Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of your baby’s life. small cot beds allows them to establish the habit of sleeping independently, and it also keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are many types of cribs, each with different sizes, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure, simple to use, and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a small bed that is designed for infants and toddlers. There are a variety of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your baby. Some cribs are equipped with wheels that let them be moved from room to and are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable space similar to the womb.
Some parents would prefer to keep their child in the crib as long as they can, whereas others may be ready to move them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most common type of crib is a standard crib, that can be used from birth until your child is around 18 months older or is capable of climbing out.
Bassinets can be used by infants from birth to four months or until they are big. They are smaller, more compact cribs that provide the intimacy and comfort to parents some infants require in the early years. They are also more compact, making them a good option if you're not sure which bedding type your child will prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be followed for the safety of your child. For example, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats should not be loose or missing. In addition, the bed should not have cutouts in the headboard or footboard because they could restrict a child's head or legs and increase the risk of suffocation.
Cribs are available in different styles and finishes, and some include changing tables and shelving units. These are especially useful for breastfeeding moms and allowing you to nurse your baby while still in the crib. If you're short on space and have an extremely limited budget there are cribs that just feature the bare essentials.
If you're willing pay a little more you can purchase cribs that can be converted into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want to buy an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the old crib.
Style
When you're looking for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. If the design of your home reflects one particular direction like rustic or contemporary, you may want to choose one that matches the overall theme. There are many crib options in natural wood or bright colors, and with many unique designs and shapes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping areas for infants. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety developed and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials, all prioritizing your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.
There are cribs that include shelves or a changing table unit to make it easier for parents during the infant stage. It's not recommended that you use this type of crib if your child is ready to stand or climb as it can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for newborns, and the lower position is recommended before your baby learns 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 one-piece board, a wood-slat grid 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 may be loosened or broken over time. The base should be tight and firm to stop excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could pose a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib for as long as possible then consider a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into a toddler's bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually have rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition to an adult bed much easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that meet strict safety standards, regardless of the style or design you choose. 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, check the crib frame to see if there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you're looking to purchase a mattress for your child's crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of death by accident due to the suffocation. Also, ensure that the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small can be a hazard, as your baby could be trapped between the mattress and the headboard or sides of the crib.
Some reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified in the NPR and two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, involve a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, like gaps between the mattress and the side or between the footboard and head which can lead to entrapment. Infants may be able to roll onto the mattress or get trapped between it and the headboard or the wall.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and will prevent breathing or rebreathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome a new baby to your family, you'll likely have to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys 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 as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for many kinds of cribs, and generally include a headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit low emissions of chemicals, which makes for a healthier indoor environment.
It is essential to choose the right mattress for your child's crib whether it's an adjustable crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they have an enjoyable sleeping. You can pick from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in different sizes to meet your requirements. Choose a foam mattress at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness or an innerspring bed that is in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government.
When your child is ready to move from the crib, you'll require a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended that you have it in place before your child turns two years old to ensure the transition goes smoothly and your child is at ease with the new transition. Once you have your crib mattress and kit in place, it will take less than 30 minutes to transform 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 the same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is located. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and urging them to sleep on a regular basis can help them to adjust.
A crib that converts into a full-size bed is a great way to prolong the life of your investment. It also provides a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits available for these cribs are available in different designs to complement your other furniture pieces and can be used on various types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.