Are Toddler Bed Sheets the Same as Crib Sheets?

While assembling the convertible crib, I wondered if the crib sheets would fit on the toddler’s bed. Here’s what I learn about kid’s bedding sizes.

Toddler bed sheets are the same as crib sheets. The fitted sheets that wrap on the mattress are the same size since a crib, and toddler’s mattresses are both 28 inches x 52 inches. The only difference is what’s included in bedding sets. The following information is critical for your baby’s well-being.

Seeking for the perfect baby crib, but you’re unsure where to start? Check out this list I created of the best baby cribs to buy.

3 Different Types of Kid’s Bed Sheets

First, let’s go over the 3 main types of bed sheets you could buy for your kids. You’ll learn the correct dimensions of the sheets and how to use them safely.

1- Crib Sheets

A standard crib mattress is 28 inches by 52 inches (71 cm × 132 cm), and the thickness is approximately 5 inches. Therefore, the sheets for your baby crib should be no more than 28 in. x 52 in.. Otherwise, the sheets might get dislodged from the mattress during the night. This is why the CPSC has released a warning about unfitted crib sheets and their potential safety hazards.

However, not every crib sheets and mattress are standard size, so always measure your crib mattress and compare the dimensions with the sheets you want to buy.

The basic crib sheet is similar to any other bed sheet. However, don’t expect to find the usual 3 pieces sets since babies don’t sleep with a pillow or flat sheet. You’ll only need the fitted sheets that wrap on the crib mattress for your baby crib. The sheet is tightly secured to the bed with an elastic band to get your baby an even and safe sleep surface.

2- Toddler bed Sheets

It’s important to note that toddlers and crib mattresses are the same sizes: 28 inches wide by 52 inches long and 5 inches height (71 cm × 132 cm x 12 cm). Therefore, you can use the same fitted sheets in your baby and toddler’s bed. Especially if you buy a convertible crib, you’ll keep the same mattress after you convert the crib into a toddler bed.

The main difference between toddler bed sheets and crib sheets is the 3-piece toddler sheet set, which includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillowcase. 

The toddler bed fitted sheets are 28 inches by 52 inches, and the flat sheets are 45″ by 60″. However, not all toddler beds have the same dimension, such as the one sold at Ikea with the extendable mattress. I suggest you measure the mattress and compare the measurement with the sheets you want for your toddler’s bed.

Since toddler sheets are the same size as crib sheets, some parents plan ahead and skip the crib sheets to get the toddler bed sheets. They simply keep the flat sheet and pillowcase for when their child gets older.

3- Twin Sheets

The toddler’s bed and twin bed are not the same sizes. Therefore, when your kid outgrows his toddler’s bed, you’ll need a twin bed with a new mattress. The twin bed mattress is 39 inches by 75 inches (99 cm × 191 cm), so the twin sheets should have the same dimensions.

I found the cutest sheets when I was shopping for my kid’s bedding. Then came the time to complete the purchase, and I realized they were twin-size sheets. I was so disappointed, and I started looking for a solution to make them fit on a toddler’s mattress. 

After reading many comments on parents’ forums, I found that I was not the only one. Other parents were simply tucking the sheets under the mattress. With the weight of the mattress and the right tucking technique, parents didn’t worry about their kids getting tangled into the loose sheet at night. So I gave it a try, and it works! However, I don’t recommend putting twin sheets on a crib mat since loose sheets are a safety hazard for babies. 

If you really want to make twin sheets that fit on a crib mattress, I suggest you take out your sewing machine and check out this tutorial. I didn’t know, but 1 twin sheet has the precise fabric needed to make 2 crib sheets. 

4 Things to Consider When Buying Toddler Bed Sheets

Before buying sheets for your kid’s bed, you should consider the following points.

1- Safety

If you plan on using toddler bedding within your baby crib, even if the dimension of the sheets is the same, some extra safety precautions must be taken. 

First, babies don’t sleep with pillows, top sheets, or blankets, so they might want to keep them until their child is old enough. 

Also, the sheets should fit snugly onto the mattress, without loose corners; otherwise, they become a SIDS risk for your baby. It never happens to me, but some of my friends had problems with sheets that shrink after being in the washer, so make sure to read (and follow) the laundry instruction on the label.

2- Convertible crib

If your baby’s crib is convertible, you don’t have to worry since your crib bedding will fit onto your toddler’s bed. Because crib and toddler mattresses are the same size, you’ll use the same sheets when converting it into a toddler bed. 

Convertible cribs are an excellent solution to save money in the long run! If you are looking at baby cribs right now, you should check out this list of the best convertible cribs.

3- Extra sheets

There is a period in a child’s life when he’s toilet training; during these times, toddlers are likely to have an accident in bed. From my experience, you can always use spare sheets for your kid’s bed. The last thing you want is to change your kid’s bed at 2 am and realize you don’t have clean sheets anymore. 

Another great solution to help with a leaky accident is a waterproof mattress and mattress pad. 

For more information on mattress pads, I suggest you read my article: Why Do I Need a Crib Mattress Pad, and Many Do I Need?

4- Best Fabrics for Kid’s Bed Sheets

Kids’ bedding should be gentle for the skin, especially for babies. Check for 100% cotton or high-cotton blend bedding, and you also should consider organic fabrics. 

Sometimes, we buy cheap bedding made with who knows what to save a couple of bucks. Manufacturers use chemicals when producing fabrics. If used for bed sheets, they could become irritating to your kid’s skin. In my experience, when kids finally fall asleep, it’s a blessing that no irritating bed sheets should ruin. 

Therefore, I have opted for organic sheets. Most baby product stores have sheets that have been tested for harmful chemicals that are also unbleached and non-dyed. Check for labels, such as GOTS and Oeko-Tex.

Best Toddler Bed Sheets

Shopping for kid’s bedding can become a giant rabbit hole, where endless options of patterns and cute illustrations become overwhelming. Get inspired by those top-rated brand toddler sheets from Amazon.

NaturalForMyBaby	100% COTTON sheets, Made in Georgia, USA	Visit shop
PiccolinaBoutique	100% Egyptian cotton jersey sheets	Visit shop
NogiliStudio	100% organic jersey cotton sheets, GOTS and AND Oeko-Tex Certified	Visit shop
Lublini	100% premium cotton sheets, GOTS-certified organic cotton	Visit shop
DelanoDesignsHome	100% organic cotton fabrics sheets, GOTS certified	Visit shop

Takeaway

Since toddler bed sheets are the same as crib sheets, you can keep the bedding when your child transit into a toddler’s bed. 

The only difference is when you buy bedding sets. Crib sets sometimes come with a bumper, blanket bottom sheet, and mattress skirt. While toddler’s sheet sets come with a pillowcase, top sheet, and sometimes a blanket. 

So if you skip the crib sheets and buy a toddler’s sheets, just use the fitted sheets within the crib and keep the pillowcase and top sheet for later.