Question
A few years ago I saw a tragedy on TV where a baby suffocated in the corner of a fitted sheet that came loose. Shortly thereafter, I saw a demonstration of a fitted sheet that looked like a pillow sham cover. It looked very safe. I'd like to give this to my niece, who's expecting, but I can't find one. Can you help?
Answer
I have checked with several stores and other resources, but I have not been able to find what you describe. It may have been made to order. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has not recalled any particular crib sheet as being hazardous.
As you implied, I believe in this tragic case that the loose-fitting sheet was the problem. Safety experts recommend that the crib mattress should fit snugly in the crib, and all plastic coverings should be removed. All crib sheets must fit tightly and should be checked carefully after laundering and continued use to make sure the fit continues to be snug. If they don't fit tightly, they should not be used as crib sheets any longer. Good luck in making this very useful purchase.
