As parents or caregivers and guardians of little folk, we have all been guilty at some point or other of lamenting the fact there is no guide or instruction manual out there to help us navigate the sometimes rather murky waters of parenting. Usually, we think, if we don’t say it, this when trying to prize a dummy from our toddler’s grip or convince them that wellingtons are not appropriate to where in bed or glue is not nutritionally the best snack out there. Yet, finding and choosing the right bedding can equally prove an overwhelming task, not only for first-time parents but due to the fact that every year new and often contrary information and advice is published as to what is the best bedding for our offspring. Then, to try and alleviate some of the confusion and turn bedtimes from a nightmare and provide some silent nights, we’ve teamed up with SleepyPeople.com (one of the UK’s leading retailers of cot bed duvets) here’s how to get it right when shopping for kids’ bedding.
Baby Bedding
Baby bedding is about the most bewildering kind of bedding out there. The confusion surrounding what is best is largely the result of the fact that these days there are just so many options as to cots, cribs and baby beds that even choosing one that works for you and your new family member can prove a nightmare. Whether you decide to side-along sleep, invest in a bedside crib, place baby in a Moses basket or go for a good old-fashioned coat, though, there are some rules well worth abiding by to ensure not just a good night’s rest for you and your baby, but a safe one. After all, with a newborn in the house, an undisturbed night might be at this stage unrealistic to hope for, but a safe one will be paramount to your peace of mind and baby’s wellbeing.Hence, here are some points to consider when buying or choosing baby bedding:
Getting hot and bothered.
Babies are not yet able to regulate their body temperatures very expertly. Hence, it is doubly important to take this into consideration when making baby’s bed. Don’t just pay attention to the season or room temperature, though; a good means of testing baby’s own temperature is to give their dummy a feel and change up bedding according to how warm it is. Further, it is wise to remember that feverish little ones are almost always better with less bedding, rather than more to give their tiny bodies chance to cool themselves.
Getting Tangled Up.
Often a new addition to the family will result in being gifted at least one crochet baby blanket. Whilst crochet, knitted and handmade baby blankets are almost always beautiful, they are often one of the worst and dangerous bedding items. Tiny fingers and toes tend to get tangled and caught up in crocheted blankets whilst the tools and materials often used to make them (whether natural or synthetic) are rarely the best with which to swarthier or wrap a baby. Hence, homemade blankets are best kept as more decorative nursery additions than practical bedding solutions.
Cottoning On.
Plain old cotton is one of the best materials used to create baby bedding. Whilst cotton is versatile, it is also a breathable and very closely bound fabric. Hence, it keeps a baby warm, helps to prevent them from overheating and ensuring baby cannot get caught up or tangled.
Mattress Matters and Bedding Don’t Dos.
Opt for a firm, flat waterproof mattress and, do away with all extraneous ‘extras, including blankets and pillows to minimise the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)’. The only thing in a cot or baby bed should ideally be a baby. To learn about why and what to avoid adding in or to a cot (such as why baby bumpers are more bother than a bright idea), head over to the Net Mums website where you can read the article ‘Safe Sleeping for Baby’.
Children
When baby graduates from cot to bed for the first time the confusion, bewilderment and bombardment of chooses happen all over again. Fortunately, once most children move beyond a cot or crib the choices also become less restrictive and somewhat less safety orientated.
By this point, your children or children will almost certainly begin to take an interest in the bedding that adorns their bed too. After all, beyond the toys that strewn their rooms, bedding is just about the most exciting thing in a child’s nursery or bedroom and provides a great ‘canvas’ for getting creative. Then, to get the mix of fun and function right, observe or, at least, take into consideration the following points:
Colours.
It is tempting when investing in bedding for a young child to go a bit wild with colour, let the child pick their own or to opt for bedding which fits the decor of the room rather than think more about function and longevity. With kids being messy creatures often though and accidents still common occurrences, especially at a younger age, try not to get too carried away. Instead, to inject some colour and personality, consider block colours, avoid pastels and dispense with anything white.
Sizing It Up.
Kids beds most commonly come in three separate sizes: toddler beds, small singles and standard singles. At the very least it is advisable to graduate baby from a cot to a toddler bed before introducing them to a small or standard single. As such, it is also worth being prudent during your kids’ toddler years when it comes to bedding because kids grow fast and splurging on expensive and decorative duvet covers and the likes can end up very expensive.
More Material Matters,
Albeit literally and less financial: having escaped the cut it is now safe and necessary to introduce blankets, duvets, pillows and consider additional items such as comforters. Hence, it is also important to consider materials. Because younger children seek comfort and cosiness whilst in bed more than most, closely woven, durable and easy to clean materials such as cotton, flannels and fleece are the best to stick with when buying children’s bedding. It is further advisable to invest in anti-allergy bedding to ensure your little one gets the most peaceful night sleep possible.