TTM about bedding

whse13kittens · January 2014

My mom offered to buy us the bedding as my shower gift -- very generous -- and wants me to send her the information on the set we like. We had originally picked out just some crib sheets and called it good. She sent me links for full sets that SHE really likes. Some of them are cute, but honestly, I don't think we need or will use everything that comes in the set (bumper, sheet, comforter, etc...)

So, tell me: did you buy a whole bedding set? Was it a waste? What should I be looking for in a set (washability, durability, fabric, etc)? Or would you just order approximately 18million crib sheets and call it a day?

Thanks in advance!

asm07 · January 2014

While I haven't had our baby yet, I searched forever to find bedding I liked. The sets look adorable, but it didn't seem practical to me to spend that much money on something when we wouldn't be using most of it. I fell in love with a set from Pottery Barn Kids but ended up just buying a few sets of sheets and the matching quilt. (We'll use the quilt when she's in the toddler bed). My mom made a crib skirt and curtains out of a matching duvet cover. I loved the bumper and even bought it, but ended up returning it. If we decide to use a bumper eventually, I'll buy a breathable one that's safe for SIDS. I would definitely look for something that's machine washable. Sheets with elastic all the way around are great too. I say go with what you like. Even if your mom insists on buying the set, you don't have to use everything that comes with it.

olga1311 · January 2014

I bought a set and use most of it. The bumpers and blanket are just for decor since you can't use in crib but I do use the diaper stacker, 3 wall decor pieces, crib skirt, window valance and toy storage piece that came with it. Amazon has some pretty crib sets

hollygb22 · January 2014

i didn't buy a set. I knew I wouldn't use bumpers, the comforter seemed like a waste since it wouldn't go in there for quite some time if at all, and I didn't think we'd use or have a place to hang a diaper stacker.

I went to www.carouselbedding.com bought a few cute sheets, a crib skirt (which was useless once the crib mattress got lowered) and a few cute changing pad covers.

laurel22 · January 2014

I bought an inexpensive 5-piece bedding set for DS1 (crib skirt, sheet, blanket, bumpers, diaper stacker). We used the crib sheet, crib skirt, and diaper stacker, and we draped the blanket over a chair for decoration. However, we only used the bumpers for maybe two weeks before we switched to breathable bumpers in a complimentary color (which worked great), and we had a movement monitor for peace of mind as well. For me, the crib skirt and some coordinating sheets made the biggest impact on the look of the crib anyway.

So the short answer is no, you totally don't need a full bedding set, unless you want some of the stuff that comes with it for decoration. I don't think ours was a waste of money, because it was relatively cheap, but we certainly didn't use all of it.

If you want something cute that gives more "decoration" to your crib than just a sheet and bed skirt, check out Skip Hop's new Complete Sheet bumper-free bedding sets. The sheets are fancier, with decorative piping on the edges and complimenting fabrics on the sides, to give the appearance of a bumper set. They're really cute, although I'm sure the sheets are more expensive than a normal crib sheet. Also, a lot of companies are now selling 3 piece sets without the bumpers, due to the SIDS concerns.

LittleFish1 · January 2014

Would say is better to do a big set when chid is older
We did not do a set (got 3 secondhand sets from friends - only used the blanket for tummy time & a bumper for a pet bed & lots of new blankets from friends & made my own blanket). Just need 2 or 3 leak proof mattress covers, and some fitted crib sheets. We have 2 that are tshirt material & 2 are flannel. Finding ones that don't stink like chemicals was a challenge (read reviews or smell in store. One sheet took 4 or 5 washes plus airing out in the garage).

