Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a vital part of the life of your baby. A crib will help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you both safe in the evening.
There are a variety of cribs, each with different dimensions styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's bed and offer a safe place to sleep for your baby. Some cribs come with wheels that allow them to be moved from room to and are designed to reduce the risk of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable space similar to the womb.
While many parents may want their children to remain in their cribs as long as possible however, some parents will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most common type of crib is a standard crib, which can be used from birth until your child is around 18 months old or is capable of getting out.
There are bassinets too, which are suitable from the time of birth to four months or until the baby is too large for it. They are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can offer the closeness and comfort parents infants require in their early years. They are also more mobile, making them an attractive alternative if you're not sure of what kind of bedding you'd like for your child.
To ensure your child's safety, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. For instance, there must be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats should not be loose or missing. Also the bed shouldn't be fitted with cutouts in the footboard or headboard, since they can hold a child's head and legs and increase the risk of suffocation.
You can purchase cribs in many different styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelves 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 short on space or have a limited budget you can still find cribs that include the essentials.
If you're willing to spend a little extra, you can buy cribs that can be converted into toddler beds, daybeds or sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal choice for parents who do not want to invest in an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the crib they currently have.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, take into consideration its style and design in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. You may want to select an option that fits the general style of your home, regardless of whether it's rustic or contemporary. There are many cribs available in a variety of designs and shapes, with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping environments for babies. They were initially cribs that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety developed and cribs became stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs are built with features like sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.
To make life easier, you can also find cribs with a changing table and shelving unit. This kind crib is not suitable for babies who are able to stand or climb. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs offer adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for babies. The lower position is best baby cots used when your baby is able to sit up or roll over in the bed. This typically happens at the age of one year.
The mattress can be set on a single-piece wooden board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame as it is more stable than wood slats, which may break or loosen with time. The base should be firm and securely attached to the crib, so that it doesn't allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a potential suffocation risk for infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib as long as you can, think about a 4-in-1 crib that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have removable rails that make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress less difficult. They also typically come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, no matter the style or design you choose. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the crib's packaging or in its description. In addition, inspect the crib's frame for imperfections in the wood or paint which could pose a threat to your baby.
If you are planning to purchase an additional crib mattress for your baby's bed choose the most firm one you can find. This will help reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, ensure that the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small could pose dangerous, as your Baby Cot Bed could get caught between the mattress and the headboard or sides of the crib.
There are reports of accidents that are not fatal, including 21 reported deaths identified in the NPR and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, are based on a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or head and footboard that pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping on or being trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, thought cots to tots be a contributing factor 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 and toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to childhood easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits can be bought for various brands of cots and tots and include the headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit low levels of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.
No matter if you choose convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is crucial to choose the right mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's rest. You can pick from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in various sizes to meet your requirements. Select a mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring bed that meets the safety standards of the federal government.
You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed once your child is old enough to be in larger beds. It is recommended that you have it installed before your child turns two to ensure that the process goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit is in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes with two people.
It is possible to make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Offering your child a selection of toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed on a regular basis can help them to adjust.
Having a crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is a great way to extend the lifespan of your investment and also provide an additional bed for your child throughout their teenage years. The conversion kits available for these cribs are available in various styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be used on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.