Select the Baby Bedding That’s Right for You
There are a lot of new parents who like the looks of baby bedding and go on to purchase it without even considering its functionality. This is unfortunate because this is not the way in which you should go about purchasing baby bedding. Instead, your baby’s safety and comfort should be first and foremost on your list. So, whenever you begin shopping for make sure you keep in mind those things that you should not do, which 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. Do not buy baby bedding that is soft. It should actually be firm instead. This is because soft baby bedding has been listed as a leading cause of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) because it can suffocate your baby.
4. Do not stuff your baby’s crib full of cushions or too many other items. In fact, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) will tell you that pillows, cushions and other soft items should not be left in your crib while your baby is sleeping.
5. Make sure that you do not use bumper pads because, according to the AARP, this increases your baby’s risk of dying from SIDs. If you choose to ignore this and use bumper pads anyway, at least make sure that they are not soft and bulky and that you securely attach them to the crib and 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.
Knowing what baby’s should not have whenever it comes to baby bedding should make you feel more knowledgeable about what to purchase for inside of your baby’s bed. This should make you feel safe and secure whenever you do go shopping.
