Crib Sheets - Pikesville,MD

Updated on November 02, 2009
A.P. asks from Pikesville, MD
34 answers

I am about to be a new mom and have a question about what to cover babies with when they are sleeping. Do they use a sheet? I have read many places not to use a blanket or a quilt but what about a sheet. Thanks for the help. Im just a nervous new mom to be.

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T.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm in agreement with the sleep sack advice you've gotten--just wanted to add that before my second daughter was born (wish I'd done this for the first, too), I went out and bought her a sleep sack, just as a special gift to her from mommy. You'll be getting all kinds of stuff from baby showers, no doubt, but there's something about that first little gift from mom. I know, I'm a sentimental fool....

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J.W.

answers from Washington DC on

The latest SIDS prevention guidelines are that you use a fitted sheet for the crib mattress and put the baby in a sleep sack for warmth. You don't want the baby so warm that it goes into a deep sleep and can't wake up if it gets in trouble (almost a direct quote from the Health Department trainer on SIDS Prevention and Infant Safety). Swaddling is supposed to only be used if the baby is being held OR you are directly supervising.

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N.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I know it is hard to imagine, but you should not cover an infant with anything because it is dangerous. In their sleep they can get tangled in the sheet and suffocate. When my son was born, we swaddled him. We used the "Swaddle me" blanket. We bought it at BabiesRus. When he outgrew that, we used the Halo SleepSac. My son is 18 months old and stll wears the sleepsac for sleeping.

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L.P.

answers from Washington DC on

I always erred on the safe side with my babies and didn't use anything to cover them. I always just dressed them appropriately for the weather; in summertime, a onesie, in wintertime, thick pajamas and a blanket sleeper (one of those things that looks like a bag with sleeves on it) and a variety of in-between outfits.
L. P
www.YouCanWorkFromYourHome.com

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E.T.

answers from Richmond on

Hi A.-

You aren't supposed to put babes in loose sheets b/c of the possibility of suffocation. I highly suggest the Swaddle Me blanket. It is an easy way to swaddle the baby and keep them warm. My baby is 5 months, so on warm nights, I would just dress her in a onsie with the swaddle me. Now that is getting colder, I dress her in the long sleeve cotton night gowns and use the swaddle me blanket. I try to keep the room temperatures in the low 70s. That way she's not too hot with the two layers on.

The blankets are around $10 each at Babysrus. 2 should be plenty to rotate out when you are washing or if your baby has an accident. I also got the fleece one, but I would only use it in a place where you can't control the temperature -- and even then, only putting the kid in a onsie -- they get warm.

oh -- and I just use these for nighttime sleep. In the day if you are watching them, I would use the little thin blankets, but always tucked under her arms - so it was virtually impossible for them to come up over her face.

Hope that helps.

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S.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I highly suggest using a HALO sleep sack. You can swaddle the baby and keep him/her warm. My 1.5 year old still wears one (without the swaddle, of course). You can purchase them for under $20 at JC Pennys. Good luck!!

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S.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Get sleep sacks for after your baby is done with swaddeling. They are the safest things to use. There are some that swaddle and then convert to just a sleep sac.
No top sheets, blankets or comforters needed.

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E.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I have not read any of the responses, so I am sure that I am repeating advice, oh well, sorry. When they come, they are used to being "squished" for lack of a better word, so learn how to bundle/swaddle your baby. We layered the kids, I have 3, in a onsie and footed sleepwear. When they can turn their heads and push up, then you can use a lightweight blanket. We didn't give our kids pillows until they were about 2 years old, they did have one bear that they slept with, and when they started using that as a pillow, we knew they were ready. By the way, my youngest, now 7, and my middle, now 11, have started to wear footed pj's again, they like the warmth.

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R.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I always made sure my daughter had a warm one piece on (during winter one with footies and long sleeves) and then I swaddled her in a blanket. When they are swaddled, the blanket is wrapped around them several times, so this adds extra warmth. As she got older and didn't need to be swaddled, I always put her in one of those sleep sacks - I had one without arms and one with arms (my mother made the one with arms, so if you know someone that sews or you sew yourself, they're actually very easy to make - like a little sleeping bag with arms that zips up in the front).

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J.G.

answers from Washington DC on

A., first couple of months you'll just swaddle the baby to sleep, later when they don't want to be swaddled any more - baby sleeping bags are best, also once your baby is going to like to move a bit more just warm onesie with feet works well, all the best, J. (my 1 year old sleeps in a zip up baby seeping bag)

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L.E.

answers from Norfolk on

You got lots of great advice. I dressed my son in footies pjs since he did not really care for the blanket pj sack thingy that zipped up the front. (forgot the name of it) He moved alot in his sleep. Lighter footie pjs for spring/summer and the fleece footies for winter time. For the winter, I went on ebay and bought new still in package fleece crib sheets and we still use them on his toddler bed. They are awesome! Just make sure the fleece crib sheets are fitted. Ask the seller before purchasing b/c I bought one and it was not fitted as well as the others. Like the others say do not use comforter or blankets til baby is older. Also Babies R Us sells knit sheets and reg. cotton sheets. I believe the knit sheets were alot softer than cotton ones. Open the package and feel difference. Hey anything to keep the little one content! :)
Congrats to you.....happy halloween!

