Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One

The best crib sets come with everything you require for your baby to sleep soundly from the beginning. They're pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to be able to sit tightly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a major safety hazard for babies.

One tester for parents said that she used it through two children and then passed it to a relative, making it a smart purchase. Its minimalist design makes it a great option for smaller nurseries.

Bedding

There are a lot of options when it comes to bedding for your crib. But choosing the right sheet is more than just picking a cute pattern to match your aesthetic; you also want something that fits snugly and doesn't get clumped up in places where it could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. It must be soft and sturdy enough to withstand blowouts from diapers, spills, and other messes over the course of months without fading.

This set from Avocado is one of our favorites. It comes with two sheets made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The sheets are MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third-party certification that guarantees that Avocado's products are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to ensure that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib bed (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine-washable for the inevitable mess your little bundle of joy is sure to make.

Another option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads, which adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress from accidents and staining. Choose a mattress cover which is less than one-inch thick to allow your child to breathe. Avoid anything too fluffy, or with long bows, ribbons and other adornments. These can come off and create the risk of strangulation.

If you plan to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, consider buying a convertible crib. These beds usually convert to a toddler bed, and occasionally to full-size beds or a daybed also. Some cribs come with the required conversion kits included but some require a separate purchase.

This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 crib is one of our top picks. It's made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are worried about getting on a low mattress). It's also certified Greenguard Gold, which means it meets the strictest environmental standards to reduce off gassing.

Mattress

Firmness and size are important when it comes to crib mattress. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm that fits comfortably and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put sheets over it. The mattress must also be of the right size for the crib and it should stay in place even after your child gets out of it.

Additionally, you'll need to consider if the mattress is made from chemicals that could potentially harm your child. Find mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which frequently emit a noxious chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good indicator. It confirms that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals.

A few other things to consider include how much the mattress weighs and whether it's waterproof or not. A mattress that is waterproof or able to be cleaned is better for cleaning, because you'll be changing sheets every night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the heaviest product we've tested, weighing around 20 lbs. This could be a major issue for some parents.

A mattress that has two sides could have a firm side for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians advise flipping your child's mattress when they reach the peak of normal growth. This usually occurs about 12 months old.

We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how they could be folded easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight, a bit heavier than a newborn on each one to see how it reacted. The best cots uk mattresses did not sink, meaning they provide enough support to prevent your child from falling or being suffocated in bed. Some of the mattresses we tested come with covers that can be washed and removed that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them much easier.

Crib Rails

A crib would be incomplete without the right set of fixed rails. Some furniture companies for babies provide baby rails in the crib. Others offer them separately. If you decide to buy them separately, search for ones that meet the safety requirements. They must, for instance be free of missing or loose screws, brackets and other hardware. They must also be able to support the weight of your child, but not be too flimsy. They should also be secured in a secure way so they cannot be removed by your child.

The crib rails you choose should not only be sturdy but they must also fit snuggly within the frame of the crib. This will prevent the mattress from becoming too fragile, which could cause harm to your baby. Make sure you measure the crib frame before purchasing a crib rail. There are some slight differences in the crib sizes. Ideally, the space should not be more than three fingers wide.

You'll also want to make sure the crib rails are free of cut-outs for decorative purposes and other adornments which could be dangers for suffocation. Avoid placing pillows, blankets, quilts and sheepskins on the crib, as these can contribute to a dangerous build-up of carbon dioxide and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. Consider a crib pad and cover to provide a comfortable sleeping mattress for your baby. They consist of mattress pads with a waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that wraps around the mattress in the same way as an oversized sheet.

You'll also need to ensure that you have the correct crib rail guards. They are designed to protect your baby's head if it happens to hit the crib railings while feeding or cradling him/her her beside the bed. They also help to prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's fixed railings.

When your child is no longer in the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to keep your child safely in the crib until they're ready to move on to a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that can be used with the majority of cribs. It's easy to set up and meets all of the CPSC's safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Some of the crib's design features are strictly aesthetic and are subject to individual preference, while others like the style of the slats on the crib or whether it can be converted into a toddler bed -could have a significant impact on the ease of use of the crib and its lifespan. The best cots cribs feature solid wood construction, comply with various safety standards, and are adaptable to various mattress heights. Some cribs feature distinct features that make them more effective. For example, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without having to take off the entire mattress.

Avoid cribs that have decorative cutouts or other embellishments because they could get caught on clothing or create a risk of choking for babies. Also, be sure to check the crib's hardware regularly for loose bolts or other objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and present the risk of injury.

The best crib sets have easy-to-follow instructions and all necessary components including hardware. Most modern cribs take a half-hour or less to assemble, and a lot include all the tools you'll require.

It is also possible to consider a convertible crib which can transform into daybed, toddler bed, or full-size bed. This can be a smart buy for families that plan to keep the crib for a number of years or have little space in their homes. It is important to remember that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the conversion.

It isn't easy to comprehend crib hardware, but it's essential for security and stability. Most cribs have a system of rectangular block wedges (also known as "shims") and massive chocks referred to as step chocks. They're all designed to strengthen the contact points between the crib and supported surface.

Some shims or chocks could be made of soft woods, which break slowly. This could trigger an audible warning when they fail. However, stiffer woods may break more suddenly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available and are easier to install because they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.