Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an important part of your baby's life. A crib lets them develop the habit of sleeping independently, and also keeps you and your baby safe at night.

There are a variety of cribs, all with different sizes and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure, simple to use, and aesthetically pleasing.

Size

A crib is a tiny bed designed for infants and babies. There are many types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels that let them be moved from room to room and the majority are designed to lower the risk of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable environment that is similar to the womb.

While a lot of parents want their children to remain in their cribs for as long as possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or be removed.

There are bassinets too, that are suitable from the time of birth to four months, or until the baby becomes too large for it. They are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can provide the closeness to parents that some infants need during their first few months. They are also more mobile and therefore a great option if you are unsure about what type of bedding you would like for your child.

Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be followed in order to protect your child. 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 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 suffocation.

Cribs can be purchased in a variety of designs and Cot Beds finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be very convenient as you can nurse your baby in the crib. If, however, you are not a lot of space and have a limited budget you can find cribs that have only the bare essentials.

If you have a bit more money to spend, you can find cribs that will develop with your child into toddler beds, or even sofas and daybeds. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They are a good choice for parents who don't need to buy an entirely new crib each when their child grows out of the crib they have.

Style

If you are in the market for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the style of your home reflects one particular direction like modern or rustic it is possible to pick one that matches the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with a wide variety of unique designs and shapes.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping environments for babies. At first, they were just cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety grew, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to provide better protection from falls 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 baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.

You'll also find cribs that combine a changing table or shelving unit for ease in the early stages of infanthood. It's not recommended to use this kind of crib until your baby 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 works well for infants. The lower position is ideal when your baby is able to sit up or roll over in the Mini Cot Bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.

The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single piece of board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame because it is more durable than wooden slats which can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib, so that it doesn't allow air to circulate around the mattress, creating a potential suffocation risk for infants.

If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib as long as you can, then look into a crib that can be converted into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs (Read the Full Post) generally feature removable rails to facilitate the transition to the regular bed more straightforward and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Whatever design or style you pick regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. In addition, inspect the crib's frame for flaws in the paint or the wood that could pose a danger to your baby.

If you are looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation which is the most common cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Be sure that the mattress fits comfortably inside the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small could pose risky, since your baby could get caught between the mattress and the crib sides or headboard.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 deaths identified by the NPR and two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, are based on a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents can involve a range of hazards, such as gaps between the mattress and the side or between the footboard and head which can lead to trapping. Infants could also roll onto the mattress or get trapped between the headboard or the wall.

Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will promote safe sleep, and will prevent breathing or rebreathing in your Baby Crib's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. There is no epidemiological proof that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk for 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 and toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds could aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for various brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for an environment that is healthier.

No matter if you choose convertible cribs or a standard crib it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's rest. You can pick from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in different sizes to suit your needs. To ensure safety, select an innerspring mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with the federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.

You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed once your child is ready to move on to larger beds. It is best infant cribs to have it installed before your child turns two to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the new transition. After your crib mattress and conversion kit are installed, converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes when you have two people.

It is possible to make the transition from a crib the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor 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 selection of their favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis will help them adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.

A crib that can convert to a full-size bed is a great crib option to prolong the life of your investment and provide an additional bed for your child through their teens. The conversion kits available for these cribs are available in various styles to match your furniture pieces and can be used on many different types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.