Bedding for toddlers and babies
8 min
Probably no parent needs to be convinced how important a baby's sleep is. Healthy, comfortable night's rest means proper development and a better mood during the day. Therefore, it is necessary to take proper care so that the child can sleep well. The kind of bed linen, in which our baby sleeps, is of great importance.
Do toddlers and infants need special bedding?
Does every child need to sleep in bedding? It would seem that bedding is an absolutely essential part of every baby’s cot. But that is not the case - especially with babies. Little babies love to sleep with their parents, and that's when wraps and footmuffs are invaluable, and they're also ideal for co-sleeper cots. Such cots also give a sense of comfort to parents who do not have to share their space with their children, but have them with them. It's good that a co-sleeper cot has a wide range of height adjustment, like our UNO UP or NESTE UP co-sleeper cots. Even more so on warmer days. Larger bedding may be uncomfortable for a baby and even dangerous as it can easily slide over their face. In the case of older children the situation is different. You can't put them in a wrap and a blanket or a footmuff may be too small or too thin, especially in winter. Then it is worth deciding on classic bedding.
Bedding for babies. What kinds of bedding are there?
Bedding for a baby is a broad category, which includes several things. When buying cot equipment, we must be aware that bedding consists of at least a pillowcase and a comforter. These are two different products that we usually buy separately. In the case of pillowcases and sheets the most important thing is the fabric - it must be pleasant to the touch, seamless, without buttons or protruding zippers. It is also important that it is simply nice and delicate for the baby's sensitive skin. Comforters and pillows, on the other hand, differ mainly in their fillings. This is an extremely important issue. It determines whether the bedding will be light, heavy, airy, warm and safe for the baby.
How to choose a good bedding for a baby?
Babies spend most of the day sleeping, so it's no wonder that caring parents want to take care of the quality of their sleep. This is greatly influenced by the bedding in which the baby lies. There are a few things you should pay attention to when choosing the perfect one.
Safety
First of all - safety. Beddings for children are made of different materials, with prints, in different colors and patterns. One thing is important about them - that they are non-toxic, free from harmful substances. To make sure that the bedding is good for your baby’s skin, pay attention to certificates, such as OEKO-TEX standard 100, which informs about the quality of textile products in direct contact with the skin. The OEKO-TEX Institute tests products for the presence of the 100 most dangerous substances that pose a threat to users.
Also pay attention to the properties of selected materials. Check how they react to washing (also at high temperatures, thanks to which it will be easier to remove dirt and bacteria), whether they don't cause allergies and irritate the baby's skin. Moreover, baby beddings should be airy and breathable.
Materials
Bed linens are basically divided into five basic groups: cotton, satin, bark, bamboo and cheesecloth. Cotton bedding is the most popular, as it is a durable, natural and gentle material for baby's skin. Additionally it is airy, non-allergenic and can be washed in high temperatures without risk of deformation. Satin bedding is used much less frequently. It is commonly believed that this material is too cool for a baby. Indeed, the slipperiness and coolness of satin are not associated with a baby cot, but there are no contraindications to choose this particular material.
A willingly chosen option is a duvet cover made of bark. It's cheaper than the others, but unfortunately less durable - especially easily torn by frequent washing, and let's face it, bed linens are cleaned extremely often with a baby. The disadvantage of this material is also not very pleasant texture, which can irritate the delicate skin of a baby. Bamboo bedding is gaining more and more followers, because it has thermo-regulating properties, which is especially useful in summer and protects the baby from possible overheating. Bamboo is also soft and light. Even more pleasant for the baby's skin, especially infant's, is the cheesecloth duvet, which works best in the spring and summer months, because it ensures proper air circulation.
Aesthetics
Don't underestimate the aesthetics either. Children's bedding is an important part of the décor of a baby's room, so it is worth taking a moment to choose the right design. And there is no shortage of these on the market - but the choice is an individual matter, depending on personal taste. It is believed, however, that patterns and colors should not be too flashy. Pastel colors and interesting patterns stimulating children's curiosity will be the best. Such soft but not boring beddings will perfectly fit to the cots, maintained in timeless style, combining the warmth of natural wood with cool white. Soft beddings will go perfectly with our KOYA or STELLO cots - they will enliven the whole baby's room, at the same time not introducing too many flashy, distracting colors to the sleeping area.
