Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential aspect of the life of your baby. A crib can aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you and your baby safe at night.

There are many different types of cribs, each with varying sizes styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, simple to use and in line with the latest design trends.

Size

A crib is a bed specifically designed for infants and babies. There are many different types of cribs, but they are all smaller than a toddler's bed, and offer a safe place to sleep for your infant cot bed. Some cribs come with wheels, which allows them to be moved around the house. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfy and safe environment that is similar to that of the baby's womb.

While many parents may want their children to remain in their cribs for as long as they can however, some parents will be ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most popular 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 taken away.

Bassinets can be used for infants from birth to four months or until they are large. These are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can provide the closeness to parents that some infants need in the early years. They are also more compact which makes them a good alternative if you're not certain what type of bedding your child would like.

Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines that must be followed to ensure the safety of your child. For instance, there should be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats should not be missing or loose. The bed should not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard because this could trap the child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.

Cribs are available in a variety of designs and finishes, and some include changing tables and shelving units. These are especially useful for breastfeeding moms, as it will enable you to nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short of space or have a tight budget, you can still find cribs that include all the necessities.

If you have a little more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that can be adapted to grow with your child into toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are referred to as cots 4 tots-in-1 cribs. They can be a great choice for parents who don't want an entirely new crib each time their child grows out of the old crib.

Style

When choosing a crib, take into consideration its style and design in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. It is possible to pick an option that fits the overall style of your home, whether rustic or contemporary. There are a variety of cribs available in a variety of designs and shapes that come with natural wood or color finishes.

Cribs are safe sleeping places for infants. They were initially simple cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety increased and the need for a stationary crib became standard, and designs were adapted to provide better protection against accidents or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.

You'll also find cribs that include a changing table or shelving unit for ease in the early stages of infanthood. However, it's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand or climb, as it could make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for newborns. The lower position is best used when your baby is able to sit up or roll in bed. This typically happens at the age of one year.

The mattress of a crib can be perched 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 as it is more stable than wood slats which can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be sturdy and tightly fitted to the crib so it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possible risk of suffocation for infants.

If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib as long as you can, think about a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature removable rails to allow the transition from an adult bed much easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Regardless of the style or design you select, it's essential to look for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. 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 the description. Also, check the crib frame to see whether there are any paint or wood flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.

If you plan to buy a new crib mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will decrease the risk of death by accident due to suffocation. Also, ensure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small could be risky for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.

There are reports of accidents that are not fatal, including 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, involve a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or footboard, which can cause entrapment dangers; infants rolling into or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot, causing infants to be afflicted with burns, rashes and other health issues.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to ensure a safe sleep and prevent rebreathing or breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk for SIDS.

Conversion

When you add the addition of a new child to your family, you will likely need to buy a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to nursery furniture. Making the investment in cribs that convert into toddler mini cot 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 models of cribs and usually come with a headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low chemical emissions for a healthier indoor environment.

No matter if you choose a convertible crib or a standard crib, it is essential to purchase the right mattress so that your child gets a good night's rest. You can pick from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. For safety, choose the mattress made of foam that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that meets the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.

When your child is ready to move from the crib, you will have to buy a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have this in place before your child turns two to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the transition. Once you have your crib mattress and kit, it will take less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into an adult size bed.

You can make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is located. Getting your child involved in the transition by offering them a selection of their favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular basis can help them adapt to the new bed arrangement.

A crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment, and provide an additional bed for your child throughout their teenage years. The conversion kits available for these cribs are available in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and are suitable for numerous types of mattresses, including twin and full size.