Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best baby cots crib sets come with everything you require for your baby to sleep soundly from the beginning. They are already shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to fit snugly around the mattress, without bunching - a major safety risk for babies.
One parent testigator said that she had used it for two babies, and then gave it to a different friend. This made it a smart buy. Its streamlined design also makes it an ideal choice for smaller nursery spaces.
Bedding
When it is time to choose a crib bedding, there are plenty of options. It's not just about picking a pattern that matches your style. You should also ensure that the sheet is fitted tightly and doesn't get tangled in places that could create the risk of choking your child. It should also be soft to the touch and durable enough to endure months of blowouts from diapers and spit-up without wearing out too fast.
This Avocado set is one of our favorites. It includes two sheets made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, an independent third-party certification that assures that the company's products are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk, which means they won't shrink or stretch after washing, and are designed to fit a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets can be washed to clean up the inevitable mess that your little bundle will make.
Another great option for infants and toddlers is a crib mattress pad, which adds an extra layer of comfort while protecting the mattress against accidents and stains. Find mattresses that are less than an inch thick, so your child is able to breathe easily. Avoid anything that is too fluffy, or with long bows, ribbons, tots and cots other adornments. These can come off and pose a strangulation hazard.
If you plan to keep your baby in a crib for a long time, think about buying a convertible crib. These beds typically convert into a toddler bed and sometimes to a full-size or daybed as well. Some cribs include the conversion kits, whereas other require an extra purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Sleigh crib is among our favorites. It's constructed of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are worried about getting on an unattractive mattress). We love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets the strictest environmental standards for reduced off-gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are essential when it comes to crib mattress. The AAP recommends using a mattress that is firm, fits comfortably and doesn't leave an indentation when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should be of the right size for the crib and it should stay in place--even after your baby gets out of it.
You'll also want to check whether the mattress has substances that could harm your child. Find a mattress that is odor-free and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which often emit an unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a positive sign. It is a certifiable sign that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals.
Other things to consider are the mattress's weight and whether or not it's waterproof. It's likely that you'll be dealing with changing sheets at night and an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the heaviest product we've tested, weighing at 20 pounds. This could be a problem for some parents.
A mattress that has two sides could have an infant side that is firm and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians suggest flipping your child's mattress when they reach the peak of normal growth. This is usually at around 12 months.
We weighed the mattresses and observed how easily they folded to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put an 8-pound tin, slightly heavier than a newborn, on each mattress to determine how the mattress reacted. The top mattresses did not sink and therefore provide enough support to prevent your child from falling out of their bed during sleep or suffocate. Some of the mattresses we tested have covers that can be washed and removed that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them easier.
Crib Rails
A crib would be incomplete without the proper set of fixed rails. While some baby furniture companies offer baby rails with the crib and others sell them on their own. If you decide to purchase the rails separately, ensure that they meet the safety standards. They must, for instance be free of missing or loose screws, brackets and other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to hold your child's weight, but not too thin. They should also be secured in a secure way so that they can't be removed from your child.
The crib rails should not only be sturdy but also fit comfortably within the frame of the crib. This will prevent the mattress from becoming too fragile, which could cause harm to your baby. When you purchase crib rails, make sure to examine the inside of the frame, as there are slight variations in the sizes of cribs. The ideal space should not be more than three fingers wide.
It is also important to ensure that the crib rails are devoid of decorative cut-outs and other adornments, which can be potential dangers to suffocate your child. You should also avoid placing pillows blankets, blankets, quilts or sheepskins in the crib, because they can cause a dangerous build-up of carbon dioxide and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. Consider a crib pad and cover to provide a comfortable sleeping surface for your baby cot online. They consist of mattress pads with an elongated waterproof lining as well as a fitted "skirt" that stretches over the mattress, much like an fitted sheet.
You'll also need to make sure you have the right crib rail guards. These are designed to protect the head of your baby when it comes into contact with the crib railings as 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.
You'll have to purchase a toddler guardrail once your child has outgrown their crib. This will keep them safe in the crib until they are ready for a bigger bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that works with all cribs that are standard. It's easy to install and meets the CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some of the crib's design features are only aesthetic and are based on personal taste, but others like the design of the slats that are on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bed -could have a significant impact on the user-friendliness of the crib as well as its longevity. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood construction, meet multiple safety standards, and are adjustable to a variety of mattress heights. Some cribs have special features that make them more effective. For instance the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without removing the entire mattress.
Generally, you want to avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other ornaments which could get caught on clothes or pose a risk of choking for infants. Examine the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other items that could snag on clothing or objects.
The best crib (Mozillabd blog entry) sets come with easy-to-follow instructions and all the essential parts, such as hardware. Modern cribs typically take half an hour or less to put together and a lot come with all the tools you'll need.
Think about a convertible crib that can be converted into a daybed, toddler or full-size mattress. It's a good buy for families that plan to keep the crib for several years or have little space in their homes. It is important to remember that certain crib conversion kits require a second purchase to fully complete the process.
It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it's essential to ensure security and stability. Most cribs are equipped with the rectangular blocks and wedges (also known as "shims"), and large chocks called step chocks, all of which are designed to ensure that contact points are secure between the crib and its support surface.
Some chocks and shims are constructed from soft woods that crack slow, which may provide warnings that sound before they fail and more rigid wood materials may break suddenly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available, which can be installed more easily because they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.