally, the musical mobile. These are a popular option for many bedding designs, but usually a relatively expensive item considering their short lifespan. If you choose to buy one, keep in mind that they must be removed from the crib at about 4-5 months when baby can push up and begin to make contact with it. Make sure the support is made in such as way that it cannot harm the crib’s surface, nor be broken if baby should grab it and pull hard. Also check the safety of the components for small parts, just in case….if baby did get manage to reach or break it, it should be child friendly.

A final word about design, since you will discover an endless supply of themes and patterns available. While the choices may seem daunting, you can narrow the field considerably by eliminating those that will not be appropriate in a year or two, or three…when baby is a toddler and is becoming a little person! Rather than buying several bedding sets before your baby is school age, you can be more selective and choose one that you would still enjoy for your little girl or boy. With this option, you might want to avoid actual patterns or themes on the main bedding itself. By keeping the background neutral, you are free to accessorize in any way you want, over and over again, without the initial bedding expense. This is a common tactic used by many designers–especially on big-ticket items like sofas, bedding and drapes. When you want a change, simply replace the accents and you have a whole new look! As an added benefit of designing with solids or neutrals, the result is more restful and conducive to sleeping–which is what the crib is really all about, right?

Now that you have an understanding of what distinguishes a good crib set from a not-so-good one, let your imagination run wild! Create your dream nursery with confidence, knowing you are making your baby’s first room into a magical place–one in which many precious memories will be made.

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Bedding sets that meet the above standards may be found at Heavenly Babies eBay store: Baby crib bedding sets