The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial aspect of the life of your baby. A crib can aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you and your baby safe at night.
There are many cribs that come in different dimensions, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed designed for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, however all are 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 and are designed to minimize the risk of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable space similar to the birthing womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, while others might be ready to switch to a toddler's crib sooner. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or can climb out.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth until four months, or until they are big. These are smaller and smaller than cribs, yet they provide the closeness to parents that some infants need in the early years. They are also more mobile and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure about what type of bedding you would like for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow for the safety of your child. For instance, there must be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats must not be loose or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this could entrap the child's legs or head and increase the chance of suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in different styles and finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. These can be particularly convenient if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to nurse your baby while in the crib. If you're short of space or have a small budget you can still find cribs that include the essentials.
If you have a bit more money to spend there are cribs that can develop with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal choice for parents who do not wish to purchase a new crib every time their child outgrows the crib they currently have.
Style
When choosing the perfect crib, think about its style and design in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. If the design of your home is influenced by an inclination, such as modern or rustic, you may want to select a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with many unique shapes and styles.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for infants. At first, they were just cribs that could be rolled. As the concept of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary, designs changed to provide more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs come with features such as solid construction, the proper spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's well-being and safety.
For ease of use You can also find cribs with an adjustable table and shelving unit. However, it's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb because it can make it easier for them to get out.
Some good cribs offer adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for infants. The lower position is recommended cribs when your baby can sit up or roll over in the bed. This usually happens at the age of one year.
The crib's mattress can be perched on a single-piece board, a grid of wood slats or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal, because it is believed to be more stable than wood slats that can break or loosen over time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib, so that it doesn't allow air to circulate around the mattress, a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib for as long as you can, 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 usually come with rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib to an ordinary mattress much easier. They also come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that meet strict safety standards, regardless of the style and design you select. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, look over the crib's frame for flaws in the paint or the wood that could pose a risk to your child.
If you are looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation which is the most common cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, ensure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small could be a hazard, as your baby could get caught between the mattress and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the best crib side or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards as well as infants who roll onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard; pillows and blankets posing risk of suffocation; mattresses that are overheated and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress that claim to ensure a safe sleep and stop breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
If you are adding a new baby to your family, you will likely need to buy lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to adulthood easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits are available for various brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit a low amount of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is crucial to choose the correct mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's sleep. You can pick between foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure your safety, pick the mattress made of foam that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government for cribs and toddler beds.
When your child is ready to move on from the crib, you'll require a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. You should do this before your child turns 2 to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is at ease. Once you have your mattress and crib kit it should 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 a toddler-sized cot bed sales more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same, and putting the bed into the room where the crib is located. Engaging your child in the transition by giving them a choice of toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis will help them adjust to the new bed arrangement.
Having a crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is a great method to prolong the life of your investment and provide a bed for your child through their teenage years. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in a variety of styles to match the furniture pieces you have and can be used on numerous types of mattresses, including twin and full size.