The Joy of Pregnancy (cont.)

Sheets must fit securely and must be well made in order to fit securely and hug the mattress. If the sheet is too tight when it is brand new, the chances are it will shrink and not fit properly after the first wash. Sheets that are too big will also not fit properly. However, if you wash them before the first use, they will probably shrink to the proper size. If they do not shrink, you should return them.

Bumpers are necessary. They have been used in cribs for generations. They are considered an integral part of the crib's interior. They protect your baby from impact to his/her soft little head and offer security along with definition of place. However, there are issues to be aware of. Bumpers that are too thick, too fluffy, and have a filling that is too loose, can become a pillow in the crib, which is a definite no - no. You want a bumper that is, of course, a beautiful complement to the bedding set and one that is firm and has plenty of ties to hold it in place. This is very important so that your infant will not crawl underneath and get wedged under the bumper. I personally recommend bumper ties for both the top and bottom to provide that total security. According to the present standard, bumper ties should be no longer than 9 inches and no shorter than 7 inches. This rule was passed in order to prevent strangulation in the crib from excessively long ties. Large ribbons ties are beautiful because they form into fluffy bows on the end, but, sad to say, pose a risk to the baby, and are not part of the standard.

Comforters, especially heavy and very thick comforters, should not be used in the crib with newborns. A lightweight blanket is perfect for the early months. There is plenty of time for babies to cuddle with the comforters when they are able to pull themselves up and be more active in the crib.

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