nak<br><br>
I think some of the confusion is due to the fact that companies aren't always careful which terms they're using. But to be specific:<br><br>
Lambskin/sheepskin is the actual skin of the sheep with the fleece attached.<br><br>
Fleece is the sheep's woolly covering. It's very springy and dense.<br><br>
Wool is the fleece spun and manufactured into thread or yarn and then into blankets or clothing or the like.<br><br>
That's how I understand it at least. But I think you can sometimes find things labeled "sheepskin" (such as a jacket) that doesn't actually have animal skin, or for instance, when we talk about "fleece blankets" for babies, they're usually polyester, I think named because they have some of the water-wicking abilities of real fleece.<br><br>
For mattress covers, we love our SnugFleece:<br><br><a href="http://www.snugfleece.com/" target="_blank">http://www.snugfleece.com/</a><br><br>
It's fleece, so it's the wool shaved off and attached to a backing -- no killing the sheep. It's really cushy and nice, and they have a bunch of sizes, including crib. The elastic corner straps make it stay on well, though it can shift a little (but my DH is a really shifty sleeper!). We used to have a synthetic mattress cover, and I will never go back -- sweat city! It would block the sweat from getting through, so it would just pool and yuckify the sheets. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/grossedout.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="gross"> This wool cover is nice in the summer and winter both. I feel nice and dry, and the mattress so far is fine. Caring for the cover's easy, too -- just let it air out once in awhile without the sheets on top.<br><br>
I'll stop trying to sell you a SnugFleece. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> I found mine on eBay for cheaper than usual, but I'll tell you that they're worth full price if that's all you can find.<br><br>
HTH!