The 9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a vital part of the life of your baby. A crib can aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you both safe during the night.

There are a variety of cribs of various sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, simple to use, and suitable for modern designs.

Size

A crib is a small bed that is designed for infants and babies. There are many different types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe sleeping place for your baby. Some cribs have wheels, so they can be moved around the home. They are generally designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to that of the womb.

Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib as long as they can, but others might be ready move them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib, that is suitable from birth until the time your child is 18 months old old or is capable of getting out.

Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth until four months or until they are too large. These are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They also are more portable which makes them a desirable alternative if you're not sure about what type of bedding you'd like for your child.

Both good cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines to follow in order to protect your child. There should not be a gap larger than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be loose or absent. The bed should not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard because this could trap the child's legs or head and increase the chance of death by suffocation.

Cribs are available in a variety of designs and finishes, and some have integrated changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful if you plan on breastfeeding in the future, since it allows you to nurse your baby while in the crib. However, if you are limited in space and have a an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that have only the basic necessities.

If you're willing spend a little extra, you can buy cribs that can be converted into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a great choice for parents who don't want an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the old crib.

Style

When you're looking for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. You might want to choose a crib that matches the overall style of your home, regardless of whether it's rustic or contemporary. There are numerous cribs to choose from in a variety of designs and shapes and with natural wood or color finishes.

Cribs are a safe place to sleep for babies. At first, they were cradles which could be rocked. As the concept of child safety developed and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials, all prioritizing your baby's safety and wellbeing.

You'll also find cribs that incorporate with 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 until your baby is ready to stand up or climb as it can make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for babies, and the lower one should be used prior to when your baby begins to sit up or roll in bed, which usually happens by the time they reach the age of a year.

The mattress can be set on a single-piece wooden board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains, recommend a metal spring frame since it's more sturdy than wooden slats, which may break or loosen with time. The base should be sturdy and tightly fitted to the crib so it doesn't allow air to circulate around the mattress, creating a possibility of suffocation in infants.

If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for as long as you can, think about a cots 4 tots-in-1 crib that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs usually have removable rails that make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress less difficult. They also often come with adjustable levels for the mattress.

Safety

No matter what style or design you select, it's essential to look for cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available on the crib's packaging or in the description. Also, check the crib frame to see whether there are any wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.

If you are planning to purchase an additional 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 a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. If the mattress is too big or too small could be risky for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 deaths reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents include a variety dangers, including gaps between the crib mattress and the sides, or between the footboard and the head which can lead to entrapment. Infants may also fall onto the mattress or become trapped between it and the headboard or the wall.

Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk for SIDS.

Conversion

Adding a baby to your family can result in an influx of new things such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many kinds of cribs, and generally include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.

If you decide to go with a convertible crib or a standard crib it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. You can pick from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. For safety, choose a foam mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies federal safety standards for cribs and toddler cot beds.

You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed when your child is old enough to be in an additional bed. It is best infant cribs to have it installed before your child turns two to ensure that the process goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the new transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib into 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 comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is. Getting your child involved in the transition by giving them a choice of stuffed animals or toys 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 can be converted to an adult-sized bed is a great crib way to prolong the lifespan of your investment. It also gives you an extra bed for your child. Conversion kits are available in various styles to complement other furniture and are compatible with a wide variety of mattresses such as twin or full size.