Why you should trust this review
I am Priya Sharma, a pediatric registered nurse with an MSN and a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Safe sleep is a topic I cover at every newborn and infant visit in my clinical practice. We purchased a retail two-pack of the Ely’s and Co Waterproof Fitted Crib Sheet and used them in rotation in our test nursery for three months, washing each sheet approximately six times during the test period. We received no payment or product from Ely’s and Co and maintained full editorial control throughout.
Safe sleep context
AAP HealthyChildren guidelines require that infants under 12 months sleep on a firm, flat mattress with no loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, or positioners. A fitted sheet that includes a waterproof backing is not prohibited under those guidelines as long as it fits snugly with no bunching or excess fabric near the infant. The key distinction between a safe waterproof sheet and an unsafe one is fit: a sheet that lifts at the corners or bunches in the middle creates a potential suffocation hazard in the same way any loose bedding does.
Performance in testing
The all-in-one construction is the main practical advantage of this sheet. During a midnight leak change in our test nursery, stripping and replacing one sheet was noticeably faster than removing a fitted sheet and then repositioning a separate protector underneath. The full-perimeter elastic held the sheet flat against the mattress surface throughout the test period, with no corner lifting observed during three months of use. The polyurethane backing blocked liquid in every test pour, and the jersey-knit surface remained free of pilling after twelve machine washes.
Real weaknesses
The all-in-one design has a direct cost: a small leak means washing the entire sheet. With a separate protector and sheet arrangement, you can sometimes spot-treat the fitted sheet while the protector goes through a full wash, cutting down on full-cycle laundry. Families who go through multiple sheet changes per day during the newborn period may find the higher laundry volume worth noting. The jersey-knit fabric also traps slightly more heat than a woven cotton sheet, which is relevant in nurseries without good airflow during summer.
Comparison with rivals
Biloban makes a similar all-in-one waterproof fitted sheet at a lower price point, but the microfiber surface felt less soft in direct comparison and absorbed liquid slightly more slowly. SafeRest’s separate protector under a fitted sheet offers more flexibility in choosing sheet fabric but requires managing two laundry items. Trend Lab crib sheet sets offer a wide range of patterns and soft cotton but include no waterproofing, so they require a separate protector underneath. For families who want simplicity and a quick overnight sheet change, Ely’s and Co is the most convenient option in the researched group.
Who it is for
This sheet suits families who prioritize fast overnight changes and want waterproof protection built into the sheet rather than managed as a separate layer. It works best in nurseries with moderate room temperatures and on standard full-size crib mattresses. Families with high overnight leak frequency who are concerned about laundry volume may prefer a separate protector and sheet system where only the top layer needs changing on small leaks.