10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the baby's life. A crib will aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you both safe during the night.
There are many types of cribs, each with different sizes, styles, and mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, easy to use, and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed made for infants and toddlers. There are several different types of cribs available, but all are smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels, so they can be moved around the house. Most are designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a cozy and safe environment that is like the baby's womb.
Some parents would prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, while others might be ready to move to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib, that can be used from birth until your child is about 18 months older or has the capacity of climbing out.
There are bassinets too, that can be used from newborn to four months, or until the baby is large for it. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, but can give parents the intimacy that infants require in the early years. They also are smaller and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would like.
To ensure the safety of your child cribs and bassinets also have safety guidelines. For example, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats must not be loose or missing. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard because this could trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk of death by suffocation.
You can buy cribs with a variety of designs and colors. Some have integrated shelving units or changing tables. These are especially useful when you are planning to breastfeed, as it will enable you to nurse your baby while in the crib. If you're short on space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that just feature the essentials.
If you're willing to spend a little extra you can purchase cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs and can be a great choice for parents who don't want an entirely new crib each time their child is out of the old crib.
Style
When you're looking for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select a crib that matches the general theme of your home, whether contemporary or rustic. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant finishes, and with a wide variety of unique designs and shapes.
Cribs are a safe place to sleep for infants. They were initially cradles which could be rocked. As the concept of child safety developed and cribs became more stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like sturdy construction, a proper spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety and well-being.
For convenience For convenience, you can also locate cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. This kind crib is not suitable for babies who are able to stand or climb. It could make it easier Best cot for newborn them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for babies, and the lower setting is recommended before your baby learns to sit up or roll in bed, which typically happens by the time they reach the age of a year.
The mattress can be placed on a single-piece board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains, recommend a metal spring frame since it's more durable than wooden slats that can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be sturdy and tightly fitted to the crib so it does not allow air to circulate around the mattress, creating a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as possible, then look into a crib that converts into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed. They usually have rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition from the regular bed more straightforward and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, regardless of the style and design you select. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, check the crib frame to see whether there are any paint or wood imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you are looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will help reduce the chance of accidental suffocation, which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly into the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small could be dangerous, as your baby could get caught between the mattress and the headboard or sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 deaths reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or the footboard and head that create entrapment risks; infants rolling onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the headboard or wall; pillows and blankets posing dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim will ensure a safe sleep and stop breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new things, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that transform into toddler beds or full size beds can save you money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for both your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many models of cribs and usually come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemical to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. You can pick between foam mattress, innerspring or gel in various sizes cots to tots suit your needs. 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 satisfies the federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.
You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed when your child is old enough to be in larger cot beds for sale. It is recommended that you have this in place before your child turns two to ensure that the process is smooth and your child is at ease with the new transition. Once you have your crib and mattress kit in place, it will take two people less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.
It is possible to make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same, and putting the bed into the room where the crib is. Offering your child a selection of toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed on a regular time can help them adjust.
A crib that can convert to a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide a bed for your child throughout their teenage years. Conversion kits are available in a variety of styles to complement other furniture and can be used with a variety of mattresses such as twin or full size.