Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential aspect of the life of your baby. A crib allows them to establish the habit of sleeping independently, and it also keeps both of you safe during the night.

There are a variety of cribs, all with different dimensions, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched best cots for newborns cribs that are secure and simple to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.

Size

A crib is a bed made for infants and babies. There are many types of cribs, however all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and are designed to minimize the chance of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable space similar to the birthing womb.

While a lot of parents want their children to remain in their cribs for as long as they can however, some parents will be ready to move them to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of getting out.

There are bassinets too, which 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 offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in the early years. They also are smaller, making them a good alternative if you're not certain what kind of bedding your child will prefer.

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

Cribs can be bought in a variety of styles and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs can be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby inside the crib. If you're limited in space and have a a limited budget, you can find cribs that just feature the bare essentials.

If you have a little more money, you can find cribs that can be adapted to expand with your child to toddler beds, and even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal choice for parents who don't need to buy an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows their crib they have.

Style

As you look for the perfect crib, think about its style in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. It is possible to pick an option that fits the general theme of your home, whether contemporary or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available 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 simple cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from falls or entrapment. Today's top ranked cribs include features like sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.

You'll also find cribs that combine shelves or a changing table unit to make it easier for parents in the early stages of infanthood. This type crib is not recommended for babies who are able to stand or climb. It can make it easier to escape.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for infants, while the lower setting should be used before your baby begins to roll or sit up in bed, which typically happens by the time they turn one year old.

The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a one-piece board, a grid of wood slats or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains, recommend a metal spring frame as it is more stable than wood slats that can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib so that it doesn't allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a potential suffocation risk for infants.

If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as possible, then consider a 4-in-1 best crib newborn that can be converted into a toddler Mini Cot Bed, daybed and eventually a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition to an adult bed much easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

No matter what style or design you select it's crucial to look for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity to ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, look over the crib frame for any flaws in the paint or the wood that could pose a risk to your child.

If you are planning to buy a mattress for your child's crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure the mattress fits comfortably inside the crib. A mattress that is either too big or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.

Some reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified in the NPR as well as two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, are based on a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or the footboard and head that pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets, which pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are overheated, causing infants to be afflicted with burns, rashes and other health issues.

Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and prevent rebreathing or breathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

Adding a baby to your family typically leads to an increase in the number of items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to adulthood easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for various brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.

Whether you opt for convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is essential to purchase the right mattress so that your child is comfortable night's sleep. Choose from foam or innerspring mattresses that come in different sizes to suit your needs. To ensure your safety, pick the mattress made of foam that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for cribs and toddler beds.

You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed once your child is old enough to be in a bigger bed. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child feels comfortable. After your crib mattress and top rated cots conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes for two people.

You can make the transition from a crib 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 located. Getting your child involved in the transition process by giving them a choice of stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis can help them adapt to the new bed arrangement.

A crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is a great way to extend the lifespan of your investment and also provide an additional bed for your child throughout their teenage years. The conversion kits available for these cribs come in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on many different types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.