If you have never purchased bedding for a crib before, there are some differences from purchasing bedding for a regular bed. While most bedding sets for a regular bed contain, a comforter, bed skirt and pillow shams, a bedding set for a crib generally contains, a crib sheet, bed skirt and bumper pad as well as a quilt or comforter.

The bumper pad fits inside the crib above the mattress and is made to cushion the sides of the crib. There is controversy over the use of bumper pads, but they are still generally included with a bedding set.

As with adult bedding, all pieces of the baby bedding set are made to match or coordinate with each other. The sheet that is include is a fitted sheet. A top sheet is never used on a baby bed.

You will find that there is a huge variety of colors, styles and themes to choose from. There are character themed sets, such as Winnie the Pooh crib sets as well as themes based on favorite nursery rhyme characters. You will also find themes based on a variety of baby animals, the alphabet, flowers, bugs and sports along with a host of other themes. In addition to these you will find old favorites such as gingham bedding as well as new favorites like John Deere nursery bedding.

Organic baby bedding is increasing in popularity and you will find many organic selections. Baby bedding costs are as varied as the selections, prices are all over the map. Prices for bedding sets range from the extremely reasonable at less than one hundred dollars to the outrageous of several thousand dollars.

For this reason, it is wise to keep your budget in mind before you begin to shop. Locally you will find selections of baby bedding in specialty baby stores as well as department and discount stores. In addition to local retailers, many companies offer baby bedding for online purchase.