Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial aspect of the life of your baby. A crib will help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety at night.
There are many types of cribs, all with different dimensions styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a bed designed for babies and infants. There are many types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide 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 reduce the risk of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment that is similar to the womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, while others may be ready to change to a toddler's crib sooner. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib, that can be used from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or is capable of climbing out.
There are also bassinets which can be used from newborn to four months or until the baby is large for it. These are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can 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 will prefer.
Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines that must be followed in order to protect your child. For instance, there must be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats shouldn't be missing or loose. Also the bed shouldn't be fitted with cutouts in the footboard or headboard, since they can restrict a child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in a variety of styles and finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. These can be particularly convenient if you plan on breastfeeding in the future, since it allows you to nurse your baby while still in the crib. However, if you are limited in space and have a a limited budget there are cribs that only have the essentials.
If you have a little more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that will develop with your child into toddler beds, or even sofas and daybeds. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal option for parents who do not need to buy an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the current one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, consider its style and design in relation to the style of the nursery. If the design of your home is influenced by an inclination such as rustic or contemporary then you might want to pick the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are numerous crib options in natural wood or bright colors, and with many unique designs and shapes.
Cribs are safe places to sleep for infants. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety developed and cribs became stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. The cribs of today are built with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats and non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that combine with a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the infant stage. This type crib is not recommended for infants who are not yet ready to climb or stand. It can 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 setting works well for babies. The lower position is best used when your baby can sit up or roll in bed. This usually happens around the age of a 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 metal spring frame as it is more sturdy than wooden slats that can break or become loose over time. The base must be secure and firm to stop air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause the risk of suffocation for infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as you can, think about a crib that can be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually have rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition from a regular bed easier, and they often have 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 are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. best infant cribs are available on the packaging of the crib or in the description. In addition, inspect the crib's frame for defects in the wood or paint that could pose a risk to your baby.
If you are planning to purchase a new crib mattress for your baby's bed opt for the most sturdy one you can find. This will help reduce the chance of accidental suffocation which is the most common cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly inside the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents which include 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents include a variety hazards, like gaps between the mattress and the side or between the footboard and the head that could cause trapping. Infants could also roll onto the mattress or become trapped between the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote the safety of sleep and stop rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
The addition of a baby to your family can result in an influx of new items including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs which transform into toddler beds or full size beds can save you money on furniture and make the transition to childhood easier for both your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of kinds of cribs, and generally include a headboard and a footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have low emissions of chemicals, which makes for a healthier indoor environment.
If you decide to go with a convertible crib or a standard crib it is important to buy the right mattress so that your child has a comfortable night's sleep. You can pick from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in different sizes to suit your needs. To ensure your safety, pick a foam mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that meets the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.
You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed when your child is ready to move on to an additional bed. You should do this before your child turns 2 to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child is comfortable. After your crib mattress and conversion kit is in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes with two people.
You can make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is. Engaging your child 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 at a regular time will help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that is able to transform into a bed that is full size is a great option to prolong the life of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs throughout their teenage years. The conversion kits available for these cribs come in different designs to complement your furniture pieces and are suitable for numerous types of mattresses, including twin and full size.