The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial aspect of the life of your baby. A crib lets them learn to sleep independently, and it keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are many types of cribs, all with different dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure and simple to use and aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs to choose from, however they are all smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that allow them to be moved from room-to-room and are designed to reduce the chance of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment similar to the mother's womb.
While many parents may want their children to stay in their cribs for as long as possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most common type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until the time your child is 18 months old older or is capable of climbing out.
There are also bassinets that can be used from birth to four months, or until the baby is too large for it. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they give parents the intimacy that some infants need in their early months. They are also more compact and therefore a great option if you're not sure which bedding type your child would like.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be followed for the safety of your child. There should not be a gap larger than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress, and slats shouldn't be missing or loose. Additionally, the bed should not have cutouts on the footboard or headboard, because they could hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
Cribs are available in a variety of styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs could be very useful as you can nurse your baby in the crib. If, however, you are not a lot of space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that only have the basic necessities.
If you have a little more money to spend, you can find cribs that can develop with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be a good choice for parents who don't wish to purchase another crib every time their child outgrows their current one.
Style
If you are in the market for the perfect crib, take into consideration the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. It is possible to pick an option that fits the overall theme of your home, whether modern or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or bright finishes, tots and cots in many unique designs and shapes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety grew, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to ensure better protection against falling or entrapment. Today's cribs include features such as sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your best baby cots's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that incorporate with a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the newborn stage. However, it's not recommended that you use this type of crib until your baby is ready to stand up or climb as 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 ideal for infants, while the lower one is recommended before your baby is able to roll or sit up in bed, which usually happens before they reach the age of a year.
The mattress can be set on a single-piece board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame because it is more durable than wooden slats that can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be sturdy and tightly fitted to the crib so that it doesn't allow air to circulate around the mattress, a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib as long as you can, look into a 4-in-1 bed which can be used as a toddler's bed, daybed, and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to allow the transition to an adult bed much easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
No matter what design or style you pick, it's essential to look for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the packaging of the crib or in the description. Also, check the crib's frame to see if there are any wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you are planning to purchase a new crib mattress for your baby's bed, go for the firmest one you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure the mattress fits snugly inside the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small can be dangerous for your baby, because they could get trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 deaths reported in the NPR, and two deaths reported during the NPR Update, involve a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib side or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets that pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, Cots 4 Tots rashes, and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome a new baby to your family, you will likely need to buy many new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds could aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for various brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for better indoor air quality.
No matter if you choose convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is essential to purchase the right mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's rest. Choose from foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different 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 is in compliance with federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
If your child is ready to move from the crib, you will need to purchase a toddler Mini Cot Bed or full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended that you have this in place before your child turns two to ensure the process is smooth and your child is comfortable with the transition. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler bed or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes with two people.
A few things can help make the transition to a toddler best cot bed more relaxing for your child, including keeping the bedroom decor and bedding uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed on a regular basis will help them settle.
A crib that converts to a full-size bed is a great way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also offers an extra bed for your child. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in various styles to match your other furniture pieces and are suitable for many different types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.