Choosing cribs beds [Read the Full Write-up] For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential part of your baby’s life. A crib can aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety at night.

There are a variety of cribs that come in different dimensions, styles and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure, simple to use, and aesthetically pleasing.

Size

A crib is a bed that is specifically designed for infants and babies. 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 come with wheels, which allows them to be moved around the house. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to that of the mother's womb.

While many parents would like their children to stay in their cribs for as long as possible, some will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed faster than others. The most common crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or be removed.

There are also bassinets that can be used from birth to four months or until the baby becomes too large for it. They are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in their early months. They also are smaller and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure what type of bedding your child would prefer.

To ensure the safety of your child, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. For instance, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be missing or loose. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this could entrap the child's legs or head and increase the chance of the child to suffocate.

Cribs can be purchased in various styles and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs can be very convenient as you can feed your baby in the crib. However, if you are limited in space and have a an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that only have the bare essentials.

If you are willing to pay a little more, you can buy cribs that can be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are called 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a great choice for parents who don't want another one each time their child is out of the old one.

Style

If you are in the market for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. If the style of your home is in an inclination, such as rustic or contemporary, you may want to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or colorful finishes, and in an array of distinctive shapes and styles.

Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary, designs changed to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like solid construction, a proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety and well-being.

You'll also find cribs that combine shelves or a changing table unit for convenience during the newborn stage. However, it's not recommended to use this kind of crib if your child is ready to stand up or climb because it can make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for infants, while the lower setting should be used before your baby begins to sit or roll in bed, which usually occurs by the time they are a year old.

The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single piece of board, a grid of wood slats or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame since it's more sturdy than wooden slats which can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib so that 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 you can, then consider a 4-in-1 crib that converts into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed. They usually have removable rails to make the transition to the regular bed more straightforward, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Whatever style or design you select regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, look over 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 purchase an additional crib mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will lower the risk of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small could be risky, since your baby could get caught between the mattress and the headboard or the sides of the crib.

Some reports of nonfatal incidents which include 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents include a variety hazards, like gaps between the crib mattress and the side, or between the footboard and head which can lead to trapping. Infants may also roll on the mattress, or be trapped between it and the wall or headboard.

Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, thought to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

If you are adding an infant to your family, you will likely need to buy many new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to nursery furniture. The purchase of cribs that transform into toddler cot beds or full size beds can save you money on furniture and make the transition to the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits can be purchased for many brands of cots. They also come with the headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have very low chemical emissions, resulting in an environment that is healthier.

It is crucial to select the best infant cribs mattress for Cot Sets your child's crib whether it's an adjustable crib or a standard crib. This will ensure that they have an uncomfortably sleep. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that are available in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. For safety, choose the mattress made of foam that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.

When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll need to purchase an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have this in place before your child turns two years old to ensure the transition goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the new transition. After your crib mattress and 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 a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor the same, and putting the bed into the room in which the crib is. Getting your child involved in the transition by offering them a selection of their favorite 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 an adult-sized bed is an excellent way to extend the time-to-value of your investment. It also gives you a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs come in various styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on many different types of mattresses, including twin and full size.