Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial element of your baby's development. A crib allows them to develop the habit of sleeping independently, and it keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are many cribs of various dimensions, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed made for babies and infants. There are several different types of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler bed and offer an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels that let them be moved from room to room, and most are designed to minimize the risk of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable space similar to the womb.
Some parents would prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, whereas others might be ready to change to a toddler's bed sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or can climb out.
There are also bassinets that are suitable from the time of birth to four months or until the baby is too large for it. They are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can offer the closeness and comfort parents infants require in the early months. They are also more portable, making them an attractive alternative if you're not sure about the kind of bedding you'd like for your child.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. There should not be a gap of more than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be loose or absent. In addition the bed shouldn't have cutouts in the headboard or footboard, as these can hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of being suffocated.
Cribs are available in various styles and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. These are especially useful if you plan on breastfeeding, as it will enable you to breastfeed your baby while in the crib. If you're limited on space or have a small budget, you can still find cribs with the essentials.
If you're willing to pay a little more, you can buy cribs that can be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are called 4-in-1 cribs, and they are a great option for parents who don't want another one each time their child is out of the old one.
Style
As you look for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to the style of the nursery. If the style of your home is in one particular direction like rustic or contemporary, you may want to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are many cribs available in various shapes and styles, with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for babies. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rolled. As awareness of child safety evolved and the need for a stationary crib became norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like solid construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety and wellbeing.
To make life easier You can also find cribs that have shelves and a changing table unit. This kind crib is not suitable for babies who are able to stand or climb. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for newborns, and the lower one should be used before your baby learns to roll or sit up in bed, which usually occurs by the time they are a year old.
The mattress can be put on a single piece of board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal since it is considered to be more durable than wood slats that can break or loosen over time. The base should be tight and firm to stop the air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib as long as possible then look into a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into an infant's bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have removable rails 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 comply with strict safety standards, irrespective of the style or design you select. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, look over the crib's frame to see if there are any paint or wood flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.
If you're contemplating buying an infant's mattress for their crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental suffocation which is the most common cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure the mattress is able to fit snugly into the crib. If the mattress is too big or too small could be dangerous for your baby, as they could be trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents which include 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, involve a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib side or the footboard and head that create entrapment risks; infants rolling onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are overheated, causing infants to be afflicted with burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote safe sleep and prevent rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a contributing factor 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 typically leads to an increase in the number of items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. best crib for newborn in 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 infant to adolescence easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits can be bought for a variety of cots. They also come with the headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for an environment that is healthier.
It is important to choose the right mattress for your child's crib, whether it's an adjustable crib or a standard crib. This will ensure that they have a comfortable sleeping. You can pick between foam mattress, innerspring or gel in different sizes to meet your needs. For safety, choose an innerspring mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
When your child is ready to move from the crib, you will need to purchase a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended that you have this in place before your child turns two to ensure that the process goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the transition. Once you have your crib and mattress kit in place it should take two people less than 30 minutes to change 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 putting the bed into the room in which the crib is. Getting your child involved in the transition by offering them a choice of favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis can help them adapt to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that converts to a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also offers an extra bed for your child. Conversion kits are available in a variety of styles to match other furniture and can be used with a variety of mattresses including twin or full size.