Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial aspect of the life of your baby. A crib helps them develop the habit of sleeping independently, and also keeps both of you safe during the night.
There are a variety of cribs, each with varying sizes styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe and easy to use and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a bed that is specifically designed for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, but they are all smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe sleeping place for your child. Some cribs come with wheels, so they can be moved around the house. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to that of the mother's womb.
While many parents would like their children to stay in a crib for as long as possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most common crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or climb out.
There are bassinets too, which can be used from birth to four months or until the baby is large for it. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they provide the closeness to parents that infants require in their early months. They also are more portable and therefore a great option if you're unsure about the kind of bedding you would like for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines to follow in order to protect your child. There should be no gap greater than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress, and the slats should not be loose or absent. Additionally, the bed should not have cutouts on the headboard or footboard because they could hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of suffocation.
Cribs can be bought in a variety of designs and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be very convenient as you can nurse your baby in the crib. If you're limited in space and have a a limited budget there are cribs that just feature the bare essentials.
If you have a bit more money to spend, you can find cribs that can be adapted to grow with your child into toddler beds, and even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be an ideal choice for parents who don't want to invest in an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the current one.
Style
When choosing a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to the style of the nursery. If the design of your home reflects one particular direction, such as rustic or contemporary, you may want to select a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant finishes, and with a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.
Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. Initially, they were simple cradles that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety developed and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer better protection against falls or entrapment. Today's cribs include features such as sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety and wellbeing.
For ease of use, you can also find cribs that have shelves and a changing table unit. This kind crib is not recommended for babies who are ready to climb or stand. It could make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for newborns. The lower position is recommended when your baby can sit up or lie down in the bed. This typically happens around the age of a year.
The crib's mattress can be positioned on a single-piece board, a grid of wood slats or a spring-wire frame. see post What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal because it is believed to be more stable than wooden slats which can break or loosen over time. The base should be firm and firm to prevent excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could pose the risk of suffocation for infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib as long as you can, look into a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into an infant's bed, a daybed and then eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have removable rails to allow the transition to a regular bed easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, regardless of the style or design you choose. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available on the crib's packaging or in the description. Also, look over the crib frame to see whether there are any wood or paint flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.
If you're planning to buy an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of death by accident due to inhalation. Also, ensure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small can be risky for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or crib sides.
There are reports of non-fatal incidents which include 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or the footboard and head that can cause entrapment dangers and infants slipping onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets, which pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim will ensure a safe sleep and will prevent breathing or rebreathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. However there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
If you are adding the addition of a new child to your family, you will likely have to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that transform into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to childhood easier for both your child and your family. These conversion kits can be purchased for a variety of cots. They also come with the headboard and footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for an environment that is healthier.
If you decide to go with a convertible crib or a standard crib, it is crucial to choose the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. You can choose from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in different sizes to suit your needs. Select a mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring bed that is in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government.
If your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is best to have this in place before your child turns two to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the transition. Once you have your mattress and crib kit it will take two people less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.
You can make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor same, and putting the bed into the room in which the crib is. Involving your child in the transition process by giving them a selection of their favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis can also help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that can be converted to an adult-sized bed is a great way to extend the time-to-value of your investment. It also provides a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits available for these cribs come in a variety of styles to match your furniture pieces and are suitable for various types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.