Choosing Cribs Beds [140.125.21.65] For Your Baby
Sleep is an important part of your baby's life. A crib lets them learn to sleep independently, and also keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are a variety of cribs, each with different dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe and easy to use and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are on wheels, so they can be moved around the home. They are generally designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to the mother's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to remain in their cribs as long as possible but some children are ready to move them to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child's first year up until they are 18 months old, or they can be taken away.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months or until they become too large. These are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can provide the closeness and comfort parents infants require during their early years. They are also more compact, making them a good alternative if you're not sure which bedding type your child would like.
Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. There should be no gap of more than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be loose or absent. In addition, the bed should not have cutouts in the headboard or footboard since they can restrict a child's head or legs and increase the chance of suffocation.
Cribs can be bought in a variety of designs and finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. These are especially useful when you are planning to breastfeed and allowing you to breastfeed your baby in the crib. However, if you are limited in space and have a the funds to purchase a crib, you can find cribs that have only the basic necessities.
If you have a bit more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that can be adapted to grow with your child into toddler beds, and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want to purchase a new one every time their child outgrows the old crib.
Style
As you look for a crib, take into consideration its style in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. You may want to select a crib that matches the overall theme of your home, whether it's modern or rustic. There are numerous cribs to choose from in various designs and shapes, with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for infants. Initially, they were simple cradles that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety developed and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features such as sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety and wellbeing.
You'll also find cribs that include a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the infant stage. It's not recommended to use this type of crib until your baby is ready to stand or climb because it can make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs offer adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for babies. The lower position is recommended when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.
The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing springs made of metal, because it is believed to be more stable than wooden slats which can break or become loose over the course of time. The base should be solid and securely attached to the crib so it does not allow air to circulate around the mattress, a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you're looking to keep your baby in a crib for as long as you can, then consider a 4-in-1 crib that can be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually have removable rails to facilitate the transition to the regular bed more straightforward and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, no matter the style and design you select. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the crib's packaging or in the description. In addition, examine the crib frame for any flaws in the paint or the wood which could pose a threat to your child.
If you're contemplating buying a mattress for your child's crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of death by accident due to the suffocation. Also, ensure that the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. A mattress that is either too large or too small could be dangerous for your baby cot online, because they could get trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified in the NPR and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, like gaps between the mattress and the side or between the footboard and the head, that can cause entrapment. Infants could be able to roll on the mattress, or be trapped between the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to contribute to SIDS. However there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family can result in an influx of new things including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits can be bought for a variety of cots to tots, and come with the headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit low chemical emissions for better indoor air quality.
Whether you opt for convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is essential to purchase the correct mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's rest. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that come in various sizes to suit your needs. To ensure your safety, pick the mattress made of foam that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
You will have to purchase a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed once your child is old enough to be in an additional bed. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is at ease. Once you have your mattress and crib kit, it will take two people less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into a full-size or toddler bed.
It is possible to make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is. Involving your child in the transition by offering them a selection of their favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to Cot Bed on a regular basis can also help them adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.
A crib that converts to a full size bed is a great way to extend the life of your investment. It also offers a bed for your teenager. Conversion kits are available in many styles to match other furniture and can be used with a wide variety of mattresses including twin or full size.