Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a vital part of your baby’s life. A crib will aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you and your baby safe in the evening.

There are many cribs with different dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.

Size

A crib is a bed designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs to choose from, however all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels, which allows them to be moved around the house. Most are designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment like the baby's womb.

While many parents may want their children to stay in their cribs as long as possible but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most common crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child's first year up until they are 18 months old, or can be taken away.

Bassinets can be used for babies from birth until four months, or until they are too large. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they provide the closeness to parents that some infants need during their first few months. They also come in smaller sizes which makes them a good alternative if you're not sure what type of bedding your child will prefer.

Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be followed to ensure the safety of your child. There shouldn't be a gap greater than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress and slats shouldn't be sagging or missing. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard because this could trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk of death by suffocation.

Cribs can be purchased in a variety of styles and finishes, and some have integrated changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful for breastfeeding moms in the future, since it allows you to nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short of space or have a tight budget you can still find cribs with the essentials.

If you are willing to invest a little more, you can buy cribs that can be converted into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs and are a great option for parents who don't want to purchase a new one every time their child outgrows the old one.

Style

When you're looking for the perfect crib, take into consideration the design of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. If the style of your home is in one particular direction, such as modern or rustic it is possible to pick a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with a wide variety of unique designs and shapes.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. Initially, they were simple cradles that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety evolved and stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. The cribs of today come with features such as sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's well-being and safety.

There are cribs that include with a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the infant stage. This kind crib is not recommended cribs for babies who are able to stand or climb. It could make it easier to get out.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for infants, while the lower one is recommended cribs before your baby begins to sit or roll in bed, which usually happens by the time they are a year old.

The mattress of a crib can be set on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing springs made of metal, as this is considered to be more durable than wooden slats which can break or become loose over the course of time. The base should be tight and firm to stop the air from circulating around the mattress. This could create the risk of suffocation for infants.

If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib as long as you can, then think about a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to allow the transition from the regular bed more straightforward, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Whatever style or design you choose it's crucial to look for cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, examine the crib's frame to see whether there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you're contemplating buying an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will lower the risk of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, ensure that the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small could pose dangerous, as your baby could be trapped between the mattress and headboard or the sides of the crib.

Some reports of nonfatal incidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or the footboard and head that create entrapment risks and infants slipping into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets, which pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to be afflicted with burns, rashes and other health issues.

Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to be a contributing factor 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 typically leads to an influx of new things including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to adolescence easier for your child and family. These conversion kits can be purchased for many brands of best cots for newborns. They also come with an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.

It is crucial to select the right mattress for your child's crib whether it's a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure they have a comfortable sleeping. You can choose from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select an innerspring mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that meets the federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.

If your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. You should do this before your child turns two to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child is comfortable. Once you have your crib mattress and kit It will take two people less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into a full-size or 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 in which the crib is. Involving your child in the transition by giving them a choice of toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular basis can help them adapt to the new arrangement of sleeping.

A crib that can be converted to a full size bed is an excellent way to extend the life of your investment. It also offers an extra bed for your child. Conversion kits are available in various styles to match other furniture and are compatible with a wide range of mattresses such as twin or full size.