What Does a Crib Skirt Cover?

Usually, crib skirts are an option to the linen set for a crib. They̵7;re also called dust ruffles and are purely decorative items. They don't keep dust off the crib, and they̵7;re not a necessity. Still, crib skirts are attractive, and they do offer benefits apart from their aesthetic value.

  1. Appearance

    • Crib skirts look much like curtain valances. They attach to the crib underneath the mattress and cover the metal part of the crib that supports the mattress. Usually, you tuck crib skirts behind the crib's legs, so that the legs are visible. They come in a wide range of styles, colors and patterns. Some are made to match other pieces of a crib linen set and others are plain styles that you can purchase separately to match other linens in the baby's room.

    Benefits

    • Once your baby can crawl and then pull himself to a standing position, he will probably use the side of the crib to help him stand, and then he̵7;ll try to crawl underneath the crib. A crib skirt will hide the mattress from your baby's eyes, which makes it less likely that he will reach for the sharp metal edges or springs of the mattress support, injuring himself in the process. Crib skirts also prevent fitted sheets and blankets from snagging on the springs.

    Safety

    • If your crib skirt is loose enough to slide around under the mattress, it might not support your baby's weight, if he decides to grasp it and use it to pull himself up. If so, secure it tightly to the mattress, or remove it entirely. If you choose to remove it, however, you will lose the benefits of having skirt. The most dangerous threat to your baby, however, is not the skirt, nor is it the metal edges and springs of the mattress support. It is the items on top of your mattress: thick, fluffy blankets, soft pillows and stuffed animals, and bumper pads. All of things pose a suffocation hazard to your baby and you should not place these items in the crib, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. You shouldn't place soft objects like stuffed animals or any loose bedding in the crib, which includes pillows, blankets, and bumper pads. Nothing should be in the crib itself, except for your baby.

    Other Considerations

    • Crib skirts are not highly visible. Babies need a lot of other, more important equipment, so for many new parents, crib skirts are not worth the expense. Still, if you want one, save money and sew it yourself, or take a standard crib sheet, slide it under the crib mattress and cut slits in the corners so that it hangs correctly.

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