9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an important element of your baby's development. A crib will aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety during the night.
There are a myriad of cribs of various dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a bed designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are on wheels so they can be moved around the home. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to the womb.
While many parents would like their children to remain in their cribs as long as is possible but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most common crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or they can be removed.
Bassinets can be used for infants from birth to four months, or until they are too big. They are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can provide the closeness and comfort that parents of infants require during their early months. They are also more mobile, making them an attractive option if you are unsure of what kind of bedding you'd like for your child.
To ensure your child's safety the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. There should not be a gap greater than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress and the slats must not be sagging or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this could entrap the child's legs or head 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. If you are planning to breastfeed, these cribs could be very convenient as you can feed your baby in the crib. If you're short on space or have a limited budget you can still find cribs that have the essentials.
If you're willing invest a little more you can purchase cribs that can be converted into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be a good choice for parents who do not need to buy a new crib every when their child grows out of the current one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You might want to choose a crib that matches the general style of your home, whether it's modern or rustic. There are many cribs available in a variety of shapes and styles, with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for babies. At first, they were just cradles that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety developed and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide greater protection against falls and entrapment. Today's cribs include features like sturdy construction, a proper spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.
To make life easier For convenience, you can also locate cribs with an adjustable table and shelving unit. This kind crib is not recommended for babies who are ready to climb or stand. It can make it easier to get out.
Some cribs come with adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for babies. The lower position is best used when your child can sit up or roll in the bed. This typically happens around the age of a year.
The mattress can be set on a single piece of board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing a metal spring base, since it is considered to be more durable than wooden slats, which could be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be firm and firm to stop the excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could cause the risk of suffocation for infants.
If you are planning 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 a toddler's bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have removable rails that make the transition from a crib to an ordinary mattress much easier. They also typically have adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, irrespective of the style and design you select. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity to ASTM International standards. These certifications are available on the packaging of the crib or in its description. Also, examine the crib's frame to determine if there are any wood or paint flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.
If you're planning to buy a mattress for your child's crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death from suffocation. Make sure that the mattress fits comfortably into the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small can be hazardous for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
There are reports of non-fatal incidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents include a variety dangers, including gaps between the mattress and the side, or between the footboard and head which can lead to entrapment. Infants could also roll onto the mattress or become wedged between it and the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim will promote safe sleep, and stop breathing in your baby's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you add a new Baby Cot Bed to your family, you will likely need to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to nursery furniture. Investing in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds could aid in saving money on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cots and include the headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for an environment that is healthier.
It is essential to choose the right mattress for your child's crib, whether it's a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure that they have an enjoyable sleep. You can pick between foam mattress, innerspring or gel in different sizes to suit your needs. Select a mattress that is at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness, or an innerspring Mini Cot Bed that is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government.
You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed once your child is old enough to be in a bigger bed. It is best to have this in place before your child turns two to ensure that the process goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the new transition. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit is installed, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes for two people.
You can make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same, and putting the cheap cot bed into the room where the crib is. Involving your child in the transition process by giving them a choice of stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular time will help them adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.
A crib that is able to convert to a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the life of your investment and provide the bed your child needs throughout their teenage years. The conversion kits for these cribs come in a variety of styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on numerous types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.