Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential part of your baby’s life. A crib allows them to develop the habit of sleeping independently, and also keeps you and your baby safe at night.

There are a myriad of cribs with different dimensions, styles 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 tiny bed designed for infants and toddlers. There are many types of cribs, however all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are equipped with wheels that let them be moved from room to room, Cribs Beds and most are designed to minimize the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment similar to the womb.

Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib as long as they can, whereas others may be ready to move them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child's first year up until they are 18 months old, or they can be removed.

Bassinets are suitable for infants from birth to four months or until they become too large. They are smaller and less bulky than cribs, yet they offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They are also more compact which makes them a good alternative if you're not certain what kind of bedding your child will prefer.

To ensure your child's safety, 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 loose or missing. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this can trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk for the child to suffocate.

There are cribs available in many different styles and finishes. Some even come with integrated shelves or changing tables. These can be particularly convenient if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to breastfeed your baby while 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 little more money, you can find cribs that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds, and even daybeds and sofas. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal option for parents who do not want to invest in another crib every time their child outgrows the crib they have.

Style

When choosing a crib, consider its style in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. It is possible to pick a crib that matches the overall theme of your home, whether rustic or contemporary. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or bright colors, and with many unique designs and shapes.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. At first, they were just cradles that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety developed and cribs became more stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide better protection against falls or Cribs Beds entrapment. Today's cribs include features like solid construction, a proper spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards 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 in the early stages of infanthood. It's not recommended to use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand or climb because it can 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 newborns, and the lower position should be used before your baby learns to sit up or roll in bed, which typically happens before they are a year old.

The mattress can be set on a single-piece wooden board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect, and Baby Cot Bargains, recommend a metal spring frame because it is more durable than wooden slats, which may be loosened or broken over time. The base should be firm and firm to stop excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could cause an hazard of suffocation to infants.

If you plan to keep your Baby beds in the crib for as long as is possible, think about a 4-in-1 crib that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, daybed and eventually a full size bed. They usually have rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition from an adult bed much easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It is important to choose top ranked cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, irrespective of the style and design you select. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity to ASTM International standards. These certifications can be found on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to see whether there are any paint or wood imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you are planning to purchase an additional mattress for your baby's crib opt for the most sturdy one you can find. This will decrease the risk of death by accident due to the suffocation. Make sure that the mattress fits snugly within the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small could be risky, since your baby may get trapped between the mattress and the headboard or the sides of the crib.

There are reports of non-fatal incidents, including 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib side or the footboard and head that can cause entrapment dangers as well as infants who roll into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets that pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot, causing infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and stop breathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs which convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cots, and come with an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit a low amount of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.

If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib it is important to buy the right mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. Choose from foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different sizes to meet your requirements. For safety, choose an innerspring mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for cribs and toddler beds.

If your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will have to buy a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have it in place before your child turns two years old to ensure the process is smooth and your child will be comfortable with the new transition. Once you have your crib mattress and kit in place it will take two people less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into a full-size or toddler bed.

A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child, including keeping the bedding and bedroom decor constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Offering your child a selection of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep at a regular schedule can help them adjust.

A crib that can be converted to a full size bed is a great option to prolong the lifespan of your investment. It also gives you a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits for these cribs are available in various designs to complement your furniture pieces and can be used on various types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.