9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an important aspect of the life of your baby. A crib will help your baby develop 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 different dimensions, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.

Size

A crib is a bed made for infants and babies. There are several different types of cribs available, but they all are smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and are designed to minimize the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment that is similar to the mother's womb.

While a lot of parents want their children to remain in their cribs for as long as possible, some will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed faster than others. The most common crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or can be taken away.

There are also bassinets that can be used from newborn to four months or until the baby is large for it. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need during their first few months. They are also more portable, making them an attractive alternative if you're not sure about the kind of bedding you will prefer for your child.

Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. For instance, there must be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be missing or loose. Additionally, the bed should not be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard as these can hold a child's head and 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. If you intend to breastfeed, these top ranked cribs can be very convenient as you can nurse your baby inside the crib. However, if you are short on space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that have only the essentials.

If you have more money to spend, you can find cribs that can develop with your child into toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be an ideal option for parents who don't need to buy an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the crib they have.

Style

As you look for a crib, take into consideration its style in relation to the design of your baby cots online's nursery. It is possible to pick a crib that matches the overall theme of your home, regardless of whether it's modern or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or bright finishes, and in many unique designs and shapes.

Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to ensure better protection against falling or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all prioritizing your cheap baby cots's safety and well-being.

You'll also find cribs that combine shelves or a changing table unit for convenience in the early stages of infanthood. It's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb as it can make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs offer adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for babies, and the lower setting should be used before your baby learns to sit up or roll in bed, which usually occurs by the time they are a year old.

The crib's mattress can be positioned on a single-piece board, a grid of wood slats or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame as it is more stable than wood slats, which may break or become loose over time. The base must be secure and firm to stop air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause an hazard of suffocation to infants.

If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib as long as you can, 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 removable rails to make the transition to a regular bed easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Whatever style or design you select it's crucial to look for cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, look over the crib frame to see whether there are any paint or wood defects that could pose danger for your baby.

If you're planning to purchase a new crib mattress for your baby's crib opt for the most sturdy one you can find. This will decrease the risk of accidental death due to the suffocation. Make sure the mattress fits snugly into the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small could pose dangerous, as your baby could get caught between the mattress and headboard or the sides of the crib.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents include a variety dangers, including gaps between the mattress and the sides, or between the head and footboard, that can cause trapping. Infants can be able to roll onto the mattress or get trapped between the wall or headboard.

Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress that claim to help your baby sleep more safely and stop breathing in your baby's carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. However there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

The addition of a baby to your family can result in an influx of new items such as toys and clothes 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 baby to adulthood easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cribs and typically come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have very low chemical emissions, resulting in better indoor air quality.

If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is essential to purchase the right mattress so that your child has a comfortable night's rest. Choose from foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different sizes to suit your needs. To ensure your safety, pick a foam mattress that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.

When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll need to purchase an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended cribs that you have it installed before your child turns two to ensure the transition goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the transition. After your crib mattress and conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler bed or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes for two people.

A few things can make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, including keeping the bedding and bedroom decor consistent and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Engaging your child in the transition process by giving them a selection of their favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular basis will help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.

Having a crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is an excellent way to extend the lifespan of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs throughout their teens. The conversion kits for these cribs are available in various designs to complement the furniture pieces you have and are suitable for numerous kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.