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Author:
Khushboo Kirale
- >> Post Created: April 11, 2022
- >> Last Updated: November 5, 2024
How many crib sheets do i need? - Table of Contents
A newborn baby not only brings immense joy to the parents and family, but also comes with a big responsibility. The fragile little life needs the best, in terms of care, surroundings, and products, to be nurtured in the finest way.
So, the arrival of a newborn also brings a lot of questions – especially to new parents – on the things they need for the baby, how to choose them and how many will they need, is there a list of must haves?
Yes, diapers definitely top the list, but other things like the crib, swaddle blankets, Baby crib sheets/ mini crib sheet etc. also need to be carefully chosen as this is what will comprise your delicate baby’s little world for the coming few months.
It is a known fact that newborns sleep for most of the day; therefore, it is necessary that your little bundle of joy has the coziest crib. And one important element for that is the crib sheet!
Yes, we know you may have a ton of questions on that, but that’s what we are here for!
Read on and find out why baby crib sheets are necessary, how to choose the best ones, and also answer your question – ‘how many crib sheets do I need?’. We have also provided a quick list of some of the brands we have liked over a period of time while raising 4 kids.
You can also refer to our article on best crib sheets of 2024!
Why crib sheets are important?
We understand that expenditures go up when a baby arrives and buying baby crib sheets may look like an unnecessary expense.
But your baby will spend most of the hours of the day in the crib or bassinet, on a fairly expensive mattress, which will need appropriate protection that crib sheets can give.
And with a variety of patterns & colors, crib sheets can definitely add to the aesthetics of the baby’s surroundings.
You may argue that the swaddle blanket for the baby will do just fine or the crib mattress already have a soft fabric lining and you don’t need crib sheets. Let us list a few more reasons as to why you need really a baby crib sheet for your baby’s crib mattress.
Mattress Protection
Primarily, baby crib sheets are designed to protect the crib or bassinet mattresses. Therefore, this protects the mattress and helps it last longer. Some crib sheets, bassinet sheets & mini crib sheet come with a waterproof lining sewn below for enhanced protection.
Give ‘Ely’s & Co Bassinet Waterproof Bassinet Sheet’ a try for your baby’s bassinet.
Reduces Sweating
A Baby crib sheet is made from materials that provide more breathability and comfort to the baby; hence, reducing the baby’s sweating and keeping them cool.
The ‘Burt’s Bees Baby Fitter organic Crib sheets’ for Standard Crib Mattress provides breathability with its soft organic cotton material makes them top the list of organic crib sheets available in the market.
Safer Fit
Most of the crib and bassinet sheets are made with a fitted style, which means they have an elastic bottom or straps to fit the mattress snugly and not get crumpled or bundled up when the baby moves. Hence, they are safer for the baby.
The ‘American Baby Company Cotton Value Jersey Knitted Standard Crib Sheet’ is the preferred choice for standard cribs, thanks to its well-fitting features.
In a nutshell, crib or bassinet sheets are cozier, convenient, and safe for the baby. Baby Crib sheets are also an intelligent investment to make your baby’s mattress last longer.
Factors to consider before buying crib sheets
Baby crib sheets not only protect the mattress, but are also necessary for your baby’s health and safety. You should check for the following features before buying crib sheets for your baby –
Breathability
Your baby will lie in the crib when not in your arms – when they are asleep – which can cause them to sweat. Therefore, the most important thing you look for in crib sheets is that it is made with breathable fabrics to keep your baby cool.
The brand ‘Newton Baby’ offers 100% breathable crib mattress pads makes your baby’s sleep comfortable and cool.
Fit & Size
Babies can sleep safely in their cribs, if their mattress fits tightly inside the crib and the crib sheet fits the mattress snugly. As babies will start moving around in the crib, a well-fitted crib sheet negates all chances of the sheet getting bundled up or just move around in the crib with the baby’s movements, which could be dangerous for the baby.
