Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a vital part of the life of your baby. A crib will aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety in the evening.
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 aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a compact bed made for infants and toddlers. There are a variety of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's bed, and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your child. Some cribs have wheels, so they can be moved around the house. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to the mother's womb.
While many parents would like their children to remain in their cribs as long as possible but some children are ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib, that is suitable from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of getting out.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth until four months, or until they become too large. These are smaller, more compact cribs that can offer the closeness and comfort that parents of infants require during their early months. They are also more compact which makes them a good option if you're not sure which bedding type your child would like.
To ensure the safety of your child, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. For example, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be loose or missing. Also the bed shouldn't have cutouts in the headboard or footboard since they can restrict a child's head or legs and increase the risk of suffocation.
You can purchase cribs with a variety of styles and finishes. Some have integrated shelving units or changing tables. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs could be extremely convenient since you can feed your cheap baby cots in the crib. If you're short on space or have a tight budget you can still find cribs that have all the necessities.
If you have more money, you can find cribs that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want to buy an entirely new crib each time their child grows out of the old one.
Style
When choosing a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the style of the nursery. If the design of your home reflects a particular direction like rustic or contemporary it is possible to choose one that matches the overall theme. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant finishes, and with many unique designs and shapes.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. They were initially cribs that could be rocked. As awareness of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to ensure better protection against accidents 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 well-being.
To make life easier You can also find cribs with a changing table and shelving unit. This type of crib is not recommended for babies who are ready to climb or stand. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs offer adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for newborns. The lower position is best used when your child can sit up or roll in bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.
The mattress can be placed on a single piece of board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame as it is more stable than wood slats that can break or loosen with time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib so that it does not allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a potential suffocation risk for infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib as long as possible then consider a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into a toddler's bed, a daybed, and eventually a full size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to make the transition to the regular bed more straightforward, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It's important to choose cribs that meet strict safety standards, no matter the style and design you choose. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to see if there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your Baby Cot Bed.
If you're looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress is firmly seated in the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small could be risky for your baby as they may become 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 crib beds that are too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, including gaps between the crib mattress and the side or between the footboard and head that could cause entrapment. Infants may also roll on the mattress, or be wedged between it and 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 own carbon dioxide, thought to contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
The addition of a baby to your family can result in an influx of new things including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save money on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to adulthood easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits can be bought for a variety of cots and tots and include an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit a low amount of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.
It is essential to choose the best crib mattress for your child's crib whether it's a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure they get an uncomfortably sleep. You can pick from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. Choose a foam mattress at least 2 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring bed that is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government.
You'll need to purchase a full-size Cot Bed conversion or a toddler bed when your child is old enough to be in an additional bed. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child is comfortable. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes when you have two people.
Certain things can make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, including keeping the bedroom decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Involving your child in the transition process by giving them a choice of favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed at a regular time can help them adapt to the new sleeping arrangement.
A crib that can be converted to an adult-sized bed is a great way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also provides a bed for your teenager. Conversion kits are available in a variety of styles to complement other furniture and can be used with a wide range of mattresses such as twin or full size.