Important Baby Bedding Terms

Popular Crib Bedding Term Definitions

Toile: A sheer fabric, such as linen or cotton; French Cloth Linen from Middle French.

Organic: If you want truly "organic" baby bedding then make sure the bedding set has a certified organic label. This label ensures that the fabric meets regulations set by the Organic Trade Association referring to fiber processing, production, dyeing and non-toxic handling. Organic baby bedding is free of toxins and chemicals.

Hypoallergenic: The term hypoallergenic doesn't mean that your baby is 100% protected from allergies when sleeping on the bedding set; it just means that your baby has a decreased tendency to have an allergic reaction when surrounded by that particular bedding. Typically bedding that's hypoallergenic is made of natural fabrics such as cotton and wool that are generally chemical free, causing fewer allergic reactions in sensitive babies.

Coverlets: The term coverlet is a clever name for a top cover or decorative bed spread.

Dust Ruffle: The dust ruffle, or crib skirt, is a decorative pleated or gathered piece that hangs below the crib to fill the space between the crib bottom and floor. It has several purposes including: adding beauty to the crib; hiding under-the-crib storage; covering the bottom of the crib for a prettier look and keeping unwanted dust bunnies from gathering under your precious baby's bed.

Thread Count: The term thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. Generally the higher the thread count, the softer the fabric. Thread counts in fabric can range from 80 - 700, but in baby bedding they're generally not that low or high.

Crib Bumper: A crib bumper refers to 4-sided padding that straps to the slats of your baby's crib to add cushion around the inside of the crib rails.

Waterproof Pad: Waterproof bedding is made to protect the mattress from spills and diaper leaks. If your baby has an "oops" in the crib, then a waterproof crib mattress pad will stop the mess from getting on the mattress and make sheet changes easier. Just pull off the sheet, wipe the mattress pad and replace with a new sheet. It makes middle of the night diaper leaks less of a hassle and keeps the crib mattress free from stains.

Pillow Sham: You can jazz up any regular pillow with a decorative pillow sham. This refers to a decorative covering that is open in the back and easily slips onto any pillow to give the illusion that you've purchased specialty pillows for the room that add extra style to the bed.

Applique: This refers to a cloth ornament cut out from one material and sewn onto another larger material.

Window Valance: This is a decorative fabric, board or metal frame that's affixed over the top of a window to add design while hiding structural fixtures.

Diaper Stacker: Hide your diapers in style inside a decorative soft plastic or cloth diaper holder that can be tied to or hung off the crib rails or changer. These generally have a hard bottom to make it easy to stack the diapers and the front usually has a long slit as an opening to make it easy to grab diapers out of the stacker when they're needed.

Crib Mobile: This is a hanging crib accessory that attaches to the crib rail and provides entertainment for your precious infant. It can come with dangling, soft, teddy bears, stars and moons or any other adorable figures and typically has a music box that plays fun, soft tunes as the mobile spins round and round on an automatic spinner.

Gingham: The term gingham refers to a yarn-dyed cotton fabric woven in stripes, checks, plaids, or solid colors.

Reversible Blanket: This is a blanket with different designs or fabrics on each side that can be used with either side up. Both sides provide style and comfort for baby and can be reversed depending on your style preference.

Piping: Fabric piping refers to a tubular band of decorative material, sometimes containing a cord, used for trimming the edges and seams of bedding.