Having a baby is the most wonderful experience a woman can have as it is a fulfillment of the biological function of the female species. After the giving birth process, the real work begins. Feeding bottles, diaper changes, immunization records are just a few of the things the new mom have to learn quickly. And one important thing to consider in the arrival of the baby is the kind of baby bedding he or she will use. According to Dr. Mark Brandenburg (www.baby-place.com/crib_safety.html), the number one rule to follow in choosing the right baby bedding for your precious infant is safety. The second rule says safety and the third rule emphasizes safety. We are to conclude that it is not enough to say it, it must be emphasized that baby bedding is critical for the comfort of the baby.

In his article on how to find the perfect baby bedding, it must be neither too hard nor too soft. In the past, sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS was attributed to very soft baby bedding. This happened when the baby’s mattress is too soft that his nose and mouth gets covered and the air he exhales is the air he breathes. This is dangerous for him since he would breath carbon dioxide rather than oxygen and the effects could lead to drowsiness, coma or even death.

There are a lot of styles and makes in choosing the baby’s bed. And with that, it follows that the baby bedding must be a perfect fit with the chosen equipment. The three major selections are: a bassinet, a crib or a cradle. What differentiates one from the other? A bassinet is an oblong-shaped basket that serves as a bed for an infant. But sometimes, round bassinets are also available. A crib is a bed that is flanked with high side bars for a baby or young child’s safety. Cribs are usually more economical since the baby can use it from infancy to two years. While a cradle is a small low bed that an infant uses that has rockers on its stand. In all these, the material used to make the equipment should alert and signal to the mom how much safety precautions are needed.

Bassinets are usually lacey and full of trimmings. The baby bedding must fit the bassinet so that the baby’s space is enough for him or her to be able to roll from side to side. The crib is usually square, thus, mattresses can be fitted to the size of the crib. The baby bedding usually is a set of coverlet and small pillows. Hotdog pillows can also be placed inside. However, the pillows should not be more than two or three lest the baby can stand on them and could fall over. The cradle can come in various sizes and shapes. Some moms prefer cradles so that when the baby is cranky, he or she can be rocked to be calmed down. The baby bedding for a cradle should follow the shape of it. Not much can be placed inside it since it is used mainly to rock the baby to sleep. However, one need not the three to keep the baby safe, warm and secure. One will do and this would depend on the parent’s preference. The most preferred would be the crib since it can be used for a long time.

Now that we’ve covered the basic equipment, how do we furnish it with baby bedding? We have already established that the baby bedding should fit the sleeping equipment to avoid accidents and other untoward incidents. The most suitable material to use is cotton as it is absorbent and cool to the baby’s skin. Different designs must be used to stimulate the baby’s color and pattern recognition. Therefore, the baby bedding is a crucial factor in keeping the baby happy and healthy.

About the Author:
Olga Sysoef is founding author at Baby Formula Advisor – a one stop informational resource on baby formula nutrition and first year baby care.

As every parent has surely discovered, you are never quite prepared for the arrival of your new baby. No matter how much time and effort you might put into preparing yourselves and your home for your new arrival, there are always a few things that tend to get overlooked. This is not without good reason, mind you. It is such a wonderfully exciting time for expectant parents, so naturally you are going to be less focused on trivial day-to-day matters. For all of the expectant parents our there, this article is for you!

The nursery is the first place to start when you are preparing your home for your new baby. The crib is likely the first major piece of furniture you will purchase for your child. Be sure that the crib you purchase meets all of the mandatory and voluntary safety guidelines. You will also want to invest in a quality crib mattress, as your baby will be spending upwards of 70% of his or her first year on it. Bedding is another consideration, and very much a matter of personal preference. Just don’t forget to pick up a mattress cover! A changing table is another option, but not entirely necessary. Alternately, a baby monitor is an absolute must-have for your child’s nursery.

The next area to focus your attention on is that of baby supplies. While most people have a reasonable idea of what their children’s needs are, it is a good idea to pause and reflect every so often. Baby supplies are very popular, and there are so many choices to make. Be sure you purchase mild baby soap and shampoo, as chemicals and fragrances can have a terrible impact on a baby’s fresh skin. A high quality, all-natural, moisturizer should also be used. Some parents are keen on using baby powder to help keep their baby’s bottom dry. Try to find a baby powder that does not have a talcum powder base. It can be terribly dangerous if inhaled, so be on the lookout for one with a cornstarch base.

