The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a crucial element of your baby's development. A crib can aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you and your baby safe in the evening.

There are a variety of cribs that come in different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe and simple to use and aesthetically pleasing.

Size

A crib is a small bed designed for infants and toddlers. There are many types of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler bed and offer an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels so they can be moved around the home. They are generally designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment similar to that of the mother's womb.

Some parents will want to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, whereas others may be ready to switch to a toddler's crib sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child's first year up until they are 18 months old, or be removed.

Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months or until they become too large. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they give parents the intimacy that some infants need in the early years. They also are more portable, making them an attractive option if you're unsure about the kind of bedding you'd like for your child.

To ensure the safety of your child the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. 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 loose or missing. Additionally the bed shouldn't have cutouts in the headboard or footboard, since they can hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.

You can purchase cribs in a variety of styles and finishes. Some have integrated shelves or changing tables. They are particularly useful when you are planning to breastfeed, as it will enable you to nurse your baby while in the crib. If you're not a lot of space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that just feature the bare essentials.

If you're willing pay a little more you can purchase cribs that can be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs and are a great option for parents who don't want an entirely new crib each time their child is out of the crib they have previously used.

Style

When choosing a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. If the design of your home is influenced by one particular direction, such as rustic or contemporary, you may want to select a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are many crib options in natural wood or colorful colors, and with an array of distinctive designs and shapes.

Cribs are safe sleeping places for infants. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety grew and cribs became stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer greater protection against falls and entrapment. Today's cribs are built with features like sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.

There are cribs that combine a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the infant stage. However, it's not recommended cribs to use this kind of crib if your child 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 infants. The lower position is ideal when your baby can sit up or roll over in the bed. This is usually at the age of one year.

The mattress can be put on a single-piece wooden board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame because it is more stable than wood slats, which may break or become loose over time. The base should be solid and securely attached to the crib so it does not allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a potential suffocation risk for infants.

If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib as long as you can, consider a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into an infant's bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have removable rails to allow the transition from a regular bed easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It's important to choose cribs that meet strict safety standards, no matter the style and design you select. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, check the crib's frame to see if there are any paint or wood imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you're planning to purchase an additional mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will lower the risk of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress is firmly seated in the crib. A mattress that is too big or too small can be risky, since your baby may get trapped between the mattress and crib sides or headboard.

There are reports of non-fatal incidents 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 hazards, Baby Cot like gaps between the best crib newborn mattress and the side, or between the head and footboard, that can cause trapping. Infants may be able to roll onto the mattress or become wedged between it and the wall or headboard.

Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattresses that they claim will promote safe sleep, and stop breathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

Adding 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 that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant cot bed to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemicals to create a healthier indoor environment.

It is essential to choose the right mattress for your child's crib whether it's a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure that they have an uncomfortably sleep. Choose from foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different sizes to meet your requirements. Choose a foam mattress at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with federal safety standards.

If your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will require a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child feels comfortable. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes when you have two people.

A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child, such as keeping the decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Getting your child involved in the transition by giving them a choice of favorite stuffed animals or toys 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 transform into a bed that is full size is an excellent method to prolong the life of your investment and also provide the bed your child needs through their teens. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on numerous kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.