Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best crib sets come with everything you need for your infant to sleep peacefully from day one. They are pre-shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to fit snugly around the mattress, without the risk of bunching, which is a serious safety risk for babies.
One parent tester said she used hers through two children and then passed it to a friend which makes it a wise purchase. Its minimalist design makes it an ideal choice for minimalist nursery designs.
Bedding
When it concerns crib bedding, there are plenty of options out there. But choosing the right sheet is more than just picking a cute pattern to fit your style. You also want something that fits tightly and doesn't get clumped up in areas where it could pose a danger of suffocation for your baby. It is important to choose a soft and durable material to withstand diaper blowouts, spills and other messes for months without fading.
This set from Avocado is one of our favorites. It contains two sheets made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The sheets are MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third-party certification that assures that the products of the company meet the highest standards of quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk, which means they won't shrink or stretch after washing, and they're made to fit on a standard crib mattress (27 1 The blanket's dimensions is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. The blankets are machine washable to clean up the inevitable mess your baby will create.
A great crib mattress pad is a excellent option for infants and toddlers. It provides an additional layer of comfort and protects the mattress from spills and stains. Find a mattress pad that's less than an inch thick to ensure your child is able to breathe easily. Avoid anything too fluffy, Cot Sale or with long ribbons, bows or other ornaments. These can come off and create an injury to strangulation.
You should consider buying a convertible crib if intend to keep your child in the crib for a long time. These beds typically convert into a toddler bed and sometimes to full-size beds or a daybed, too. Some cribs include the conversion kits, whereas other require a separate purchase.
A few of our favorite cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 sleigh-style crib, which is constructed of solid wood and features one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a low mattress). It's also Greenguard Gold-certified meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to reduce emissions of gas.
Mattress
Size and firmness are crucial when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP suggests using a mattress that is firm and fits comfortably and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress must also be of the right size for the crib and it should stay in place, even after your baby grows out of it.
In addition, you'll want to be aware of whether the mattress is made up of chemicals that could be harmful to your child. Find a mattress that is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which emits an unpleasant chemical odor. A good indicator is a CertiPUR-US certificate that certifies that the mattress's foam is made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, formaldehyde phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
A few other aspects to consider are how much the mattress weighs and whether it's waterproof or not. A surface that is waterproof or wipeable is ideal for cleaning, since you'll be changing sheets in the night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the most heavy of the selection we tested at 20 pounds, which may be a nagging issue for some parents.
A mattress with two sides may have an infant side that is firm and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians suggest flipping the mattress after your child has reached the height of their normal growth, usually about 12 months.
When testing crib mattresses, we measured them and observed how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound tin, slightly heavier than a newborn, on each one to observe how it reacted. The best ones did not sink into the mattress this means they offer enough support to protect your child from falling out of their bed during sleep or drowning. Some of the mattresses we tested have an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof cots and tots zips closed. This makes cleaning and maintaining them a breeze.
Crib Rails
A crib isn't complete without the proper set of rails that are fixed. Some baby furniture companies offer baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you decide to purchase them on their own, make sure they meet all safety standards. They should, for instance have no loose or missing screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without being too fragile. They should also be able be secured in a secure way to ensure that they are not removed from your child.
The crib rails must not only be strong and sturdy, but they should also fit within the crib frame. This will keep the mattress from becoming too fragile and potentially dangerous for your child. When buying crib rails, make sure to examine the inside of the frame because there are slight differences in crib sizes. The dimensions should be no more than three fingers.
It is also important to ensure that the crib rails are devoid of cut-outs with decorative designs or other decorations which could be suffocation hazards. Avoid placing pillows, quilts blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. They can result in an unintentional buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. Consider a crib pad and cover for a comfortable sleeping surface for your baby. These products consist of a mattress pad that is waterproof and a fitted "skirt", which fits around the mattress just like an fitted sheet.
It is also important to make sure you have the proper crib rail guards. These are designed to cushion the head of your baby when it comes into contact with the crib railings as you feed him or her or cradling them on the bed. They also help to prevent teeth marks and drool discoloration on the crib's railings fixed.
You'll have to purchase a toddler guardrail once your child has outgrown their crib. This will ensure they are safe in their bed until they're ready for a bigger bed. Sweetpea Baby Cot Bed offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with most standard cribs. It's easy to install and complies with CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Certain crib design elements are purely aesthetic and are based on individual preference, while others like the design of the slats on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bed -- can have a significant impact on the user-friendliness of the crib as well as its lifespan. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood construction, meet multiple safety standards, and are easily adaptable to various mattress heights. Some cribs feature special features that make them more effective. For instance, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet allows you to change the sheets without having to take off the entire mattress.
In general, you should avoid cribs with decorative cut-outs or other embellishments which could get caught on clothes or pose a risk of choking for children. Be sure to check the crib's hardware regularly for loose bolts or objects that could get caught on clothing or other objects, and pose danger.
The best crib sets come with easy-to-follow directions and all the necessary components, like hardware. Most modern cribs can be assembled in half an hour or less, and most come with all the tools required.
You might also want to consider a convertible crib that can transform into a toddler bed, daybed, or full-size bed. It's a good buy for families that plan to keep the crib for several years or who have small space in their homes. You should be aware that some crib conversion kit require additional purchases to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be a bit difficult to grasp, but it's essential for safety and stability. The majority of cribs have 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 the supported surface.
Some chocks and shims are made from soft woods that break slow, which may provide warnings that sound before they fail, while stiffer wooden materials may break suddenly and with more force. Plastic shims and chocks are also available, and can be easier to install because they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.