Overview

There are a lot of things you can put on top of your mattress or wrap your baby in. However, there are only a few things you need and a bunch you definitely don't, for safety reasons. To protect your mattress you may want a mattress pad, or a "puddle pad" (a smaller piece of usually wool placed where diaper leaks may happen) to protect your mattress. You'll want several fitted sheets. And you'll need some blankets that can swaddle your newborn and then pajamas or wearable blankets (see sleepwear). And really - that's it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends having nothing but a sheet and your baby in the crib.

Hidden Hazards

There are a number of ways to make mattress pads and other bed-related items waterproof and some use fewer chemicals of concern than others. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC, or vinyl) is common, which can contain phthalates. If you choose foam-based bumpers, these may have flame retardant chemicals. As with all textiles, they may contain a number of solvents as finishing and manufacturing chemicals.

Other Considerations

In addition to helping promote a healthy sleep space, keeping a spare crib can save money because you aren't filling it with decorative add-ons.

Recommendations

The Getting Ready for Baby campaign specifically recommends products that have been certified MADE SAFE. For bedding, this includes:

Boll and Branch

• Classic Crib Sheet ($35)

  • Color/Design Options: White, Natural, Cottontail

Burt’s Bees Baby

Blankets

• Watercolor Morning Glory Jersey Knit Organic Baby Reversible Blanket ($19,95)

• Stamped Sunflower Floral Jersey Knit Organic Baby Reversible Blanket ($19.95)

• Watercolor Floral Lost in Lilac Jersey Knit Organic Baby Reversible Blanket ($19.95)

• Watercolor Sunset Stripe Jersey Knit Organic Baby Reversible Blanket ($19.95)

• Watercolor Mountains Print Jersey Knit Organic Baby Reversible Blanket ($19.95)

• Watercolor On The Road Stripe Jersey Knit Organic Baby Reversible Blanket ($19.95)

• Pine Forest Print Jersey Knit Organic Baby Reversible Blanket ($19.95)

• Watercolor A-BEE-C Alphabet Jersey Knit Organic Baby Reversible Blanket ($19.95)

• Solid Thermal Organic Baby Receiving Blanket ($12.95)

  • Color Options: Pink, White

• Organic Cable Knit Sweater Blanket ($29.95)

  • Color Options: Pink, Grey

• Baby Starry Eyes Watercolor Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets 3-Pack ($34.95)

• Spring Bouquet Watercolor Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets 3-Pack ($34.95)

• Breezy Palm Trees Organic Baby Muslin Swaddle Blankets 3-Pack ($34.95)

• Blackberry Floral Watercolor Organic Baby Muslin Swaddle Blankets 3-Pack ($34.95)

• Dottie Bee Organic Baby Muslin Swaddle Blankets 3-Pack ($34.95)

Fitted Sheets

• Solid Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Mini Crib Sheet ($17.95)

  • Color Options: Pink, Grey, White

• Watercolor Hello Moon! Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Solid Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

  • Color Options: Pink, Green, Sky Blue, Navy Blue, Indigo, Lavender, Grey, White

• Alphabet Bee Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Baby A-BEE-C Watercolor Alphabet Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Stripe Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

  • · Color Options: Pink, Sky Blue, Navy Blue, Grey

• Buffalo Check Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Bold Stripe Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Guide the Way Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Watercolor Leafy Plants Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Honeybee Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

  • Size Options: Pink, Grey

• Butterfly Garden Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Watercolor Rose Garden Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Abstract Blackberry Floral Print Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Peach Floral Print Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Watercolor Dragonfly Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet ($19.95)

• Solid Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet 2-Pack ($36.95)

  • Color Options: Pink, Grey

• Sunset Stripe & Watercolor Print Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet 2-Pack ($36.95)

• Pine Forest & Stripe Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Crib Sheet 2-Pack ($36.95)

• Solid Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Bassinet Sheet ($10.95)

  • Color Options: Pink, Grey

• Baby Solid Organic Baby BEESNUG Fitted Bassinet Sheet 2-Pack ($19.95)

  • Color Options: Pink, Grey

• Solid Woven Organic Baby Box Pleat Crib Skirt ($34.95)

