What is the purpose of crib sheets?

A crib sheet, explained In the simplest way possible, is the fabric used to cover the crib mattress. The purpose of the crib sheet is no different than that of regular adult bed sheets - to cover and protect the mattress from the ordinary dirtiness and wear and tear of everyday use. The goal is for the baby to sleep in a clean environment every night, which is considerably simpler, easier, and cheaper to achieve by changing dirty sheets than by changing or washing dirty mattresses.

How and when do you use crib sheets?

Crib sheets’ fundamental difference from normal sheets is the size; with crib sheets being considerably smaller, of course. A good first approach to how to use bed sheets could be the same as how regular sheets are used in the baby’s household. For example, if bed sheets are changed once a week, it is a good idea to initially plan on changing the baby’s crib sheets once a week.

While bed sheets and crib sheets are very similar, they are different in at least three ways worth mentioning.

When will my baby start using crib sheets?

Unlike an adult who, as soon as they move into a new house or apartment, will need bed sheets to sleep on, when a baby will start using crib sheets depends entirely on its parents. It is common for parents to decide to have their baby sleep with them in the same room for the first three to six months or even longer. During this time, babies usually sleep in what is called a bassinet, which is, in essence, a smaller and more transportable crib. The bassinet then allows the mom to easily and quickly reach for their baby during the night because they are sleeping next to each other without taking up as much room as a regular crib would do.

Parents who decide to sleep with their baby for those first months will then first need bassinet sheets and crib sheets only once the baby is moved from the bassinet in the parent’s room to the baby’s crib in the baby’s room. As mentioned above, the main difference between cribs and bassinets is their size, so if parents decide to use the latter, they will most likely not be able to use the same sheets both for the bassinet’s and crib’s mattresses. In this case, crib sheets would be needed when the baby is around six months old.

Can I take care of crib sheets the same way I take care of my bed sheets?

How to take care of crib sheets will be discussed further below, but the short answer to this question is yes, with one caveat. Baby’s skin can be, and often is, more sensitive than an adult’s skin. For this reason, it is important to choose which detergent to use when washing the crib sheets. There are detergents specially made for babies, and it is best to use one of those.

For the rest of the variables of a routine of caring for crib sheets, there will most likely not be any problems with doing the same as bed sheets. For example, the periodicity with which they are cleaned and so on.

What should I consider when choosing crib sheets?

This is the biggest and most important difference between crib and bed sheets. When choosing crib sheets, parents should only buy crib sheets that are comfortable yet breathable and thin. This is because babies need to sleep in cool and ventilated places that do not limit in the least any and all movement the babies are capable of at any given stage of their developmental journey. In other words, babies need to be put to sleep in sheets that fit tightly on the crib’s mattress, continue to fit tightly even under the baby’s weight, and stay like that the entire night.

The logic behind this is to ensure that the baby does not overheat and is not snuggled in a way that can hinder its normal breathing. If the idealized sleeping arrangement for the regular adult is soft, mushy bed sheets that gently snuggle whoever sleeps on them, the baby's sheet should not resemble that in the least. A good way to put it is imagining that the baby sleeps on a firm yoga mat. A good criterion to know if the baby will be safe at night is for the parents to make sure that their baby is not sunken into the mattress even an inch and that they can see the baby when standing next to it from head to toe and from one hand to the other. 

How many crib sheets do you really need?

The answer to this question could depend on several factors, but everything depends on how often the parents plan to do laundry. If some parents have a very well-structured domestic routine and do laundry religiously once or twice a week, they will not need to have that many crib sheets because they will have enough chances to wash them constantly. If, on the other extreme of the spectrum, some parents have no intention of doing laundry more than a couple to three times a month, then it would be advisable to have more crib sheets, allowing them to change the crib sheets with the required frequency.

How many crib sheets do you use in a day?

The really short answer is one. If the baby is sleeping in a clean crib sheet that stays the same when morning comes, there should not be any need to change the crib sheet. In other words, unless it unexpectedly gets dirty, the crib sheet should be fine to reuse for at least one week.

How many crib sheets do you use in a week?

Again, and considering the above, the really short answer is one. Babies should only spend a tiny fraction of their waking hours in their cribs. For example, while they wait for mom and dad to come in the morning. For this reason, crib sheets do not get as dirty as the bed sheets of an adult might get. Changing them once a week should be more than enough to ensure the baby has the clean and safe environment it needs.

It is important to mention, though, that accidents do happen to your baby. They might spit up at night and get the crib sheet dirty, or a full diaper might leak and get pee all over it and the baby. While all of this can be prevented, it is almost impossible to control it to the extent that it will never happen. For this reason, having clean crib sheets is essential. A good number that allows for these unforeseen changes is three. These changes might need to happen in the middle of the night, so parents will most likely be very relieved to have clean crib sheets at hand.

It is also worth mentioning that even if crib sheets protect the mattress during everyday use, they will most likely not prevent something like the baby’s pee from reaching it. For this reason, parents should consider getting a crib mattress protector. It is like a more sturdy crib sheet, usually water-repellent. One of these will most likely be enough since they do not need to be changed as often, and they are more resistant.

How many crib sheets should I bring to the hospital?

The best thing to do is call the hospital where the birth will take place and confirm with them what it is that they offer as part of their services. Typically, hospitals will have a defined protocol for such things as crib sheets, which they need to handle properly to ensure they are clean for each patient. The answer to this question will most likely be none since the hospital will provide whatever is needed. In any case, more decorative crib sheets that will be used to make a nice setting for that very special first picture might be a good idea to take with you!

For how long do babies use crib sheets?

Parents will need crib sheets for as long as their baby sleeps in a crib. As with many baby-related things, the moment babies transition out of the crib and into a bed is not clear-cut. The transition to a bed can happen anywhere between 18 months to 3 years. There are many factors to consider to determine the best timing for such a transition, like the baby's safety if, for instance, they can already climb out of the crib.

How to care for crib sheets

While it depends on the material of the crib sheet, it is generally advisable to wash crib sheets in warm water and with a baby-safe detergent. It is also advisable to wash the crib sheets alone so they do not come into contact with other items that might expose the baby’s linens to elements to which they would not be exposed otherwise. It is also a good idea to occasionally hang the crib sheets to dry in the sun, as the sun can act as a powerful disinfectant. If line drying is not possible for any given parent, drying sporadically in the hottest dryer cycle will have a similar effect. Just make sure this will not damage them permanently!

Factors to consider when buying crib sheets

Many things might come into play when buying crib sheets, but the following three should always be considered. The first thing to consider is the color. The lighter the color of the crib sheet is, the easier it will be to tell when it is time to wash it. Dark colors might seem they are clean while they are really not. The second thing to consider is the breathability of the crib sheet material. Keep in mind that babies spend hours and hours on end on their backs, and if the fabric they are lying on does not allow for breathability, they might sweat a lot and become fussy due to discomfort. The last thing to consider is to ensure that the crib sheets fit properly on the crib mattress to ensure your baby is safe when getting the rest they need.