What kind of bedding elements to choose for the baby?
It may seem that beddings are only a pillowcase, a comforter and a sheet. Nothing more misleading. On the market you will find many more elements, and each of them comes in several variants.
The simplest example - pillowcases come in two types, both for pillows and for comforters. In general, pillows are a controversial element of cot equipment. In fact, experts believe that babies should sleep without pillows, with their heads directly on the sheets.
We also have to deal with several types of sheets. We can buy classic cotton ones, as well as those with elastic bands and waterproof polyurethane membrane. It is not a coincidence that the most popular are those with a rubber band - they guarantee that the sheet will roll under the child. But if we tuck a traditional sheet well between the mattress and the rungs, it should not roll either. A waterproof sheet is an option worth considering - especially for small children and those who have a problem with bedwetting. The impermeable surface will protect the mattress from pouring over. Special mattress protectors, which dry quickly and can be washed easily, are also a good solution.
The equipment of a baby's cot also includes hoods, which are recommended only for cots of older children. There are also numerous bedding sets on the market, in which, apart from the basic elements, we can often get wraps, diaper bags and even bibs - all with the same motif.
Children's comforter filling
When it comes to comforter fillings, we can choose from three most popular types - downy or feather, synthetic and woolen. The advantage of the first option is naturalness and high warmth. Unfortunately not every child can use a down or feather comforter, because such filling may be allergic. Therefore it is worth knowing before making a decision whether your child will be able to sleep under such a comforter. This is not a problem with synthetic fillings. Such a comforter is lighter than the others and additionally it does not deform and - which is important especially at the time of weaning toddlers from diapers - it is easy to wash. There are also comforters with woolen filling available on the market. They heat as well as down or feather comforters, but they are much lighter. However, they can be allergenic as well.
Why should you change the bedding for summer and winter?
On the market you can also find children's bedding both year-round and tailored to a specific season - summer or winter. Which option is better? Let’s check this out!
Year-round models are designed in such a way that they are breathable on warm days and provide adequate warmth on colder ones. Their advantages include good air circulation, which helps regulate the baby's body temperature. If we are looking for a comforter for the whole year, natural fillings - made of goose or duck down - will work best. Their disadvantage, however, is that they can be allergenic and certainly will not work well for a child suffering from allergies. If someone has such a problem, they should bet on a filling made of bamboo fibers.
A year-round option also includes the so-called "four seasons" comforters, which consist of two comforters connected by snaps. Paired ones are used in the winter, while only one layer is needed in the summer.
The other option is to buy two comforters - one for winter and one for summer. No one-size-fits-all comforter will be fully suited to the requirements of the changing seasons. A summer comforter is all about air circulation and adjusting to the baby's body temperature - so that the baby does not overheat. The best comforters are thin, under which the child will not sweat. In winter, however, it is better to bet on comforters that can tuck the baby more. They are heavier and thicker, which will provide thermal comfort and convenience.
When replacing a comforter you can buy a slightly larger model, because children grow quickly. Such comforters will fit into cots, which, in turn, grow with the little ones, such as KOYA, which easily turns from a 90 x 60 cm cot into a 120 cm long one.
Two separate comforters for two seasons is a more hygienic and comfortable option for the baby. However, we must know that it is a double expense. However, there is no doubt that it is an excellent investment in the quality of the baby's sleep and their well-being during the day. Moreover, it is simply good to have a spare comforter. This is especially true when your child is between one and three years old. Diapers can leak at the time of weaning toddlers from diapers. That's why it's a good idea to have a few spare sheets and to protect the mattress with a special protector. The spare comforters do not have to be of the highest quality. It will be enough to spend about PLN 50 on them. Thanks to such a small investment, you will gain some peace of mind and a little less frequent washing.