Baby Crib Bedding: Must-know Tips For New Parents

A Friendly Guide to Picking the Right Baby Crib Bedding Without the Overwhelm

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Isn’t this the most exciting part of decorating the nursery?

You could go through seas of catalog pictures of divine baby bedding sets; look them up online; visit baby specialty stores. You can never tire of looking at them. This truly is one of the FUN activities.

But (yeah…there is always a BUT, isn’t there?) you do need to keep things in perspective.

As a first time parent, there are bound to be several things you do not realize the importance of, until after the baby has arrived. It just does not matter how many babies you have seen or the amount of advice you may be receiving. There’s something magical about imagining your little one curled up in a cozy crib with adorable bedding that matches your nursery theme. It’s easy to get swept up in all the cuteness.

Nothing will put things in perspective like a healthy dose of baby reality. (Believe me...I have been there!)  

The fact that you’re doing your homework now means you’re already making great decisions for your baby.

1. Stick to a Realistic Budget

Baby crib bedding manufacturers offer a multitude of items including sheets, comforter/blanket, pillow, crib skirt, bumper pads, diaper stacker, making it easy to fall in love with themed crib bedding sets. You need to be realistic. Know your budget (check our page on the Basic Rules) and what you really need.

Your budget matters, especially with so many upcoming baby-related expenses like diapers, clothes, and medical bills. Decide what you truly need when it comes to baby crib bedding. Hint: It’s probably less than what’s included in that five-piece luxury set.

🛑 Safety tip: If you decide to invest in crib bumpers, comforters, and pillows—don't pile any in the crib - they’re not recommended for infants due to the risk of suffocation. Babies sleep safest on a firm mattress with just a fitted crib sheet.

💡 Pro tip: Can’t part with that adorable quilt? Hang it on the wall as part of your nursery decor or drape it over a chair—it’s still part of the theme without going in the crib.

2. Baby Bedding sets vs. Separates

Crib bedding sets seem to be all the rage. Getting everything that ties-in your theme in one go really does seem like a good option and saves you time too.

There are reasons why you might want to go for separates though. For one, your budget may not allow any extravagances (after all, you have to keep in mind other baby related necessary expenses such as medical bills, diapers etc.). For another, comforter, pillow and even bumper pads are unnecessary and should not be kept in the crib anyways.

At the bare minimum, focus on fitted crib sheets, waterproof mattress protectors, lightweight, breathable materials

These essentials go a long way. Remember, you’ll likely be doing laundry more often than you think, so it’s better to have multiples of the basics.

(Tip: The quilt could be used as themed wall décor and pillows turn into instant stuffed toys on the floor for the baby)

3. Buy Soft Sheets that are Machine Washable

You could opt for luxury or discounted baby crib bedding depending on your budget. In either case, you should make sure that the sheets and other crib bedding that touch baby's skin is very soft. Baby skin is delicate, so always opt for soft, breathable fabrics like 100% cotton or organic cotton for crib sheets. 

See our Buying Guide on Child Bed Sheets. Choose baby crib sheets that are machine washable (you won’t have time for hand-washing or spot-treating).

🧼 Look for sheets labeled as pre-washed, hypoallergenic, and free from harsh dyes or chemicals. If your baby has sensitive skin or allergies, organic bedding is worth considering.

4. Snug and Secure Crib Sheets

Most modern cribs follow standard sizing, but it’s still smart to measure your mattress before purchasing crib sheets. A proper fit is essential—no loose sheets or excess fabric, which can pose a safety hazard.

It's imperative for your baby's safety the sheets must fit the crib mattress snugly. For extra security, clip elastic straps to the crib sheet under the mattress to hold the sheet in place.

5. Extra Sheets...Yes please!

We have covered this point before, but this is one of those "learn the hard way" parenting truths—you can never have too many crib sheets. Spit-up, diaper blowouts, and late-night leaks will happen, and the last thing you want is to run out of clean bedding at 2 a.m.

Having plenty of crib sheets will ensure clean sheets available at all times (you can’t imagine what a stress-buster this can be!). Just ensure that the extra crib sheets are in colors that match the overall theme. Simple neutral solids would work very well too.

Aim for at least 3–4 fitted crib sheets and a couple of mattress protectors to rotate through. Neutral solids are easy to mix and match with your nursery theme.

Tip: Buying a mattress protector to put under the crib sheet keeps the crib mattress dry, clean and in longer use.

6. When Should You Purchase?

If you are ordering online or the store does not stock the baby crib bedding you have chosen, it could take up to 12 weeks from the date you place your order to receive it.

Place your order well before the 12 week deadline to give you time to check that the size and quality are exactly what you had asked for…and just in case you need to re-order.

7. Think Long-Term Use

Consider the answer carefully before purchasing the baby crib bedding set. Many toddler beds use the same mattress size as cribs, so choosing quality baby crib bedding can be a great investment. If you plan to reuse the bedding for a future sibling or keep the theme into toddlerhood, consider durability and timeless patterns.

If you love the challenge of switching up your baby's nursery decor, or you don't intend to use a toddler bed, affordable basics or budget-friendly options are totally fine too.

8. Colors and Patterns. Finally, we can have fun!

We could hardly wait to get to this point! Let your creativity shine through.

The baby crib bedding is where you can add those splashes of bold colors. Bright reds, oranges, sunny yellows...or simply black and white! Get creative here. For patterns, knowing the gender of the baby would be a big help (if you plan to go traditional).

Else geometric or organic shapes such as polka dots, patchwork squares are more popular today. Choose fun colors and patterns that will stimulate your baby’s mind and senses.

Experts recommend gender-neutral baby crib bedding so you can use the same for the next baby down the line. But hey! Wouldn’t you like to buy some new sheets for the new baby? The older sheets can be kept as keepsake, used for emergencies or donated.

The colors and theme you choose for the baby nursery reflect your personality. Go with your own vision of what the nursery should look like, even if it clashes the pre-set notions of others. It has to be a room that you will be comfortable in…for you will be spending endless hours here.

We mentioned standard size cribs and crib sheets above. But what if you have a round crib or a portable crib or even a cradle? And what about the latest craze…organic bedding? We will shed light on some of these non-standard issues too.

If you’re keeping the gender a surprise, geometric prints, stripes, polka dots, or nature-inspired motifs are all beautiful and versatile.

🌿 Eco-conscious tip: If you're going for a sustainable nursery, look for baby crib bedding made from organic materials with certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX®.

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