9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential element of your baby's development. A crib can aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you both safe during the night.
There are a variety of cribs, all with 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 compact bed designed for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's bed, and provide a safe sleeping place for your child. Some cribs have wheels that allow them to be moved from room to room and are designed to lower the risk of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable environment similar to the birthing womb.
While many parents may want their children to stay in a crib for as long as possible but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of getting out.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months or until they are large. These are smaller cribs that are smaller and more compact. They provide the intimacy and comfort parents infants require in the early months. They also are smaller which makes them a good alternative if you're not sure which bedding type your child will prefer.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines that must be followed in order to protect your child. For example, there should be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be loose or missing. Also the bed should not be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard, because they could restrict a child's head or legs and increase the risk of being suffocated.
Cribs can be purchased in various styles and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. These are especially useful for breastfeeding moms, as it will enable you to nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short of space or have a small budget, you can still find cribs that include all the necessities.
If you have a bit more money there are cribs that can expand with your child to toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want to purchase an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the old one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. If the style of your home is influenced by one particular direction, such as rustic or contemporary it is possible to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in various designs and shapes and with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping environments for infants. At first, they were just cribs that could be rocked. As awareness of child safety increased, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. The cribs of today are made with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.
You'll also find best rated cribs that combine shelves or a changing table unit for ease during the infant cot bed stage. This kind crib is not suitable for babies who are ready to climb or stand. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for babies, and the lower setting should be used before your baby is able to sit or roll in bed, which usually happens by the time they reach the age of a year.
The crib's mattress can be set on a single piece of board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing a metal spring base, as this is believed to be more sturdy than wood slats that can be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be tight and firm to prevent air from circulating around the mattress. This could create an hazard of suffocation to infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby cots on sale in a crib for as long as you can, think about a crib that converts into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually a full-size bed. They typically have removable rails that make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress less difficult. They also often have adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
Regardless of the design or style you pick, it's essential to look for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity to ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to determine whether there are any wood or paint flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.
If you're planning to purchase a new mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death due to inhalation. Make sure the mattress fits snugly inside the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small cot beds could be hazardous for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
There are reports of accidents that are not fatal, including 21 reported deaths identified by the NPR and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, involve a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or the footboard and head that create entrapment risks; infants rolling on or being trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets that pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are too hot, causing infants to be afflicted with burns, rashes and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and prevent rebreathing or breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. However there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new things such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds could aid in saving money on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to adulthood easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits can be bought for many brands of cheap cots. They also come with a footboard and headboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit low levels of chemicals to create a healthier indoor environment.
No matter if you choose convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is important to buy the right mattress so that your child gets a good night's sleep. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that are available in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. For safety, choose a foam mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.
You will have to purchase a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed when your child is ready for larger beds. You should do this before your child turns 2 to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child is at ease. Once you have your crib mattress and kit in place It will take two people less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult size 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 in which the crib is. Giving your child a choice of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and urging them to sleep on a regular time can help them adjust.
A crib that converts to an adult-sized bed is a great option to prolong the life of your investment. It also offers an extra bed for your child. The conversion kits available for these cribs come in different designs to complement your furniture pieces and can be used on numerous kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.