Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a vital part of your baby’s life. A crib lets them learn to sleep independently, and it keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are a variety of cribs, each with different dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure, simple to use, and aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, but they are all smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe sleeping place for your child. Some cribs are on wheels so they can be moved around the home. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment like the mother's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to remain in a crib for as long as possible but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child's first year until they reach 18 months old, or be removed.
Bassinets can be used for infants from birth to four months, or until they are big. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require in their early months. They are also more mobile which makes them a desirable option if you're unsure about the kind of bedding you will prefer for your child.
To ensure the safety of your child the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. For example, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats must not be missing or loose. In addition the bed should not have cutouts on the headboard or footboard because they could restrict a child's head or legs and increase the risk of suffocation.
There are cribs available in many different designs and colors. Some come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. They are particularly useful when you are planning to breastfeed in the future, since it allows you to nurse your baby in the crib. If, however, you are limited in space and have a an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that only have the bare essentials.
If you have a little more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that can develop with your child into toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal choice for parents who do not need to buy an entirely new crib each when their child grows out of the crib they currently have.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select an option that fits the overall theme of your home, whether rustic or contemporary. There are numerous cribs to choose from in various shapes and styles and with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are a safe place to sleep for infants. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rolled. As the concept of child safety evolved and cribs became more stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide greater protection against falls and entrapment. Modern cribs have features like sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards 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 infants who are not yet ready to stand or climb. It can make it easier to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for infants. The lower position is ideal when your baby can sit up or roll in bed. This typically happens around the age of a year.
The mattress can be put on a single-piece board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal, since it is considered to be more durable than wooden slats, which could break or loosen over time. The base must be secure and firm to stop the air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as you can, then think about a crib that converts into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually come with rails that are removable, making the transition from a crib a regular mattress easier. They also typically have adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, irrespective of the style and design you select. 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, check the crib's frame to determine whether there are any wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you plan to buy a new mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will decrease the risk of accidental death due to inhalation. Make sure that the mattress fits snugly into the crib. A mattress that is either too large or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents, including 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, involve the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or footboard, which create entrapment risks and infants slipping into or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard; pillows and blankets posing risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will ensure a safe sleep and prevent rebreathing or breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. However there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family usually results in an increase in the number of items including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that transform into toddler beds or full-size beds can save you money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for both your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many kinds of cribs, and generally include a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit low levels of chemicals to create a healthier indoor environment.
Whether you opt for convertible cribs or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the right mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's sleep. You can pick from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in different sizes to suit your needs. To ensure safety, select a foam mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for cribs and toddler beds.
You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed once your child is ready for larger beds. It is recommended to do this before your child turns 2 to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child is comfortable. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit is in place, converting the crib into a toddler bed or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes with two people.
It is possible to make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same, and putting the bed into the room where the crib is. Offering your child a selection of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep at a regular schedule can help them adjust.
Having a crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide a bed for your child throughout their teens. online cots are available in various styles to match other furniture and can be used with a wide variety of mattresses including twin or full size.