Select the Baby Bedding That’s Right for You
Oftentimes new parents choose baby bedding based upon its looks instead of its functionality. Unfortunately, this is not the way in which baby bedding should be chosen. Instead, a baby’s safety and comfort should be thought of first and foremost. When you begin thinking in this way, you will find that there are some things that you really should not do. This includes:
1. Make sure that you never ignore your baby’s safety. While this is not something that you would willingly do, you should know that the government has actually established some safety rules that you should follow. These include making sure that your crib has no sharp corners, flimsy wheels or slats that are more than 2.5 inches apart. This does not mean that you cannot purchase a used crib but you do need to make sure that these rules are adhered to.
2. Make sure that you never use any bedding material that your baby could possibly be allergic to. You should stick to using wool, cotton or other types of baby-friendly synthetic material.
3. You should not use soft baby bedding. Your baby’s bedding should actually be firm. This is important since soft baby bedding has been listed as a leading cause for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
4. You should not place a lot of cushions, pillows or other items into your baby’s crib. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) says that this is especially true whenever your baby is sleeping.
5. Do not use bumper pads. Again, the AAP recommends that these also increase your baby’s risk of SIDS. If you are still stuck on the idea of using bumper pads, then make sure that they are not soft or bulky, that they are properly attached to the crib and that you cut off any extra string.
6. Do not use rubber sheets. While it use to be quite popular for parents t cover their baby’s mattress to ensure that it would remain dry, it is now widely believed that rubber sheets will irritate your baby’s skin. Instead of using these rubber sheets, use flannel-lined mattress pads instead. These are specifically designed to keep things dry without irritating your baby’s skin.
Now that you know what you should not buy for your baby, you can feel safe and secure in going shopping for those things that you should purchase for your baby. Happy shopping!
About the Author:
Since retiring from working as a nanny over the course of the past 10 years, Suzanne Browne is now working to teach parents and other nannies on how to safely raise babies. For more information on baby decorations check out her websites.