Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential part of the life of your baby. A crib helps them develop the habit of sleeping independently, and also keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are a myriad of cribs of various dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs available, but they are all smaller than a toddler bed and provide an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels so they can be moved around the home. They are generally designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a comfy and safe environment that is like the mother's womb.
Some parents would prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, but others might be ready move to a toddler's crib sooner. The most common type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until your child is about 18 months older or has the capacity of getting out.
There are also bassinets, that can be used from birth to four months, or until the baby becomes too large for it. They are smaller cribs that are smaller and more compact. They can offer the closeness and comfort parents infants require in their early months. They also are smaller which makes them a good alternative if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would prefer.
Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines that must be followed for the safety of your child. There should not be a gap of more than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress, and the slats should not be sagging or missing. Also the bed shouldn't have cutouts in the headboard or footboard because they could restrict a child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in various styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful when you are planning to breastfeed and allowing you to nurse your baby while still in the crib. If you're not a lot of space and have a limited budget there are cribs that just feature the basic necessities.
If you have a little more money, you can find cribs 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 an ideal option for parents who don't need to buy an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the current one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, think about the design of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. If the design of your home is in an inclination, such as rustic or contemporary, you may want to select one that matches the overall theme. There are many cribs available in various designs and shapes and with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. At first, they were just cradles that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer better protection against falls or entrapment. The cribs of today are built with features like sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's well-being and safety.
To make life easier, you can also find cribs that have an adjustable table and shelving unit. This kind crib is not suitable for babies who are able to climb or stand. It can make it easier to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for infants. The lower position is best used when your baby is able to sit up or lie down in bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.
The mattress can be set on a single-piece board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring base, since it is believed to be more stable than wood slats that can break or loosen over time. The base should be firm and securely attached to the crib so it doesn't allow excess air to circulate around the mattress, a potential suffocation risk for infants.
If Baby beds looking to keep your baby in a crib for as long as possible, then think about a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually have removable rails to make the transition from an adult bed much easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that comply with strict safety standards, irrespective of the style or design you choose. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. These certifications can be found on the crib's packaging or in the 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're planning to purchase a new crib mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will lower the risk of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly within the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small could be risky, since your baby may get trapped between the mattress and the headboard or sides of the crib.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents, including 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents can involve a range of dangers, including gaps between the crib mattress and the side or between the head and footboard which can lead to the entrapment of. Infants may also roll onto the mattress or become wedged between it and the headboard or the wall.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will promote safe sleep, and will prevent breathing or rebreathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new things including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full size beds can save you money on furniture and make the transition to childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for various brands of cots. They also come with an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit low levels of chemical to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
It is essential to choose the correct mattress for your child's crib, whether it be a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure they get an enjoyable sleeping. Choose from foam or innerspring mattresses that come in various sizes to meet your requirements. Choose a foam mattress at least 2 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring bed that is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government.
If your child is ready to move on from the crib, you'll have to buy a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have it in place before your child turns two to ensure that the process goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the transition. Once you have your crib and mattress kit in place It will take two people less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into an adult size bed.
You can 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, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep at a regular schedule will help them settle.
A crib that can be converted to an adult-sized bed is a great way to extend the time-to-value of your investment. It also gives you a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in various designs to complement the furniture pieces you have and can be fitted on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.