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 newborn to sleep soundly from day one. They're pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to fit tightly around the mattress without bunching - a serious safety risk for infants.
One tester for parents said that she had used it for two babies and then gave it to a friend. This makes it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it an excellent choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
There are plenty of choices when it comes to bedding for your crib. It's not just about choosing the right pattern that fits your style. You should also ensure that the sheet fits tightly and does not get tangled in places that could be a choking hazard for your child. It must be soft and sturdy enough to withstand blowouts from diapers, spills and other messes over the course of months without fading.
This Avocado set is one of our top picks. It comes with two sheets that are made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, which is an independent third party certification that ensures that Avocado's products are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk to ensure they don't shrink or stretch after washing, and they're made to fit on a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets can be washed to remove the inevitable mess your little bundle is likely to make.
A crib mattress pad is another ideal option for babies and toddlers. It adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress from accidents and staining. Choose mattresses that are less than an inch thick, so your child can breathe easily. Avoid anything that is too soft, or with long bows, ribbons or other ornaments. They can fall off and create the risk of strangulation.
If you're planning to keep your baby in the crib for a considerable amount of time, consider buying a convertible crib. These beds can be converted into a toddler bed, and occasionally even a full-size or daybed. Some cribs come with necessary conversion kits included but some require an additional purchase.
A few of our favorite cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib in a sleigh style, which is made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights in the group (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a mattress that is low). It's also Greenguard Gold-certified, which means it meets strict environmental standards to prevent gassing.
Mattress
When it is about crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are important. The AAP recommends a firm mattress that fits comfortably and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put the sheet over it. The mattress must also be the proper size for the crib, and it should remain in place, even after your baby gets out of it.
In addition, you'll want to determine if the mattress is made from chemicals that could be harmful to your child. Look for a mattress free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which release an unpleasant chemical odor. CertiPUR US certification is a good cribs sign. It certifies that the foam in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals.
Other aspects to consider are the mattress's weight and whether or not it's waterproof. A waterproof or wipeable surface is ideal for cleaning, since you'll be changing sheets at night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the heaviest of the selection we tested at 20 pounds that could be a problem for certain parents.
Another important thing to consider is if the mattress has a dual-sided. Some come with a firm infant side and an easy toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress once your child reaches the height of their normal growth, which is usually about 12 months.
We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how they were able to fold easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound tin, slightly heavier than a newborn on each one to see how the mattress reacted. The top mattresses did not sink into the mattress, which means that they provide enough support to prevent your child from falling out of the mattress while sleeping or suffocate. Some of the mattresses that we tested had a removable cover that can be machine-washed and is water-proof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them more simple.
Crib Rails
A crib is not complete without the right set of rails fixed. Some furniture companies for babies offer baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you choose to buy the rails separately, recommended cribs ensure that they meet the safety standards. They must, for instance be free of loose or missing screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should also be able to support the weight of your child, but not be too flimsy. They should also be able to secure themselves so that they can't be removed from your child.
The crib rails must not only be sturdy, but also fit snugly within the frame of the crib. This will keep the mattress from being too fragile, which could be unsafe for your child. When buying a crib rail, be sure to measure the inside of the frame as there are slight variations in the size of cribs. The ideal space should be no more than three fingers wide.
You should also make sure that the crib rails don't include any cutouts with decorative designs or other embellishments. They can create a suffocation risk. You should also avoid placing pillows blankets, blankets, quilts or sheepskins in the crib, as these can contribute to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and increase the risk of SIDS. If you want to include a soft sleep surface in the crib, try a crib pad-and-cover combo. These products consist of a mattress pad with a waterproof lining and an adjustable "skirt" that stretches over the mattress, much like a fitted sheet.
You'll also want to make sure you have the correct crib rail guards. These are specifically designed to cushion your baby's head in the event that it happens to hit the crib railings while you're feeding or cradling him or her on the bed. They also help to prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings that are fixed.
Once your infant outgrows the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to keep your child safely in the bed until they're ready for a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby Cot has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that is compatible with the majority of cribs. It's simple to install and meets all safety standards of the CPSC.
Crib Hardware
Some of the crib's design features are purely aesthetic and subject to individual preference, while others like the style of the slats that are on the crib or whether it converts into a toddler bedcan have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib as well as its longevity. The best cribs are made from solid wood, and meet various safety standards and are easily adapted to different mattress heights. Some cribs come with distinct features that make them more useful like the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to change the sheets without taking the entire mattress from the crib.
Avoid cribs that have decorative cutouts, or other accessories because they could get caught on clothing or create the danger of choking babies. Check the crib hardware for loose bolts and other items that could get caught on clothing or other objects.
The best cot newborn crib sets (Nerdgaming`s statement on its official blog) come with easy-to-follow instructions and all the essential components, like hardware. The majority of modern cribs take half an hour or less to assemble, and a majority include all the equipment you'll need.
Consider a convertible crib which can be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed or full-size mattress. This is a great crib purchase for families who plan to keep the crib for a number of years or who have limited space in their homes. It is important to remember that some crib conversion kits require additional items to fully complete the process.
Crib hardware can be difficult to comprehend but it's vital to ensure security and stability. Most cribs are equipped with an arrangement of rectangular blocks and wedges (also known as "shims") and huge chocks, also known as step chocks. They're all designed to ensure that contact points are secure between the crib and supported surface.
Some shims or chocks could be made from soft woods that crack slowly. This can give an audible warning when they fail. However, stiffer woods might break more quickly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available, and can be installed more easily since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.