Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One

The best crib sets come with everything you require for your baby to sleep soundly from the first day. They are pre-shrunk and washable. They are designed to fit comfortably around the mattress, without bunching - a major danger for infants.

One parent testigator said that she had used hers for two babies and then passed it on to a different friend. This makes it a good investment. Its sleek design makes it a good option for nursery cots spaces that are minimalist.

Bedding

When it concerns crib bedding, there are plenty of options. It's not just about picking the right pattern that fits your style. You also want to ensure that the sheet is tightly fitted and doesn't bunch up in areas where it could pose a choking hazard for your child. It must also be soft to the touch and durable enough to endure months of diaper blowouts and spit-up spills without wearing out too quickly.

One of our favorites is this Avocado set, which contains two sheets made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and MADE SAFE-certified. This is an independent third-party certification that guarantees Avocado's fabrics meet strict standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to ensure that they don't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets can be washed in the machine to remove the inevitable mess your little bundle will make.

Another great option for infants and toddlers is a crib mattress pad, that adds a layer of comfort and protects the mattress against accidents and staining. Select a mattress cover that is less than one inch thick to let your child breathe. Avoid anything too fluffy, or with long ribbons, bows, and other adornments. They can fall off and pose a strangulation hazard.

You should consider buying an adjustable crib if you intend to keep your baby in the crib for a long time. These beds usually convert to a toddler bed, and sometimes, to a full-size or daybed as well. Some cribs come with the necessary conversion kits included, but others require a purchase.

This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 sleigh crib is one of our top rated cots picks. It's made of solid wood and comes with one of the highest mattress heights (for parents worried about reaching an unattractive mattress). We love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets the strictest environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.

Mattress

When it is about crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are important. The AAP suggests using a firm mattress that is comfortable and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should be of the proper size for the crib and should remain in place after your child has grown out of it.

You'll also want to check whether the mattress has chemicals that may harm your child. Find a mattress that is free of volatile organic compound (VOCs) which release an unpleasant chemical smell. A good indication is a CertiPUR-US certificate which confirms that the foam used in a mattress is made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, other heavy metals, formaldehyde phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.

Other things to consider are the mattress's weight and whether or not it's waterproof. You'll likely be dealing with changes to sheets at night So having a surface that is waterproof or wipeable will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the heaviest of the bunch we tested at 20 lbs which could be a problem for some parents.

A mattress with two sides may have one side that is firm for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress when they reach the height of normal growth. This is typically at around 12 months.

When we tested crib mattresses, we examined their weight and how they folded and moved to dress the sides with sheets. We also put a weight of 8 pounds which was slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby on each mattress to determine how it reacted. The best ones did not sink, which means that they provide enough support to keep your child from falling out of the mattress while sleeping or drowning. Some of the mattresses we tried have a removable, machine-washable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them simpler.

Crib Rails

A crib would not be complete without the proper set of rails fixed. Some furniture companies for babies provide baby rails in the crib. Others offer them separately. If you choose to buy the rails separately, ensure that they meet all safety standards. For instance, they must be free of missing or loose screws, brackets and other hardware. They must also be able to support the weight of your child without becoming too flimsy. They should also be able lock securely in place to ensure that they are not removed from your child.

The right crib rails will not only be sturdy, they should be able to fit snugly into the crib frame. This will keep the mattress from being too flimsy, which can be dangerous for your baby. When buying crib rails, be sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame as there are slight variations in crib sizes. Ideally, the space should be no more than three fingers wide.

It is also important to ensure that the crib rails are free of cut-outs with decorative designs and other adornments that could pose dangers to suffocate your child. Avoid placing pillows blankets, blankets, quilts, and sheepskins in the crib because they can cause the carbon dioxide build-up and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. Consider a crib pad and cover to provide a comfortable sleeping mattress for your baby. These are comprised of a mattress pad made of waterproof material and a fitted "skirt" that can be positioned around the mattress just like a fitted sheet.

Finally, you'll need find the best crib rail guards. These are designed to protect the baby's head when it comes into contact with the crib railings when you feed him or her or cradling them on the infant cot bed. They also help to prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's fixed railings.

As your baby grows out of the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to keep your child safely in the bed until they're ready to move on to a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will fit on most cribs that are standard. It is easy to install and meets CPSC safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Certain crib design elements are only aesthetic and subject to personal taste, but others -- such as the style of the slats that are on the crib or whether it converts into a toddler bedcan have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib as well as its durability. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood construction, comply with numerous safety standards, and are easily adaptable to various mattress heights. Some have special features that make them more useful such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to change the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.

In general, you should avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other embellishments that could snag on clothes or pose a choking risk for infants. Be sure to check the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other items that could snag on clothing or other objects.

The most effective crib sets come with easy-to-follow directions and all the necessary components, like hardware. Modern cribs can be assembled within a half-hour or less, and the majority include all the necessary tools.

You may also want to think about a convertible crib that could transform into a daybed for toddlers, a toddler bed, or full-size Mini Cot Bed. This is a great buy for families that plan to keep the crib for a number of years or have a little space in their homes. It is important to remember, though, that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the conversion.

It can be difficult to understand crib hardware, but it is vital for security and stability. Most cribs are equipped with a system of rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and big chocks referred to as step chocks, all of which are designed to snug up contact points between the crib and its support surface.

Some shims and chocks are made from soft woods that break slowly, which can provide audible warnings before they fail as more robust wood materials can break up suddenly and with more force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available for purchase. They are simpler to install, as they don't require drilling into the surface.