Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the baby's life. A crib lets them learn to sleep independently, and it keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are many different types of cribs, each with different dimensions, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe and simple to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed designed for infants and toddlers. There are a variety of cribs available, but they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that allow them to be moved from room to room and are designed to minimize the chance of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable environment similar to the womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to stay in their cribs for as long as is possible but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib, which can be used from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of climbing out.
Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth to four months or until they are large. These are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in the early years. They also come in smaller sizes which makes them a good alternative if you're not certain which bedding type your child will prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be followed in order to protect your child. For example, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats must not be missing or loose. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard because this could trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk of the child to suffocate.
Cribs can be bought in various styles and finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby inside the crib. If you're short on space and have the funds to purchase a crib there are cribs that just feature the essentials.
If you have a little more money, you can find cribs that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds, or even sofas and daybeds. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be a good choice for parents who do not want to invest in a new crib every time their child outgrows their crib they currently have.
Style
When choosing the perfect crib, think about its style in relation to the style of the nursery. If the design of your home is in an inclination like modern or rustic then you might want to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or colorful colors, and with many unique designs and shapes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. They were initially simple cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the standard, baby cot online and designs shifted to provide better protection against accidents or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like solid construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety and wellbeing.
There are cribs that include a changing table or shelving unit to make it easier for parents during the newborn stage. This kind crib is not recommended for infants who are not yet ready to stand or climb. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for newborns, and Cot Bed the lower one should be used prior to when your baby begins to sit up or roll in bed, which typically occurs by the time they reach the age of a year.
The mattress of a crib can be perched on a single piece of board, a grid of wood slats or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring base, as this is believed to be more stable than wooden slats which can be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be firm and firm to prevent excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could pose an hazard of suffocation to infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as you can, think about a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually a full-size Cot Bed. These cribs generally feature removable rails to make the transition from the regular bed more straightforward and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
Whatever style or design you select it's crucial to look for cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available on the packaging of the crib or in the description. Also, look over the crib's frame to determine whether there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you're contemplating buying an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will help reduce the chance 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 be dangerous, as your baby could be trapped between the mattress and headboard or the sides of the crib.
There are reports of non-fatal incidents, including 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, involve the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or head and footboard that can cause entrapment dangers; infants rolling into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall; pillows and blankets posing dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are overheated which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote safe sleep and prevent rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome the addition of a new child to your family, you will likely need to purchase many new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing 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 infant to adolescence easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cribs and typically come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.
Whether you opt for convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is important to buy the right mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's rest. You can choose from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in different sizes to meet your needs. To ensure your safety, pick an innerspring mattress that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed when your child is ready for larger beds. You should do this before your child turns 2 to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child is comfortable. Once you have your crib and mattress kit, it should take two people less than 30 minutes to change the crib into a full-size or toddler bed.
Certain things can make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child. These include keeping the bedding and bedroom decor uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Getting your child involved in the transition by giving them a choice of toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis will help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.
Having a crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide a best cot bed for your child through their teens. The conversion kits available for these cribs come in various styles to match your furniture pieces and can be used on various types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.