The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing cribs beds [Read Full Report] For Your Baby
Sleep is a vital part of the baby's life. A crib will aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and ensure your safety during the night.
There are many different types of cribs, all with different dimensions styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use and suitable for modern designs.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed designed for infants and babies. There are many different types of cribs, but they are all smaller than a toddler's mattress and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your infant. Some best rated cribs come with wheels that allow them to be moved from room to, and most are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable space similar to the womb.
Some parents will want to keep their child in the crib as long as they can, whereas others might be ready to change them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child's first year up until they are 18 months old, or they can be removed.
There are also bassinets, that are suitable from the time of birth to four months, or until the baby becomes too large for it. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can give parents the intimacy that some infants need in the early years. They are also more mobile which makes them a desirable option if you're unsure about the kind of bedding you'd like for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines that must be followed to ensure the safety of your child. There should be no gap larger than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress and slats shouldn't be sagging or missing. The bed should not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this can trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk for suffocation.
You can buy cribs in many different styles and finishes. Some have integrated shelves or changing tables. These can be particularly convenient if you plan on breastfeeding, as it will enable you to breastfeed your baby while in the crib. However, if you are short on space and have a limited budget there are cribs that only have the bare essentials.
If you are willing to pay a little more you can purchase cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or Best Cot beds sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs and can be a great choice for parents who don't want to buy an entirely new crib each time their child grows out of the old one.
Style
If you are in the market for the perfect crib, take into consideration the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the style of your home reflects a particular direction like rustic or contemporary, you may want to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are many cribs available in a variety of designs and shapes, with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rolled. As the knowledge of child safety grew and cribs became stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide greater protection against falls and entrapment. Today's cribs are built with features like sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that combine with a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the infant stage. It's not recommended to use this kind of crib if your child is ready to stand or climb as it can make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your Baby beds grows. The higher position is ideal for newborns, and the lower one should be used prior to when your baby learns to sit up or roll in bed, which usually happens before they are a year old.
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 steel spring frame as it is more durable than wooden slats which can break or become loose over time. The base should be sturdy and securely attached to the crib so that it doesn't allow air to circulate around the mattress, a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for as long as possible, then consider a 4-in-1 crib that converts into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to make the transition to an adult bed much easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, regardless of the style or design you choose. 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. Also, check the crib's frame to determine if there are any paint or wood defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you are planning to purchase a new crib mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will decrease the risk of accidental death due to the suffocation. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is either too large or too small can be dangerous for your baby, as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.
Some reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 deaths reported in the NPR and two deaths reported during the NPR Update, involve 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 head and footboard that create entrapment risks and infants slipping into or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets, which pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are overheated and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will promote safe sleep, and prevent rebreathing or breathing in your baby's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. However there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome an infant to your family, you will likely need to purchase lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many models of cribs and usually come with a headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for a healthier indoor environment.
Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib, it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's rest. Choose between foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different sizes to suit your needs. Select a mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick or best cots for Newborns an innerspring bed that meets federal safety standards.
If your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended to do this before your child turns two to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is at ease. Once you have your crib and mattress kit in place It should take two people less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into an adult size bed.
You can make the transition from a crib a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor same, and putting the bed into the room in which the crib is. Involving your child in the transition by offering them a choice of stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular time can help them adapt to the new bed arrangement.
A crib that converts to an adult-sized bed is an excellent way to prolong the life of your investment. It also provides a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in a variety of designs to complement your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on various types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.