So all the SIDS literature says that there should be nothing in the cot except baby...so why is it so hard to find just bottom sheets. What's the point of a whole set of sheets (bottom, top, pillow case...sometimes even a bumper) when you aren't suppose to use any of this stuff. For what it's worth, I did manage to find some "only bottom" sets in packages of 2 but they are plain and I'd love some of the cuter stuff with prints but these are all in the sets.
You can still use a top sheet, you're just supposed to tuck it in well.
And I use the word "suppose" lightly.
Lots of people still use bumpers, and top sheets - we did.
The SIDS literature also tell you not to co-sleep, but other literature also tell you it is one of the most natural ways to sleep as a mammal with an infant.
You could buy them, and then use the top sheets later on...? When we used the cot, we used top sheets to put over Jazz, she never liked wrapping and was a winter baby so never managed to be warm enough, so I'd just put a sheet over her (SIDS safe sleeping recommendd making the bad at the bottom and only using as much sheet as you have to).
Actually, I've read on here members who just go ahead and buy single bed sheets, tuck the rest underneath, and you don't have to buy more when you upgrade from cot to single bed. Wish I had heard that before I bought cot sheets!
If you are only going to use the bottom sheet (no reason why you can't use the top sheet though, just tuck it in well!), you'll use it to drape over pram when bubs is having a nap or as a play mat.
I used the top sheet to wrap my babies once they got a bit bigger (since none of the wraps are big enough for babies over 4 weeks old).
You can use top sheets and tuck your baby in firmly. Some babies love being tucked in tightly (my DS did even while he was wrapped) and some hate it (both my DDs did). You are just meant to make up the bed with the babies feet touching the bottom of the cot and the sheet is not meant to pull up any higher than their neck.
We followed the SIDS guidelines pretty stringently and put nothing else in the cot with them. It really annoys me that shops are still allowed to sell things like cot bumpers that go against SIDS recommendations. Car seats, high chairs, everything else you buy for a baby (including the cot itself) have to meet a safety standard but the SIDS ones are negotiable. I don't get that.
First of all let me say i don't think it's a silly question. I can't for the life of me understand why all this puffy bedding is still available when it directly contravenes safe sleeping practices. I lost a four month old baby boy to sids 5 years ago so I get pretty irrate about it.
Not adding puffy bedding to the crib is definitely one of the most important sids prevention measures. You can keep your baby warm by using a sleeping bag - it's much safer.
A note about co-sleeping - it is considered safe if you follow strict co-sleeping guidelines and there is evidence to suggest that a baby sleeping in the same room as the parent is less likely to succumb to sids than a baby in a separate room in a crib.
If you still want to buy a pretty bedding set there are some nice things you can do with it. Here are a few unique nursery bedding ideas I found. You can use the comforter as a wall hanging for example or use the bumper to make a window valance.
Please click on the links to read all the information about what you can and can't put in the crib and to get accurate info on co-sleeping.
Bookmarks