Baby bedding and accessories are manufacturered by dozens of designers. But little information is available to help consumers understand the differences between the competing brands. Lambs & Ivy, just one of these manufacturers, has a unique set of design, price and value characteristics that should be considered by anyone thinking of purchasing a Lambs & Ivy crib bedding set.

One of the best known brands of crib bedding; Lambs & Ivy patterns can be seen in prominent national chains and mass merchandisers. They are also widely available online. Lambs & Ivy crib bedding is moderately priced and is generally accompanied by most of the usual coordinated accessories. Lambs & Ivy also makes a line of low-priced crib bedding under the Bedtime Originals label. Their designs are colorful and cute, and include a number of licensed character patterns (Snoopy and Hello Kitty). For a more sophisticated or elegant look, Brandee Danielle or Glenna Jean crib bedding would be more appropriate. Lambs & Ivy crib bedding is generally 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester blend and assembled in the United States.

One of Lamb's & Ivy's more positive features is it's widespread availability. Sold through many national chains and mass merchandisers (Bedtimes Originals), you will not find all of their patterns in any one store, but you will find there product line well represented throughout the country. Their merchandise is also widely available online. This makes Lambs & Ivy bedding a frequent baby gift registry item.

Lamb's & Ivy's baby bedding patterns are sold as 6-piece crib sets (including a quilt, bumper, ruffle, sheet, valance, and diaper stacker) with prices ranging from $110-$200. Their Bedtime Originals patterns are sold as 3-piece crib sets (quilt, bumper, and sheet) for $40-$60. Additional sheets and valances can usually be purchased separately. Quilts and bumpers are usually not available separately. Be careful, however, that a $40 or $150 crib set does not inadvertently evolve into a $400 nursery collection after adding the cost of the many accessories that are available.

Lambs & Ivy makes most of the usual nursery accessories to coordinate with their crib bedding collections: mobiles, pillows, blankets, wall border, lamps, etc. Many sets also have coordinated upholstered furniture for the nursery and matching cradle or toddler bedding sets. Lambs & Ivy's patterns are generally very colorful and cute - just the thing if you prefer a very bright, cheerful, and "babyish" nursery dcor. Lambs & Ivy crib bedding is usually made from 100% cotton or cotton/polyester blend fabrics that are machine washable. Lambs & Ivy appears focused on maintaining low prices and therefore does not usually incorporate premium quality fabrics into their designs, as you will find in more expensive collections. The Bedtimes Originals patterns in particular usually employ less expensive printed fabrics to keep prices down.

Because most Lambs & Ivy merchandise is assembled in the United States, it can be particularly appealing for Canadian customers purchasing from a United States online retailer. It can be shipped to Canada duty-free, thereby avoiding charges of 17% or more of the purchase price that apply to bedding manufactured in China or India.