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V.M.

answers from Norfolk on

I have two boys and have used the Halo Sleep sacks with both. I just recently stopped using it for my first son who just turned three. I love the sleep sacks and always felt at ease with knowing they were covered but would not get a blanket over there face. Rest assured you are not a nervous mom to be but a smart mom to be. Also, I never used bumper pads as I read and also was advised in a baby class that it could be something the baby could get smothered with as a blanket.
Best wishes

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S.R.

answers from Boca Raton on

You shouldn't cover the baby with anything for the first year or so. Anything that you put in the crib could bunch up around his/her face and cause suffocation. When the baby is small, you can use a sleep sack (sold at Babies R Us, Target, etc) on top of PJ's. Once he/she is a little bigger you can just use PJ's. They sell lots of very warm PJ's with feet so your baby won't be cold in the winter.

Congrats! Being a mom is the best!

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A.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Halo Sleep sack. Love them. My daughter loves them too, she won't sleep without it.

Swaddle blanket with a newborn, but some babies don't like to be swaddled.

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

You are not supposed to put a sheet or blanket over a baby because they can smother themselves with it. If you are worried about your baby being cold get a sleep sack. they are blanket material that are a big bag at the bottom and zip up the center. It has a hole for the head and the arms so the top part looks like a vest and the bottom a bag and it is toasty warm for baby to sleep in. I got mine at babies r us. Good luck :)

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K.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi & congratulations

With newborns you should make sure that mattress sheets are fitted well and no loose/excess parts that they can become tangled/smothered in. You shouldn't use quilts/bumpers. For mine when they were very young they used to like being swaddled , once they were moving more and could potentially pull the blanket over their face/head I used a sleep sack , it zips up the side and has over the shoulder straps that has poppers to close.

All the best

K.

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C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi. I agree - sleep sacs or footed jammies work well to keep babies warm. Don't use blankets, just fitted sheets. We had our son on a sleep positioner and sheet, and he woke us up screaming. I ran in to find him with the sheet wrapped twice around his head! He was ok, but don't take the risk. Nothing in the bed until they're 2. No pillows, toys, nothing.

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J.C.

answers from Washington DC on

We used the Swaddle Me by Kiddopotamus (at Babies R Us, etc) in the beginning instead of sheets or blankets, which worked much better than just swaddling w/ a receiving blanket and stayed put. It is available in both fleece for cold weather and thinner cotton as well. After they got bigger and didn't need the comfort of swaddling, the Halo sleepsacks work great as a wearable blanket. Definitely don't put any toys, sheets, or blankets in the crib until your baby is at least 1 year or more as it is a hazard.

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C.B.

answers from Washington DC on

A., new babies should have as little as possible in the crib with them because everything can be a suffocation hazard when they are newborn and can't move themselves away from something that is blocking their nose and mouth. Just put your new little one in a footed sleeper at night and be sure to keep the room at an even temperature. You don't want it too hot either. Just a tight crib sheet and baby in a sleeper will keep him/her safe and warm. If it gets really cold throughout the winter get a few of the flannel sleepers for the baby so you are sure he is staying warm all night. Good luck with your new baby!

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L.O.

answers from Washington DC on

The temperature in your home will determine what type of cover to use for your baby. When my kids were little, I always thought that If I am cold, they would be cold too. That definitely isn't the case. The doctor told me that babies can with stand more than we think. I felt that a receiving blanket would be good enough during the day and maybe a heavier blanket at night pulled up maybe to the waist. I hope this helps.

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T.B.

answers from Norfolk on

new babys can be swaddled as they get older blanket sleepers are great and footed pj's . they come in winter form and light cotton for warmer months. when my daughter was about 18 months we gave her a light blanket. it was small in size! now she is 2 1/2 and has sheets and blanket etc. if you have more questions just ASK your doctor!
too much stuff in Crib has been associated with SIDS
so blanket sleepers are wonderful! google them!

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C.N.

answers from Richmond on

Babies love to be swaddled for the first couple months. They make swaddle blankets by kiddopatomus (sp?) that you can buy at Babies R Us or Target for $10. Once they outgrow those, switch over to the sleep slack that you put over thier pajamas, which looks like a big sleeping bag with a zipper. My son used those until he outgrew it at 2 (he's quite tall), but I anticipate that my daughter could fit in them until age 3. These are found in the same aisle as the swaddle blankets at Babies R US.

Good luck with your new baby and congratulations!

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Just use a fitted crib sheet and put them in warm pj's:-) Have Fun!!

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J.C.

answers from Lynchburg on

When our kids were brought home we used a recieving blanket to swadle them. No sheets or blankets other than that. Once they seemed developed enough (both of my kids were developed a little ahead of schedule) we'd add a blanket, but it would be tightly tucked into the crib sides. When we felt they were ready (they would turn their heads to open air when sleeping, as opposed to burrying into cloth or people) we let them have their blanket not so tightly tucked in. I know some people say not to do it at all, but we did, and my kids found comfort with their blankies. They weren't huge or really heavy, but enough for them.

