Choosing cribs beds (
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Sleep is an essential part of your baby’s life. A crib allows them to establish the habit of sleeping independently, and it keeps you both safe during the night.
There are a myriad of cribs that come in different dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, easy to use and suitable for modern designs.
Size
A crib is a bed made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe sleeping place for your baby. Some cribs come with wheels that allow them to be moved from room to room, and most are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment that is similar to the mother's womb.
While many parents would like their children to stay in their cribs for as long as possible but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or they can be removed.
There are also bassinets that can be used from birth to four months, or until the baby is large for it. They are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can provide the closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They also are smaller and therefore a
great crib alternative if you're not certain what type of bedding your child would like.
To ensure the safety of your child cribs and bassinets also have safety guidelines. For instance, there must be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be loose or missing. In addition, the bed should not be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard as these can restrict a child's head or legs and increase the risk of being suffocated.
Cribs are available in different styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to nurse your baby in the crib. However, if you are short on space and have the funds to purchase a crib you can find cribs that just feature the basic necessities.
If you are willing to pay a little more you can purchase cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs and are a great option for parents who don't want an entirely new crib each time their child is out of the old crib.
Style
If you are in the market for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. If the style of your home is influenced by an inclination such as modern or rustic then you might want to choose the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in various designs and shapes and with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs are a safe place to sleep for babies. At first, they were cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety grew and the need for a stationary crib became norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from accidents or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like solid construction, the right spacing of slats, and
Cot Bed Sales non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety and wellbeing.
You'll also find cribs that combine shelves or a changing table unit for convenience during the newborn stage. However, it's not recommended that you use this type of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb because 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 position is suitable for infants. The lower position is ideal when your baby is able to sit up or roll in the bed. This typically happens at the age of one year.
The mattress can be placed on a single-piece wooden board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame as it is more durable than wooden slats that can break or loosen with time. The base must be secure and firm to prevent air from circulating around the mattress. This could pose a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for as long as you can, look into a crib that converts into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually a full-size bed. These cribs usually have rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib a regular mattress less difficult. They also often come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
Regardless of the design or style you pick, it's essential to look for
Cots offers cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. In addition, examine the crib frame for any imperfections in the paint or the wood which could pose a threat for your baby.
If you're looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will help 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. If the mattress is too big or too small could be hazardous 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 which include 21 deaths identified in the NPR, and two deaths reported during the NPR Update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib side or head and footboard that pose entrapment hazards as well as infants who roll onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard; pillows and blankets posing dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim will promote 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 reduce the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
If you are adding an infant to your family, you will likely need to buy many new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to adolescence easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits can be purchased for many brands of cots, and come with the headboard and footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit low emissions of chemicals, which makes for a healthier indoor environment.
No matter if you choose convertible cribs or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the correct mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. Choose between foam or innerspring mattresses that come in various sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select an innerspring mattress that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets the federal safety standards for cribs and toddler
cot beds.
If your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will need to purchase a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have it installed before your child turns two to ensure that the process goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the new transition.