So, you’re making a checklist of everything you need to buy before your baby makes their special arrival. One thing that many parents overlook is the cot sheet. Sure, you need one – but will one be enough? Or should you get some spares?
Today we’re looking at how many cot sheets you need to make sure you’re never caught out without a clean alternative.
In This Article
- How Many Cot Sheets Do I Need?
- What Factors Determine How Many Cot Sheets Are Needed?
- Why Do You Need Multiple Cot Sheets?
- What Are The Different Types of Cot Sheets?
- What Should You Consider When Buying Cot Sheets?
How Many Cot Sheets Do I Need?
The average number of cot sheets a household needs is five. When asking parents this question, everyone gave us a different answer. Most parents will have their own preference for how many crib sheets they need, and you’ll develop your preference as you get more used to parenthood.
Buying five cot sheets is erring on the side of caution, allowing you to wash the cot sheet two to four times a week.
However, some parents only need to wash the cot sheet once a week, so they’ll only need two crib sheets. We think that it’s better to be safe than sorry, so having lots of spares is better than having too few.
What Factors Determine How Many Cot Sheets Are Needed?
Babies make plenty of messes, from leaky nappies to spit-up. Changing the cot sheet as soon as it gets messy is advised, as moisture can lead to bacteria and mould growth. Most professionals recommend changing the sheet at least once a week, although you might need more than two sheets depending on several factors. We’ve listed these below:
- How often you use the washing machine
- Whether you air dry the sheets or use a clothes dryer
- How messy your child is during their sleep
- How warm it gets in your child’s bedroom
Why Do You Need Multiple Cot Sheets?
Cot sheets make the crib look good, but they also ensure the cot mattress is protected and gives your child a more comfortable sleep. You shouldn’t let your child sleep on a mattress without a cot sheet, so you need more than one for when the primary sheet is in the wash.
Parents love telling stories of babies and their multiple spit-ups or nappy blowouts. Your mattress can get dirty quickly, so you will change crib sheets more than you think. That’s why having a sheet is essential. A sheet is much easier to take off and throw in the washing machine.
The extra layer of the fitted crib sheet also provides your baby with more comfort and a sense of safety. The feeling of the soft organic cotton sheets against your baby’s skin makes them feel safe and secure. This also means they have something extra to keep them warm.
A bonus is you can also choose multiple fitted sheets to add to the aesthetic of your nursery.
What Are The Different Types of Cot Sheets?
When you are looking at buying cot sheets for your newborn’s bed, there are quite a few options to choose from. We’ve detailed the most popular below:
Cotton Sheets
A cotton sheet is super soft and breathable, making it an excellent choice for using all year round. Cotton tends to hold onto heat when your baby needs it most in the winter and provides airflow during the summer. A breathable sheet is always a good idea for a cot sheet, as this can keep your baby comfortable throughout the night and minimise wakeups.
Bamboo Sheets
Bamboo sheets are super soft, comfortable, and often better for temperature regulation than cotton. Bamboo also tends to bobble less, making the sheets longer lasting. It’s also sustainable and better for the environment, so you can watch your baby sleep easily while knowing their sheets are environmentally friendly.
What Should You Consider When Buying Cot Sheets?
When buying sheets, there are several things you should consider when picking the best ones. Choosing high quality sheets will prevent you from having to replace them too often and can save you money in the long run. We’ve detailed everything you should consider when buying cot sheets below:
Breathable Fabrics
Babies spend a lot of time in bed, so they might get warm if you haven’t chosen a breathable cot sheet. While warmth is welcomed in the winter, it can be dangerous in the summer as overheating contributes to the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Breathable cot sheets might reduce the amount of times you need to change the sheets every week, thanks to your child getting less sweaty through the night. So, choosing breathable sheets might reduce the number of necessary crib sheets.
Correct Size And Fit
Having a loose sheet can be dangerous. A loose sheet could obstruct breathing and increase the risk of SIDS if your baby manages to pull the fabric over their face. Making sure you’re using the correct size and fit of your baby’s sheet can prevent you from needing to buy more, saving you money and protecting your baby.
How Many Cots Do You Have?
You will need more sheets than the average parent if you are a parent of multiples or have children close in age. Each baby should have their own sheets, so multiply the number of crib sheets one needs by the number of cots you have.
For example, households with two cots should have around ten cot sheets. Parents of triplets should have about 15 sheets.
How Often Do You Want To Change The Cot Sheets?
Some parents change their baby’s crib sheet once a week. So, they’ll use at least two crib sheets. Others change them up to four times a week. This is entirely dependent on your child. Newborn babies often spit up and have accidents that leave their sheets needing change.
While most babies are similar, they are not the same. For example, some may have more accidents than others, leading to changing the sheets more often. Not to mention that changing your baby’s sheet often keeps the cot comfortable and clean.
An excellent routine to get into is to change your sheets between two to four times a week. This will ensure your baby is regularly on a clean sheet and give you enough time to wash sheets before reusing them.
The Material Of The Sheets
Newborn babies have extremely sensitive skin. They spend most of their time in their cot, so you’ll want to ensure there is no chance of developing an allergy to the material. That’s why the best crib sheets are made with hypoallergenic materials.
Hypoallergenic materials like organic cotton and bamboo are less likely to produce an allergic reaction in a baby or adult. However, remember other important features of sheet material, such as breathability and comfort.
Be Prepared For When Your Baby Is Sick
Depending on the sickness and your little one’s symptoms, you might have to change sheets more often when your baby is sick. It’s a good idea to have extra spare sheets for when your baby gets sick. Young children tend to catch lots of illnesses thanks to their weak immune systems, so the more sheets you have, the better.
Babies might have a runny nose, a cough, fever, or diarrhoea. All these symptoms lead to the baby sweating more or even vomiting in their sleep. You’ll need to change the cot sheets when babies have a fever because they sweat more, and if they vomit, you’ll need to clean it immediately.
Final Thoughts On How Many Cot Sheets Do I Need?
Most parents buy between two and five cot sheets for each crib in their household. How many sheets you’ll need will depend on your baby and how often you plan to wash the sheets. We think it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to baby sheets, as you have to account for illnesses, spit-ups, and other leakages.
Parents of more than one child will need more sheets. Aim to buy between two and five sheets for each cot so that you’re never caught out should the current sheet get dirty unexpectedly.