Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential part of the life of your baby. A crib helps them establish the habit of sleeping independently, and it also keeps you both safe during the night.
There are a variety of cribs that come in different dimensions, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
mini cotbed is a bed designed for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's bed, and offer a safe place to sleep for your infant. Some cribs come with wheels, which allows them to be moved around the house. Most are designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a comfy and safe environment that is like the womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to stay in a crib for as long as is possible however, some parents will be ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or they can climb out.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months or until they become too large. These are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in the early years. They also come in smaller sizes, making them a good alternative if you're not certain what type of bedding your child would like.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow for the safety of your child. For instance, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats shouldn't be loose or missing. Also, the bed should not have cutouts in the headboard or footboard, because they could restrict a child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
You can purchase cribs in a variety of designs and colors. Some come with integrated shelves or changing tables. If you are planning to breastfeed, these cribs could be extremely convenient since you can feed your baby in the crib. If you're short of space or have a small budget you can still find cribs that include the essentials.
If you're willing spend a little extra it is possible to purchase cribs that are able to be transformed into toddler beds, daybeds or sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be an ideal option for parents who do not need to buy an entirely new crib each when their child grows out of the crib they have.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the style of the nursery. It is possible to pick one that is in line with the general theme of your home, whether contemporary or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in a variety of shapes and styles, with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are a safe place to sleep for infants. They were initially simple cradles that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.
To make life easier For convenience, you can also locate cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. This type of crib is not recommended for infants who are not yet ready to stand or climb. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for babies. The lower position is best used when your baby is able to sit up or roll in the bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.
The crib's mattress can be positioned on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal, since it is believed to be more stable than wooden slats which can break or loosen over time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate around the mattress, creating a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib as long as possible then think about a 4-in-1 crib which can be used as a toddler's bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually come with rails that are removable, making the transition from a crib to a regular mattress easier. They also come with adjustable mattress levels.
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 conformity with ASTM International standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, look over the crib frame to see if there are any paint or wood defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you are looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Be sure that the mattress fits comfortably into the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small can be dangerous, as your baby may get trapped between the mattress and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot, causing infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote safe sleep and prevent rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to contribute to SIDS. There is no epidemiological proof that breathable crib mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
A baby joining your family can result in an increase in the number of items, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to adolescence easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits are available for many models of cribs and usually include a headboard and footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for better indoor air quality.
Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's rest. You can pick from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in various sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select the mattress made of foam that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for cribs and toddler beds.
You will have to purchase a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed when your child is ready to move on to a bigger bed. You should do this before your child turns 2 to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is comfortable. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes when you have two people.
You can make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Engaging your child in the transition by giving them a selection of their 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.
Having a crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide a bed for your child through their teens. The conversion kits for these cribs come in various styles to match your furniture pieces and can be fitted on numerous types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.