9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an important aspect of the life of your baby. A crib helps them establish the habit of sleeping independently, and it also keeps you and your baby safe at night.

There are a variety of cribs, all with different sizes and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe and easy to use and aesthetically pleasing.

Size

A crib is a bed that is made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs available, but they are all smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are equipped with wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to reduce the chance of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment similar to the birthing womb.

While many parents may want their children to remain in a crib for as long as they can but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed faster than others. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib that is suitable from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of getting out.

There are bassinets too, that can be used from newborn to four months or until the baby is too large for it. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require 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'd like for your child.

To ensure your child's safety, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. For instance, there should be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats shouldn't be loose or missing. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard because this could trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk of the child to suffocate.

Cribs are available in different designs and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs could be very convenient as you can feed your baby in the crib. However, if you are short on space and have an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that have only the basic necessities.

If you have a bit more money to spend, you can find cribs that can develop with your child into toddler beds, or even sofas and daybeds. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs and can be an ideal choice for parents who don't wish to purchase a new crib every time their child outgrows their crib they have.

Style

If you are in the market for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the design of your home is influenced by one particular direction like modern or rustic, you may want to pick a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in various designs and shapes, with natural wood or colored finishes.

Cribs are safe places to sleep for infants. Initially, they were simply cradles which could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety increased, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection against falling or entrapment. The cribs of today are built with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.

For ease of use For convenience, you can also locate cribs with shelves and a changing table unit. However, it's not recommended that you use this type of crib if your child is ready to stand up or climb because it can make it easier for them to get out.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for babies. The lower position is recommended when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This usually happens at the age of one year.

The mattress can be put on a single-piece board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal because it is considered to be more durable than wooden slats, which could break or become loose over the course of time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib so it does not allow air to circulate around the mattress, creating a potential suffocation risk for infants.

If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for as long as possible then look into a 4-in-1 bed that can be transformed into an infant cot bed's bed, a daybed and eventually a full size infant cot bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition to the regular bed more straightforward, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It is important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, regardless of the style and design you choose. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with 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 that could pose a danger 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 decrease the risk of death by accident due to the suffocation. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small can be risky, since your baby could be trapped between the mattress and the headboard or the sides of the crib.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or footboard, which create entrapment risks; infants rolling into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall; pillows and blankets posing suffocation risks; and mattresses that are overheated which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will ensure a safe sleep and will prevent breathing or Baby Crib rebreathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk for SIDS.

Conversion

The addition of a baby to your family can result in an increase in the number of items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adolescence easier for your child and family. These conversion kits can be bought for Cribs Beds many brands of cots and include a footboard and headboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for better indoor air quality.

It is crucial to select the best mattress for your child's crib, whether it be an adjustable crib or a standard crib. This will ensure that they have an enjoyable sleep. Choose from foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different sizes to meet your requirements. Choose a foam mattress at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness or an innerspring mattress that meets the safety standards of the federal government.

You will have to purchase a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed when your child is ready to move on to larger beds. Ideally, you should have this in place before your child turns two to ensure that the process is smooth and your child will be comfortable with the transition. After your crib mattress and conversion kit is in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes for two people.

You can make the transition from a crib a toddler-sized bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Giving your child a choice of toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular schedule can help them adjust.

Having a crib that can transform into a cot bed sales that is full size is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment, and provide a bed for your child through their teens. Conversion kits are available in a variety of styles to match other furniture and can be used with a wide variety of mattresses including twin or full size.