Parents are eager to prepare their nurseries for the arrival of their newest children, and rarely consider the safety hazards that may come with new baby bedding. Color schemes and comforters can take up a lot of time and effort, but those items can pose a threat to your baby; here’s how you can keep your child’s crib good-looking, safe, and comfortable at the same time.
When choosing baby bedding, you really only need fitted sheets and light weight receiving blankets. Your set of baby bedding may include a cute little comforter, but your baby shouldn’t need it until close to his or her second birthday. Never cover an infant (0-12 months) with a heavy blanket because not only will your child overheat during slumber but it is also a suffocation hazard.
It is not always necessary to use heavy blankets in a nursery. Keep in mind the room temperature in order to maintain a cozy setting and in the summer dress the baby in outfits that are made of breathable fabrics and warmer outfits during cold months.
If bumpers come with the baby bedding you pick out, get rid of them because they’re not safe, 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. Beautiful as they may appear, bumpers are not good at all, either for baby girl or for boy nursery bedding.
When your child is ready to sleep in a crib all night, remove all of the stuffed pillows and blankets; even though they’re cute, they do pose a risk of choking. It is all right for a child to play with toys in his crib as long as someone is watching him, but when it is time for them to go to sleep all toys need to be removed.
Crib bedding can make a nursery look wonderful, but the pillows and comforters should be used as decorative items only, because they are not safe to have in your child’s crib. Don’t go overboard when it comes to baby bedding; speak to your child’s doctor if you have even the slightest doubt about a product.
Allowing your child to choose new pillows, sheets, and comforters for their toddler bed is an excellent way to celebrate this childhood milestone.
