August 2022

How Many Baby Crib Sheets Do I Need?: Your Bedding Questions Answered

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From spit-ups to much needed diaper changes, your little one is going to go through a lot of loads of laundry every month. And while some parents have no problem setting their washing machine into overdrive and doing a load of baby crib sheets every few days, others would prefer to spend those hours in a state of R&R instead of keeping cooped up in the laundry room.

We’re about to break down the answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions about baby crib sheets, including:

  • How many baby crib sheets do I need?
  • How do I find crib sheets with the right fit?
  • What will the right fit look like?
  • Is there a material that’s given the gold star for being more comfy-cozy for my baby?

So that you can enjoy peace of mind. While your baby remains happily snoozing the night away in full comfort.

How Many Baby Crib Sheets Do I Need? 

A little girl on comfy sheets for crib | babybay bedside co-sleeper

Babies are cute, snuggly, and oh-so-loveable. But they’re not always the cleanest. (We can all agree on that, can’t we?)

Between drool, spit-up, sweat, and leaky diapers, it’s likely that you’ll have to change the sheets of your baby’s sleeping space at least once a week, if not every day.

Deciding how many sheets for crib you’ll need depends on your needs and habits as a family. 

If you expect to only change your little one’s sheets around once a week, you’ll probably only need to purchase two or three sets of crib sheets to keep your baby’s sleep space clean without having to do laundry every day. 

But for parents who like to change sheets more often—or who have a baby a little more prone to making messes—plan to stock up on 5-7 sets of organic cotton crib sheets

This will give you a little extra leeway when it comes to getting the wash done, allowing you to catch some much-needed Z’s during the quiet moments when baby is happily sleeping (instead of spending those quiet moments sprinting to the laundry room!). 

But no matter how many baby sheets for crib you end up needing, doing your due diligence to choose the right ones will be what sets you and your little one up to enjoy better and safer rest all night long.

Finding Crib Sheets with the Right Fit 

If you’re like most of the adults in the United States, you choose to spend your nights surrounded by the plush comfort of warm bedding, fully-fluffed pillows, and soft-as-a-cloud sheets. And while all that extra bedding might be just what you need to sleep happily all night long, these bulky and super-soft materials are not the best choice for your little one

When it comes to preparing the perfect sleep environment for your little one, finding a fitted sheet set that fits perfectly on your bed can be the difference between sleeping with one eye open at night and resting peacefully with full mind. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) asks parents to choose bed sheets for crib that fit snugly to the mattress and can’t easily be dislodged by pulling on the corners. 

A baby sleeping with cotton sheets for crib | babybay bedside co-sleeper

By making sure that your crib sheets fit snugly, you can prevent any safety concerns that arise when sheets come undone from the corners of the mattress and gather by your sleeping baby. (Concerns, for instance, like your baby becoming tangled up and stuck in extra bedding as they rest.)

You should make sure that your fitted crib sheets have an elastic finish that tightly hugs the mattress, and follow the manufacturer directions when washing them so that they don’t shrink and lose their skin-like fit.

To have full peace of mind, test your new fitted crib sheets out before leaving your baby to sleep in them for the first time. 

Leave your new sheets on your baby’s mattress for several hours and check back in to see if they have popped off the corners. If they have, choose a fitted sheet set better designed for the mattress you have, or attach extra elastic before leaving your baby sleeping on them for a full night. 

Choosing the Right Material: Polyester, Flannel, Wool, or Cotton Sheets for Crib? 

Your baby’s crib sheet can be made from many different materials, but not all of them will offer the same level of breathability and comfort. Cotton remains the most popular choice for most bed sheets for crib because of its breathability and hypoallergenic status. 

That’s because other materials like wool may lead your baby to experience unwanted allergy symptoms. While cotton (especially organic cotton) is a natural option that won’t irritate the skin. Its fibers are also free from common chemicals that you might find in other synthetic options, and the material naturally allows for a level of temperature control that minimizes the risk of overheating.

Baby lying comfortably on a comfy pillow | babybay bedside bassinets

However, it’s important to stay focused on baby’s safety even when buying fitted crib sheets that are made of cotton or a cotton blend.

When seeking out cotton sheets for crib, look for natural or organic options that use only the highest-quality hypoallergenic materials. Though it comes as a surprise to many parents, manufacturers of baby sheets often use harmful dyes, formaldehyde, and toxic bleaches that can lead to health concerns down the road. 

Which is why this final tip is so top-of-the-priority-list important: don’t be afraid to be picky about what baby crib sheets you buy. 

Only choose baby products and cribs that avoid many of the major chemicals, glues, and finishes that have been proven to be toxic to your baby. You can do this by seeking out companies committed to making baby products that care for your little one’s safety just as carefully as you do. 

And take that extra few moments to make sure that you’ve stocked up and covered all your bases in advance. So that the only thing you have to focus on when your baby comes is spending every extra second with them.