Welcoming a new baby into the world is an incredibly rewarding experience for any mother, but it also requires a great deal of work. From feeding and diaper changes to tracking immunization records, there are many things that new moms must learn quickly. One essential consideration is selecting the right baby bedding for the new arrival.

According to Dr. Mark Brandenburg, safety is the top priority when choosing baby bedding for infants. In fact, safety should be the first, second, and third consideration. This means that selecting appropriate baby bedding is critical for the comfort and safety of the baby.

When selecting baby bedding, it is important to ensure that it is neither too hard nor too soft. In the past, soft baby bedding was linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Infants can suffocate if their mattress is too soft, and their nose and mouth become covered. This results in the infant breathing in carbon dioxide rather than oxygen, which can lead to drowsiness, coma, or even death.

There are many different styles and makes of baby beds to choose from, including bassinets, cribs, and cradles. Each type of bed has unique features that must be considered when selecting baby bedding.

A bassinet is an oblong-shaped basket or sometimes a round bassinet that serves as a bed for infants. Cribs, on the other hand, are beds with high side bars that provide added safety for babies and young children. Cribs are also typically more economical since they can be used from infancy to two years old. Cradles are small low beds with rockers that infants can use to be rocked to sleep.

When selecting baby bedding, it is important to ensure that the bedding fits the sleeping equipment properly to prevent accidents or other problems.

Bassinets are typically lacey and have lots of trimmings, so it is important to select bedding that fits the bassinet properly and provides enough space for the baby to roll from side to side.

Cribs are typically square, and mattresses can be fitted to the size of the crib. The bedding usually includes a coverlet and small pillows, but it is important to limit the number of pillows to no more than two or three to prevent the baby from standing on them and falling over.

Cradles come in various sizes and shapes, and the bedding should be selected to fit the cradle’s unique shape.

When selecting baby bedding, cotton is the most suitable material because it absorbs and is cool to the baby’s skin. Different designs can be used to stimulate the baby’s color and pattern recognition.

Ultimately, baby bedding is a critical factor in keeping the baby happy and healthy, so it is important to select it carefully. While any of the three types of baby beds can be used, most parents prefer cribs because they can be used for a longer period.