How Many Crib Sheets Do I Need?
If you’re preparing for your baby, you may be wondering how many crib sheets do I need?
And that’s a great question to ask!
No one wants to waste money on baby items that they are not going to use, but you also don’t want to be caught short!
That’s why we put together this guide to buying crib sheets, so you can work out how many crib sheets you need for when your baby arrives.
Here we discuss are crib sheets really necessary, how many crib sheets do you need, factors to consider when purchasing crib sheets, and more!
And if you love this guide to how many cot sheets do I need, then make sure you check out or guides on how many blankets does a baby need, how many burp cloths do I need, and how many baby wipes do I need? Or even our guide to the best waterproof crib mattress pad!
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How Many Crib Sheets Do I Need For Baby?
| Style | Quantity | |
| Fitted Crib Sheets – Cotton | 5-7 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Crib Sheets – Cotton Flannel | 5-7 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Waterproof Crib Mattress Protectors | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
| Pack & Play Fitted Crib Sheets | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Bassinet Sheets – Cotton | 5-7 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Bassinet Sheets – Cotton Flannel | 5-7 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Waterproof Bassinet Mattress Protectors | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
Are Crib Sheets Really Necessary?
So, let’s dive in an ask the burning question, ‘are crib sheets really necessary?’
Well, in our humble opinion, absolutely yes!
But, let’s clarify! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the only thing your baby needs in their crib is an appropriate-sized firm mattress and a well-fitted crib sheet.
So, are those adorable crib bedding sets necessary? No.
Are fitted crib sheets necessary? Yes!
Fitted crib sheets have several purposes.
The main one being, that they provide a buffer between baby and their crib mattress.
Not only will this barrier help to keep your mattress stain free and in good condition, but fitted cribs sheets help to catch any spit ups, sweat, drool, or worse and prevent your baby from being exposed to them for a prolonged period.
If your baby has a spit up or a diaper blow out you can simple swap out your fitted crib sheet for a clean one and place the dirty one in the laundry.
Other purposes fitted cribs sheet have include providing security and comfort, warmth on a cool day, and they can add to the aesthetic of your nursery.
How Many Crib Sheets Do You Need?
The absolute bare minimum number of fitted crib sheets you need is three – one in your crib, one in the wash, and one extra. All it takes is one spit up or diaper blowout, and you’ll need to change the crib sheet.
We can tell you more is better and there are a few different fitted crib sheets you may want to also consider. So, here is what we suggest for crib sheets.
Five to Seven Fitted Crib Sheets – Cotton
Whilst you can get away with three fitted crib sheets, you’ll probably want to grab five to seven.
Why? Well babies spit up, and some a lot, so having a few extra means that you can easily change them out without having to stress about doing the laundry straight away.
And when choosing a fitted crib sheet, the best option for is 100% cotton.
This breathable fabric feels good on your baby’s skin and is less likely to overheat or become a suffocation hazard.
Thin cotton sheets are perfect for summertime.
Five to Seven Fitted Crib Sheets – Cotton Flannel
Come winter you may want to skip the cooler cotton sheets and replace them with a warmer fitted cotton flannel sheet.
This will help to protect your baby from the cold mattress under them while they sleep.
And because it is not safe to put your baby to bed with a blanket, small steps like flannel crib sheets can help keep your baby comfortable in the winter.
Two To Three Fitted Waterproof Crib Mattress Protectors
Whilst a fitted sheet goes a long way to keeping your baby comfortable, having two to three waterproof crib mattress protectors will go a long way in protecting your crib mattress from absorbing unwanted liquids.
From urine to spit ups to poop, your crib mattress will likely be exposed to a lot of unwanted liquids.
And the last thing you want is for them to be absorbed by your mattress causing stains, unwanted smells, or breading nasty bacteria or mold.
Spending a few extra dollars on a couple of fitted waterproof crib mattress protectors can not only save you from having to replace your crib mattress but can help make cleaning up that much easier!
Two To Three Pack & Play or Portable Crib Fitted Crib Sheets
If you know that you’ll be using a pack and play or portable crib for your baby, then you will need to look at purchasing additional fitted crib sheets as these are smaller than your standard fitted crib sheets.
You may choose to purchase more that two or three depending on how often you plan to use your pack and play.
For families that keep them downstairs for use all day while the family is in the main part of the house rather than putting your baby in the crib, you may need more of these sheets than someone that only uses the pack and play for on the go.
For daily use, we recommend purchasing five to seven fitted pack and play sheets.
