Girl crib bedding: frills and lace. Boy baby bedding: the wild, wild west. I think you’ve forgotten something! Choosing baby bedding is about more than just a fashion statement.

As adults, we are already aware of any sensitivities we might have, but with a new baby you can’t be sure if he/she will have any allergies. That is why you need to choose your baby bedding based on materials first and appearances second. If it’s good, the baby nursery bedding should list some vital facts – namely, cover fabric, fill material, fill power (higher is better), and thread count (again, higher is better). The first thing you might consider is the warmth of the bedding, especially if you’re having a winter baby, but it should also be lightweight and breathable. The Internet makes it easy to find out the construction materials for a wide variety of crib bedding choices, so do some research before you buy.

Organic fabrics are probably better than non-organic, but the most important thing is to avoid synthetics if you want to reduce the risk of allergies. Off-gassing is a concern with sythetic fabrics (this refers to the release of toxic gases that may happen), as well as breathability – most synthetic fabrics will not breathe. If you are considering a bedding set like the Max 4pc baby bedding set, that is composed of cotton and polyester (but mostly cotton), then you can continue looking or accept the small risk.

Wool is a great choice for a baby blanket – it’s both soft and comfortable. Wool blankets are fabulous with a cotton flannel backing. Larger blankets are perfect for car trips and bundling up in the winter, which small blankets are just the right size for swaddling.

Down comforters can be a great choice – they have a natural filler that is both lightweight and warm at the same time. Manufacturers understand that babies can be messy, so most down comforters are machine washable. The cleaner the down inside the comforter, the less likely it will cause sensitivities. The turbidity and oxygen tests are the ones used to measure cleanliness of filler material. For the oxygen test, a lower number is better – with 10 being the government standard. For the turbidity test, on the other hand, a higher number is better, going up to around 550 at the top of the scale.

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