Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an important part of your baby's life. A crib helps them learn to sleep independently, and also keeps you both safe during the night.

There are many cribs that come in different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, easy to use and in line with the latest design trends.

Size

A crib is a small bed that is designed for infants and toddlers. There are several different types of cribs available, but they are all smaller than a toddler bed and provide a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are on wheels so they can be moved around the home. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to the baby's womb.

While many parents would like their children to stay in a crib for as long as is possible however, some parents will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most common crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child's first year until they reach 18 months old, or climb out.

Bassinets can be used for infants from birth to four months, or until they are too large. These are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can provide the closeness and comfort to parents some infants require in the early months. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure what type of bedding your child will prefer.

To ensure your child's safety the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. There should not be a gap greater than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress and the slats must not be missing or loose. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this can trap the child's head or legs and increase the chance of suffocation.

You can purchase cribs in many different designs and colors. Some have integrated shelving units or changing tables. These are especially useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to breastfeed your baby while in the crib. If you're short on space or have a tight budget, you can still find cribs that have all the necessities.

If you have more money on a crib, you can find one that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a good choice for parents who don't want to invest in an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows their crib they have.

Style

When choosing the perfect crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. If the style of your home reflects one particular direction, such as rustic or contemporary then you might want to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are many crib options in natural wood or colorful finishes, and with an array of distinctive designs and shapes.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for infants. They were initially cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety developed and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs come with features such as sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's safety and well-being.

There are cribs that include shelves or a changing table unit to make it easier for parents during the newborn stage. It's not recommended to use this kind of crib until your cheap baby cots for sale is ready to stand or climb because it can make it easier for them to get out.

Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for newborns. The lower position is recommended when your baby is able to sit up or lie down in bed. This typically happens around the age of a year.

The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single piece of board, a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal as this is believed to be more stable than wood slats that can break or become loose over the course of time. The base must be secure and firm to stop the excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could create the risk of suffocation for infants.

If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for as long as you can, look into a crib that can be converted into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs usually have removable rails that make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress easier. They also typically come with adjustable levels for the mattress.

Safety

It is essential to select 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 (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, examine the crib's frame to determine whether there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you are looking to purchase a mattress for your child's crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure the mattress fits comfortably within the crib. A mattress that is either too big or too small could be risky for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.

Some reports of nonfatal incidents, including 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets, which pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are overheated and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and prevent rebreathing or breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

If you are adding the addition of a new child to your family, you will likely need to buy a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery cots. Investing in cribs which can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits can be purchased for a variety of top rated cots and include a footboard and headboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which 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 a convertible crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they have an enjoyable sleeping. You can pick between foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. For safety, choose a foam mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.

If your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will require an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is best crib to have it in place before your child turns two to ensure the transition goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the transition. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit are in place, converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes for two people.

Certain things can make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child, such as keeping the bedding and bedroom decor constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Giving your child a choice of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed on a regular time can help them adjust.

A crib that converts to a full size bed is a great way to prolong the life of your investment. It also provides an extra bed for your child. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in different styles to match your furniture pieces and can be used on many different types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.