When you're about to have a new baby, the first thing you think of is getting a crib. What you may forget about is the baby crib accessories that can make your life easier and your little one more comfortable. Many of my friends rely on their wishlist from the baby shower; however, the chances of getting all the items are pretty slim.
Then there is so much to choose from when it comes to crib accessories, like bedding, sensors. There's actually quite a lot on the market; some are safe, some are not, so it can be a bit overwhelming, especially with all the books. So I've put this list together of top accessories for cribs and what actually makes a difference. This list comes from many experiences with friends and family.
So the first thing I thought of for baby crib accessories is a good bedding set. I think it's because I'm getting older and appreciate a good sleep in bed, so this is a must for your baby. So some of the items to think about are a mattress protector, a fitted crib sheet, and a sleep sack. Look for breathable hypoallergenic items. I have sensitive skin myself and can get quite hot, so think about your baby. Also think about crib accessories with the colour scheme of the room.
Some popular options for crib bedding accessories:
SafeRest Waterproof Crib Size Mattress Protector. These are waterproof, so will help prevent staining & also machine washable. I would buy at least 5 of these, as it can get hard to do laundry with a new baby. Its also Hypoallergenic.
Soft Microfiber Breathable Baby Sheet. I love microfiber myself; it's very smooth. I like the fitted ones as babies tend to roll around a lot, and you don't want the sheets going everywhere or endangering your baby.
KaiyaBaby Organic Cotton Baby Sleep Sack. Now, sleep sacks are very popular instead of sheets as they keep the baby warm. You can get different sizes based on the baby's age. Also think about sleeveless for winter and sleeves for summer so they don't freeze or overheat. The KaiyaBaby ones are 100% organic, you can wash them in the washing machine and has a temperature-sensing sticker. This is great. Lastly it's certified by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
When choosing crib bedding and accessories for cribs, be sure to follow all safety guidelines for your baby's sleep space. Avoid anything plush or with loose pieces in the crib until your baby is a year old.
Our favourite crib bedding sets
Another essential crib accessory you'll need is a quality crib mattress. Again, think about yourself and how much you spent on your mattress. You want a quality mattress for your baby. The mattress should be very firm and fit snugly in the crib with no gaps around the edges. Look for a mattress that's GREENGUARD certified to avoid chemical emissions.
Also, babies are not allowed pillows in their crib, so you want a nice mattress with the layers I talked about earlier, like the mattress protector and fitted sheet, to make them as comfortable as possible.
Our favourite crib mattress:
Sealy Baby Soybean 2 Stage Crib Mattress. First of all, Sealy is a great and trusted brand. This mattress is awesome, and you can keep it from baby to toddler, as it has 2 sides; you can just flip it over to the firmer side when the baby gets bigger. It is GREENGUARD GOLD certified. Also, the cover on top is water-resistant. I would just make sure to buy a mattress protector for more protection.
Now I never really knew what these were called until doing some research. Crib mobiles are one of my favourite baby crib accessories. The reason is that it provides visual stimulation for your baby and soothing sounds to entertain and relax your baby. They help your baby focus their eyes and helps to be part of a bedtime routine. You can find more details on the American Optometric website.
When I was looking at these, this is what I was looking for:
One of my favourites was this Baby Crib Mobile. It was pretty easy to install and had 50 songs, so I could just keep playing and have variety. I also really liked that in the evening it had lights on the top, so it would project stars and moons onto the ceiling for more relaxing visual stimulation. It also came with a remote control so you can change it or turn it off from afar without waking your baby up. It is also very lightweight, something I was worried about beforehand.
Many mount their crib mobile accessory to the side of the crib rather than hanging it directly overhead, as recommended by paediatricians. Regardless, a crib mobile can make a great baby crib accessory and crib gift for a baby, and something your friends might not know initially for the baby shower.
Top recommendations for crib mobiles
Now, the next baby crib accessories may be for your or not. The reason is the new addition to the Safe sleep for babies act that came into effect in 2022. For an elegant touch, you may want to add a canopy or mesh netting around the crib as a crib accessory. These baby crib accessories can create a beautiful and functional environment for your baby's sleep space. However, there is always a chance as your baby gets bigger, they may tear it down, or if you don't install it correctly, you may harm your baby. Here are some examples:
Sheer Fabric Crib Canopies:
When using any kind of canopy or netting over the crib, be sure it's securely installed and positioned so the baby can't become entangled. Many attach directly to the crib frame or use a separate floor stand. As with all baby crib accessories, avoid anything with loose strings, ties, or ribbons that could pose a safety hazard.
Just be sure to prioritise safety and choose a product that is well-designed and properly installed.
Our favourite crib canopies & netting
Again, more popular crib accessories are storage solutions on the crib or around the crib. Sometimes it's useful to have supplies that can be easily accessed, such as clothes, creams, pacifiers, tissues and milk bottles.
