crib sets - a fantastic read - - 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 soundly from the first day. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to fit tightly around the mattress without bunching--a major safety hazard for babies.
One parent testigator said that she used it through two babies and then passed it to a relative which makes it a wise purchase. Its streamlined design also makes it a perfect choice for smaller nurseries.
Bedding
There are plenty of options when it comes to bedding for your crib. However, picking the right bedding is more than just choosing a cute design to be in line with your preferences. You also want something that fits tightly and doesn't get clumped into places that could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. It should also be soft to the touch and durable enough to endure months of blowouts in diapers and spit-up spills without wearing out too quickly.
One of our favorites is this Avocado set that includes two sheets that are made with 100% organic cotton certified by GOTS and MADE SAFE-certified. It's an independent third-party certification that guarantees Avocado's products meet stringent standards for most recommended cribs safety and quality. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets can be washed in the machine to get rid of the inevitable mess your little bundle will make.
A crib mattress pad is a great option for babies and toddlers. It provides an additional layer of comfort, and also protects the mattress from spills and stains. Choose mattress pads that are less than an inch thick to ensure your child is able to breathe easily. And steer clear of anything that's too fluffy or has long ribbons, bows and other adornments that could become detached and pose a strangulation risk.
Consider buying a convertible crib if you plan to keep your child in the crib for a long period of time. They typically convert to a toddler bed, and occasionally to a daybed or full-size bed, too. Some cribs come with necessary conversion kits included, but others require a purchase.
A few of our favorite cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, made of solid wood and comes with one of the taller mattress heights in the group (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a low mattress). It's also certified Greenguard Gold, which means it meets the strictest environmental standards to reduce off gassing.
Mattress
When it is about crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are important. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm and fits snugly and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should also be of the right size for the crib, and it should remain in place even after your child is old enough to leave it.
It is also important to determine whether the mattress is made up of substances that could harm your child. Find a mattress that is free of volatile organic compound (VOCs) which release 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, other heavy metals, formaldehyde Phthalates that are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
Other things to consider include how much weight the mattress carries and whether it's waterproof or not. It's likely that you'll be dealing with changes to sheets at night, so 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 major issue 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 usually occurs around 12 months.
When we tested crib mattresses, we measured them and observed how easily they folded and maneuvered to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight, a bit heavier than a newborn, on each one to observe how the mattress reacted. The top mattresses did not sink, which means they offer enough support to stop your child from falling or being suffocated in bed. Some of the mattresses that we tested had a cover that was machine-washable and is water-proof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them simpler.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without the proper set of rails fixed. While some cribs for babies include a set of baby rails with the crib, others offer them separately. If you choose to buy them separately, make sure they meet all safety standards. They should, for example, be free of loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be strong enough to support your child's weight, but not too thin. They should also to secure themselves so that they can't be removed from your child.
The right crib rails will not only be strong They should be able to fit snugly into the frame of the crib. This will stop the mattress from becoming too fragile and could be hazardous for your child. When buying crib rails, be sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame since there are slight variations in crib sizes. The area should be no more than three fingers.
You should also make sure that the crib rails don't include any cutouts with decorative designs or other adornments. These can pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing pillows, quilts blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. These could cause the buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. If you're looking to provide a soft sleep surface in the crib, try a crib cover-and-pad combo. These products are made up of a mattress pad made of waterproof material and an elongated "skirt", which fits around the mattress in the same way as an fitted sheet.
It is also important to ensure that you have the right crib rail guards. These are designed to cushion your baby's head when it falls on the crib railings while you're feeding or cradling him or her in bed. They can also stop the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
You'll need a toddler guardrail once your child has outgrown their crib. This will ensure they are safe in their bed until they are 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 set up and meets all of the safety standards of the CPSC.
Crib Hardware
Some aspects of crib design are purely aesthetic or otherwise dependent on personal preference, but others--such as the style of slats or whether a crib can be converted into an adult bed--can have a significant impact on ease of use and the length of time the crib will last. The best cribs are constructed from solid wood, and meet various safety standards, and can be easily adjusted to various mattress heights. Some cribs come with special features that make them more useful like the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you cots to tots change the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.
Avoid cribs with ornamental cutouts or other designs because they could get caught on clothing or create a risk of choking for infants. Be sure to check the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other components that could get caught on clothing or other objects.
The best crib sets include easy-to-follow instructions and all necessary parts, including hardware. most recommended cribs modern cribs can be put together in a half-hour or less, and they include all the tools required.
Consider a convertible crib which can be transformed into a toddler, daybed or a full-size mattress. It's a good purchase for families who intend to keep the crib for a number of years or have small space in their homes. It's important to keep in mind that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be a bit difficult to comprehend however it is essential to ensure safety and stability. Most cribs feature the rectangular blocks and wedges (also known as "shims"), and big chocks referred to as step chocks, all designed to secure the contact points between the crib and the supported surface.
Some chocks and shims are made from soft woods that break slowly, and can give audible warnings prior to failure and more rigid wood materials may break suddenly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic can also be purchased. They are much easier to install, as they do not require drilling into the surface.