You can call it an activity mat or a play mat but either way it is one of the must-have essentials for your little one. There are so many different types, you will not find it hard to find one to suit your family and your home.Play mats provide a portable, safe and stimulating environment for a young child that is much less hazardous than the floor. With the latest non toxic and eco friendly activity mats, you can even provide an organic and hypoallergenic environment for your little baby. Our guide sets out everything you need to know to get the most out of your baby play mat.

Does a baby need a play gym? After all, a newborn will be napping and feeding all day. A play gym becomes useful when your baby hits his first month. You will notice that your baby will start to become more alert and awake. During such time, a baby play gym will become highly useful as you go about your day. It is a safe spot for your baby to relax and entertain himself as you fold your laundry, answer your phone calls or clean your house with your baby within sight. Let's also not forget the developmental benefits a baby play gym can provide.

Although not completely necessary, a playmat can be a fun and helpful addition to a baby's room. Playmats can provide a soft surface for a baby to play on, and they can also provide a variety of textures and colors that can stimulate a baby's development.

When you first become a parent, it is very normal to start researching all the different stages of your baby’s development and the essential baby items you will need during this time. When it comes to your child’s safety it is important to have the facts.To answer this question it is important to understand a few things first. What is a baby play mat? What type of play mat is best? Does my baby require an activity or gym mat too?So, let’s start at the start…

The decision of whether to invest in a good quality play mat for your newborn is a common dilemma for many parents. While it might seem like a simple accessory, is it really worth the investment? Does it really matter? Aren't all playmats the same?

Even before the baby is born, moms set out on the task to give their child a comfortable life. From looking for baby crib setting inspiration to scrolling through Pinterest for nursery room décor ideas, moms do a lot to prepare for the big arrival.

Let’s explore any evidence behind play mat use, what you can use a play mat for at each stage and how it might be beneficial for baby’s development!A repost from a blog review "When can my baby use a play mat and what are the benefits?" by Elephant In The Womb. You can read the full story here.

Although Saatva started as a luxury mattress company, it’s since expanded to offer a range of upscale bedding basics, like splurge-worthy sheets and pillows. We’ve tested all types of bedding from the brand, but we’re partial to the Percale Sheet Set, which washes extremely well and provides plenty of airflow. Saatva’s bedding selection is small, easy to navigate, and packed with top-notch finds. Its sheets are made of premium materials, like organic cotton and Belgian flax linen. And its covers range from lightweight cotton-viscose quilts to cozy cotton-velvet blankets. The brand also stands out for its luxe mattress toppers and pillows, which are made of quality materials, like graphite-infused memory foam and hypoallergenic latex, and covered with organic cotton.

Few things in life feel as good as sleeping in high-quality bedding. And since we spend so much time in bed each night, a comfortable sleep space is critical to our overall well-being.Bedding is an investment, though, which can make the search for new sheets and blankets a little daunting. Whether you’re looking for a fresh sheet set, a duvet cover to upgrade the look and feel of your bedroom, or a complete new-bedding bundle, you want to know that the retailer you’re ordering from is known for high-quality products and a solid shopping experience.To find the best places to buy bedding that have a user-friendly website, fast shipping, and most importantly high-quality sheets, duvets, and blankets, we ordered from the most popular bedding retailers on the market. During testing, we used a pre-determined methodology to evaluate each retailer’s website navigation, return policy, shipping speed, bedding quality, and overall value.

The bedding you use can affect how well you sleep and instantly transform the look of your bedroom. But everyone has specific preferences when it comes to both sleep comfort and bedroom decor. That's why we've spent tens of thousands of hours testing and researching different sheet sets, duvet covers, comforters, pillowcases, and more to find retailers that offer high-quality bedding to suit every aesthetic taste and sleep style.We've put hundreds of bedding products from a wide selection of retailers through their paces, evaluating them in The Lab and even in our own homes. We've tried out sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, blankets, and more over months to determine how they really wash, wear, and feel over time. It's how we come up with our favorites. (See more about our faves with our sleep all stars).

'Generally, a higher thread count sheet set will be more expensive and will also have a more luxurious, silky feel. But, high thread count sheets are not the best for those that sleep hot because they will trap heat,' he says. Therefore, while it is common practice to opt for bedding with a high thread count, it may not be best if you live in a hot environment.'The thread count of bedding will vary depending on the material and doesn't necessarily relate to its quality,' he says. For example, some high-quality linen and Tencel sheets will have a lower thread count but can be luxury alternatives. We explore these options below. 

