Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a vital part of your baby’s life. A crib will aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and ensure your safety in the evening.
There are a variety of cribs, each with varying dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, simple to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a small bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's bed, and offer a safe place to sleep for your baby. Some cribs have wheels, which allows them to be moved around the home. Most are designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to the womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their child in the crib as long as they can, but others might be ready to move them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It can be used by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or they can be taken away.
Bassinets can be used for infants from birth to four months, or until they are too large. These are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can provide the closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. Baby beds are also more compact, making them a good option if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would like.
To ensure your child's safety, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. There should be no gap greater than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be missing or loose. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this could entrap the child's legs or head and increase the risk of death by suffocation.
Cribs can be bought in different designs and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. These are especially useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to nurse your baby in the crib. If you're limited in space and have a a limited budget you can find cribs that just feature the essentials.
If you're willing pay a little more you can purchase cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs, and they are a great option for parents who don't want to buy an entirely new crib each time their child grows out of the old one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider its style and design in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. You may want to select a crib that matches the general theme of your home, regardless of whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in a variety of shapes and styles, with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety increased and the need for a stationary crib became standard, and designs shifted to provide better protection against accidents or entrapment. Today's cribs are made with features like sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's well-being and safety.
For ease of use You can also find cribs with an adjustable table and shelving unit. However, it's not recommended that you use this type of crib when your baby is ready to stand or climb as it can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for babies. The lower position is ideal when your child can sit up or roll in bed. This usually happens at the age of one year.
The mattress can be placed on a single-piece board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal because it is considered to be more durable than wooden slats, which could be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be tight and firm to prevent excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause an hazard of suffocation to infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as you can, look into a crib that can be transformed into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature removable rails to facilitate the transition to a regular bed easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
Regardless of the style or design you choose it's crucial to look for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance 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 wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you are planning to buy a mattress for your child's crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will help reduce the chance of accidental suffocation which is the most common cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Be sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly inside the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards; infants rolling into or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets, which pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are overheated, causing infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattresses that they claim will promote safe sleep, and stop breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. However, there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome the addition of a new child to your family, you will likely need to buy a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to nursery furniture. Investing in cribs which convert into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits can be purchased for a variety of cots, and come with the headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit very low chemical emissions, resulting in a healthier indoor environment.
It is important to choose the best mattress for your child's crib whether it be a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure that they have an enjoyable sleep. Choose between foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select the mattress made of foam that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed when your child is ready for an additional bed. Ideally, you should have it installed before your child turns two to ensure the process is smooth and your child is at ease with the new transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes with two people.
A few things can make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, such as keeping the decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Giving your child a choice of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and urging them to sleep at a regular schedule will help them settle.
A crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is a great option to prolong the life of your investment and provide an additional bed for your child through their teens. The conversion kits available for these cribs come in a variety of styles to match the furniture pieces you have and are suitable for many different types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.