Welcoming a baby into this world is perhaps the most rewarding and life-changing experience a person could have. These little humans bring immense joy and love into our lives, and we would do anything to make sure they are safe and comfortable.
And by far the most important aspect of a newborn’s upbringing is the nursery. This is the space where your child will spend the most time in those crucial early months, neatly curled up in their cot with all of their baby sleeping aids and toys around them. But no nursery is complete without the appropriate bedding.
What Bedding Is Best for a Baby?
Since newborns are quite delicate and require a lot of care, it’s very important to choose the right types of baby Manchester bedding for them. You want something that will be gentle on their skin, keep them warm, and most importantly help them sleep soundly through the night.
Cot Sheets
This is the topmost layer of bedding and will be in direct contact with your little one’s skin. Its primary purpose is to provide an additional layer of warmth and protect your baby’s skin from the mattress.
Mattress Protectors
This is an often overlooked but essential piece of baby Manchester bedding. Not only does it protect the mattress from spills and accidents, but it also creates a barrier between your baby and any dust mites or other allergens that might be lurking inside. This is especially important for babies who are prone to eczema or other skin conditions.
Sleep Sacks and Bags
These are essentially wearable blankets that keep your infant warm without the risk of them kicking off the covers in the middle of the night and getting cold. We all know how fussy and restless babies can be, so this is a great way to ensure they stay snuggled up all night long. Plus, it offers peace of mind knowing that they can’t get tangled up in loose sheets.
Bumpers
These are padded, quilted, or otherwise soft barriers that go around the inside of the cot. They provide additional padding and prevent your little one from bumping their head or getting their limbs stuck between the bars on each side. While they are not a necessity, many parents find them helpful in creating a cosy and safe space for their baby to sleep.
Baby Blanket
Last but not least, this piece of baby bedding is more for aesthetics than function. They come in all sorts of colours and designs, many of which are specifically for boys or girls. They add a pop of personality to the nursery and can be used long after your baby has outgrown its cot.
How to Choose the Right Linens
With the specifics regarding bedding for babies out of the way, you’ll need to focus on a few key areas and characteristics for each item to make sure you’re choosing the best possible option.
Ensure a Tight Fit
You’ll want to make sure that any sheets, mattress protectors, or sleep sacks you choose are tight-fitting. This will prevent them from slipping off in the middle of the night and exposing your little angels to drafts or cold temperatures.
Now, this doesn’t mean that they should be super-tight, especially when it comes to sleep sacks. You still want your baby to be able to move around and wiggle their arms and legs a bit. Just make sure there’s no excess fabric that they could potentially get tangled up in.
Look for Breathable and Gentle Designs
When it comes to newborns, breathability is key. Their skin is very sensitive and they don’t have the same temperature-regulating abilities as adults. This means they can get too hot or too cold very easily. Even the slightest changes in temperature can make them uncomfortable and irritable, so you need to pay close attention to the way they’re bundled up in their cot.
To avoid this, look for bedding that is made from natural fabrics like cotton. This will allow their skin to breathe and won’t make them sweat during the night. Bamboo is also a great option as it is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial, offering an extra layer of protection for your little one.
As for materials to avoid, steer clear of anything made from polyester or other synthetic fabrics. These can trap heat and moisture, making it more difficult for your little munchkin to regulate their temperature and may cause skin irritations or rashes.
Opt for Machine-Washable Products
Babies are messy creatures, there are no two ways about it. They’re all clean and sorted one minute and then they’re covered in spit-up or food the next. Most of the time, we don’t even know it’s happening until it’s too late.
To make your life a little easier, and to avoid endless trips to the dry cleaner, choose bedding that can be machine-washed and tumble-dried. This way, you can simply pop it in with the rest of your laundry and have it come out looking as good as new. Read the label carefully, though, as some items require special care and the use of only certain types of detergent.
