Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of your baby’s life. A crib will aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you both safe during the night.
There are many different types of cribs, each with different dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a bed made for infants and babies. There are cheap cot bed of cribs available, but they are all smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide 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 reduce the risk of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment similar to the womb.
Some parents would prefer to keep their child in the crib as long as they can, while others might be ready move to a toddler's bed sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or can be removed.
There are also bassinets that can be used from birth to four months or until the baby is too large for it. These are smaller and less bulky than cribs, yet they provide the closeness to parents that some infants need during their first few months. They also are smaller which makes them a good alternative if you're not sure which bedding type your child would prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be adhered to for the safety of your child. For example, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats shouldn't be loose or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this can trap the child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in various designs and finishes, and some have integrated changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to breastfeed your baby in the crib. If, however, you are short on space and have a limited budget there are cribs that just feature the bare essentials.
If you have a little more money on a crib, you can find one that can be adapted to expand with your child to toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a good choice for parents who don't need to buy another crib every when their child grows out of the crib they have.
Style
When choosing the perfect crib, think about its style in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. You may want to select a crib that matches the general style of your home, whether it's modern or rustic. There are numerous cribs to choose from in various designs and shapes that come with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping environments for infants. They were initially cradles which could be rocked. As awareness of child safety increased, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs were adapted to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. Today's cribs come with features such as sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.
To make life easier, you can also find cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. It's not recommended that you use this type of crib until your baby is ready to stand up or climb, as it could make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for babies. The lower position is recommended when your baby is able to sit up or lie down in bed. This typically happens at the age of one year.
The crib's mattress can be positioned on a single piece of board, a grid of wood slats or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal, as this is believed to be more sturdy than wooden slats which can be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be firm and securely attached to the crib, so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate around the mattress, a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib for as long as is possible, think about a 4-in-1 crib which can be used as a toddler's bed, a daybed, and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to allow the transition from a regular bed easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, regardless of the style or design you select. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. These certifications are available on the crib's packaging or in its description. In addition, inspect the crib's frame for flaws in the paint or the wood which could pose a threat for your baby.
If you are looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress 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 snugly in the crib. cheap cot bed that is too big or too small could be hazardous for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or the footboard and head that pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping on or being trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets, which pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot, causing infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is believed to contribute 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 influx of new items 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 into childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of kinds of cribs, and generally come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit low chemical emissions for a healthier indoor environment.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is important to buy the right mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's sleep. You can choose from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in various sizes to suit your needs. For safety, choose an innerspring mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that satisfies federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll have to buy a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child is at ease. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit is installed, converting the crib into a toddler bed or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes when you have two people.
A few things can help make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, such as keeping the decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed on a regular basis can help them to adjust.
A crib that is able to convert to a full-size bed is an excellent way to extend the lifespan of your investment and provide the bed your child needs throughout their teenage years. Conversion kits are available in a variety of styles to match other furniture and can be used with a wide range of mattresses including twin or full size.