10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a crucial part of your baby's life. A crib lets them develop the habit of sleeping independently, and also keeps you both safe during the night.

There are a myriad of cribs that come in different dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, simple to use and suitable for modern designs.

Size

A crib is a bed specifically designed for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's mattress and provide a safe sleeping place for your infant cot bed. Some cribs are on wheels, so they can be moved around the home. They are generally designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a comfortable and supportive environment similar to the womb.

Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, but others may be ready to change them to a toddler's cot bed sales sooner. The most common type of crib is a standard crib, that is suitable from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of climbing out.

Bassinets can be used by infants from birth to four months, or until they are too large. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in the early years. They are also more mobile and therefore a great crib alternative if you're not sure about the kind of bedding you'd like for your child.

Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines to follow in order to protect your child. For instance, there must be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats must not be missing or loose. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard because this could trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk of death by suffocation.

Cribs can be purchased in different styles and finishes, and some include changing tables and shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs could be very convenient as you can nurse your baby in the crib. If you're not a lot of space and have the funds to purchase a crib you can find cribs that have only the essentials.

If you are willing to pay a little more it is possible to purchase cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a great choice for Mini cot bed parents who don't want to purchase an entirely new crib each time their child grows out of the crib they have previously used.

Style

When you are looking for the perfect crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You might want to choose an option that fits the general theme of your home, regardless of whether it's modern or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in various designs and shapes and with natural wood or color finishes.

Cribs are safe places to sleep for babies. They were initially cradles which could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety developed and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide greater protection against falls and entrapment. The cribs of today are built with features like solid construction, the proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.

You'll also find cribs that incorporate with a changing table or shelving unit for convenience in the early stages of infanthood. It's not recommended to use this kind of crib if your child is ready to stand up or climb because it can make it easier for them to get out.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for newborns, and the lower position should be used prior to when your baby begins to roll or sit up in bed, which typically happens before they are a year old.

The mattress can be put on a single piece of board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal, since it is believed to be more stable than wooden slats, which could be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib so that it does not allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a potential suffocation risk for infants.

If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib as long as you can, then think about a crib that converts into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually a full-size bed. They usually have removable rails to facilitate the transition from the regular bed more straightforward and often come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It's important to choose cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, irrespective of the style and design you choose. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to determine if there are any wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.

If you plan to buy an additional crib mattress for your baby's bed, go for the firmest one you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental death due to inhalation. Also, make sure the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small could be a hazard, as your baby could get caught between the mattress and headboard or the sides of the crib.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, including gaps between the crib mattress and the sides, or between the footboard and the head, that can cause trapping. Infants can be able to roll onto the mattress or get trapped between it and the headboard or the wall.

Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will ensure a safe sleep and prevent rebreathing or breathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

The addition of a baby to your family can result in an increase in the number of items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery cots. Investing in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds can aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to childhood easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for various models of cribs and usually come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.

Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib it is important to buy the right mattress so that your child is comfortable night's rest. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that are available in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. Select a mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring bed that is in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government.

When your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will have to buy a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns 2 to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is at ease. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit is in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes for two people.

You can make the transition from a crib a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. 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 arrangement of sleeping.

A crib that is able to convert to a full-size bed is a great way to extend the lifespan of your investment and also provide a bed for your child throughout their teens. Conversion kits are available in a variety of designs to match furniture and can be used with a wide range of mattresses, including twin and full size.