Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the life of your baby. A crib allows them to develop the habit of sleeping independently, and it keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are many types of cribs, each with varying dimensions styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe and easy to use and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a bed specifically designed for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's bed and offer a safe place to sleep for your infant. Some cribs have wheels that allow them to be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to reduce the chance of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable space similar to the birthing womb.
Some parents will want to keep their child in the crib as long as they can, while others might be ready change them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child's first year until they reach 18 months old, or they can be taken away.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months or until they are too big. These are smaller cribs that are smaller and more compact. They can offer the closeness and comfort parents infants require in their early years. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great alternative if you're not certain which bedding type your child would prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be followed for the safety of your child. There should be no gap larger than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be loose or absent. Additionally, the bed should not be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard, since they can trap a child's head or legs and increase the risk of suffocation.
Cribs can be bought in various styles and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs can be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby in the crib. If best crib newborn limited on space or have a limited budget you can still find cribs that include the essentials.
If you have more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds, and even daybeds and sofas. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal choice for parents who don't need to buy a new crib every time their child outgrows their crib they have.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. If the design of your home reflects a particular direction like rustic or contemporary then you might want to choose one that matches the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or bright finishes, and with an array of distinctive designs and shapes.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for babies. They were initially simple cribs that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety developed and cribs became stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs are made with features like solid construction, the proper spacing of slats and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.
For best crib for newborn of use, you can also find cribs with a changing table and shelving unit. This type crib is not suitable for babies who are able to stand or climb. It could make it easier to get out.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for infants. The lower position is best used when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.
The crib's mattress can be set on a single piece of board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal because it is considered to be more durable than wood slats that can be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base must be secure and firm to stop excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could pose a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as you can, then consider a 4-in-1 crib that can be transformed into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to make the transition to a regular bed easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It's important to choose 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. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its 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 buy a mattress for your child's crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. A mattress that is either too large or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 deaths 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 involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or head and footboard that pose entrapment hazards as well as infants who roll onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets that pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are overheated which causes infants to be afflicted with burns, rashes and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will ensure a safe sleep and stop breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. There is no epidemiological proof that breathable crib mattresses decrease the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new things, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for various kinds of cribs, and generally come with a headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for an environment that is healthier.
Whether you opt for convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is important to buy the right mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's rest. Choose between 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 a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with the federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
When your child is ready to move from the crib, you will have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns 2 to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child is comfortable. Once you have your crib mattress and kit in place it should take two people less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into an adult size bed.
You can make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Engaging your child in the transition by giving them a choice of favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular time can help them adapt to the new bed arrangement.
A crib that converts to a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the lifespan of your investment. It also provides an extra bed for your child. Conversion kits are available in many designs to match furniture and can be used with a wide variety of mattresses such as twin or full size.