How Many Crib Sheets Do I Need? (Expert Tips)

Having a baby is exciting, but it also comes with extensive preparation and planning. There’s so much to do and buy before your little bundle of joy arrives, and as a new mom, this might be a daunting task. You have to think about diapers or pull-ups, burp cloths, wipes, etc. Somewhere along the way, you’d also want to know how many crib sheets you need.

After all, how are you going to wash your baby’s crib sheets if you don’t have enough?

How can you tell how many sheets you need if you are new to the baby game? That question may be on your mind. Luckily for you, I wrote this article to help you learn how many crib sheets are necessary.

How Many Crib Sheets Do I Need?

Usually, you should change your baby’s sheets at least once a week, so you need about two to three extra sheets. However, babies might end up messing up the sheet more often, so you’ll need about five to seven additional sheets for more frequent changes. This way, your baby’s crib stays clean and free of germs. 

It doesn’t just end with knowing how many crib sheets you need. As a new mom, you need to ask other crib sheet-related questions. Not to worry, this article will answer those questions, so read on!

Do I Need Crib Sheets?

Do I need crib sheets?

Newborns sleep a lot (about 17-18 hours each day), which means you have to invest in getting a suitable sleeping space for your child – a crib and a mattress. You also need crib sheets to cover and protect the mattress.

You should also note that babies have sensitive skin. So using crib sheets will make them more comfortable and less likely to react to possible skin issues.

What Factors Should I Consider When Buying Crib Sheets?

While it’s essential to buy crib sheets for your child, parents also have to consider some factors before purchasing. We’ve put together some of the factors that define the best crib sheets:

1. Breathability

crib sheets should be breathable

Most newborns lie on their backs as they sleep, and staying in this position for a long time will make them sweat. A standard crib sheet should be able to release some of that heat to keep your baby cool. In addition, cotton is a breathable fabric, so you should consider purchasing crib sheets made with that material.

2. The Perfect Fit

Since babies move a lot when they sleep, you’d want to get crib sheets that fit the mattress perfectly. This will prevent the sheets from coming off the mattress and potentially suffocating your child. 

You have to get the right size for the crib and get elastic sheets that aren’t prone to slipping.

3. Machine Washable

crib sheets should be machine washable

Chances are you’ll have to wash your baby’s crib sheets frequently, so you don’t want to get fabrics that aren’t machine washable. Apart from doing laundry with a machine being easier and faster, machine washing makes fabrics cleaner than manual washing.

3. Hypoallergenic materials

Remember that babies have sensitive skin, and any form of contact with allergy-producing substances (allergens) can cause skin reactions. To avoid this, purchase hypoallergenic crib sheets.

While such products won’t guarantee that your child won’t have any allergic reactions, they will indeed reduce these reactions.

4. Soft and Noiseless

Babies move around a lot while asleep, and most times, the slightest noise can awaken them. But, of course, you wouldn’t want your baby to wake up every time they move, so shop for crib sheets that don’t make unnecessary noise.

5. Aesthetics

Believe it or not, your baby’s nursery needs to be as beautiful as possible. Crib sheets can also add to the aesthetics of the nursery, so purchase nice colors and patterns.

If you’re using a bassinet for your baby, you should also consider these factors while getting bassinet sheets. Also, if you are wondering whether you need a crib or a bassinet, check out a guide that I put together (hint: it will make you an expert).

What Size of Crib Sheet Should I Buy?

Generally, the size of crib sheets you buy will depend on the mattress size. There are two mattress sizes – standard and mini – and crib sheet sizes are measured according to them.

  • Standard Crib Sheet: This crib sheet is usually 52 inches long and 28 inches wide. While some sheets are 5 inches thick, others have a thickness of 8 inches.
  • Mini Crib Sheet: This crib sheet will perfectly fit a mattress that’s 38 inches long and 24 inches wide.

Can I Use Regular Crib Sheets on Mini Crib?

Mini cribs are small and practical and will fit nicely into a small nursery area. However, mini crib sheets are not as easy to find as regular or standard crib sheets, so you can always convert regular crib sheets and use them on mini cribs.

Standard crib sheets are safer if you need to replace a mini crib with a standard one later. Then, you won’t need to bother getting a new batch of sheets.

How Many Crib Sheets Do I Need?

You should consider several things as you are stocking up on sheets. First, you need to think about the frequency at which you’ll be changing the sheets and how often are you going to wash them. Let’s unpack this further.

How Often Should I Change Crib Sheets?

Remember they say we should change our bedsheets at least once per week? Of course, you also need to regularly change your baby’s crib sheets, even more often than that! 

This is because babies tend to sweat, drool, and have diaper leaks while in bed. So you need extra sheets at hand for a quick change. 

Considering this, you might need to change crib sheets once a week, which means you should have two to three extra sheets. However, you need between five and seven crib sheets if you’d like to change the sheets every day.

We recommend the latter because babies are unpredictable, and you might end up clearing more messes than you originally planned. 

How Often Should I Wash Baby Crib Sheets?

It’s common for your baby’s sheets to get soiled. This is because the milk and food spills, as well as sweat and saliva from your baby, can turn your baby’s sheets into a breeding ground for bacteria and pests. 

This can result in adverse health effects. To prevent this, you should wash your baby’s sheets at least twice a week or every three days. In effect, you need extra sheets to replace the ones you’ve washed.

How Many Mattress Pads Do I Need for a Crib?

Although one pad is enough for a crib, you should always have extra – about two or three – to accommodate late-night or emergency bedding changes.

There are different reasons why you should get a mattress pad. Not only do they keep the mattress clean, but they also make the bed more comfortable and prevent bacteria growth, among other reasons.

How Much Does a Crib Sheet Cost?

The cost of crib sheets varies, however, if you’re buying them on Amazon, they are usually between $20-$40. It is also cheaper to buy them in packs.

Crib Sheet Recommendations

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Fitted Crib Sheets

Neutral Crib Sheets

Conclusion

You can purchase a crib sheet for as low as $10 and below, and you can also get high-end options at $100 or more. Note that the price of a crib sheet will affect its quality, although other factors contribute to that.

We admit that childbirth is a life-changing experience, and there are many things you need to know and do before the baby arrives. Knowing the number of crib sheets you need is one of the boxes you should check.

One of the most important things you can do as a new parent is to make sure that your child has adequate bedding. This includes crib sheets and mattress pads, among other items. If you didn’t know how many crib sheets you need or how often you should wash them, we hope this article helped clear some confusion for you!

While there may not be an exact formula on how much these products cost, it’s always better to have more at hand than expected so that, if needed, your baby will have clean bedding right away.