Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of your baby’s life. A crib can aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you and your baby safe at night.
There are many different types of cribs, all with varying sizes styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use and suitable for modern designs.
Size
A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are many types of cribs, however all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable space similar to the mother's womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib as long as they can, while others might be ready to change to a toddler's crib sooner. The most common type of crib is a standard crib, which can be used from birth until your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of climbing out.
Bassinets can be used for infants from birth to four months or until they become too large. Best cot for newborn are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can offer the closeness and comfort that parents of infants require during their early months. They are also more portable and therefore a great option if you are unsure of what kind of bedding you will prefer for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. For instance, there must be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats shouldn't be missing or loose. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this could entrap the child's legs or head and increase the chance of the child to suffocate.
You can buy cribs in a variety of designs and colors. Some come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. These are especially useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to nurse your baby while in the crib. If you're short on space or have a limited budget you can still find cribs with the basic necessities.
If you have a bit more money to spend there are cribs that can develop with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal option for parents who do not wish to purchase another crib every when their child grows out of the crib they currently have.
Style
As you look for a crib, take into consideration its style and design in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. If the design of your home is influenced by an inclination such as modern or rustic it is possible to choose one that matches the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or bright finishes, and in a wide variety of unique designs and shapes.
Cribs are safe places to sleep for babies. At first, they were just cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety grew and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide more protection from falls or entrapment. The cribs of today are made with features like sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.
For convenience, you can also find cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. This type of crib is not recommended for babies who are able to stand or climb. It could make it easier to get out.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for infants, while the lower one is recommended before your baby begins to sit up or roll in bed, which usually happens by the time they are a year old.
The mattress can be set on a single piece of board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using a metal spring base, as this is believed to be more sturdy than wood slats that can break or loosen over time. The base should be firm and firm to prevent excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could pose a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib as long as you can, think about a 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 make the transition from the regular bed more straightforward and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
Regardless of the style or design you select regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, examine the crib frame to see whether there are any paint or wood defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you're planning to purchase an additional crib mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death from inhalation. Be sure that the mattress fits snugly into the crib. A mattress that is either too big or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents which include 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or head and footboard that create entrapment risks; infants rolling on or being trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets, which pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of rebreathing, or breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, thought to be a contributing factor 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 items, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adulthood easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit a low amount of chemicals to create a healthier indoor environment.
It is essential to choose the right mattress for your child's crib, whether it's an adjustable crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they get a comfortable sleeping. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that are available in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. Choose a foam mattress at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness, or an innerspring bed that is in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will need to purchase an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended that you have it installed before your child turns two years old to ensure the process goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the new transition. Once you have your mattress and crib kit it should take two people less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.
It is possible to make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is located. Giving your child a choice of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed at a regular schedule will help them settle.
A crib that is able to convert to a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the life of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs through their teenage years. Conversion kits are available in various designs to match furniture and can be used with a variety of mattresses, including twin and full size.