A baby can press its face against any such extra clothing or things (soft toys, blankets, pillows, etc.) in the crib, which can hamper their breathing. Also, an ill-fitted crib sheet won’t be able to do much to protect your mattress either.
There are different sizes of mattresses which are available in the market, so its good if you understand your crib size and choose crib sheets to fit your crib size like – Standard Crib sheet, mini crib sheet, bassinet sheet, Play yard mattress sheet etc.
Hypoallergenic Fabrics
Check for crib sheets made with fabrics that are ‘hypoallergenic’ – fabrics that contain fewer allergy-producing substances known as allergens.
Of course, there is never a guarantee that these fabrics will not cause an allergic reaction, the chances of this happening are minimal. Never forget that your precious darling will spend many hours on the crib sheet, so they must be made from the most hypoallergenic fabrics.
Apart from Burt’s and bees 100% Organic crib sheets you can also try Posh Peanut crib sheets made from Viscose which too is absolutely soft and breathable apart from being hypoallergenic.
Machine-washable sheets
A baby anyway keeps your hands full. You do not need a crib sheet for which you have to put in additional effort or monies to be cleaned – like handwash only or dry clean only.
Therefore, look for a crib sheet that is machine washable, and that can dry quickly too.
Ensure that you use baby-friendly detergent to wash all of the baby’s clothing.
Read this next
Other Deciding Factors
Every baby is different and so is every family! You need to answer some specific questions relating to your baby and your method of parenting before you decide and get an answer your question ‘how many crib sheets do I need?’
1) How many babies are there in the family?
Obviously, the number of babies in the house will be one of the deciding factors – more the number of babies, more crib sheets needed.
However, we do not recommend going overboard with the number of baby crib sheets; they should be just enough so that you are ready for anything, anytime without having a load in the laundry.
2) How often will you be changing the crib sheets?
You might have to change the crib sheets more often for the baby than you change the bedsheets for yourself. Even while lying down, babies tend to sweat, drool, throw up, and even do their diapers can leak.
It is vital that you always check the condition of the baby crib sheet and keep changing them to avoid any unhygienic environment that can develop if wet and dirty sheets are left on the mattress for a prolonged time.
Some parents don’t realize, but this can result in your baby falling ill frequently, and hence, is a big risk to the baby’s health.
We suggest you always check the crib sheet before putting your baby down for a nap.
Your lifestyle is another factor here, if you intend to wash your baby’s crib sheet every day, then even three crib sheets can work (always have one for emergencies). However, if that is not possible, then maybe you can consider buying a few more.
3) Do you swaddle your baby or not?
It is obvious that if you swaddle your baby, your crib sheets can remain good for at least 3-4 days, as the baby is not directly lying on them. Swaddling keeps your baby in one position and the swaddle blanket absorbs the sweat, drool, and other liquids before it goes down to the crib sheet.
The crib sheet of an uncovered baby will require changes more often than a swaddled baby.
4) How sensitive is your baby’s skin?
You would never want your baby to suffer from rashes due to unclean crib sheets. All babies have sensitive skin, but some have more as compared to others.
If your baby has sensitive skin, they not only need good hypoallergenic crib sheets (and mattress), but also need frequent change of crib sheets.
Also, we recommend you use special baby-friendly laundry soap to wash the crib sheets.
5) Do you have enough crib sheets for times of emergency?
With emergency, we mean times when your baby may get sick and may throw up, sweat, or soil the crib sheets more often.
Even a runny nose, a bad cough, an eye infection, etc. call for frequent change of crib sheets. Babies who have a fever have an increased chance of soiling the bed and sweating more.
To be prepared for such situations – we hope you don’t go through many of them – always keep extra baby crib sheets.
After assessing your baby’s/babies’ needs, you will be able to come to an answer to the question ‘how many crib sheets do I need?’.
If you are still slightly confused, let us help you broadly here with the minimum number of crib sheets you should buy.
