Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential element of your baby's development. A crib will aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you both safe in the evening.
There are a variety of cribs, all with different sizes, styles, and mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a compact cheap cot bed made for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's mattress and offer a safe place to sleep for your infant. Some cribs come with wheels so they can be moved around the house. They are generally designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a comfy and safe environment that is similar to the baby's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to remain in their cribs as long as they can, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or they can be taken away.
There are also bassinets, that are suitable from the time of birth to four months or until the baby cots on sale becomes too large for it. They are smaller and smaller than top ranked cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require in their early months. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure what type of bedding your child would prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be adhered to in order to protect your child. For example, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be loose or missing. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this can trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk for the child to suffocate.
Cribs can be bought in a variety of designs and finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs could be very useful as you can nurse your baby inside the crib. If you're short of space or have a small budget, you can still find cribs that include all the necessities.
If you're willing invest a little more it is possible to purchase cribs that can be transformed into toddler beds, daybeds or sofas. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They are a good choice for parents who do not need to buy a new crib every time their child outgrows their current one.
Style
When you're looking for a crib, think about the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the design of your home reflects an inclination such as modern or rustic, you may want to select a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are numerous cribs to choose from in a variety of designs and shapes, with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. They were initially cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to provide better protection from falls or entrapment. Modern cribs have features like solid construction, the right spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all prioritizing your baby's safety and wellbeing.
There are cribs that combine shelves or a changing table unit to make it easier for parents during the best cot newborn stage. This type crib is not suitable for babies who are ready to stand or climb. It can make it easier to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for infants, while the lower position should be used prior to when your baby is able to sit up or roll in bed, which usually happens by the time they turn one year old.
The mattress can be placed on a single piece of board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal since it is believed to be more stable than wood slats that can be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib, so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possibility of suffocation in 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 converted into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to allow the transition from the regular bed more straightforward, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It's important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, irrespective of the style and design you choose. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity to ASTM International standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. In addition, inspect the crib's frame for imperfections in the paint or the wood that could pose a risk to your baby.
If you are planning to purchase an additional crib mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will help reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 deaths reported in the NPR and two deaths reported during the NPR Update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents can involve a range of dangers, including gaps between the crib mattress and the sides, or between the footboard and the head, that can cause trapping. Infants may be able to roll on the mattress, or be trapped between the wall or headboard.
Certain manufacturers are now selling "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage safe sleep and prevent rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, thought to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family usually results in an influx of new things including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that transform into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of models of cribs and usually come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemical to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
It is crucial to select the correct mattress for your child's crib, whether it be a convertible crib or a standard crib. This will ensure that they have an uncomfortably sleep. You can pick from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in various sizes to meet your requirements. For safety, choose a foam mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.
When your child is ready to move from the crib, you'll require a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is best cot bed to have it installed before your child turns two to ensure the process goes smoothly and your child is at ease with the new transition. Once you have your mattress and crib kit in place It will take two people less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.
You can make the transition from a crib the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Engaging your child in the transition by offering them a selection of their favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed at a regular time can help them adapt to the new bed arrangement.
Having a crib that can convert to a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the life of your investment and provide a bed for your child through their teens. The conversion kits for these cribs are available in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be used on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.