The Best Crib Sheets for Your Baby’s Skin

Buying Guide: Crib Sheets

Being bombarded by parenting advice? Wading through the onslaught of confusing recommendations can be nerve-wracking. From feeding methods to the right wall colors for your baby’s nursery, newbie parents have a ton to process. Naturally, not all advice is worth your consideration and some isn’t even asked for. Since you’re surfing the internet looking for a quality crib sheet, we’ve put together this buying guide to help you pick the very best on the market.

Factors That Make Crib Sheets Worth It

Material

The right covers for your newborn’s mattress should be made of a soft and lightweight texture. While thicker sheets are tempting in that they partially protect against liquids from seeping through, don’t bother. Smooth cotton is the way to go! Or better yet, buy the organic variety instead. Both are super breathable and keep your baby’s sweat levels in check during the summer.

Elastic edges

Deep pockets aren’t enough on their own. For crib sheets to truly remain in place, all edges should have elastic rims. Rest assured, scrunched hems are incredibly convenient — they’re great at preventing air pockets, wrinkles, and folds. So, when it comes to buying for newborns who love to toss and turn, nothing beats a secure sheet that refuses to budge.

Texture

The phrase ‘as soft as a baby’s bottom’ wasn’t coined for no reason. Texture is everything; unfortunately, even the most visually appealing crib sheets can feel extremely abrasive against the skin. This is usually because manufacturers sometimes add a stiffening agent to prevent wrinkling. And that’s the last thing you want!

Old-fashioned cotton gets the job done perfectly. Similarly, it’s best to stay away from sheets with embroidered patches. While they look great, they’re extremely discomforting and can trap germs. Don’t reach for those deceivingly attractive embroidered crib sheets on the shelves. You’ll wish you didn’t!

Maintenance

Keeping your baby’s surroundings clean isn’t just important, it’s necessary. Newborns are vulnerable to all sorts of bacteria and viruses. No parent wants to see their child sick, which is why cleaning their crib sheets ranks at the top of the list.

That said, buy fabric that’s too delicate and you’re forced to hand wash the covers. Machine washability and dryer friendliness should be a given. To check whether a product you like is safe for the washer, review the item details and sift through buyer feedback.

Are Organic Crib Sheets Worth the Price Tag?

Organic is no longer a word, it’s a phenomenon that’s taken over the world. A vast majority of people recognize the label in the context of food or skincare, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re wondering why organic crib sheets are a thing in the 21st century, brace yourself.

Cotton grown organically has drastically lesser pesticides when compared to the generic variety. Further, it’s much more eco-friendly due to lower water consumption as well as carbon dioxide emissions.

The only drawback? Organic crib sheets are pricier because they’re better for your baby. No matter how many times you wash their bedding, the chances of your newborn breathing in nasty chemicals cannot be eliminated with non-organic cotton.

Crib Sheets With or Without Padding

Padded crib sheets can add a buoyant feel to a hard mattress. So, if the crib mattress you own needs all the help it can get, it’s a good idea to invest in the padded types. But beware of the side effects of these sheets. Not only are padded crib sheets harder to clean, but they’re also prone to germ build-up. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll be dealing with smelly bedding that irritates your baby’s skin.

On the other hand, non-padded crib sheets don’t do much other than cover a mattress, but this isn’t a big deal. In general, your goal should be to buy a soft mattress instead of relying on padded sheets.

Flat Crib Sheets vs. Fitted Crib Sheets

Just like adult beds are either covered in flat or fitted sheets, cribs are no different. If you’re stuck between the two, go with fitted sheets, no questions asked.

A flat sheet tends to come loose and bunch up easily — you certainly don’t want to spend time tidying up your baby’s bed every other hour. Most importantly, flat crib sheets are fairly prone to wrinkles, which cause discomfort.

Why Crib Sheet Size Is So Important

One would think that a crib is the safest space for a baby. Unfortunately, it’s not! Cribs can quickly turn into a hazard when they’re covered in a sheet that’s too big. Although this doesn’t sound very believable, all it takes is a few twists to tangle a child in the folds. The only way to prevent this is by investing in premium quality sheets of the right size.

So, before you start shopping, measure your bassinet or crib. Then, check the product details to make sure the dimensions match. To top it off, look for deep pockets; this nifty feature is a godsend, especially for newbie parents who barely get any sleep!