A: Good question! Babies have their own unique set of needs. Start with a dust mite encasement that keeps allergens contained and away from your child. Next comes a mattress pad, but the crib version will be waterproof to guard against leaks. After that comes a fitted sheet (you'll want to have a couple on hand in case of accidents). Many people don't realize that babies don't sleep with a flat sheet; that's just for grown up beds. And finally, you'll want a breathable blanket or a sleep sack. Remember: quilts, pillows and stuffed animals are purely decorative and shouldn't share the crib with your baby.

A: Organic mattresses are made of natural materials instead of synthetic, and are made without the use of harmful chemicals. That's especially important for babies because they spend so much time in their crib the first year and, pound for pound, absorb a lot more chemicals through their skin.