If you have ever browsed the internet about baby safety, potential accidents during sleep would have definitely given you nightmares. There are many tragic stories related to accidents in bassinets that you will even refuse to believe. Bassinets are a great alternative to co-sleeping and are not dangerous if you use them properly following the recommended safety guidelines.
I know how overwhelming motherhood can be, creating the safest environment for your precious baby to avoid all possible accidents. If you wonder how you can make the bassinet both safe and comfortable for the baby, read this article to find out about the bassinet sheets which is a common concern in regards to baby sleep safety.
CONTENT
1. Do I need a bassinet sheet or a mattress protector?
5. How to put a sheet to the bassinet properly?
6. How to make a baby more comfortable in a bassinet
1. Do I need a bassinet sheet or a mattress protector?
Yes, you need to invest in few bassinet sheets or mattress protectors for three main reasons. The first reason is the comfort of your baby. The surface of the mattress or the pad of the bassinet might not be smooth enough for the soft skin of a newborn. Some babies will be happy with the extra warmth they get from a bassinet sheet. It is not safe to have sleep comforts like pillows or blankets for a baby so having an additional layer of cloth on the mattress will offer your baby a smooth and warm surface to sleep on.
The second reason is the protection of the bassinet mattress or the pad. Many possible accidents can happen to require you to clean the bassinet. Spit-ups, diaper leaks, medicine spillage, and the list never ends. A bassinet and all the other products are expensive investments that you should not carelessly ruin by one mistake. A bassinet sheet will allow you to quickly clean the bassinet leaving it in a good condition to be used for your next baby or someone else’s.
The third reason is the cleanliness. If you do not put a bassinet sheet, it will not be easy to clean the mattress or the pad. In case of a diaper leak, you can just pull out the bassinet sheet and throw it in the washer before replacing the bassinet with a fresh sheet. Things will not be that easier without a mattress cover or a bassinet sheet. so you need a bassinet sheet for your convenience and the comfort of the baby.
2. Bassinet sheet safety
As I mentioned before, there are many potential dangers for a baby during sleep. You can refer to the Safe Sleep Recommendations provided by the American Association of Pediatrics to ensure that your baby is safe at sleep.
It is not recommended to have blankets in the bassinet of a baby because they can be a choking hazard. It is for the same reason that some parents refuse to have sheets in the bassinets. But if your bassinet sheet is well fitted with no extra fabric loosely coming out, it is not dangerous for your baby. Just make sure you buy a tight-fitting sheet that does not come out easily.
Do not leave anything else such as pillows and soft toys with your baby in the bassinet. It is cute to take pictures of your baby sleeping in the bassinets with few soft toys that match the theme of the room but they can suffocate him in seconds. Let your baby sleep in your room at least for six months. It will give you the chance to notice when something is not right and change the baby’s sleeping posture or the sleeping environment to make sure he is fine.
3. Bassinet sheet sizes
The bassinet sheet has to be tight and well fitted. So the next problem is to find a bassinet sheet that will fit perfectly to your bassinet. Well, The good news is that bassinets have a standard sheet size which is 15 inches by 33 inches with a depth of 1to 2 inches.
But all the bassinet mattresses or pads in the market will not fit into these standard-sized bassinet sheets. Baby brands tend to manufacture products with unique sizes specialized to their brand so you will have to buy additional fittings like bassinet sheets only from them.
Most uniquely shaped or sized bassinets will come with a sheet but with a newborn, one sheet will never be enough. If you are going to purchase a uniquely shaped bassinet and the manufacturer does not sell bassinet sheets for that model, it is better to switch your choice. With a regular-sized /shaped bassinet, it will be easier for you to buy bassinet sheets for a reasonable price.
4. Waterproof bassinet sheets
A bassinet will have to face many wet accidents and it is better to be ready to go through them. It is less costly to purchase a waterproof bassinet sheet rather than buying a waterproof bassinet mattress or a pad. A waterproof bassinet sheet can make your bassinet last long.
Ely’s & Co has a waterproof bassinet sheet that can provide a convenient solution to all your bassinet sheet worries. They are made of 100% jersey cotton and are eco-friendly. The best thing about this waterproof bassinet sheet is that it can fit bassinet of any shape, rectangular, oval, or irregular which is close to the standard dimensions of 33 into 15 inches because of its elasticity. This brand has earned many positive reviews from parents, including me as it is both comfortable to the baby and convenient to put on with no doubts about the tight fit.
5. How to put a sheet to the bassinet properly?
There are few types of bassinet sheets depending on how they fit into the bassinet mattress or the pad. Sometimes it can be a struggle to fit a sheet to the mattress.
- Zip-on – This is one of the most convenient kinds of bassinet sheets. Put it on the mattress and zip it. Make sure you turn the side with the zip down so your baby will not be hurt.
- Slide-on – You have to slide the bassinet mattress or pad into this type of bassinet sheet. Do not forget to fold them over if needed and never let the cover be loose because it can affect the safety of your baby in sleep.
- Wrap-around – This is the most common type of bassinet cover. The ends of the sheet are with elastics which will hold on to the mattress. These elastics will ensure a tight fit to avoid potential dangers.
6. How to make a baby more comfortable in a bassinet
Babies have a hard time getting used to sleeping alone in the bassinet. No blankets, soft toys, or pillows are recommended around them during sleep for the first year of their life. Having your baby close to you in the bassinet will comfort your baby as they will feel safe knowing you are near them. Babies will take time to adjust to the external environment after coming out from the womb and the warmth of the parents is the best comforter during this transformational period.
Inside the womb, babies grew up in a tight environment and they will still prefer it after coming out. Swaddling will mimic the womb where they were held tightly. Wrapping your baby in a swaddle will also help to regulate their body temperature. Sleep sacks are also available in stores as an easy and safer alternative to swaddling.
When you buy a bassinet, ensure that it is made of comfortable material and is in the right shape providing plenty of space. Decide on your budget and find a bassinet with many positive reviews. If you buy a low-quality bassinet for a low price, it will be a waste as the baby will refuse to sleep in it.
Know the preferences and patterns of your baby. Do they like to get into the bassinet just after a feed or does he need some playtime before that? Go with the cues of the baby rather than trying to impose a schedule that you want him to follow. It will make sure everyone gets good sleep and rest which is much needed when you have a newborn in the home.