When parents are readying their nursery for their new bundle of joy, they might not even think about safety issues associated with baby bedding. It's very easy to get caught up in cute comforters and matching colors; never thinking that those same items may be dangerous, so here are some tips to ensure that your baby's crib is a safe and comfortable space, while still looking stylish.
When choosing baby bedding, you really only need fitted sheets and light weight receiving blankets. You can choose a set that comes with a cute comforter, but chances are you won't even need it until your child is around 2. When your child is an infant (0-12 months), you should never cover the child in a heavy blanket, because this is a suffocation hazard as well a surefire way for your child to overheat in his or her sleep. Instead of using heavy blankets, pay attention to the temperature in the nursery to keep the room comfortable and for clothing, use lightweight onesies in the summer and thicker sleepers or wearable blankets in the winter.
If the baby bedding you choose comes with matching bumpers, throw them away, because bumpers are not safe to have in the crib with an infant and have been linked to SIDS. When your child is old enough to climb on things, crib bumpers can also offer your child the boost he or she needs to get out of their crib. They make look really cute, but bumpers are nothing but a bad idea, with both baby girl and baby boy bedding.
Once you are ready for your child to spend the night in a crib, make sure all stuffed animals and pillows are removed, because these are also a suffocation hazard, no matter how cute they might be. As long as you are supervising, a child can play with toys in the crib, but as soon as those droopy eyes begin to close, make sure all toys are somewhere far out of reach.
Crib bedding can really add a wonderful touch to a child's nursery, but please remember that matching comforters and pillows are just for looks; they are not a functional or safe choice for your infant's bed. Keep infant bedding to a minimum, and if you're not sure about something, ask your pediatrician for advice. Once your child is ready for a toddler bed, then pillow and comforters become appropriate, so you have a lot more freedom in how you can decorate the bed - but just remember that by then, it may be your child who is making the decisions!