9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential element of your baby's development. A crib helps them develop the habit of sleeping independently, and it keeps both of you safe during the night.

There are many types of cribs, all with different sizes, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe and simple to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.

Size

A crib is a tiny bed made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's bed and offer a safe place to sleep for your child. Some cribs have wheels, which allows them to be moved around the house. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and safe environment that is similar to the womb.

While a lot of parents want their children to stay in a crib for as long as is possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib, that can be used from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of climbing out.

There are bassinets too, that can be used from birth to four months, or until the baby is too large for it. These are smaller, more compact cribs that can offer the closeness and comfort parents infants require in their early years. They also are more portable which makes them a desirable alternative if you're not sure of what kind of bedding you will prefer for your child.

To ensure your child's safety, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. There should not be a gap greater than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress, and slats shouldn't be loose or absent. The bed should not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this can trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk for the child to suffocate.

Cribs can be purchased in a variety of designs and finishes, and some even include changing tables and shelving units. They are particularly useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to nurse your baby while in the crib. If you're short of space or have a small budget you can still find cribs that have the essentials.

If you have a bit more money on a crib, you can find one that can develop with your child into toddler beds and even sofas and daybeds. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs and are a great option for parents who don't want to buy an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the old one.

Style

When you're looking for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select one that is in line with the general theme of your home, regardless of whether it's modern or rustic. There are numerous crib options in natural wood or colorful finishes, and in a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.

Cribs are safe sleeping places for babies. They were initially cradles which could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety grew and stationary cribs became the standard, and designs were adapted to provide better protection against accidents or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like solid construction, the right spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety and well-being.

There are cribs that incorporate with a changing table or shelving unit to make it easier cot for sale parents during the infant cot bed stage. It's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb, as it could make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is great crib for infants, while the lower setting should be used prior to when your Baby Cot Bed learns to roll or sit up in bed, which typically happens before they are a year old.

The mattress can be placed on a single piece of board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame because it is more durable than wooden slats, which may be loosened or broken over time. The base should be tight and firm to stop the excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could pose an hazard of suffocation to infants.

If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as possible, then think about a crib that converts into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed. They usually have rails that can be removed to allow the transition to a regular bed easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

No matter what style or design you select regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, examine the crib's frame to see if there are any wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.

If you are planning to buy a mattress for your child's crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will help reduce the risk of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small could be risky for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or crib sides.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, like gaps between the crib mattress and the side, or between the footboard and the head, that can cause entrapment. Infants could be able to roll onto the mattress or get wedged between it and the headboard or the wall.

Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage the safety of sleep and stop breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no epidemiological proof that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

When you add an infant to your family, you will likely need to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. The purchase of cribs that transform 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 can be bought for many brands of cots and include an adjustable headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit very low chemical emissions, resulting in better indoor air quality.

It is important to choose the right mattress for your child's crib whether it's a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure that they have a comfortable sleeping. You can pick between foam mattress, innerspring or gel in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. Select a mattress that is at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness or an innerspring bed that is compliant with federal safety standards.

You will have to purchase a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed once your child is ready to move on to a bigger bed. You should do this before your child turns 2 to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is comfortable. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit are installed, converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes when you have two people.

A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, such as keeping the bedroom decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Involving your child in the transition by giving them a selection of their favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis can also help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.

A crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is an excellent method to prolong the life of your investment and also provide an additional bed for your child throughout their teenage years. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in various designs to complement your other furniture pieces and are suitable for numerous types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.