A Safer Crib. A Beautiful Nursery. You Don't Have to Choose.
When the safe sleep guidelines changed, the look of the modern nursery had to change with them. Here's what every parent should know — and how we've reimagined heirloom crib bedding to be both safe and stunning.
Safe Sleep, Simplified
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the safest sleep environment for a baby follows what's known as the ABCs of Safe Sleep.
A
Alone
Babies should sleep alone in their crib — without soft bedding inside the sleep space during sleep. Decorative crib pillows, quilts, and blankets should be removed before naps and bedtime.
B
on their Back
Always place babies on their back to sleep, for every nap and every night, until they're old enough to roll independently.
C
in a Crib
A firm, flat crib mattress with a fitted sheet — and nothing else inside the crib during sleep — is the gold standard for safe sleep.
These guidelines were updated to reflect what pediatric researchers now know: the items that once made a nursery look "complete" — like padded crib bumpers — were creating real risk inside the sleep space.
The Safe Sleep Act & the End of the Crib Bumper
In 2022, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act was signed into federal law, and shortly after, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the sale of traditional padded crib bumpers. The reason was simple: padded bumpers — once a nursery staple — were linked to a risk of suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.
It was a major shift for the entire baby industry. And honestly? It was a major shift for us, too.
A note from our founder
For years, traditional crib bumpers were one of our most-loved products. When the new safety standards were announced, we had a choice — fight it, or grow with it. We chose to grow.
Today, every product we make is designed to support the new safe sleep guidelines while still giving families the heirloom-quality, beautifully styled nursery they dreamed of.
— Lauren, Founder of High Cotton Textile
Three Beautiful, Safe Ways to Dress a Crib
We've spent years reimagining how a crib can be safe and heirloom-beautiful. Today, we offer three thoughtful approaches — so every family can find the look that feels right.
Most Popular
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Crib Rail Cover & Crib Skirt Sets
Our signature Crib Rail Cover Sets pair a beautifully ruffled crib skirt (which sits on the outside of the crib, never inside the sleep space) with our handmade crib rail covers that protect the wood from teething and bring softness back to the nursery aesthetic.
Why it works: Nothing inside the sleep space. Everything outside the crib is styled, soft, and heirloom-quality.
Best for: parents who want the classic, finished nursery look with full safe sleep compliance.
For families who still want something inside the crib — a soft, decorative barrier where bumpers used to sit — our Mesh Crib Liners are the answer. These breathable mesh liners are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as a safe alternative to traditional bumpers (we have written approval from the CPSC on file).
They feature our signature cotton ruffle (or our tailored cording trim for a more classic boy look) and your choice of:
Classic ties — wider, longer ties that finish in soft bows
Tiny ties — shorter, more discreet functional ties
Why it works: Provides the visual softness and crib-edge barrier that bumpers used to — but with breathable mesh that meets safe sleep standards.
Best for: parents who love the look of a fully finished crib interior, with the same aesthetic as our crib skirts and bows.
The simplest setup of all: a fitted crib sheet, a beautiful crib skirt on the outside of the crib, and nothing else inside. Pair with our handmade crib bows tied to the rails (outside the sleep space) for a soft, romantic touch.
Why it works: Maximum safe sleep adherence, minimal visual noise, maximum heirloom charm where it counts.
Best for: parents who prefer a pared-back, light, airy nursery aesthetic.
Decorative pillows, quilts, & blankets (beautiful for nursery styling and photos — but always removed before naps and bedtime)
Stuffed animals
Sleep positioners or wedges
Good to know: Crib skirts, crib rail covers, and tied crib bows all sit on the outside of the crib — they're styling pieces, not sleep-space items, and they're fully compatible with safe sleep guidelines. Decorative crib pillows, quilts, and blankets are perfect for finishing the look of a beautifully styled nursery and capturing those sweet baby photos — just be sure to remove them when baby is sleeping.
Beautiful and Safe Aren't Opposites
Every piece we make today is designed to honor both: the modern safety guidelines that protect your baby, and the soft, heirloom-quality aesthetic that makes a nursery feel like home.
We sew every piece by hand in our Alabama studio, using 100% washed cotton (or breathable mesh, in the case of our liners) — so you never have to choose between a nursery that's safe and a nursery that's stunning.
Everything new parents want to know about safe sleep and crib bedding.
Are crib bumpers really illegal now?
Yes. As of 2022, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act made the sale of traditional padded crib bumpers illegal in the United States. The CPSC enforces this rule under federal safety standards.
Are crib rail covers safe?
Yes — crib rail covers sit on top of the crib's wooden rails, outside the sleep space. They're designed to protect the rail from teething damage and to add a soft, finished look to the nursery, without ever entering the area where your baby sleeps.
What about mesh crib liners — are they really safe?
Yes. Our mesh crib liners are made from breathable mesh and have written approval from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as a safe alternative to traditional padded bumpers. Air flows freely through the mesh, eliminating the suffocation risk associated with padded bumpers.
Is a crib skirt safe to use?
Yes — a crib skirt sits outside the crib, draping over the frame down toward the floor. It never touches the sleep space, so it's fully compatible with safe sleep guidelines.
When can my baby sleep with a blanket or pillow?
The AAP recommends keeping all soft bedding (blankets, pillows, stuffed animals) out of the sleep space during sleep until at least 12 months of age. Decorative crib pillows, quilts, and blankets are wonderful for styling a finished nursery and capturing those sweet baby photos — just be sure to remove them before naps and bedtime. Always check with your pediatrician for personalized guidance.
Can I still use bows or other decorative pieces on the crib?
Yes — our handmade crib bows are designed to tie to the outside of the crib rails, never inside the sleep space. They're a beautiful, safe way to add a heirloom finishing touch.
My nursery already has bumpers — what should I do?
We'd recommend removing them from the crib and exploring a safer alternative. Our Crib Rail Cover Sets or Mesh Crib Liners are both designed to give you the styled, finished nursery look you originally wanted — safely.
Heirloom Style. Safe Sleep Approved.
Every piece we make is handmade in Alabama, designed with both your baby's safety and your nursery's beauty in mind.
