Choosing Baby beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the life of your baby. A crib will help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you and your baby safe in the evening.
There are a variety of cribs, all with varying sizes styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a compact bed made for infants and toddlers. There are a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's bed and offer a safe place to sleep for your child. Some cribs are on wheels so they can be moved around the house. They are generally designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a comfortable and supportive environment similar to that of the womb.
Some parents will want to keep their baby in the crib as long as they can, whereas others might be ready to move to a toddler's crib sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child's first year until they reach 18 months old, or they can be removed.
Bassinets can be used by infants from birth to four months, or until they are large. These are smaller cribs that are smaller and more compact. They can provide the closeness and comfort parents infants require during their early years. They are also more mobile which makes them a desirable alternative if you're not sure about what type of bedding you will prefer for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines that must be followed for the safety of your child. There should be no gap larger than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be missing or loose. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this could entrap the child's head or legs and increase the chance of the child to suffocate.
Cribs can be bought in different designs and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful if you plan on breastfeeding, as it will enable you to nurse your baby while in the crib. If, however, you are short on space and have the funds to purchase a crib you can find cribs that have only the bare essentials.
If you are willing to pay a little more you can purchase cribs that can be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They are a good choice for parents who don't wish to purchase a new crib every time their child outgrows their crib they currently have.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the design of your home is in a particular direction such as modern or rustic it is possible to pick one that matches the overall theme. There are many cribs available in a variety of shapes and styles and with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping areas for infants. They were initially cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety evolved and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs come with features such as sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.
For ease of use, you can also find cribs with a changing table and shelving unit. It's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb as 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 one should be used prior to when your baby learns to roll or sit up in bed, which typically happens before they reach the age of a year.
The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame as it is more stable than wood slats, which may break or loosen with time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib so it does not allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a potential suffocation risk for infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib as long as you can, consider a 4-in-1 crib that converts into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib a regular mattress less difficult. They also come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
Whatever design or style you pick it's crucial to look for cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, examine the crib's frame to determine whether there are any paint or wood flaws that could be dangerous 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 chance of accidental death due to inhalation. Make sure that the mattress fits comfortably within the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small can be dangerous, as your baby may get trapped between the mattress and the crib sides or headboard.
There are reports of non-fatal incidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the headboard or wall; pillows and blankets posing suffocation risks; and mattresses that are overheated which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will ensure a safe sleep and stop breathing in your baby's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
When you add a new baby to your family, you'll likely have to purchase many new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. Investing in cribs that convert to 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 bought for many brands of cots, and come with the headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemical to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
Whether you opt for convertible cribs or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the right mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. You can pick between foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. To ensure your safety, pick the mattress made of foam that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
When your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will require a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have it installed before your child turns two to ensure that the process is smooth and your child is comfortable with the transition. Once you have your crib and mattress kit It should take two people less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.
You can make the transition from a crib the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Getting your child involved in the transition process by giving them a choice of favorite stuffed animals or toys 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 converts into a full-size bed is a great way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also provides an extra bed for your child. The conversion kits for these cribs are available in various designs to complement your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on numerous types of mattresses, including twin and full size.