After all of the necessary supplies and furniture have been secured, it is time to think about fun and entertainment for your baby. While the world itself will provide hours of fun and discovery for your child, certain toys and playthings can considerably enhance their experiences. A mobile is an excellent toy for new babies, as they spend a lot of time in their crib at that age. Some soft, fluffy toys are also nice, especially if they are designed to provide some sensory stimulation of some sort. Teething toys are an absolute necessity as your child grows older. There are some wonderful toys on the market for young children, just be sure to consult the consumer reports for information about recalls and other possible dangers associated with children’s toys.

About the Author:
Rachel Thompson is the proud mother of two young children, and a regular contributing writer for thebabydepartment.com – a wonderfully informative online resource for parents with information about baby products, nursery accessories, breastfeeding and more.

The quality of a baby bedding collection is determined by the fabrics used in making the quilts or comforters, crib bumpers, dust ruffles, and other items that comprise the baby bedding set. Little information is available to consumers to help them access the quality of fabrics used in the hundreds of crib bedding collections that are sold by dozens of manufacturers. Here are a few characteristics that a consumer should consider when comparing crib bedding collections from competing brands.

Printed Fabric Patterns versus Woven Fabric Patterns
Many simple fabric patterns – such as stripes, plaids, and ginghams – can be printed or woven. While not readily apparent to the uninformed consumer, the differences between these two fabric manufacturing methods are significant and important for the appearance and durability of the crib bedding.

Woven fabrics start with differently colored threads or yarns. These threads or yarns are woven together in such a manner as to create the desired pattern – generally ginghams (small checked patterns), plaids, and stripes. The colors and pattern become an integral part of the fabric itself. Look for a fabric where the pattern appears on both sides of the fabric- this is a sure sign that it is woven. Or simply examine the fabric up close and note the colors of the individual threads that make up the fabric.

Printed fabrics are made with a solid colored material. The desired pattern is imprinted onto the surface of the solid material using a variety of inks and printing techniques. Look for a fabric where the pattern appears only on one side – this is a sure sign that it is printed, not woven.

Woven fabrics are almost universally superior to printed fabrics. They are more color-fast and resist fading more effectively than printed fabrics. The pattern, being an integral part of the fabric itself, will not wear off as compared to a superficial pattern that is printed on the surface of the fabric. The durability of a printed pattern is very much dependent on the amount of ink and precise technique used to imprint the pattern. Unfortunately, this is almost impossible to determine based simply on examining the fabric.

Complex, nonlinear patterns cannot generally be woven. But a manufacturer who chooses to use printed fabrics for simple gingham, plaid, and striped patterns is sacrificing quality in favor of cost. Not to say that a printed pattern should be avoided at all costs; but the higher price of a baby bedding set made with a woven gingham or striped fabric is usually more than justified by the higher quality.

Printed Designs versus Embroidered Designs on Fabrics
Manufacturers are increasingly creative in using complex designs in their baby nursery bedding to communicate a desired theme. These designs can be either embroidered or printed.

Embroidered designs use separate threads to sew the design into the fabric, often in combination with other textured fabrics. While embroidery techniques and technology has improved over the years to make them more cost-effective, it is still more costly to embroider a design than it is to simply print it on the surface of the fabric. Embroidered designs are generally more detailed, and almost universally more durable than imprinted designs.

Again, not that printed designs need be avoided at all costs. But the consumer should be aware of the quality differences before choosing a baby nursery bedding set with printed designs over a more costly crib set with embroidered designs.

Real or Printed Patchwork
In an effort to reduce cost, some “patchwork” bedding is really one piece of fabric with a “patchwork” design printed on it – the fabric shell of the item is then “stuffed” and sewn over at the borders of the different patterns to create a patchwork appearance. It is generally easy to see this shortcut with a simple up-close examination of the fabric – the stitching rarely lines up consistently with the printed pattern. True patchwork is far superior to printed patchwork designs and is always more expensive. True patchwork shows different textures as well as different colors and patterns.

Price versus Value
Unfortunately, some crib bedding manufacturers are choosing to use lower quality fabrics to decrease their costs without passing all of these savings on to the consumer. You should be very alert to discover these differences. It can mean the difference between a crib bedding collection that will last for a single child, or one that will last for generations.

About the Author:
Robert Meier, is President of Baby Supermall, an internet retailer of Crib Bedding, Baby Bedding Sets and Baby Nursery Decor.