If you are setting up a nursery for your new baby-to-be, chances are that you have put a lot of thought into the color of the walls and the style of crib that you want. You may have considered whether or not to include a rocking chair for parents in the room, but have you put much thought into the crib bedding that you choose? If you 're deepest consideration when choosing crib bedding for your new arrival has been 'we 'll just get something that matches the room ', then you 're missing out on some very important information about what goes into your baby 's crib.

Most parents choose crib bedding based on appearance or budget, but a number of factors should be considered when making a decision.

Safety

Safety is always at the top of the list when choosing something for your child. Why should crib bedding be any different? Here are some important safety considerations to keep in mind when choosing bedding for your baby 's crib.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that parents do not use crib bumper padding in their baby 's cribs. A University of Washington study showed that between 1985 and 2005, there were 28 infant deaths in which bumper pads were implicated as a possible cause. If you do choose bumper pads, you should look for the following:

• Firm rather than soft fluffy padding to reduce the chance of suffocation if his or her face is pushed into the bumper pad.

• Short attachment ties to prevent strangulation hazard if the strings should come untied

• Ties at the top and bottom of the bumper pads. This can help prevent a child from crawling under the pad where they can become stuck.

• Bumper pads that fit closely to the sides of the crib and cannot easily be pulled away

• Mesh bumper pads which protect a child 's arms and legs from being poked through crib bars without any chance of restricting air.

• Most professional pediatric groups recommend against using a soft, fluffy comforter in the crib because there is a chance that the baby could suffocate if his or her face was trapped against it. Remember, babies can 't lift and move their heads as easily as older children.

• Avoid blankets, bumper pads, pillows and toys that have buttons or small pieces that can be pulled off and become a choking hazard.

• Better yet, keep the crib bare with only the necessities such as a blanket.

• Crib sheets should fit the mattress tightly to avoid being pulled loose. This could become a strangulation hazard.

Health and Comfort

Babies, especially newborns, can be very sensitive to allergens. Their delicate skin is easily irritated and can break down and open the road to infections. Keep the following considerations in mind when choosing baby crib bedding:

• Choose natural, hypoallergenic materials like 100% cotton for sheets and blankets that will touch baby 's skin.

• Make sure that anything that goes into the crib is 100% washable in HOT water. Babies make all sorts of messes, and those messes collect bacteria. Washing in hot water reduces chances of your baby getting sick.

• Purchase extra crib sheets even if you do not expect to need them. Fitted bottom crib sheets are among the most popular baby bedding items, and you can never have enough. One on the bed, one in the wash and one for spare is not enough.

• Go for the soft materials. Most polyester blends are rough on a baby 's tender skin. Natural cotton and cotton flannel are among the softest materials that you can put next to the baby. One benefit of these cotton fabrics is that they also get softer with wear and washing.

Colors and Patterns

Research shows that babies respond better to bright, clear colors, especially the primaries. They also are more attracted to simple shapes and large blocks of color and pattern. If you want to provide your baby with something of visual interest to engage him and activate his mind, skip the tumbling teddies and pick out a crisp stripe or geometric pattern in bright, primary colors.

That does not mean that you cannot match your crib bedding to the rest of your nursery furnishings. There are many lines of crib bedding that coordinate with wallpaper, furniture and wall borders so that you can coordinate the entire room and make it a fun, bright place for your baby to grow.

Cost

You do not have to spend a fortune on crib bedding to make your child 's room a special, magical place. Many inexpensive lines of baby crib bedding are natural, stylish and made to the highest standards. When you are looking for some new crib bedding, these tips can help you make the best choice for your child.