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M.T.

answers from Portland on

Halo Sleepsacks are great. They are widely available in cottons and cozy polar-fleece for winter. There are also similar products by other makers. Whichever you choose, it's the safest way to go, and you know it will stay on your baby. You shouldn't cover infants with loose sheets or blankets, or put pillows, etc. in the crib for the first year.

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I think the rule is -- nothing in the crib, no blankets, sheets, pillows, etc. until 2 or so. They can get tangled up and pose suffocation & strangulation risks. For the first couple months, I would swaddle them -- Kiddopotamus has nice swaddlers for all seasons. When they start moving around too much, you will need something else. I have found the best thing! The website has a terrible name www.babyinabag.com, but these sleep sacks are amazing. My daughter is 3 and still wears hers every night. And, a hidden benefit, it discourages climbing out of the crib, even though they can walk pretty well in them. But that is not a worry for you until 12 months or later. They are a bit pricey, but I would definitely buy 2, because pee-pee very often escapes at night and you want to have an extra on hand. May I suggest a great resource -- a book called Baby Bargains. It is a little overwhelming, but if you can do it chapter by chapter, you will have a very good idea about what you need, and which brands are better than others. Good luck and enjoy motherhood!

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K.S.

answers from Washington DC on

When they're infants you just swaddle them up into a cocoon with a blanket. No sheets are necessary.

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K.S.

answers from Washington DC on

just use a light receiving blanket, no quilts or comforters. if you dress the baby warm enough they wont really need much cover. the idea is to avoid suffocating materials and also to avoid making the baby over warm...both contribute to sids.

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M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

A.

Dont cover a sleeping baby with anything. Even though sheets and stuffed animals look cute in a crib - they can be a suffucation hazard. Just make sure the baby is in a sleep that will keep them comfortable - during the winter i always used a "blanket sleeper"

If your baby is a newborn - you can have his/her swaddled in a receiving blanket - like when in the hosptial

Good luck

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I followed the common recommendations regarding SIDS. Here is what I did -

* firm crib mattress
* crib sheet, no quilted matress cover
* no blankets or toys
* no bumpers
* no supports of any kind

I used standard pajamas and sleepsacks over them when extra warmth was needed. I waited a year to put in baby-safe stuffed animals and an occasional blanket. I think it's important not to make assumptions about your child's comfort - they aren't used to the stuff we are used to like pillows and blankets. A lot of stuff is marketed to make you feel better about your child's comfort and so they can sell stuff. Just keep it simple. Before my first child was born 5 years ago, i learned that it is actually better to keep the baby's room cool rather than warm, but I don't remember the source for that. But babies are tougher than they look, so don't overworry about his//her temperature.

Congrats on the new baby! It is the hardest job, but the greatest joy! No need to be nervous - trust your instincts and follow your baby's signals.

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S.M.

answers from Norfolk on

Do NOT use a sheet. It could get wrapped around the baby's head or neck. Swaddle the baby for the first couple of months. We used sleep bags and swaddled our little girl. If it gets really cold, you can put a onesie under the sleep bag and use two blankets to swaddle. Now, our baby is almost one and too big to swaddle: she wears long underwear under fleece pajamas. Hope this helps.

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Y.L.

answers from Richmond on

When they're tiny babies (up to about 3 months) you swaddle them for naps and for night time. You can swaddle with large receiving blankets (but they squirm out of them and the blanket can become a suffocation hazard) or buy baby swaddlers (make sure to have like 3 on hand because they spit up a lot and you want to have an extra one or two clean ones). You can get them at Target/Walmart and Babies R Us or Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Swaddler-Blue-Newborn/dp/B002M... http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265540
After 3 months most babies don't care much for swaddling so you can use sleep sacks like this http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Innovations-SleepSack-Wearable... (they have cotton and fleece) and you put them in jammies under. When they can get to a sitting position on their own and pull up on their own you can cover them with a light, receiving blanket.
Keep in mind though that babies bodies don't regulate temperature very well and they can get over heated very quickly and that is a cuase of SIDS. So you want to use lightweight clothes under the swaddlers and sleep sacks.
Let me know if you have any more questions about products and other stuff. It is a great journey but definitely scary at times. Never be afraid to ask questions!

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G.M.

answers from Washington DC on

You cannot use any type of loose blanket on your infant. I used a swaddle blanket that velcros around the baby or a sleep sack that is like a blanket, but has arms and zips up. Both work well and keep the baby warm.

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N.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I use something called a go-go bag which is great because your baby can use it until 2.5 years old. It also has a hole in it if you need to use it with a car seat. I have never seen a Halo bag with this feature. It is on the expensive side ($100), but when you add up the cost of buying several halo bags (the different sizes and the different weights), it made sense to me to just buy this one! This bag is all-season because it is merino wool, so it keeps her warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The wool is also odor resistant and bacteria resistant. I hope this helps. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! BTW, I found the go-go bag online.

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