Baby bedding: To promote sleep, and growth

Good quality baby bedding is one of the most important things that keeps a baby healthy. Babies grow faster when they sleep, so having a good night’s sleep is essential for the baby’s well being. Therefore, baby bedding is one of the most important items that can influence a baby’s physical and mental development. Baby bedding usually consists of mattress pads, mattress covers, bumper pads, bed sheets, baby blankets, and baby quilt. The bedding should have a uniform texture and must not be lumpy on the inside. Baby mattresses that are lumpy can cause discomfort or even back pain in babies.

Babies will be exposed to baby bedding for a long period of time every day. So the material of the bedding must be made of anti-allergenic fibers. Baby bedding made of organic cotton is one of the best options. The absence of any form of chemicals in the bedding will make it perfectly safe for the neonate. Organic cotton bed-sheets, mattress covers, and baby quilts will keep the baby safe and make him/her feel comfortable. Also, cotton bedding is absorbent, easy to wash, and lasts for a long time. For blankets, faux fur and Marino wool are best. Both are anti-allergenic, and will keep the baby sufficiently warm through the cold winter nights.

Babies can catch a cold easily, and require extra protection in winter. Blankets and quilts are fine to keep the baby warm while he/she is awake. However, these may travel upward when the baby moves during sleep, suffocating him/her. A lot of SIDS cases or crib deaths are caused by displaced blankets or quilts. To prevent this, consider putting your baby to sleep on his/her back, or better still, invest in a sleep sack. A sleep sack is a wearable blanket, which keeps the baby warm and also keeps the head of the baby exposed, to eliminate risk of suffocation. Sleep sacks are slightly more expensive than regular blankets and quilts, but the plus points have caused a number of parents to invest in them.

Babies love bedding in bright colors. Red blankets on a lime-green cot may not match the adults’ idea of a ‘fashionable combination’, but it is perfectly fine from the baby’s point of view. The bed should delight the baby and encourage him/her to sleep for hours at a stretch. It should be a combination of style, safety, and comfort. Keep this in mind when you shop for your newborn’s bedding.