Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a vital part of the life of your baby. A crib will aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you and your baby safe during the night.
There are a variety of cribs, all with varying dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure and simple to use and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a small bed made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room to, and most are designed to lower the risk of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment similar to the birthing womb.
While many parents would like their children to remain in their cribs for as long as they can, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or can climb out.
There are also bassinets, which 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 offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great alternative if you're not certain what kind of bedding your child would prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines to follow in order to protect your child. There should not be a gap greater than two fingers between the crib sets's frame and mattress and the slats must not be missing or loose. In addition, the bed should not have cutouts on the headboard or footboard, as these can trap a child's head or legs and increase the chance of being suffocated.
Cribs are available in a variety of styles and finishes, and some even include changing tables and shelving units. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short on space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that have only the bare essentials.
If you have more money, you can find cribs that will develop with your child into toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a good choice for parents who do not want to invest in an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the crib they have.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. If the style of your home reflects a particular direction such as modern or rustic it is possible to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available with natural wood or vibrant finishes, and in many unique shapes and styles.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. They were initially simple cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety increased, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. Today's cribs include features such as sturdy construction, a proper spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all prioritizing your baby's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that include with a changing table or shelving unit for convenience during the newborn stage. This type of crib is not recommended for infants who are not yet ready to stand or climb. It can make it easier to get out.
Some cribs offer adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for infants, while the lower position should be used before your baby begins to sit or roll in bed, which typically happens before they are a year old.
The mattress can be put on a single-piece wooden board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing springs made of metal because it is considered to be more durable than wood slats that can break or loosen over time. The base must be secure and firm to prevent excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause the risk of suffocation for infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib as long as possible then consider a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into a toddler's bed, daybed, and eventually a full size bed. These cribs generally feature removable rails to make the transition from the regular bed more straightforward and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
Whatever style or design you select, it's essential to look for online cots (Politicum.org) cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. 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 in its description. In addition, inspect the crib's frame for defects in the wood or paint that could pose a risk to your child.
If you're contemplating buying an infant's mattress for their crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, ensure that the mattress is firmly seated in the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small could be a hazard, as your baby could be trapped between the mattress and the crib sides or headboard.
There are reports of accidents that are not fatal, including 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR as well as two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, are based on crib cot beds for sale that are too soft. These incidents can involve a range of hazards, like gaps between the crib mattress and the side, or between the footboard and the head which can lead to trapping. Infants can be able to roll onto the mattress or get trapped between it and the wall or headboard.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to be a contributing factor to SIDS. However, there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family typically leads to an influx of new items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adulthood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and a footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low chemical emissions for a healthier indoor environment.
Whether you opt for convertible cribs or a standard crib it is important to buy the right mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. You can choose from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in various sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure your safety, pick a foam mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that meets the safety standards of the federal government for cribs and toddler beds.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll need to purchase a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. It is best to have it in place before your child turns two to ensure the process is smooth and your child is comfortable 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.
A few 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 space as their crib. Giving your child a choice of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed on a regular time will help them settle.
A crib that converts to a full-size bed is a great way to extend the time-to-value of your investment. It also provides a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits for these cribs are available in a variety of styles to match the furniture pieces you have and are suitable for many different types of mattresses, including twin and full size.