Five to Seven Fitted Bassinet Sheets – Cotton
If you are choosing to use a bassinet or cradle for your newborn baby, then you will need to look at buying bassinet sized fitted sheets as these are much smaller than your regular fitted cot sheets.
As with fitted cotton crib sheets, we recommend buying five to seven fitted bassinet sheet in 100% cotton to allow for multiple changes without the need to do laundry.
Five to Seven Fitted Bassinet Sheets – Cotton Flannel
Whether your baby is in a crib or bassinet, in winter you are going to want to consider using fitted cotton flannel sheets for added warmth.
Two To Three Fitted Waterproof Bassinet Mattress Protectors
Just like a crib mattress, if you are choosing to use a bassinet you are going to want to protect your bassinet mattress from potential nasties.
And the best way to do that is with a fitted waterproof bassinet mattress protector.
Two to three will be enough to allow for laundry between messes that weren’t full absorbed by the sheets.
Factors To Consider When Purchasing Crib Sheets
As we touched on above, there are several factors you may want to consider when purchasing crib sheets.
Type Of Crib
There are varying styles of cribs and places where you will use crib sheets, so you will need to decide what sized sheet you will require as crib sheets are not a one size fits all option.
And as previously mentioned, the AAP recommend that you use a well-fitted crib sheet.
Fitted crib sheet options you may want to consider include:
- Standard sized fitted crib sheets
- Mini fitted crib sheets
- Bassinet crib sheets
- Pack and Play crib sheets
- Portable cot crib sheets
And relevant sized waterproof mattress protectors.
You’ll also need to think about if your baby will be sleeping in multiple locations throughout the week. For example, are going to be spending some time at Grandma’s house? And if so, will they be sleeping in a pack and play or will she have a standard crib set up.
You’ll need to consider buying cribs sheets for all the different locations you plan to have your baby sleep.
The Season Your Baby is Arriving
If you have a summer baby, you’ll probably find that cotton fitted crib sheets are a great option to help keep your baby comfortable and stay cool.
However, if you are having a winter baby you may want to consider using a warmer cotton flannel to help keep your baby warm and comfortable.
Allergens
Babies have sensitive skin and may react to certain chemicals. One way to help reduce their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is to use 100% certified organic crib sheets.
How Often You Want to Do Laundry
If you only have three crib sheets, you’ll be washing them more often than not.
Babies spit up and diaper blowouts happen, so crib sheets often need to be washed more than your typical bedding.
Think about how often you do laundry, especially with a new baby.
If you do a weekly laundry wash, you will find three fitted crib sheets aren’t enough, especially if you have a baby that spits up a lot.
You’ll need enough fitted crib sheets to last through all week before they need to be rewashed.
Common FAQs About Buying Fitted Crib Sheets
How often should you change crib sheets? At a minimum, crib sheets need to be washed at least every three days or twice a week. However, all it takes is one big spit up or diaper blowout, and you’ll find yourself needing to change the crib sheet.
At a bare minimum you will need three mattress sheets for your baby. One in your crib, one in the wash, and one extra. However, we recommend buying five to seven so you’re not caught short, especially if you do not plan to do laundry every day.
How many crib sheets do I need for twins? At a bare minimum you will need 3 fitted crib sheets per baby. 6 in total. One in each crib, two in the wash, and two extras. However, we recommend buying 10 – 14 for twins (5 – 7 per baby) so you’re not caught short.
Yes, crib sheets come in different sizes. There are several types of cribs available from your standard crib to mini cribs to portable cribs. As such, crib sheets come in different sizes, so each mattress has a crib sheet that is well fitted and safe for your baby to sleep on.
Final Thoughts on How Many Crib Sheets Do You Need
Your baby is going to sleep a lot, especially in the first few months. Which means that having an adequate supply of fitted cribs sheets is essential.
Just, how many crib sheets do you need? Well, as discussed that will vary based on your circumstances. But just remember when it comes to crib sheets more is best.
No one wants to get caught out in the middle of the night without a clean crib sheet to be found!
And if you’re looking for more great guides, then check out these sleeping guides on best cribs for twins, best cribs with changing station, best cribs for short moms, and mini crib vs crib: what’s the difference.
| Style | Quantity | |
| Fitted Crib Sheets – Cotton | 5-7 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Crib Sheets – Cotton Flannel | 5-7 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Waterproof Crib Mattress Protectors | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
| Pack & Play Fitted Crib Sheets | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Bassinet Sheets – Cotton | 5-7 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Bassinet Sheets – Cotton Flannel | 5-7 | BUY NOW |
| Fitted Waterproof Bassinet Mattress Protectors | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
