Is it just me, or are crib bedding sets a huge racket?

[Anonymous]

So far I've just been looking online, but I have to say, I am really blown away with how expensive crib bedding sets are, and the price is mostly comprised of the bumper, which seems incredibly silly to me. I paid $50 for my queen-sized DOWN comforter from Ikea. How the hell are these bumpers seriously $200-300? Is there something really special about them? It's just not that much fabric or fill, and I'm almost certain I could make one for less than $30. So what's with the 1000% markup?

I am trying very hard to be frugal about Things For Baby, but I have to wonder how important it is to have an actual bedding set. I mean, has anyone just bought a sheet and maybe a throw? I know babies don't use pillows, and I am planning on swaddling, and I know the jury is still out on bumpers, so given all that, how are crib bedding sets so popular? Is there really anything wrong with just buying a fitted sheet and a blanket? MAYBE a crib skirt if I'm feeling guilty, I guess.

Did anyone just go without the set? Did you start using a bumper after a certain age? A friend of mine recommended using the bumper after something like 6 months (or maybe 8). I realize they're totally optional, but I feel like they're being pushed on me. My mom keeps asking me, "Have you chosen your theme yet?" I was like, "Uh, what the hell do you mean?" Apparently your baby's entire room revolves around the crib bedding! So I guess that means my baby-room's theme will be minimalism. White fitted sheet, simple throw.

I liked some of the bedding at the Baltimore Ikea where I bought my crib (Gulliver). Everything was very basic and inexpensive. Then I looked on sites that listed bedding for upwards of $300, which seems insane to me. We are talking about a baby, right? I could think of SO many ways I could better spend this money. Come to think of it, a lot of baby stuff is totally unnecessary. As a pregnant consumer, I gotta say, I'm a little miffed.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it's a total rip-off. A lot of baby stuff is--it's all about marketing--the baby industry has figured out that new parents are suckers.

Most people on DCUM are so paranoid about SIDS that they never use the bumper, and the quilts are useless. Just get some sheets that you like (knit are softer) and maybe a dust ruffle thing if you like the look.

[Anonymous]

Stick with a solid pastel color of crib sheet, or white, 100% soft cotton.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. Does anyone know where can I find really soft sheets? The ones at Ikea weren't bad but I've heard that places like PBK sell nice, soft sheets. I figure I'm going to spend more money on the mattress than anything, too, and I've heard I need a mattress cover as well. I guess if I'm going to forgo the set, I could get a really nice, soft fitted sheet.

[Anonymous]

My mom bought (and I've seen them there a lot) some super soft sheets at Ross. They're almost a fleecy/terry material.

The knit sheets (Carters?) at BRU are soft too.
You can also find fleece sheets, not sure if they're in stores or just online; I ordered one for my son 5 years ago thinking it might help him sleep if his bed felt a little warmer.

[Anonymous]

All you need are soft fitted crib sheets, at least 2- maybe 3? Carter's has very soft ones made from cotton jersey. I also got a mattress cover to protect the mattress from diaper leaks. I could not figure out how to use the dust ruffle with my ikea crib so I never bothered getting one.

[Anonymous]

We got 3 or 4 fitted crib sheets from Land's End, which was (at that time, at least) recommended by "Baby Bargains." (Great book, by the way, if you don't have it. They update all the time.)

[Anonymous]

New poster here. Agree with others, it's all a racket. Just stick to basics and what feels right to you.

[Anonymous]

we used bamboo sheets and love how soft they are. never did anything like a dust ruffle or bumpers or anything. just a fitted sheet and now we use blankets (she's older) that people made for us. she seems fine with the mismatched stuff

[Anonymous]

Yes, huge racket! A phrase I've using a lot myself lately. The baby has no clue what color their room or sheet s are. You do it for yourself. Personally, I didn't care so I have a target sheet on the mattress. The baby is in my room for now anyway. As he gets older we'll make his room, not more decorative, but more functional.

[Anonymous]

we bought a cheap sheet set (from Walmart) because of the pattern. We've never used the bumper, just the crib skirt and the sheet. The quilt we've used to lay DS on when he was small and teeny, but not anymore.

We ended up buying a 3 additional sheets (carter's usually, just depending on what pattern I liked). I've seen flannel and microfleece sheets online, but DS is a very warm baby, so have never needed them. Once he started rolling over on his own, we got him a thin mattress pad, which he seems to love - it makes his crib much cozier.

[Anonymous]

I got our pattern from Land of Nod. At the time (5 years ago), they sold the sets as separates, so I was able to just buy sheets, a skirt and a quilt (which I later used on the toddler bed).

[Anonymous]

It seems like a racket unless you can't sew (like me), then you're glad that someone knows how to make such pretty things. (Or, at least, I was.)

But we got pretty basic jersey sheets from Daisy Baby in Bethesda (I think about $16/sheet) and they're fabulous. Super soft, and wear very well with repeated washings.

[Anonymous]

Forget the sets!

Get some individual sheets you like (Babies r Us, Pottery Barn or even Target), along with a few "Ultimate Crib Sheets" to put on top for easy changing (life saver in the middle of the night!), and a breathable mesh bumper (great for later when their legs may get stuck between the bars . . . .) That's it.

If you go simple/plain with the sheets, you can still do plenty of other things to decorate the nursery without spending a fortune!

[Anonymous]

yup, big racket. babies don't use comforters or pillows anyway. i bought a couple of fitted flannel sheets at babies r us (had to look for soft ones) and that was it. i think they were about $7. a friend gave me her bumper.