Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a vital part of the life of your baby. A crib will aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety at night.

There are many cribs that come in different dimensions, 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 bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are many types of cribs to choose from, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels that let them be moved from room to and the majority are designed to reduce the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment similar to the womb.

Some parents would prefer to keep their baby in the crib as long as they can, but others might be ready change to a toddler's bed sooner. The most common type of crib is a standard crib that can be used from birth until your child is about 18 months older or has the capacity of getting out.

There are also bassinets that are suitable from the time of birth to four months, or until the baby becomes too large for it. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can give parents the intimacy that some infants need during their first few months. They also are smaller and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would like.

Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. For instance, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats shouldn't be loose or missing. The bed should not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this can trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk of the child to suffocate.

You can buy cribs with a variety of designs and colors. Some even come with integrated shelves or changing tables. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be very convenient as you can feed your baby in the crib. If you're limited on space or have a tight budget you can still find cribs with all the necessities.

If you're willing to invest a little more, you can buy cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs, and they are a great option for parents who don't want to purchase a new one every time their child is out of the old one.

Style

If you are in the market for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select a crib that matches the overall theme of your home, whether modern or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or bright colors, and with many unique shapes and styles.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. They were initially cradles which could be rocked. As awareness of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs were adapted to provide better protection against accidents or entrapment. Today's cribs are made with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.

For convenience, you can also find cribs that have shelves and a changing table unit. It's not recommended that you use this type of crib when your baby is ready to stand or climb as it can make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for babies. The lower position is ideal when your child can sit up or roll over in the bed. This is usually around the age of a year.

The mattress of a crib can be perched on a one-piece board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal because it is considered to be more durable than wooden slats, which could break or loosen over time. The base should be sturdy and tightly fitted to the crib, so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possibility of suffocation in infants.

If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for as long as you can, then think about a crib that converts into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually come with rails that are removable, making the transition from a crib to a regular mattress less difficult. They also come with adjustable levels for the mattress.

Safety

It's important to choose cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, irrespective of the style or design you select. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, examine the crib's frame to determine if there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you're looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will help reduce the chance 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 either too large or too small could be dangerous for your baby, because they could get trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified in the NPR, and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, are based on a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents can involve a range of hazards, such as gaps between the crib mattress and the side or between the footboard and the head that could cause trapping. Infants can be able to roll on the mattress, or be trapped between the wall or headboard.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will ensure a safe sleep and prevent rebreathing or breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk for SIDS.

Conversion

When you welcome a new baby to your family, you'll likely need to buy many new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adolescence easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits can be bought for a variety of cots, and come with the headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit low levels of chemical to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.

It is crucial to select the best mattress for your child's crib whether it be a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure they have a comfortable sleep. Choose from foam or innerspring mattresses that come in different sizes to meet your needs. To ensure safety, select the mattress made of foam 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 beds.

When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll need to purchase a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns 2 to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child is at ease. Once you have your crib and mattress kit in place, it will take two people less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.

A few things can help make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, including keeping the decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Offering your child a selection of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed at a regular schedule can help them to adjust.

A crib that is able to be converted into a full-size bed is an excellent method to prolong the life of your investment and also provide an additional bed for your child through their teens. Conversion kits are available in a variety of designs to match furniture and can be used with a wide range of mattresses, including twin and full size.