How-To

-Ideas for Great Baby Rooms, Sunset

The linens available for cribs today are so lively and appealing that they can easily serve as the foundation for a nursery’s decor. In fact, many companies offer everything from lamp shades to height-measuring sticks to stencil patterns that coordinate with their bedding lines. The trick is to rein yourself in and be sure your choices are safe and sensible.

The basics
What exactly do you need, and what should you look for? On the minimalist end, you will need three or four crib sheets and a few light crib blankets. A bumper isn't really necessary, and should be taken out of the crib as soon as the baby is sitting or pulling up, usually by around five or six months. Sheets should be generously cut to allow for shrinkage, as too-small sheets can slip off the mattress and entangle the baby. For the same reason, they should have good-quality elastic all around, not just on the corners. Make sure the sheet fits snugly and remains tucked under at all times. Cotton, knit, or flannel–it's up to you, but put baby’s safety and comfort first.

The best crib blankets aren't the fluffy comforters sold in many bedding sets. In fact, because of the more than 1,000 crib deaths per year associated with suffocation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends keeping fluffy bedding, pillows, and stuffed animals, out of the crib altogether for the first year. (Comforters often end up being used on the floor or hung on the wall as decoration.) Temperature-appropriate pajamas or sleepers are the best covering, but if you must use a blanket, choose one that is lightweight and loosely woven, and tuck it under the mattress so that it covers only up to the infant’s chest. Make sure your baby’s head remains uncovered while sleeping.