Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an important aspect of the life of your baby. A crib will aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you and your baby safe during the night.

There are a variety of cribs that come in different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure and easy to use and in line with the latest design trends.

Size

A crib is a bed that is made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs available, but all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are on wheels, which allows them to be moved around the home. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment similar to that of the womb.

While many parents may want their children to remain in their cribs as long as possible however, some parents will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until your child is 18 months old older or is capable of climbing out.

Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth to four months or until they are too big. These are smaller, more compact cribs that can offer the closeness and comfort to parents some infants require in their early months. They are also more compact, making them a good alternative if you're not sure which bedding type your child will prefer.

To ensure your child's safety, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. 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 loose or missing. The bed should not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this can trap the child's legs or head and increase the chance of death by suffocation.

There are cribs available in a variety of designs and colors. Some even come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. These are especially useful for breastfeeding moms and allowing you to nurse your baby while still in the crib. If you're short of space or have a small budget, you can still find cribs that include the basic necessities.

If you have a bit more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that will expand with your child to toddler beds and even sofas and daybeds. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be an ideal option for parents who don't wish to purchase another crib every time their child outgrows their current one.

Style

When you're looking for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. You might want to choose an option that fits the overall theme of your home, regardless of whether it's modern or rustic. There are many crib options in natural wood or colorful colors, and with a wide variety of unique designs and shapes.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety grew, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like solid construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all prioritizing your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.

To make life easier For convenience, you can also locate cribs with shelves and a changing table unit. This type of crib is not recommended for infants who are not yet ready to stand or climb. It could make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for infants. The lower position is recommended when your child can sit up or lie down in the bed. This is usually at the age of one year.

The crib's mattress can be perched on a one-piece board, a grid of wood slats 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 can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib, so that it does not allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possible risk of suffocation for infants.

If you are planning to keep your baby cot online in the crib as long as you can, look into a 4-in-1 bed that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, daybed and eventually a full size bed. They usually come with rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib a regular mattress easier. They also often come with adjustable levels for the mattress.

Safety

It's important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, irrespective of the style and design you choose. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. These certifications can be found on the packaging of the crib or in the description. Also, look over 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 a new mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will help reduce the chance of accidental suffocation, which is the most common cause of sudden infant cot bed death syndrome. Make sure that the mattress fits snugly into the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small can be dangerous, as your baby may get trapped between the mattress and the headboard or sides of the crib.

There are reports of accidents that are not fatal which include 21 deaths identified in the NPR, and two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, are based on a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or head and footboard that create entrapment risks; infants rolling onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets, which pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.

Certain manufacturers are now selling "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage the safety of sleep and stop breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, thought to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no epidemiological proof that breathable crib mattresses decrease the risk for SIDS.

Conversion

Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of models of cribs and usually come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.

Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib it is crucial to choose the right mattress so that your child gets a good night's rest. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that come in various sizes to suit your needs. Select a mattress that is at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness or an innerspring bed that is in compliance with the safety standards of the federal government.

If your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is best cot newborn to have it installed before your child turns two to ensure the process goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the transition. Once you have your crib mattress and kit It will take less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.

Certain things can 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 space as their crib. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and urging them to sleep at a regular schedule can help them to adjust.

A crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs through their teens. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in a variety of designs to complement your other furniture pieces and can be used on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.