Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial part of your baby's life. A crib can help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety at night.
There are a variety of cribs that come in different dimensions, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a compact bed that is designed for infants and toddlers. There are many types of cribs to choose from, however all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are equipped with wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable environment that is similar to the mother's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to remain in their cribs as long as is possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or climb out.
There are bassinets too, which can be used from newborn to four months, or until the baby becomes too large for it. These are smaller, more compact cribs that can provide the closeness and comfort parents infants require in their early years. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great alternative if you're not certain which bedding type your child would like.
To ensure the safety of your child, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. There should be no gap of more than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be loose or absent. The bed shouldn't 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.
Cribs can be bought in a variety of designs and finishes, and some have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be very useful as you can nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short on space and have an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that have only the bare essentials.
If you are willing to spend a little extra, you can buy cribs that can be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs and can be a great choice for parents who don't want to buy another one each time their child is out of the crib they have previously used.
Style
When choosing a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. You might want to choose a crib that matches the overall style of your home, regardless of whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary, designs changed to provide greater protection against falls and entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features such as sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all prioritizing your baby's safety and well-being.
To make life easier, you can also find cribs that have shelves and a changing table unit. It's not recommended to use this type of crib until your baby is ready to stand up or climb as it can make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for babies. The lower position is recommended when your baby can sit up or roll in bed. This typically happens 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 metal spring frame as it is more sturdy than wooden slats that can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be sturdy and securely attached to the crib so it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for as long as possible, then think about a crib that converts into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs usually have rails that are removable, making the transition from a crib a regular mattress easier. They also typically come with adjustable levels for the mattress.
Safety
Regardless of the design or style you pick, it's essential to look for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, check the crib's frame to determine whether there are any paint or wood imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you are looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will reduce the chance of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress is firmly seated in the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small could pose risky, since your baby could be trapped between the mattress and crib sides or headboard.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents which include 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or the footboard and head that create entrapment risks; infants rolling into or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
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 thought 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 typically leads to an influx of new items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that transform into toddler beds or full size beds can save you money on furniture and make the transition to the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit low levels of chemical to create a healthier indoor environment.
It is crucial to select the best mattress for your child's crib, whether it's a convertible crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they have a comfortable sleep. You can choose from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select an innerspring mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.
When your child is ready to move from the crib, you'll have to buy a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns 2 to ensure a smooth transition and that your child feels comfortable. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit is in place, the process of converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes for two people.
A few things can make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, including keeping the bedding and bedroom decor uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Engaging your child in the transition by offering them a choice of favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis will help them adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.
A crib that can be converted to an adult-sized bed is an excellent way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. Best cot for newborn provides an extra bed for your child. Conversion kits are available in various styles to complement other furniture and are compatible with a variety of mattresses such as twin or full size.