Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the baby's life. A crib can aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own and ensure your safety in the evening.
There are many cribs that come in different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and suitable for modern designs.
Size
A crib is a bed that is made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels, so they can be moved around the house. They are generally designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment similar to 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 crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child's first year until they reach 18 months old, or can climb out.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months or until they are too large. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They also are smaller and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would like.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines to follow in order to protect your child. For instance, there must be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be loose or missing. Also, the bed should not have cutouts on the headboard or footboard, because they could trap a child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
Cribs are available in different designs and finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful when you are planning to breastfeed and allowing you to breastfeed your baby while in the crib. If, however, you are limited in space and have a a limited budget, you can find cribs that only have the bare essentials.
If you have a little more money to spend there are cribs that will develop with your child into toddler beds, and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a great choice for parents who don't want to purchase another one each time their child is out of the old one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider its style in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. It is possible to pick a crib that matches the overall style of your home, regardless of whether it's rustic or contemporary. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.
Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. They were initially cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety increased, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like solid construction, a proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that incorporate shelves or a changing table unit for ease during the newborn stage. This type crib is not recommended for babies who are able to climb or stand. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for newborns. The lower position is ideal when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This typically happens around the age of a year.
The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame because it is more stable than wood slats that can break or become loose over time. The base must be secure and firm to stop air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause an hazard of suffocation to infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib for as long as is possible, consider a 4-in-1 bed which can be used as an infant's bed, a daybed and eventually a full size bed. They usually come with removable rails that make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress less difficult. They also come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, regardless of the style or design you choose. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, examine the crib's frame to see if there are any paint or wood imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you're planning to purchase an additional mattress for your baby's crib opt for the most sturdy one you can find. This will lower the chance of death by accident due to the suffocation. Also, ensure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is too big or too small could be risky, since your baby could get caught between the mattress and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping into or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will promote safe sleep, and prevent rebreathing or breathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family usually results in an influx of new things such as 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 to childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits can be bought for a variety of cots. They also come with the headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit a low amount of chemicals to create a healthier indoor environment.
most recommended cribs is essential to choose the correct mattress for your child's crib whether it's a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure that they have an enjoyable sleeping. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that come in various sizes to meet your needs. Select a mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring bed that is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. best cots should be done before your child turns 2 to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child is at ease. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit is in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler 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 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 converts into a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the lifespan of your investment. It also gives you an extra bed for your child. Conversion kits are available in many designs to match furniture and are compatible with a wide range of mattresses, including twin and full size.