Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial part of your baby's life. A crib lets them learn to sleep independently, and also keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are a variety of cribs, all with varying sizes, styles, and mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, easy to use and suitable for modern designs.
Size
A crib is a compact bed designed for infants and toddlers. There are a variety of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your child. Some cribs have wheels that allow them to be moved from room-to-room, and most are designed to minimize the risk of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment similar to the birthing womb.
While many parents would like their children to stay in their cribs as long as is possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used by your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or climb out.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months or until they become too big. They are smaller cribs that are smaller and more compact. They can offer the closeness and comfort parents infants require in the early months. They are also more portable and therefore a great option if you're unsure about what type of bedding you would like for your child.
To ensure the safety of your child, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. There shouldn't be a gap larger than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be loose or absent. Also the bed should not have cutouts in the headboard or footboard, since they can restrict a child's head or legs and increase the risk of death by suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in various styles and finishes, and some include changing tables and shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs could be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short of space or have a tight budget, you can still find cribs with the basic necessities.
If you have more money to spend 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 cribs are called 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want to buy a new one every time their child is out of the crib they have previously used.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider its style in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. If the design of your home reflects a particular direction like rustic or contemporary it is possible to pick a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are many cribs available in various designs and shapes and with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety increased, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs were adapted to ensure better protection against accidents or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like solid construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety and well-being.
For convenience For convenience, you can also locate cribs that have shelves and a changing table unit. However, it's not recommended to use this type of crib until your baby is ready to stand or climb as it can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower it as your baby grows. cribs beds works well for newborns. The lower position is recommended when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.
The mattress can be placed on a single-piece wooden board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains, recommend a metal spring frame because it is more sturdy than wooden slats, which may break or become loose over time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib so it does not allow air to circulate around the mattress, a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib as long as you can, then think about a crib that converts into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed. They typically have rails that are removable, making the transition from a crib to a regular mattress less difficult. They also have adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
Whatever style or design you choose regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. These certifications can be found on the packaging of the crib or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to determine if there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you are planning to purchase an additional mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will decrease the risk of accidental death from inhalation. Make sure the mattress fits comfortably within the crib. A mattress that is either too big or too small could be risky for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Some reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified by the NPR, and two deaths reported during the NPR Update, are based on crib beds that are too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or the footboard and head that pose entrapment hazards as well as infants who roll into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall 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 claim to encourage sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized 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
If you are adding the addition of a new child to your family, you'll likely have to purchase lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. The purchase of cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to adulthood easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cots. They also come with the 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 important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that come in various sizes to meet your requirements. Select a mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring bed that meets federal safety standards.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will require a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have this in place before your child turns two to ensure the transition goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the transition. After your crib mattress and conversion kit are installed, converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes for two people.
A few things can make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child, such as keeping the bedding and bedroom decor uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Give your child a variety of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed at a regular schedule can help them to adjust.
A crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment and provide a bed for your child through their teens. Conversion kits are available in many designs to match furniture and are compatible with a variety of mattresses, including twin and full size.