  • Color Options: Grey, White

Cat and Dogma

• Armadillo Blanket ($31)

• Avocado Blanket ($31)

• Banana Blanket ($31)

• Bee Blanket ($31)

• Frenchie Blanket ($31)

• Chicken and Coral Blanket ($29)

• Good Vibes Blanket ($31)

• I Love You Blankets ($31)

Cole and Cleo

• Blanket (Striped or Dotted) ($32)

  • Color Options: Pink, Black

Coyuchi

• Honeycomb Organic Baby Blanket ($48)

• Cloud Brushed Organic Flannel Crib Sheet ($38)

• Organic Crinkled Percale Crib Sheet ($38)

• 300 Thread Count Organic Sateen Crib Sheet ($48)

Lullaby Earth

• Airflow Topper ($69)

• Wisp Air Breathable Mattress Pad ($39)

• Breeze Air Breathable Mattress Pad ($59)

Lullaby Earth for Rosie Pope

• Wishful Dreamer Breathable Crib Mattress Pad ($89)

MakeMake Organics

• Organic Cotton Crib Sheet Set - Midnight Blue Groovy Stripes ($27.99)

• Organic Cotton Crib Sheet Set ($44.99)

  • Pattern Options: Stary Nights and Polkas, Solid and Natural White

• Organic Bassinet Fitted Sheet ($29.99)

• Organic Cotton Swaddle Blanket and Top Knot ($27.99)

  • Pattern Options: o Brown Dots, Pink Flecks, Blue Stripes, Blue Flecks, Yellow Stripes

Naturepedic

• Organic Breathable Baby Crib Protector Pad ($99)

• Organic Waterproof Baby Crib Protector Pad - Crib Flat, Crib Fitted, or Crib Fitted Oval ($69)

• Organic Crib Sheets ($29)

Under the Nile

• Polka Dot Swaddle Blanket ($26)

• Panda Print Swaddle Blanket ($26)

• Sherpa Deluxe Blanket ($46)

• Faux Fur Stroller Blanket ($51)

• Muslin Swaddle Blanket – Fruit & Veggie Print ($30)

• Muslin Swaddle Blanket – Light Peach ($30)

• Muslin Swaddle Blanket – Sage Green ($30)

• Muslin Swaddle Blanket – Organic White ($30)

• Swaddle Blanket – Thin Pink Stripe ($26)

• Swaddle Blanket – Thin Blue Stripe ($26)

• Swaddle Blanket – White and Blue 2-Pack ($42)

• Muslin Swaddle Blanket – Pink Starry Night ($30)

• Muslin Swaddle Blanket – Blue Starry Night ($30)

• Muslin Swaddle Blanket – Gray Starry Night ($30)

• Swaddle Blanket – Gray Stork Embroidery ($26)

• Swaddle Blanket – Gray Stripe ($26)

• Airplane Stroller Blanket ($28)

• Butterfly Stroller Blanket ($28)

• Receiving Blanket Red Stripe ($30)

• Swaddle Blanket – Stork Print ($36)

• Swaddle Blanket – Organic White 2-Pack ($42)

• Swaddle Blanket – Pink Stripe & Organic White 2-Pack ($42)

• Receiving Blanket – Popcorn Print ($30)

• Flannel Swaddle Blanket – Ice Blue ($26)

• Flannel Swaddle Blanket – Blush ($26)

Whisper Organics

• 300 Thread Count Organic Crib Sheet – Sateen ($22.65)

  • Size: 52x28x9

  • Color/Design Options: Natural, Ivory, White, Blue, Pink Polka Dots

Whenever possible, choose organic textiles for items that will touch your baby's body. Products made of fabric are certified organic by GOTS (the Global Organic Textile Standard). Avoid latex to avoid possible allergies. Waterproofing that is safest includes the liquid-resistant wool "puddle pads," and polyethylene/polypropylene coatings. You won't need waterproof mattress pads if your mattress surface is already waterproof, though they can make cleaning up accidents easier.As with all textiles, launder before using them for your baby.

References & Resources

Learn more about why you should skip bumper pads.

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers.