Everything Parents Need to Know to be an Educated Consumer When Shopping for Crib Bedding Sets
If you’re a new parent, you know there’s a dizzying array of options when it comes to baby crib bedding – from inexpensive but cute acrylic receiving blankets to top-of-the-line organic cotton nursery bedding, it can often be overwhelming when you’re faced with making a decision for your baby’s nursery. In this article, we’ll review the pros and cons of the different types of materials that nursery bedding is made of – and how it can affect your baby’s health, among other things.
Synthetic Baby Bedding
Although nearly every type of baby bedding set could be considered comfortable and warm, there are certainly advantages to premium crib bedding sets, such as organic baby blankets and nursery bedding made from natural materials – versus less expensive acrylic or polyester crib bedding sets. For starters, many synthetic baby bedding sets are made from materials that have been raised from crops that were treated with pesticides, and later processed at a manufacturing plant with harmful chemicals that could be detrimental – and sometimes even fatal – to your infant. So although there are many cheap crib bedding sets available that might save you money and easy to find at your local superstore, you will want to seriously consider the long-range effects they’ll have on your baby’s health and development. When it comes to man-made materials versus organic, natural fibers, there are certainly more cons than pros to consider – choose wisely.
Pros: Less expensive; variety of whimsical prints, patterns, styles and colors available
Cons: May be treated with harmful chemicals, toxic pesticides and irritating dyes that can pose health threats (including SIDS) to your baby as well as your family; bad for the environment
Cotton Baby Bedding
When it comes to cotton, there is a world of difference between organically-raised cotton and cotton that has been grown with the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides. If you’re on the market for crib sets for your nursery, selecting organic baby bedding is choosing better health for your infant as well as the workers on the farm (who would otherwise be exposed to dangerous pesticides). By going green, you’re also helping to contribute to a cleaner environment for everyone, and due to the general higher quality and resilience of organic cotton, you’ll ultimately save money in the long run, since it will last for years (especially if you plan on using your baby’s nursery crib bedding for more than one child). Bottom line: Be an educated consumer – know the difference between organic cotton and cotton that has been chemically processed.
Pros: Organic cotton is better for your baby’s health; beneficial to the environment; also, cost-effective purchase in the long run
Cons: Non-organic cotton (cotton that has been raised with genetically modified plants and/or treated with pesticides and other chemicals) poses health risks to humans; detrimental to the environment
Bamboo Baby Bedding
Bamboo has many natural properties which have been revered around the world for thousands of years in many warm, humid climates, where they thrive. Anti-fungal and antibacterial, fabric that has been made from bamboo has become an increasingly popular alternative when it comes to organic fabric options – including organic baby bedding sets. However, bamboo, much like cotton, has both the positive and negative sides of organic crops versus chemically-processed materials. Since bamboo isn’t regulated by the USDA, it’s important to check labels carefully for ‘organic’ or ‘green’ when shopping for your baby’s nursery bedding – if you’re not sure, check the manufacturer or ask your retailer to verify if it’s eco-friendly or not. Again, it’s crucial to be a smart shopper and know the difference between organic and chemically-treated materials.
Pros: Organic bamboo is strong, soft, resilient and long-lasting; since it grows naturally in warm climates without pesticides, it’s also an eco-friendly crop
Cons: The production of bamboo isn’t USDA-regulated, so shop with caution & read labels carefully – if it’s not certified organic, it may have been treated with harmful chemicals during the manufacturing process
Wool Baby Bedding
Another natural fiber that has been used for centuries, lambswool is an excellent choice when shopping for crib bedding sets. Organic wool adjusts to your body’s temperature naturally, so baby bedding made from it will keep your infant comfortable year-round. In addition, it has many other wonderful attributes – it’s almost entirely non-allergenic (perfect for baby’s delicate skin & respiratory systems), keeps skin cool and dry, and is naturally flame-resistant. In addition, buying organic wool products and baby crib bedding helps sustain small farmers, an economically-sound and environmentally-conscious consumer decision.
Pros: Organic wool is non-allergenic, flame-resistant; keeps baby dry and comfortable; eco-friendly
Cons: A bit pricier than synthetic or acrylic baby bedding sets