Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the baby's life. A crib will help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own and ensure your safety at night.
There are a variety of cribs that come in different dimensions, styles, 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 specifically designed for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler's bed, and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your child. Some cribs have wheels, which allows them to be moved around the house. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfortable and safe environment that is similar to the baby's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to stay in their cribs for as long as possible, some will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It can be used by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or they can be taken away.
There are also bassinets which can be used from newborn to four months or until the baby becomes too large for it. They are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can offer the closeness and comfort parents infants require during their early months. They are also more compact and therefore a great alternative if you're not certain what kind of bedding your child will prefer.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow in order to protect your child. For instance, there must be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats shouldn't be loose or missing. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this could entrap the child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in a variety of designs and finishes, and some have integrated changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful when you are planning to breastfeed and allowing you to nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short of space or have a small budget, you can still find cribs with all the necessities.
If you have a little more money to spend there are cribs that will expand with your child to toddler beds, and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs, and they are a great option for parents who don't want another one each time their child is out of the crib they have previously used.
Style
As you look for a crib, take into consideration its style in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. You might want to choose a crib that matches the overall style of your home, whether modern or rustic. There are numerous cribs to choose from in various designs and shapes, with natural wood or color finishes.
best cots have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. At first, they were cribs that could be rolled. As awareness of child safety grew, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from falls or entrapment. Modern cribs have features like sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials, all prioritizing your baby's safety and wellbeing.
To make life easier For convenience, you can also locate cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. However, it's not recommended that you use this type of crib when your baby is ready to stand or climb as it can make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for newborns, and the lower setting is recommended before your baby is able to sit up or roll in bed, which usually occurs by the time they turn one year old.
The crib's mattress can be perched on a one-piece board, a grid of wood slats or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing springs made of metal because it is believed to be more sturdy than wooden slats which can be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base must be secure and firm to prevent air from circulating around the mattress. This could pose the risk of suffocation for infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib for as long as you can, consider a 4-in-1 bed that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, daybed and eventually a full size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress less difficult. They also come with adjustable levels for the mattress.
Safety
Regardless of the style or design you choose, it's essential to look for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, look over the crib's frame for imperfections in the paint or the wood that could pose a danger for your baby.
If you're looking to purchase a mattress for your child's crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation which is the most common cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Be sure that the mattress fits snugly within the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small can be risky for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, such as gaps between the mattress and the side, or between the footboard and the head, that can cause entrapment. Infants may also roll onto the mattress or become trapped between it and the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family usually results in an increase in the number of items, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to adulthood easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of kinds of cribs, and generally include a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for better indoor air quality.
No matter if you choose a convertible crib or a standard crib, it is important to buy the right mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's rest. You can pick from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in different sizes to suit your needs. For safety, choose the mattress made of foam that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for cribs and toddler beds.
You will have to purchase a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed once your child is old enough to be in an additional bed. It is recommended to do this before your child turns two to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child feels comfortable. Once you have your crib and mattress kit in place it should take two people less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult size bed.
Certain things can make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable 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 process 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 help them adapt to the new arrangement of sleeping.
Having a crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment and provide the bed your child needs throughout their teens. Conversion kits are available in a variety of designs to match furniture and can be used with a wide variety of mattresses including twin or full size.