Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an important element of your baby's development. A crib can aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you both safe in the evening.
There are a variety of cribs, each with varying dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure and easy to use and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are many types of cribs available, but they all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels, which allows them to be moved around the home. They are generally designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to that of the womb.
While many parents would like their children to stay in their cribs as long as they can however, some parents will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib, that can be used from birth until the time your child is about 18 months old or is capable of getting out.
Bassinets can be used for infants from birth to four months or until they are big. These are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that provide the intimacy and comfort to parents some infants require in their early months. They also are smaller, making them a good option if you're not sure what type of bedding your child would like.
Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines that must be followed for the safety of your child. There should be no gap larger than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress, and the slats must not be missing or loose. Also the bed shouldn't have cutouts in the headboard or footboard, since they can trap a child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in different designs and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs can be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby in the crib. If, however, you are limited in space and have a an extremely limited budget there are cribs that have only the bare essentials.
If you have a bit more money, you can find cribs that can be adapted to grow with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs. They are a great option for parents who don't want to buy another one each time their child is out of the crib they have previously used.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the style of the nursery. If online cots of your home reflects an inclination such as rustic or contemporary then you might want to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in a variety of designs and shapes and with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. At first, they were cribs that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety developed and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer better protection against falls or entrapment. Modern cribs have features like solid construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.
For convenience, you can also find cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. It's not recommended that you use this type 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 grows. The higher setting is great for newborns, and the lower setting is recommended before your baby learns to sit or roll in bed, which usually occurs by the time they are a year old.
The mattress can be set on a single piece of board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame since it's more stable than wood slats that can break or become loose over time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib so that it doesn't allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for as long as possible then look into a 4-in-1 bed which can be used as an infant's bed, a daybed, and eventually a full size bed. They typically have removable rails that make the transition from a crib an ordinary mattress much easier. They also typically have adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It's important to choose cribs that meet 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 compliance with ASTM International standards. cots and tots can be found on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, check the crib's frame to see whether there are any wood or paint flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.
If you plan to buy an additional crib mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will help reduce the chance of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure the mattress fits snugly inside the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small could pose dangerous, as your baby may get trapped between the mattress and crib sides or headboard.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, involve the 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 head and footboard that can cause entrapment dangers and infants slipping on or being trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets that pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot, causing infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote the safety of sleep and stop rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no epidemiological proof that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new things, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that transform into toddler beds or full-size beds can save you money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for both your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for various brands of cribs and typically come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit very low chemical emissions, resulting in a healthier indoor environment.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is essential to purchase the right mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's rest. You can pick from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. Select a mattress that is at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness or an innerspring bed that is in compliance with federal safety standards.
You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed once your child is ready for a bigger bed. It is best to have this in place before your child turns two to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes with two people.
It is possible to make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is. Getting your child involved in the transition process by giving them a choice of toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular time can help them adapt to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that can convert to a full-size bed is a great method to prolong the life of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs throughout their teenage years. The conversion kits available for these cribs are available in a variety of styles to match the furniture pieces you have and can be fitted on numerous types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.