Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial aspect of the life of your baby. A crib can help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety at night.
There are many cribs that come in different dimensions, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a small bed made for infants and toddlers. There are crib sets of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler bed and offer an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to minimize the risk of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment that is similar to the mother's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to remain in their cribs as long as is possible but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib, that is suitable from birth until the time your child is about 18 months older or is capable of climbing out.
Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth to four months, or until they are too big. They are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can provide the closeness and comfort that parents of infants require during their early years. They also are smaller, making them a good alternative if you're not sure what type of bedding your child will prefer.
To ensure the safety of your child, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. For example, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be missing or loose. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this can trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk for death by suffocation.
There are cribs available in many different styles and finishes. Some even come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. They are particularly useful for breastfeeding moms, as it will enable you to breastfeed your baby while still in the crib. If you're limited in space and have a the funds to purchase a crib, you can find cribs that only have the essentials.
If you're willing pay a little more, you can buy cribs that can be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They are a good choice for parents who do not want to invest in another crib every when their child grows out of the crib they currently have.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select an option that fits the general style of your home, whether it's rustic or contemporary. There are many cribs available in various shapes and styles, with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for infants. At first, they were just cribs that could be rolled. As the understanding of child safety grew and cribs became stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. The cribs of today are made with features like solid construction, the proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's well-being and safety.
To make life easier You can also find cribs with an adjustable table and shelving unit. This type crib is not suitable for infants who are not yet ready to stand or climb. It can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs offer adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for infants, while the lower one should be used prior to when your baby learns to sit or roll in bed, which usually happens before they turn one year old.
The mattress of a crib can be set on a one-piece board, a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal since it is believed to be more stable than wooden slats which can be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be firm and securely attached to the crib so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate around the mattress, a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you're looking to keep your baby in a crib as long as possible, then consider a 4-in-1 crib that converts into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually a full-size bed. linked webpage feature removable rails to facilitate the transition to a regular bed easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
Regardless of the design or style you pick regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or in its description. In addition, examine the crib frame for any imperfections in the paint or wood that could pose a danger for your baby.
If you are planning to buy an infant's mattress for their crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death due to the suffocation. Make sure the mattress fits snugly inside the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small can be hazardous for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified in the NPR, and two deaths reported during the NPR Update, involve a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib side or head and footboard that pose entrapment hazards as well as infants who roll on or being trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall; pillows and blankets posing risk of suffocation; mattresses that are overheated and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, thought to contribute to SIDS. However there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
If you are adding an infant to your family, you'll likely need to buy lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs which transform into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many models of cribs and usually include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit a low amount of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.
Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib it is important to buy the right mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. You can pick between foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in various sizes to suit your needs. To ensure safety, select an innerspring mattress that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.
If your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll require a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns 2 to ensure a smooth transition and that your child feels comfortable. Once you have your mattress and crib kit, it will take two people less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into an adult size bed.
It is possible to make the transition from a crib the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Offering your child a selection of toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep on a regular time can help them to adjust.
A crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment, and provide an additional bed for your child throughout their teens. The conversion kits for these cribs come in various styles to match the furniture pieces you have and can be used on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.