- If you have one baby and will change a crib sheet every daily, then at least 4-5 crib sheets are what you need.
- If you intend to change your baby’s crib sheet once a week, then 2-3 crib sheets are fine, but we suggest keeping at least one more for days your baby may not be well.
To be prepared for any emergency, we recommend having around 7 baby crib sheets at your disposal to ensure your baby sleeps in a cozy and safe place every time.
Deciding or Selecting the right size of the crib sheet
Baby crib mattresses come in two sizes – Standard to Mini.
Standard Crib Sheet: These measure – 52 inches length by 28 inches width and can fit a mattress that is up to 8 inches thick.
Mini Crib Sheet: These will fit a mattress which is 38 inches length by 24 inches width in size.
Standard crib sheet or mini crib sheet, always check the specifications before buying.
Click here more details on standard sizes on Bassinets and portable play mattresses.
Our favorite fitted crib sheets
An ideal baby crib sheet fits the standard mattress snugly, is made of breathable and comfortable fabric, and comes in loveable prints. Here is a list of some of our favorites crib sheets.
Click here to look at the detailed pros and cons for some of the best crib sheets of 2024.
1. Burt’s crib sheets 100% organic crib sheets: If you are looking for a good organic crib sheets – 100% cotton fabric with a wide range of appealing prints, then this surely is the ideal brand for you.
2. Posh Peanut crib sheets: These crib sheets are made from 95% viscose and 5% spandex, which not only makes them soft and extremely light in weight, with an extra stretch.
3. Rookie Humans 100% cotton sateen crib sheets: This brand of crib sheets offer not only quality, but also a wide choice of designs. They are made from 100% cotton sateen, weaved with 230 thread count.
4. American Baby Company 2 Pack 100% cotton crib & toddler mattresses: This brand offers quality crib sheets that are pocket-friendly.
5. Honest Baby: This brand manufactures crib sheets made from organic cotton, which are a great choice for your baby’s sensitive skin. Preferred choice among the organic bed sheets available today.
6. Sweet Jojo Designs: This brand offers crib sheets made from microfiber material and we can vouch for the fact that it won’t disappoint!
7. NoJo: This brand offers pretty prints on crib sheets of great quality.
8. Bedtime Originals: If you are looking for crib sheets made from cotton or even polyester that are comfortable, safe for sensitive skin, and pretty to look at, then this brand is the one you should check out.
9. Aden + Anais crib sheets: These muslin crib sheets are super soft and come in a wide range of adorable prints.
10. Amazon Basics: This brand is definitely worth a mention as they have crib sheets that can make your baby’s bed safe and warm.
11. Trend Lab: One of the most well-known crib sheet brand, they offer 100% cotton crib sheets in various designs, colors, and prints.
12. Lambs & Ivy: You get the thinnest and softest crib sheets at the lowest prices from this brand.
Click here more details on standard sizes on Bassinets and portable play mattresses.
Conclusion
A crib sheet does not only enhance your little one’s surroundings, but also keep your baby safe and comfortable. With your hands already full taking care of the baby, these little conveniences make the task easier on many levels.
‘How many crib sheets do i need?’ is a question your parenting style will decide. If you do your baby’s laundry often, then four-five crib sheets should suffice. However, as explained above you can always keep a couple of extra for times when your baby is unwell.
On a general note – around 4-5 baby crib sheets should be enough if you are not going to change crib sheets daily.
Organic crib sheets are considered as the safest options for your kids.
You can refer to our article – Best Crib Sheets of 2024 – where we have not only detailed out various materials options used to make a crib sheet along with pros and cons but have also listed some of our preferred baby crib sheets along with their pros and cons.
Hope both our articles help you with the selection of your preferred crib sheets. Keep in mind the size of your mattress before selecting either the standard baby crib sheets sizes.
And hope we have addressed your question on ‘how many crib sheets do I need’ clearly through this article.
Happy parenting!
Khushboo Kirale
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