20 Reasons To Believe Crib Sets Will Never Be Forgotten
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best crib sets come with everything you need for your infant to sleep peacefully from the first day. They're pre-shrunk, machine washable and designed to fit snugly around the mattress without bunching - a major safety hazard for babies.
One tester for parents stated that she used hers for two babies and then passed it on to a friend, making it a smart purchase. Its sleek design makes it a great option for smaller nursery spaces.
Bedding
There are a lot of choices when it comes to bedding for your crib. But choosing the right sheet is more than just picking a cute pattern to be in line with your preferences. You need to find one that fits snugly and doesn't bunch up in areas where it could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. It should also be soft to the touch and durable enough to withstand months of blowouts in diapers and spit-up without wearing out too fast.
One of our favorites is this set from Avocado that includes two sheets that are made from 100% organic cotton that is certified by GOTS and MADE SAFE-certified, an independent third-party certification that guarantees the company's textiles meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they don't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib bed (27 1 The size of the blanket is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. They're also machine washable for the inevitable mess that your little bundle of joy is sure to make.
A crib mattress pad is a great option for babies and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort and Cribs Beds protects the mattress from accidents and stains. Find mattress pads that are less than an inch thick, so your child is able to breathe easily. Avoid anything too fluffy, or with long ribbons, bows and other adornments. These could fall off and pose the risk of strangulation.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, consider buying a convertible crib. These small cot beds can be converted into a toddler bed, and sometimes even a full-size or daybed. Some cribs come with necessary conversion kits included, but others require a separate purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 crib is one of our favorites. It's made of solid wood and comes with one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who worry about reaching the mattress from a low position). We love that it's also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets the strictest environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are crucial when it comes to crib mattress. The AAP recommends a firm mattress that is comfortable and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put the sheet over it. The mattress must also be the correct size for the crib, and it should remain in place--even after your baby is old enough to leave it.
It is also important to determine whether the mattress is made up of chemicals that may harm your child. Look for mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which often emit an unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a positive sign. It certifies that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals.
Other aspects to consider are the mattress's weight and whether or not it is waterproof. You'll likely have to deal with changing sheets at night and an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the largest of the bunch we tested at 20 pounds which could be a problem for some parents.
Another important thing to consider is whether the mattress is dual-sided. Some come with a firm infant side and a soft toddler side. Pediatricians suggest flipping your child's mattress when they reach the height of normal growth. This usually occurs at around 12 months.
We measured the mattresses and then observed how they were able to fold easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put the weight of 8 pounds which was slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby on each mattress to determine how it reacted. The top rated cots mattresses did not sink in and therefore provide enough support to keep your child from falling out of the mattress while sleeping or suffocate. Some of the mattresses we tested had a cover that is machine washable and is water-proof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them simpler.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without a set of fixed rails. Some furniture companies for babies offer baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you decide to purchase them on their own, make sure they meet the safety standards. They should, for instance, be free of loose screws, brackets, or other hardware. They must also be able to support the weight of your child without being too fragile. They should also be able to be secured in a secure way so they can't be taken away by your child.
The best crib rails will not only be strong, they should also fit snuggly within the frame of the crib. This will keep the mattress from becoming fragile and could be hazardous for your child. When buying crib rails, make sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame, as there are slight variations in the size of cribs. Ideally, the space should be no more than three fingers wide.
You should also make sure that the crib rails don't have any decorative cutouts or other ornaments. These can pose a suffocation risk. It is also recommended to avoid putting pillows blankets, blankets, quilts, and sheepskins in the crib since they can contribute to the build-up of carbon dioxide and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. If you're looking to add a soft sleep surface in the crib, consider a crib cover-and-pad combination. The products comprise mattress pads with an elongated waterproof lining as well as an adjustable "skirt" that stretches around the mattress like an oversized sheet.
You'll also need to make sure that you have the right crib rail guards. They are designed to protect the head of your child if it hits the crib railings when you feed him or her or cradling them on the bed. They also can help avoid teeth marks and drool discoloration on the crib's railings that are fixed.
As your baby grows out of the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to keep your child safe in the crib until they're ready for a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will work with all cribs. It's simple to install and meets all safety standards of the CPSC.
Crib Hardware
Some of the crib's design features are only aesthetic and subject to personal preference, however other features like the design of the slats that are on the crib or whether it converts into a toddler cot bed sales -can have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib and its longevity. The best cribs have solid wood construction, meet numerous safety standards, and are easily configurable to a variety of mattress heights. Certain cribs have special features that make them more useful such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to change the sheets without taking the entire mattress from the crib.
Avoid cribs with ornamental cutouts or other designs because they could get caught on clothing or pose the danger of choking babies. Also, be certain to check the crib's hardware regularly for loose bolts or other objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and create the risk of injury.
The best crib sets come with easy-to-follow directions as well as all the required parts, such as hardware. The majority of modern cribs can be put together in a half-hour or less, and the majority come with all the necessary tools.
Consider a convertible crib which can be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size mattress. This is a good option for families who plan to use the crib for a number of years or have limited space. It's important to note that some crib conversion kits require additional purchases to fully complete the process.
Crib hardware can be a bit tricky to understand however it is essential to ensure security and stability. Most cribs are equipped with an arrangement of rectangular blocks as well as wedges (also known as "shims") and big chocks referred to as step chocks, all of which are designed to ensure that contact points are secure between the crib and the supported surface.
Some shims and chocks are made from soft woods that crack slowly, which can provide warnings that sound before they fail and more rigid wood materials can break up suddenly and with greater force. Plastic shims or chocks are also available for purchase. They are much easier to install, as they do not require drilling into the surface.