A popular crib basket is the 2-Pack Hanging Diaper Organizer for Crib. This can hold all the items I mentioned above. You may be thinking, when the baby gets bigger, won't it take all the items out? Well, it's slightly down when you fit it to the rails to help stop that. I have also seen friends attach it to their playpen or changing table so it has multiple functions. You may also want to put toys in there.
If you don't want it attached to the crib, you could also purchase a caddy. With these, you can wheel them around your home, and they hold so much more. Again, you can place it near the changing table or the crib. I have seen many of my friends choose this option. A popular crib caddy is the Baby Diaper Caddy Organizer Rolling Cart with Dividers and Drawers. This baby crib accessory comes in different colours and sizes so it can suit your space and decor.
Now this is genius, why not get a crib with built in storage? I went to a freidns house to meet their new baby and I thought this was fantastic.
The crib she had was the Graco Hadley 5-in-1 Convertible Crib & Changer. Yes, you heard right it has a changer attached to it. And because it was integrated, it looked so flush. If the baby needed to be changed, you're not moving around the room. You can change them right next to the crib and put them back to sleep quickly. It had drawers for usual items, and at the back of the drawers it had open space for the baby crib accessories. This meant you didn't need to get a caddy or basket.
At the bottom of it were 2 drawers for more storage for items like clothes. Now the real kicker for this unit: she showed me a picture; as it 5 in 1, it actually transforms. It turns into a toddler bed, a daybed, a full-size bed and then finally a full-size bed with a footboard. Pretty amazing!
Recommendations for crib storage & organisers.
The next item on my list is a baby crib accessory I am sure you have heard of before; however, not everyone has one. That is a baby monitor! As a parent, I think this is really important to have so you can check on your baby. I have seen many ones before and remember the old ones with my siblings; now you can get full HD video streaming and breathing monitors.
One that was recommended to me by a friend was the Philips Avent Premium Connected Baby Monitor.
The technology is just amazing now; having a new baby monitor is one of the best baby crib accessories you can get. Just don't get too addicted to watching it.
Crib bumpers used to be very popular accessories for cribs; however, in 2022, it was actually made illegal in the USA on May 16th 2022, and enforced from November 12th 2022, so many other countries are starting to follow suit. It is considered a hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act. So you can buy them in other countries, but they have been discouraged. Since 1990, crib bumpers have been linked to over 100 deaths due to causes such as suffocation and also using the bumpers to crawl out of the crib.
The best baby crib accessories for a safer sleep
In addition to the practical baby crib accessories above, there are lots of decorative options to make your crib look warm and comfortable or really pop. Here are some stylish baby crib accessories:
There are a lot of baby crib accessories on the market, and when I was looking and speaking to friends, these were the tips they said to us.
Safety should always be the top priority when choosing baby crib accessories. Avoid anything with loose pieces, ties, strings, or other potential strangulation hazards. Be wary of older or used crib accessories that may not meet current safety standards. You can see the USA put restrictions into bumpers in 2022 and Fisher-Price had a huge recall of sleepers in 2019..
Before purchasing any crib accessories, I would check out the reviews online and look for reviews that have pictures. If there are older reviews, see the newer ones to see if it has been fixed.
Many crib accessories are designed for specific ages and stages. For example, crib mobiles and baby gyms are ideal for younger babies, while crib tents may be better for older babies and toddlers.
Like I said, there are a lot of baby crib accessories on the market. I would look a high qualiity ones first. Even the materials, for example, you have cotton and then organic cotton, which can feel so much better. Look for ones that are hypoallergenic and approved by government standards. Theres a saying if you buy cheap you buy twice.
So I hope you like my blog on safe baby crib accessories. If you have had experience with any other high-quality products please leave a comment in the box below.
I think the bare basics are the crib mattress, sheets, monitor and storage solutions. Don't forget a mattress protector, like you would for yourself.
Yes, but only use a fitted sheet on your mattress that isn't too big. Don't get an oversized or flat sheet, or it might move and harm your baby. This is recommended by the AAP.
Most babies move out of the crib to a bed between 18 months and 3.5 years old. It may be a good idea to buy a convertible crib-to-bed in the first place to save some money. You can usually tell when they can climb out of the bed, and you don't want them to harm themselves.
This is always a worry to make sure your baby is perfect and not too cold or warm. Touch their arms, tummy and legs to see if they are cold. They are also more likely to cry at night if they are cold.
I would avoid cheap crib mattresses and those that have Polyurethane foam, as this can give off toxins. Also, avoid PVC waterproof covers, as they will make the baby too hot. Check if it's GREENGUARD Gold certified as products that have this emit very low levels of organic compounds.
This depends on where you are in the world. The case that I could find was in 2022, when the USA made it illegal. Apart from that, they are frowned upon by many physicians. Now they do look nice, and you would think they are there to protect the baby, but they have been linked to suffocation.
I would put a crib monitor on the wall on a bookcase about 3 feet away, at minimum, to avoid it falling on your baby. I have seen many baby crib accessories and monitors on the actual crib, and they may seem secure, but you never know if they will fall or if your baby will actually knock them down. You may even do so when you check on your baby at night.
View our latest reviews
