School-aged kids usually get around 9.5 hours of sleep every night, but experts recommend 10-11 hours. While it might seem impossible to get your child to sleep for more than 9 hours at a time, there may be some things you’re overlooking. One of the most important things to consider, especially for babies and toddlers, is the material that sheets are made from.

Whether you’re a first-time parent or on your second or third go-around, there are some essential tips you need to consider when buying kids fitted sheets and pillowcases. Here are some of the best bed sheet fabrics to choose from when looking for baby and children’s sheets.

Cotton

Cotton is a soft, breathable fabric that will help regulate your baby’s temperature in any kind of weather. Temperature is one of the most important things that can aid or inhibit sleep, so regulation is important. In addition, natural cotton is free of synthetics and chemicals, which means it’s one of the safest materials to choose for baby crib sheets. But the best trait that cotton has is its affordability and availability. No matter where you go, cotton bedding is bound to be there.

Polyester

Polyester is similar to cotton in that it’s affordable and readily available, but there are other factors you need to consider as well. Polyester is one of the most durable materials you can choose, and it won’t shrink up like cotton sheets tend to do. The biggest con of these sheets is they’re not as breathable as cotton, which makes them a poor choice for warmer months.

Waterproof Sheets

If you’re looking for a way to prevent stains and messy cleanups, waterproof sheets for babies are the way to go. Waterproof sheets for babies make for easy cleaning and are especially attractive for parents currently going through the potty-training process. Bedwetting is nothing for your child to be ashamed of, but waterproof sheets will make cleaning those accidents much easier.

No matter which of these materials you choose, you’re certain to make a great purchase that will last for years.