What Are The Best Crib Sheets On The Market?
You want what's best for your baby, naturally. So you naturally also want to hunt down the best crib sheets you can find on the Internet. However, finding them is easier said and done. Luckily, this guide exists to help you make baby's bed as comfy and relaxing as possible.
What Are The Types Of Baby Crib Sheets?
So what's best fabric for crib sheets? Before you can decide which crib sheets are the best, you should know first the 3 basic types of crib sheet.
- Cotton Crib Sheets: This is the standard type of sheet and probably the most available of them all. It's renowned for its softness, breathable threads, and safeness. What's more, natural cotton is free of synthetics and chemicals. Finally, it's quite durable and easy to clean up. This is probably the best crib sheets for baby with eczema.
- Polyester Crib Sheets: As for polyester crib sheets, they're known for their ability to withstand shrinking, wrinkling, and tearing. They're more durable than natural types of sheets like cotton. However, they're not as breathable as cotton and their quality differs depending on who manufactures them.
- Flannel Crib Sheets: This is the perfect crib sheet for your baby during cooler or wintry nights. If you live in a cold climate, this is a must-have investment that efficiently traps warmth for your baby's (and yours) peace of mind. Its disadvantage, naturally, is that it's not recommended for warmer weather. Also, it can shrink in the wash.
What Are The Thread Counts You Should Look For?
Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of the fabric. The more threads per square inch, the softer yet more durable the material is. However, thread count isn't the end-all, be-all of the best crib sheets 2017. It's a consideration, sure, but don't put too much stock on it.
As a rule of thumb, the softest crib sheets are those with high thread counts. 300 or so threads per square inch are of excellent quality, 200 or so threads per square inch is acceptable, and anything lower shouldn't be bothered with. The exception to this rule is flannel because flannel requires a lower thread count to maintain softness.
What Size Of Sheets Should You Look For?
The mattress size of your crib should dictate the size of your crib sheet (like in the case of bed sheets). Therefore, you should measure your mattress size first before making that purchase for the best crib sheets for babies. The reason for this is safety. A sheet that's too loose can be hazardous to your baby once it bunches up or comes off.
You can also avail of the sheets with elastic straps so they can easily get secured on your baby mattress no matter how much your baby tosses and turns in his crib. These elastic strip sheets are the best crib sheets as far as safety is concerned, in my opinion, exactly because it can anchor itself on the mattress.
Should You Buy A Baby Bedding Set?
Finally, you don't need a baby bedding set. If you can afford it, it comes complete with pads, comforters, bumpers, and sheets for your baby in one package. I wouldn't personally recommend them because you want to save money.
5 Best Baby Crib Beds To Consider
As for actual choices, here are some of the better ones I found after much research.
1. My Little North Star 100% ORGANIC Jersey Cotton Fitted Crib Sheets Unisex
As far as the best crib sheets organic type is involved, the My Little North Star organic jersey cotton-fitted crib sheets are worth a look. It's 100% cotton, for one thing. It's also 100% GOTS-certified for another thing. Incidentally, the Global Organic Textile Standard is the organization responsible for certifying high-standard commercial textile products like bedding and the like. I understand its emphasis on organic threads. As a parent myself, I want my child to sleep in sheets that are allergy-free.
In terms of downsides, there isn't much to be said about these sheets. I kind of want them tighter on the mattress. However, I also appreciate how I don't need to break a sweat attempting to stretch the sheet over the mattress. I appreciate the softness and I particularly like how it lowers the possibility of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) because of its organic composition and lack of chemicals found in other more synthetic threads. It's a highly recommended buy for me.
2. Little One's Pad Pack N Play Crib Mattress Cover
In your hunt for plush crib sheets, what exactly does Little One's Pad Pack N Play Crib Mattress Cover have to offer? Obviously enough, this cover is made for Pack N Play & Mini/Portable Crib Mattresses. It's not made of cheap materials, so it doesn't melt or shrink in the dryer or end up being a poor fit for most of this brand's foam mattress offerings. It's not made of flannel, so it doesn't shrink in the wash. It's also BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Latex-Free, and Lead-Free.
Little One claims to use protected, reinforced threads that have waterproof lining. I've personally tried it out and it does withstand multiple washing and drying cycles without shrinking so small you can't fit it in the mattress it was designed for. In terms of flaws, I have some in mind. This mattress protector doesn't fit all Pack N' Play foam mattresses. I've tried it out on the Dream on Me Travel Lite Portable Mini Play Yard foam mattress (with the round corner), and it didn't fit so well.
3. Abstract 100% Cotton Jersey Knit Deep Fitted Crib Sheet
Like the other sheets on this list, the Abstract crib sheet offers optimal soft comfort from its 100% cotton sheet that's jersey-knit and deep-fitted. Is cotton the best material for crib sheets? It certainly is the safe option since most parents would rather get organic crib sheets than synthetic ones (and I understand their worry). It's also easy to take care of, since it can be machine washed with warm water and non-chlorine bleach (making cleanup a breeze).
I personally like how there are loads of solid colors and patterns to choose from this brand, which I feel is lacking in other brands with a more sparse collection. I'm a bit disappointed in the quality of the cotton though for a baby accessories company in America. Between this and My Little North Star, the latter certainly "shines" better in terms of cotton softness. It's still soft and smooth to the touch, but me and my baby have gotten our hands on softer sheets to be honest.
4. Burt's Bees Baby Solid Fitted Crib Sheet, 100% Organic Crib Sheet
This is yet another soft and naturally hypoallergenic crib sheet made from GOTS-certified organic products a la My Little North Star. It's specifically fitted for the standard 28 inch by 52 inch crib mattress in a snug fashion. The baby is also ensured safe because like a jersey it stretches securely over the bedding. As for its hypoallergenic claims, it's got GOTS certification that it's free of harmful chemicals or even pesticides that sometimes end up in grown cotton.
So why is it so low on the list? It's because it's gotten several complaints that you won't see with My Little North Star. There are some parents who complain about how the color it's portrayed as on the pictures isn't the same as the actual color of the sheet. Also, after the first wash, there are some sheets that end up reaching only halfway through the mattress of the crib. Major shrinkage! Some mommies even report that their crib sheet hasn't even been slept on yet but when it was washed, it still shrank.
5. SureGuard 100% Waterproof, Hypoallergenic Crib Size Mattress Protector
The main claims of SureGuard as a crib sheet includes its softness (which many of its competitor sheets also claim to have) and noiselessness (which none of the sheets on this list claim to have). I have to be honest. A noise issue is the furthest thing from my mind when thinking of the disadvantages of a crib-sized mattress protector. But lo and behold, SureGuard is quite quiet (I guess). As for allergies, my baby didn't end up getting the hives from it, so sure.
It also claims to be 100% waterproof to protect against stains and everyday liquids as well as accidents from baby (like when he or she wets the bed). I've had my share of accidents from my baby myself, and I can vouch that SureGuard's claim of being 100% waterproof is false. My baby's urine seeped through it all the way to the mattress. I give this sheet minus points for false advertising on what otherwise isn't an issue (I usually just wash the sheets when they're dirtied).
The Bottom Line
So what are the best crib sheets? It depends on your baby's personal needs. However, when push comes to shove, I definitely recommend My Little North Star. I've had the fewest complaints in regards to it, it's organic and my baby didn't get the hives while sleeping on it. Most importantly, it doesn't over-hype or exaggeratedly promise the sun and the moon in terms of what it can do, so in the end it delivered exactly what I wanted as advertised.
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