Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential part of your baby's life. A crib allows them to learn to sleep independently, and it also keeps both of you safe during the night.
There are many types of cribs, all with different sizes and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for best rated cribs that are secure, simple to use, and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed made for infants and babies. There are several different types of cribs available, but they all are smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels so they can be moved around the home. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment similar to the mother's womb.
While many parents would like their children to remain in a crib for as long as is possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until your child is about 18 months older or has the capacity of climbing out.
Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth to four months or until they become too large. These are smaller, more compact cribs that can provide the closeness and comfort to parents some infants require in their early months. They are also more compact and therefore a great alternative if you're not certain which bedding type your child would like.
To ensure the safety of your child the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. For instance, there must be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats shouldn't be loose or missing. Also, the bed should not have cutouts in the footboard or headboard, because they could restrict a child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
You can buy cribs in a variety of styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelves or changing tables. These are especially useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to breastfeed your baby while in the crib. If, however, you are short on space and have a limited budget, you can find cribs that have only the basic necessities.
If you're willing invest a little more you can purchase cribs that can be converted into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs and can be a great choice for Cot Sale parents who don't want an entirely new crib each time their child is out of the old crib.
Style
If you are in the market for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. You might want to choose a crib that matches the overall theme of your home, regardless of whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are numerous cribs to choose from in various shapes and styles 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 rolled. As the understanding of child safety developed and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer greater protection against falls and entrapment. Today's cribs come with features such as sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats and non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's safety and well-being.
You'll also find cribs that incorporate with a changing table or shelving unit for ease in the early stages of infanthood. This kind crib is not recommended cribs for babies who are able to stand or climb. It could make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for babies, and the lower one is recommended before your baby learns to sit up or roll in bed, which typically occurs by the time they turn one year old.
The mattress of a crib can be perched on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid 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 can break or become loose over time. The base must be secure and firm to stop the excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could create an hazard of suffocation to infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as possible, then look into a crib that can be transformed into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually have removable rails to facilitate the transition to a regular bed easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
No matter what style or design you choose it's crucial to look for cribs that meet 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's frame for imperfections in the wood or paint that could pose a risk to your child.
If you're contemplating buying an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of death by accident due to the suffocation. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is either too large or too small could be dangerous for your baby, as they may become trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.
There are reports of accidents that are not fatal that include 21 deaths reported in the NPR as well as two deaths reported during the NPR Update, involve a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, such as gaps between the crib mattress and the sides, or between the footboard and head, that can cause trapping. Infants could also roll onto the mattress or get trapped between the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote safe sleep and prevent breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, which is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
The addition of a baby to your family typically leads to an influx of new items, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can aid in saving money on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to adolescence easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of best cots. They also come with an adjustable headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit low emissions of chemicals, which makes for better indoor air quality.
It is important to choose the correct mattress for your child's crib, whether it be an adjustable crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they get an enjoyable sleeping. Choose from foam or innerspring mattresses that come in different sizes to suit your needs. For safety, choose the mattress made of foam that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for toddler best cot beds and cribs.
When your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will need to purchase a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended that you have it in place before your child turns two to ensure the process goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the transition. Once you have your crib mattress and kit in place it should take two people less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into an adult size bed.
A few things can help make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, including keeping the decor and bedding consistent and moving the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Offering your child a selection of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep on a regular time can help them to adjust.
A crib that converts into an adult-sized bed is an excellent way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also gives you a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs come in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and are suitable for many different types of mattresses, including twin and full size.