New parents also have a wide variety of
themes available to them when decorating a nursery. Twenty to thirty
years ago, most crib bedding themes were based on solids, teddy bears,
flowers, Precious Moments or Noah's Ark. Today's crib bedding sets are
available in a myriad of themes to mirror the personality of the
parent's and/or project the parent's wish for their baby's personality.
Common crib bedding themes are transportation, toile, nature, animals,
jungle and safari, celestial, western, nautical, bugs and butterflies,
and nursery rhymes.
Crib bedding construction and design has
also significantly changed over the years. Crib skirts, bumper pads,
sheets and quilts have all been impacted. Most crib skirts are now made
with split corners which fit the mattress better and give the dressed
crib a more tailored look. Crib sheets are made with deeper pockets and
wrap around the mattress further to aid in infant safety. Bumper pads
have undergone three significant changes: top and bottom ties, duvet
styling and a sectional design. Multiple sets of top and bottom ties
are securely attached to all bumper pieces to aid in safely attaching
the bumper to the crib. Baby bedding manufacturers such as Banian,
Hoohobbers and PJ's Bedding make duvet style bumpers where the inserts
(padding) can be removed prior to washing. Sectional bumpers come in 2
or 4 pieces are easier to launder. As quilts are not appropriate for
use in infants cribs, many new parents use these as wall hangings or in
some other form of decorating the nursery. As a replacment for quilts
and to offer a lower cost solution, many manufacuters now offer crib
bedding sets with a crib/receiving blanket or a sleep sack.
Creativity and imagination have also
impacted crib bedding accessories which often help transform a nursery
into a nurturing environment for newborns and infamts. Some of the more
common accessories available are diaper stackers, musical mobiles,
throw blankets, receiving blankets, window valances, window sheers,
lamp shades, wall border, wall hangings, hampers, toy bags and wall
hanging organizers.
Child safety is every parents concern. When
used properly, traditional infant products, including crib bedding, can
provide a safe environment for an infant to sleep. The Juvenile
Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) encourages parents to adhere
to the following guidelines
for safe infant sleeping practices.
Choose a manufacturer from below and begn
shopping for crib bedding.
Bassinets and large wicker
items are excluded. 
