Choosing top ranked cribs For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the life of your baby. A crib will help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own and ensure your safety at night.
There are many cribs of various dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe and simple to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed made for infants and toddlers. There are a variety of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler's bed, and provide a safe sleeping place for your child. Some cribs come with wheels, which allows them to be moved around the home. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment similar to the mother's womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib as long as they can, but others might be ready switch to a toddler's crib sooner. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until your child is 18 months old older or is capable of getting out.
Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth to four months or until they are too big. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, yet they offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great option if you're not sure which bedding type your child would like.
To ensure your child's safety cribs and bassinets also have safety guidelines. For example, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats should not be loose or missing. In addition the bed should not have cutouts in the headboard or footboard because they could hold a child's head and legs and increase the risk of being suffocated.
There are cribs available in many different styles and finishes. Some even come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs could be very useful as you can nurse your baby inside the crib. If you're limited in space and have a the funds to purchase a crib, you can find cribs that just feature the basic necessities.
If you have a bit more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that can be adapted to expand with your child to toddler beds and even sofas and daybeds. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They are a good choice for parents who do not wish to purchase a new crib every time their child outgrows the current one.
Style
If you are in the market for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select one that is in line with the overall style of your home, whether contemporary or rustic. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.
Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. They were initially simple cribs that could be rolled. As awareness of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection against falling or entrapment. The cribs of today are built with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's well-being and safety.
There are cribs that include with a changing table or shelving unit for ease in the early stages of infanthood. However, it's not recommended to use this kind of crib if your child is ready to stand up or climb, as it could make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for newborns. The lower position is recommended when your baby is able to sit up or roll in the bed. This is usually around the age of a year.
The mattress can be set on a single-piece board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains, recommend a metal spring frame since it's more sturdy than wooden slats that can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be sturdy and tightly fitted to the crib, so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib as long as you can, look into a 4-in-1 bed which can be used as a toddler's bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to make the transition from an adult bed much easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
Whatever design or style you pick regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, look over the crib frame for any imperfections in the paint or wood which could pose a threat to your baby.
If you are contemplating buying 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. Make sure that the mattress fits snugly into the crib. A mattress that is either too big or too small could be risky for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or crib sides.
There are reports of non-fatal incidents that include 21 deaths reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents can involve a range of hazards, like gaps between the crib mattress and the side or between the footboard and the head which can lead to the entrapment of. Infants can also roll on the mattress, or be trapped between the wall or headboard.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will promote safe sleep, and prevent rebreathing or breathing in your baby's carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family typically leads to an influx of new items, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits can be bought for various brands of cots and include the headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit low levels of chemical for a healthier indoor atmosphere.
Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. You can pick from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. Pick a foam 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.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll require a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have it installed before your child turns two to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and your child is at ease with the new transition. After your crib mattress and conversion kit are in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes for two people.
You can make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Give your child a variety of toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed on a regular time will help them settle.
A crib that can convert to a full-size bed is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide an additional bed for your child through their teenage years. The conversion kits for these cribs come in various styles to match the furniture pieces you have and are suitable for numerous kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.