Also keep the reciept - had one tshirt sheet rip after the 2nd time was washed/used -was able to return it & exchange for new one because of that. (DH decided to pull it off of the mattress without pulling the mattress from the crib so was part workmanship & part DH)

whse13kittens · January 2014

This was a great help. Thanks everyone!

slwprincess · January 2014

I think this is a generational thing- my mom was obsessed with picking crib bedding the first time too so I let her get us a full set but yeah, it was kind of a waste. We used the crib skirt and the sheet. The quilt hung on the wall but honestly, I was never crazy about it. So I think you should have a heart to heart and explain to her that things are different now and the recommendations for safe crib bedding are minimal so you don't think a bedding set is something you would use.

dmurrie · January 2014

Traditional bumpers are considered by the AAP to be suffocation hazards. Opt for the mesh breathable bumpers if you must. Even these should be pulled pretty early on before the try pulling up and climbing on them, as they then become strangulation hazards. Traditiinal bumpers have actually been outlawed in some places. The blankets are also considered suffocation hazards until the kids are older. Yes, I am that crazy mom who gets looks at babies r us when I tell this to expectant mothers who are doing their registries. I'm married to a pediatrician though. It's my job now, too.

We got 3 sets if fitted sheets (and waterproof mattress pads. Don't forget those!). It partly depends on how long you plan on keeping him or her in the toddler bed. Around 2 years, we started using blankets (as opposed to sleep sacks) with DD. Even at that stage though, we opted for the most breathable we could find, only giving the thicker ones when she was around 3. I guess you could always make the bed when the baby gets up and it'd look cute, but that's kind of a waste.

Look for machine wash machine dry. You'd be surprised that not all of them are. Most especially if you get into pack n play sheets though. Speaking of which, I can't recommend the Carter's quilted pack n play sheets enough if you get a pack n play. It's the only way our daughter could ever dall asleep in her pack n play, and who can blame her, really? Those things are very very firm.

As for the mobiles, we used it a little on the crib but got the most and best use out if it when we took it off the scrub and put it on the changing table. Diaper changes became a lot more pleasant. It was there until she was potty trained.

A crib skirt is nice, but if you know someone that sews, it would take them maybe a couple hours and be really inexpensive to do.

Yes, all of the older generation seems to love the bedding sets, but I'd hold off until the toddler years on most of it.

AKB090609 · January 2014

If she wants to buy you a full set what about a skip hop set? I like their sheets, you will likely USE what comes in the set, and then she can feel like she is getting what she wanted for you.

https://www.skiphop.com/category/nursery.html#completesheetcollections

And for the record 4 sheets is most likely more than you'll need. I wouldn't get 18million.

LyndseylovesHugh · January 2014

We just bought a crib skirt and sheet for DD and will do the same thing for this baby. All those pieces are not necessary and I don't personally like the matchy-matchy look.

ss265 · January 2014

I bought a set because I loved the design on it. Practically speaking though, you only need sheets. Crib skirts are nice but once my baby got older and I had to lower the mattress to the lowest setting, I couldn't use it anymore. (could just be the design of my crib though but definitely consider this).

Bumpers make it look nice but the one that came with my set was a pain to put on (knotting all the ties drove my nuts) and once my baby was born, I put it away. I haven't used any bumpers because they make sheet changes a pain and when you have to change the sheet in the middle of the night, you don't want to deal with unknotting all the ties on a bumper.

I don't regret buying my set because I love the design on it - I hung the valance over the window and the comforter is draped over a chair so they do enhance the décor of the nursery.
Practically though, I could have just bought a bunch of sheets and saved my money. BTW, I have 4 sheets which are plenty.

If you find a design you love, there is no harm in having your mom purchase it for you. Otherwise though, I would just get sheets.

JilllyBean · January 2014

I bought individual sheets and my mom made me a crib skirt out of fabric I liked. Also, I have 4 sheets and I have only used 2, 2 are still in the wrapping they came in. People say you need a million crib sheets, but we just haven't. I guess I am glad I have them in case something happened to the others, but they were only $9.99 (target Circo) My LO is 5m. I wouldnt have used anything else in a set. A neighbor made me a quilt that matched my room, but it only sits on the chair.

whse13kittens · January 2014

Thanks for all your help! We ended up finding a Skip*Hop set we liked (sheet, crib skirt, blanket, and decals) and then asked for 3 extra sheets to match. Mom was happy cause it's a "set", I'm happy because I feel like we'll use it, and DH is happy because if she only ends up buying the set, the sheets are still affordable for us to buy ourselves (he likes the matching look). Win-win-win!

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