Choosing Your Nursery Bedding
After choosing the cot, one of the most important purchases will be the bed linen.
The skin of your precious new baby is so delicate that what we put against it needs to be as pure as possible. To protect your baby from nasty chemicals and pollutants which leach from the materials into our bodies, it is important to consider buying organic cotton bedding as organic cotton is grown without chemicals and pesticides. Bear in mind that ordinary cotton sheets are typically coated with formaldehyde to make them wrinkle-free, and are processed with chemicals that have essentially become a part of them. When your baby sleeps on this bedding, he or she will be in direct contact with these harmful substances, without you being fully aware of the effects.
Pure organic cotton bedding is breathable and this will help with temperature regulation of your baby.
What bedding do I need to buy for my new baby?
New baby bedding essentials:
It is probably a good idea to opt for neutral bedding and add personal touches of colour with toys and pictures. Neutral colours will ensure that everything will go together with no colour clashes and also so it has a bit of longevity. Having a baby is an expensive time so it helps if you can buy things that can be passed down to a baby in the future.
To start with the following list is a minimum that you need:
Flat Sheets
Swaddling Blankets
Organic Cotton Light Blanket
Hooded Towel
Receiving Shawl - for the trip home from hospital or the baptism or Naming Ceremony
When buying your baby bedding, plan for 3 or 4 fitted and flat sheets and 2 light weight baby blankets for layering. This will enable you to have a couple of spare changes.
The baby blankets can also be used as a swaddling blanket.
Top Tips for Buying Nursery Bedding
You’ll need a good collection of quality essentials and the following are considerations:
Quality – always ensure you buy good quality fabrics such as percale. As you have to wash baby bedding so frequently they will last longer than cheap fabrics.
100% Organic Cotton. Don’t go for mixed fibres such as polyester cotton as these will be too warm and sticky for the baby and after frequent washing tend to ‘pill’ and become bobbly to the touch.
A Swaddling Blanket is an essential item to help with the new baby’s sense of security. Always choose one made of natural fibres; 100% organic cotton is best.
Go for a mix of sheets and light-weight blankets, so you can easily add an extra layer or take one away – Please do remember that a blanket doubled over counts as two layers.
Duvets, pillows and cot bumpers are not suitable for babies under 12 months old.
Essential Nursery Accessories
Blackout Blind - Planning for a good night’s sleep now will make all the difference in those sleep deprived weeks yet to come. Most babies sleep better in the dark simply because their bodies start to produce the sleep hormone that is stimulated by darkness.
A brightly-coloured mobile that attaches to the cot is a good choice for stimulating his senses.
Swaddling Blanket – may help with the baby’s sense of security.
Baby Monitor – as a Mum you want to hear everything once baby is safely tucked up in bed.
