The Secret Secrets Of Crib Sets
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs include everything your baby needs to be comfortable from the first day. They're pre-shrunk, machine washable and designed to fit snugly around the mattress without bunching - a major safety hazard for babies.
One tester for parents said that she had used it for two babies and then gave it to a friend. This makes it a smart buy. Its sleek design makes it a perfect choice for smaller nursery spaces.
Bedding
When it comes to crib bedding, there are a variety of options available. However, picking the right bedding is more than just picking a cute pattern to be in line with your preferences. You must also find something that fits snugly and doesn't clump up in areas where it could be a suffocation hazard for your baby. It should be soft and durable to withstand diaper blowouts, spit up and other messes for months without fading.
This set from Avocado is one of our favorite. It contains two sheets made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, which is an independent third party certification that ensures that the products of the company meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib bed (27 1 The blanket's dimensions is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. The blankets can be washed in the machine to clean up the inevitable mess your little bundle is likely to make.
A crib mattress pad is a ideal option for babies and toddlers. It adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress from accidents and stains. Choose mattresses that are less than an inch thick, so your child can breathe easily. Avoid anything too fluffy or with long bows, ribbons and other adornments. These could fall off and create a strangulation hazard.
If you're planning to keep your baby in the crib for a considerable amount of time, consider buying a convertible crib. These cribs can be converted to a toddler bed, or even a daybed or full-size. Some cribs come with the necessary conversion kits included, but others require a purchase.
A few of our most-loved cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib in a sleigh style, which is constructed of solid wood and has one of the taller mattress heights in the group (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a mattress that is low). We also love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets stringent environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.
Mattress
When it comes to crib mattresses, firmness and size are crucial. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm that is comfortable and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you place a sheet over it. The mattress should be of the proper size for the crib and remain in place even after your child grows out of it.
In addition, you'll want to consider if the mattress is made of chemicals that could potentially harm your child. Choose a mattress that is odor-free and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which typically emit a unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good sign. It is a certifiable sign that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.
Other things to consider are the mattress's weight and whether or not it is waterproof. You'll likely have to deal with nighttime sheet changes So having a surface that is waterproof or wipeable will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the heaviest product we tested, weighing in at 20 lbs. This could be a problem for some parents.
A mattress that has two sides could have one side that is firm for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress once they reach the peak of normal growth. This is typically about 12 months old.
We weighed the mattresses and observed how they were able to fold easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also placed a weight of 8 pounds, slightly heavier than that of a newborn Baby Cot on each mattress to observe how it reacted. The most effective mattresses did not sink this means they provide enough support to prevent your child from falling out of the their cheap cot bed during sleep or to suffocate. Some of the mattresses we tested come with covers that can be washed and removed that is waterproof and zips closed. This makes cleaning and maintaining them a breeze.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without a set of fixed rails. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails with their cribs, others offer them on their own. If you choose to buy them separately, make sure they meet the safety standards. For instance, they must be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to withstand small Cot Beds your child's weight without being too thin. They should also be able to lock securely into place so they can't be taken away by your child.
The right crib rails will not only be strong, they should be able to fit snugly into the frame of the crib. This will prevent the mattress from becoming fragile, which could be dangerous for your baby. When purchasing crib rails, make sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame as there are slight variations in the size of cribs. The dimensions should be no wider than three fingers.
Also, make sure that the crib rails do not include any cutouts with decorative designs or other ornaments. They could pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing pillows, quilts, blankets and sheepskins inside the crib. These could cause the accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. If you want to include an extra soft surface for sleeping in the crib, try a crib pad-and-cover combination. The products comprise a mattress pad with a waterproof lining and an adjustable "skirt" that wraps over the mattress, much like an fitted sheet.
Finally, you'll need find the best crib rail protectors. They are designed to cushion the head of your child if it hits the crib railings while you feed him or her or cradling them next to the bed. They also can help avoid the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's fixed railings.
Once your infant outgrows the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to ensure your child's safety in their bed until they're ready for a bigger Mini Cot Bed for their child. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with most standard cribs. It's easy to set up and meets all of the CPSC's safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Certain crib design elements are purely aesthetic and are based on personal taste, but others -- such as the style of the slats on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bedcan have a major impact on the ease of use of the crib and its lifespan. The best recommended cribs have solid wood construction, comply with various safety standards, and are adaptable to various mattress heights. Certain cribs have unique features that make them more efficient, such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to change sheets without taking the entire mattress from the crib.
Generally speaking, you should avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs, or other decorations that could catch on clothing or create a choking risk for infants. Also, be sure to inspect the crib hardware regularly for loose bolts or other items that could catch on clothing or other objects and create the risk of injury.
The best crib sets come with simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary parts including hardware. Most modern cribs take a half hour or less to put together and many include all the equipment you'll need.
You might also want to consider a convertible crib that could transform into a toddler bed, daybed, or full-size bed. It's a good purchase for families who intend to keep the crib for a number of years or who have little space in their homes. It is important to know that certain crib conversion kits require additional items to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be a bit difficult to grasp but it's vital for safety and stability. Most cribs feature an arrangement of rectangular blocks as well as wedges (also known as "shims"), and large chocks called step chocks. They're all designed to snug up contact points between the crib and supported surface.
Some chocks and shims are made from soft woods that break slowly, and can give audible warnings prior to failure as more robust wood materials can break up suddenly and with more force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available and can be easier to install since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.