The joy of getting into a freshly made bed with soft, comfortable bedding can make all the difference in getting a good night’s rest. In addition, buying bed linens is also a way to transition and decorate your bedrooms and guest rooms from season to season. With so many bedding companies selling everything from bamboo sheets to hand-made quilts, though, it can be overwhelming to decide where to shop for your next favorite set of sheets or the perfect winter blanket.We dug deep under the covers to review myriad retailers, comparing (and trying out) bedding options from wool blankets to delicate pillowcases, to create a list of 15 of the best one-stop shops for bedding, based on each shop’s selection of comfort, style, affordability, and products. No matter your budget, we recommend building the bedding wardrobe of your linen closet’s dreams.

Bedding is the underrated workhorse in every bedroom, with the ability to elevate a space and create a comfortable environment to promote good sleep. But the market for bed linens is saturated, making it difficult to know where to find the best places to buy bedding. While budget is always a factor, experts say it’s important to invest in your sheets and duvet. “Always buy the best quality that you can afford,” says home decor expert Carla Bethany Hayden. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune, though: It’s possible to buy great bedding at a range of retailers and price points.U.S. News editors analyzed the market and consulted experts in the home decor industry to track down the best places to purchase bedding. Start your search for elevated sheets and more here.

Few things in life feel as good as sleeping in high-quality bedding. And since we spend so much time in bed each night, a comfortable sleep space is critical to our overall well-being.Bedding is an investment, though, which can make the search for new sheets and blankets a little daunting. Whether you’re looking for a fresh sheet set, a duvet cover to upgrade the look and feel of your bedroom, or a complete new-bedding bundle, you want to know that the retailer you’re ordering from is known for high-quality products and a solid shopping experience.To find the best places to buy bedding that have a user-friendly website, fast shipping, and most importantly high-quality sheets, duvets, and blankets, we ordered from the most popular bedding retailers on the market. During testing, we used a pre-determined methodology to evaluate each retailer’s website navigation, return policy, shipping speed, bedding quality, and overall value.

Along with your duvet, pillow and mattress, the bed linen that you choose will have a big impact on how your bed feels and how you sleep. As your sheets, duvet cover and pillowcase are against your skin every night, it’s important to think about what kind of bed linen will give you the best night's sleep. There are, after all, many bed linen types.Different fabrics and weaves have different characteristics and therefore have a different feel. The best bed linen is made with the highest quality natural materials and woven to the highest standards.Decide whether you like your bedding to feel smooth and silky, cool and crisp, or cosy and warm. This will help you choose which bed linen fabric and weave will suit you best. 

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.The joy of getting into a freshly made bed with soft, comfortable bedding can make all the difference in getting a good night’s rest. In addition, buying bed linens is also a way to transition and decorate your bedrooms and guest rooms from season to season. With so many bedding companies selling everything from bamboo sheets to hand-made quilts, though, it can be overwhelming to decide where to shop for your next favorite set of sheets or the perfect winter blanket. 

When it comes to creating the perfect haven in your bedroom, the significance of choosing the right bedding set cannot be overstated. Your bedding not only defines the ambiance of your personal space but also influences the quality of your sleep. Among the myriad options available, Ever Lasting stands out as the ultimate destination for all your bedding and home decor needs. In this comprehensive guide, we explore why Ever Lasting is the preferred choice and how it compares to its competitors.

Although bedding takes longer to dry than a regular load of clothes, leaving them in the dryer for too long causes them to shrink. Tumble dry sheets on a low setting for a short amount of time. This minimizes the risk of shrinking and reduces wrinkles. Additionally, avoid drying bed sheets with towels to prevent over-drying. Sheets dry faster than towels so when the sheets are done, the towels will still be wet.  

Laundry room ideas you love will make keeping up with the task easy, and most bed sheets can go into a regular washing machine, but it’s worth taking a little time to get to know the best wash program and heat setting for each material. Cotton bed sheets are easy to wash, as are linen, but the latter are prone to shrinking in a hot tumble dryer. Tencel and bamboo sheets, made from sustainably sourced fibers, are fairly robust but benefit from cooler wash temperatures. Silk and satin sheets are a touch more temperamental and the laundry symbols on their tags will show you should use low wash temperatures and slower spin cycles plus specialist detergent. 

Using the proper laundry cycle can help keep your bed sheets in the best condition. In general, the bulky/sheets washer cycle uses warm water, a low spin speed, more water and is designed to help keep sheets from tangling up. The ideal dryer setting is low to medium heat due to the fabric weight.These washer and dryer settings may vary depending on the fabric. Some bed sheet fibers are more delicate than others and require gentle laundry care. Always check the care label for your sheets before washing and drying them.