Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the baby's life. A crib can aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you and your baby safe at night.
There are many cribs that come in different dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, easy to use, and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed designed for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's mattress and offer a safe place to sleep for your child. Some cribs come with wheels, which allows them to be moved around the home. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment like the baby's womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their child in the crib as long as they can, while others might be ready to switch to a toddler's crib sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or be taken away.
Bassinets can be used for babies from birth to four months, or until they are too large. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can give parents the intimacy that infants require during their first few months. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great option if you're not sure what type of bedding your child will prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. For instance, there should be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats shouldn't be loose or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this could entrap the child's head or legs and increase the chance of suffocation.
Cribs are available in a variety of styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs could be extremely convenient since you can feed your baby in the crib. If you're short of space or have a limited budget, you can still find cribs that include the essentials.
If you have a bit more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds, or even sofas and daybeds. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be a good choice for parents who don't need to buy a new crib every when their child grows out of the crib they have.
Style
If you are in the market for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If Cot Bed of your home is in one particular direction, such as modern or rustic then you might want to pick a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are many cribs available in various designs and shapes, with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs are safe places to sleep for infants. At first, they were cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety grew, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs were adapted to provide better protection against falling or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features such as sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety and wellbeing.
For ease of use For convenience, you can also locate cribs with a changing table and shelving unit. It's not recommended that you use this type of crib if your child is ready to stand or climb, as it could make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for infants, while the lower setting should be used prior to when your baby learns to sit or roll in bed, which usually occurs by the time they turn one year old.
The mattress can be put on a single piece of board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing springs made of metal, because it is believed to be more stable than wooden slats, which could be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be tight and firm to stop excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could create an hazard of suffocation to infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib for as long as you can, look into a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into a toddler's bed, daybed and then eventually a full size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib a regular mattress easier. They also come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, no matter the style and design you select. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the packaging of the crib or in its description. In addition, inspect the crib frame for any defects in the paint or the wood that could pose a risk to your child.
If you're planning to buy an infant's mattress for their crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will help reduce the risk of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly into the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small can be dangerous, as your baby could get caught between the mattress and crib sides or headboard.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents which include 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents include a variety hazards, such as gaps between the crib mattress and the side or between the footboard and the head, that can cause the entrapment of. Infants may also roll on the mattress, or be trapped between the wall or headboard.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress that claim to ensure a safe sleep and will prevent breathing or rebreathing in your baby's carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family can result in an increase in the number of items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adolescence easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cots, and come with the headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for better indoor air quality.
If you decide to go with a convertible crib or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the right mattress so that your child is comfortable night's rest. You can pick between foam mattress, innerspring or gel 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 satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll require a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended to do this before your child turns two to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child feels comfortable. After your crib mattress and conversion kit are in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes with two people.
A few things can make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, such as keeping the bedding and bedroom decor uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Give your child a variety of toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed at a regular schedule will help them settle.
cot beds that can transform into a bed that is full size is a great option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide an additional bed for your child through their teens. Conversion kits are available in various styles to complement other furniture and can be used with a wide range of mattresses including twin or full size.