You've got an idea of what you want your baby's room to look like, but what are the essentials needed for your baby bedding? Having a good grasp on exactly what's needed before you venture out to shop is crucial for an enjoyable experience.
Many parents journey into the world of infant bedding and quickly get overwhelmed or confused on what it is they exactly need.
Many messages are sent that will tell you, you "need" this or that, but which ones are true and which are a sales pitch? Let's make buying baby bedding essentials easy.
Let's start with the basics.
What are the bare bones of baby bedding? First, you need to know what crib you have purchased (color, size, positioning in the room, etc.
).
Next you'll need a crib mattress, crib sheets and a mattress pad.
Yes, a mattress pad is essential because it will preserve the life of your mattress for many years.
Without a mattress pad, you'll end up with countless baby accidents that leak into the mattress fibers.
It's yucky and unsanitary.
Nonetheless, just buy one.
Make your life easier by purchasing multiple crib sheets to avoid having laundry every day.
The crib sheets you purchase need to fit snug around your mattress to avoid the sheet from accidentally coming undone.
You also may want to purchase some blankets to use when your baby is a little older.
After you've bought these fundamental items, it's time to add the details to the canvas.
You'll want to follow the patterns and/or design of your baby bedding for the theme of the room.
Brainstorm ideas with friends and family of creative and inexpensive ways to decorate the baby's room.
Essential odds and ends are: crib bumper, curtains, diaper holder, shelving, picture frames, mirror, wall hangings, pillows and lighting (every baby needs a night light).
Keep it simple and creative.
You don't have to spend a ton of money when it comes to accessorizing the baby's room.
Remember, the baby bedding will be the focal point for the rest of the décor in the room.
When considering infant bedding remember to buy lightweight blankets.
You may want to purchase 100% organic cotton sheets and blankets due to the fact that they will provide better air flow.
Even the 50/50 organic sheets still restrict airflow so it is best to buy fully organic sheets.
Stay away from heavy blankets as they may overheat your baby and make them sweaty throughout the night.
Babies tend to sleep better in cooler temperatures anyway, so keep it cool.
The last essential item when choosing baby bedding is to research and read the consumer reviews before purchasing any product.
Many safety and comfort issues will either be proven or disproven by those who've "been there and done that.
" My wife and I have found customer reviews to be one of the primary influences when we are making any purchase.
Don't always believe the advertisements of the price tag; some expensive items turn out to be faulty in many areas.
Research is the best thing you can do for your own sanity and the comfort of your baby.
Take your time when putting your essential list together.
There's no rush so simply enjoy the process of learning and experiencing the moments you are having in preparation for your new baby.
Always remember that your baby will spend most of his or her new life in their crib so it's important to do your homework and make every purchase with confidence.