Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial part of your baby's life. A crib can aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you both safe during the night.
There are a variety of cribs, each with different dimensions styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure and simple to use and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed made for infants and toddlers. There are many different types of cribs, but they are all smaller than a toddler's bed, and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your infant. Some cribs come with wheels, which allows them to be moved around the home. They are generally designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to the mother's womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, while others might be ready to switch to a toddler's bed sooner. The most common type of crib is a standard crib, that can be used from birth until the time your child is around 18 months old or is capable of climbing out.
Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth to four months or until they are big. These are smaller, more compact cribs that provide the intimacy and comfort parents infants require in their early years. They also are smaller which makes them a good alternative if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child will prefer.
To ensure your child's safety, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. There should be no gap greater than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress and the slats must not be missing or loose. Also the bed shouldn't have cutouts in the footboard or headboard, as these can hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of being suffocated.
Cribs can be purchased in different styles and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. These can be particularly convenient for breastfeeding moms, as it will enable you to breastfeed your baby while in the crib. If you're not a lot of space and have a limited budget there are cribs that just feature the basic necessities.
If you have a little more money there are cribs that can develop with your child into toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs and can be a good choice for parents who don't need to buy another crib every time their child outgrows the current one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider its style and design in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. If the style of your home is in an inclination like rustic or contemporary then you might want to pick one that matches the overall theme. There are many cribs available in a variety of shapes and styles that come with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are safe places to sleep for babies. At first, they were cradles which could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety increased and the need for a stationary crib became norm, and the designs changed to ensure better protection against falls or entrapment. The cribs of today come with features such as sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.
You'll also find cribs that incorporate a changing table or shelving unit for convenience during the infant stage. However, it's not recommended to use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand or climb because it can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for babies, and the lower position should be used before your baby begins to sit or roll in bed, which typically happens by the time they reach the age of a year.
The mattress can be placed on a single piece of board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal as this is believed to be more stable than wooden slats, which could be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be tight and firm to stop excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause an hazard of suffocation to infants.
If great crib are planning to keep your baby in the crib for as long as possible then think about a 4-in-1 crib which can be used as a toddler's bed, a daybed and then eventually a full size bed. They typically have removable rails to make the transition to an adult bed much easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
Regardless of the style or design you choose it's crucial to look for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, examine the crib frame to see whether there are any wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you're planning to purchase an additional crib mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental death due to suffocation. Be sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly into the crib. A mattress that is either too big or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Some reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 deaths identified in the NPR as well as two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, involve crib beds that are too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or head and footboard that create entrapment risks and infants slipping into or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now selling "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote safe sleep and prevent rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, thought to contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk for SIDS.
cot sets
When you welcome a new baby to your family, you will likely need to buy a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds could aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to adolescence easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of cots, and come with an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low chemical emissions for an environment that is healthier.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib it is crucial to choose the correct mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's sleep. You can pick from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in various sizes to meet your needs. For safety, choose an innerspring mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.
If your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will require an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have it installed before your child turns two years old to ensure the transition goes smoothly and your child is at ease with the new transition. After your crib mattress and conversion kit is in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes with two people.
A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child. These include keeping the bedding and bedroom decor consistent and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Involving your child in the transition by giving them a selection of their favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis can also help them adjust to the new bed arrangement.
A crib that converts into a full-size bed is a great option to extend the life of your investment. It also offers an extra bed for your child. The conversion kits available for these cribs come in different designs to complement your furniture pieces and can be fitted on various types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.