Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial element of your baby's development. A crib will aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety during the night.
There are a variety of cribs with different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We looked 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 a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are on wheels, so they can be moved around the home. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment like the mother's womb.
While many parents would like their children to stay in their cribs as long as possible however, some parents will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child's first year up until they are 18 months old, or be taken away.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth until four months, or until they are large. They are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in their early months. They are also more mobile and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure about the kind of bedding you would like for your child.
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 greater than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame 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 head or legs and increase the chance of suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in a variety of styles and finishes, and some even include changing tables and shelving units. They are particularly useful when you are planning to breastfeed and allowing you to breastfeed your baby while still in the crib. If, however, you are limited in space and have a a limited budget you can find cribs that have only the essentials.
If you are willing to invest a little more you can purchase cribs that can be converted into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal choice for parents who do not want to invest in an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows their crib they have.
Style
When you're looking for a crib, think about the design of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select one that is in line with the overall style of your home, regardless of whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in various designs and shapes, with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs are a safe place to sleep for babies. At first, they were cradles which could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety increased, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to ensure better protection against falling or entrapment. cot beds of today come with features such as solid construction, the proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's well-being and safety.
To make life easier You can also find cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. However, it's not recommended that you use this type of crib if your child is ready to stand or climb, as it could make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for newborns, and the lower setting should be used prior to when your baby learns to sit up or roll in bed, which usually happens by the time they reach the age of a year.
The crib's mattress can be set on a one-piece board, a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal, since it is believed to be more stable than wooden slats, which could break or become loose over the course of time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib, so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate around the mattress, a potential suffocation risk for infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib for as long as is possible, consider a 4-in-1 bed which can be used as a toddler's bed, a daybed and then eventually a full size bed. They typically have removable rails to facilitate the transition from an adult bed much easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
No matter what style or design you choose regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. In addition, examine the crib's frame for flaws in the paint or wood which could pose a threat to your child.
If you're planning to purchase an additional crib mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will help reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, which is the most common cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small can be dangerous 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 that include 21 fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, involve the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents include a variety hazards, like gaps between the crib mattress and the side or between the head and footboard that could cause trapping. Infants may also fall onto the mattress or become wedged between it and the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote safe sleep and prevent rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a contributing factor to SIDS. However there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
If you are adding the addition of a new child to your family, you will likely need to purchase many new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to nursery furniture. Investing in cribs which transform into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for both your child and your family. Baby Crib can be purchased for many brands of cots. They also come with a footboard and headboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit a low amount of chemicals to create a healthier indoor environment.
It is important to choose the correct mattress for your child's crib, whether it be a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure they get a comfortable sleeping. You can pick from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. To ensure your safety, pick an innerspring mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets the federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.
You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed when your child is old enough to be in an additional bed. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child is at ease. Once you have your crib and mattress kit, it will take less than 30 minutes to change the crib into a full-size or toddler bed.
Certain things can make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child, including keeping the bedding and bedroom decor constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Giving your child a choice of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep on a regular basis can help them to adjust.
A crib that is able to convert to a full-size bed is a great method to prolong the life of your investment, and provide an additional bed for your child through their teenage years. The conversion kits available for these cribs are available in a variety of designs to complement the furniture pieces you have and can be fitted on numerous types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.