The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a vital part of the baby's life. A crib lets them develop the habit of sleeping independently, and it keeps you both safe during the night.

There are a variety of cribs, all with varying dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use and in line with the latest design trends.

Size

A crib is a bed designed for babies and infants. There are several different types of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler bed and provide an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and are designed to reduce the risk of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable space similar to the birthing womb.

Some parents will want to keep their child in the crib as long as they can, but others might be ready to change to a toddler's bed sooner. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib, that is suitable from birth until the time your child is about 18 months older or is capable of getting out.

Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months, or until they become too big. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, but they can provide the closeness to parents that some infants need in their early months. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great crib alternative if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would prefer.

Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines that must be adhered to in order to protect your child. There should be no gap larger than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress, and slats shouldn't be sagging or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this could entrap the child's head or legs and increase the risk for death by suffocation.

You can purchase cribs in a variety of designs and colors. Some come with integrated shelves or changing tables. These can be particularly convenient if you plan on breastfeeding in the future, since it allows you to breastfeed your baby while in the crib. If you're short of space or have a tight budget you can still find cribs with the basic necessities.

If you have a little more money there are cribs that will develop with your child into toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a great choice for parents who don't want to purchase an entirely new crib each time their child is out of the old crib.

Style

When choosing a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. It is possible to pick a crib that matches the general style of your home, whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are numerous cribs to choose from in a variety of shapes and styles, with natural wood or colored finishes.

Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for infants. At first, they were cribs that could be rolled. As the concept of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer greater protection against falls and entrapment. The cribs of today are made with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.

To make life easier You can also find cribs with a changing table and shelving unit. However, it's not recommended to use this kind of crib if your child is ready to stand up or climb, as it could make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for newborns, and the lower setting should be used prior to when your baby learns to roll or sit up in bed, which typically happens before they are a year old.

The mattress can be placed on a single piece of board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using a metal spring base, because it is believed to be more sturdy than wood slats that can break or become loose over the course of time. The base should be tight and firm to stop excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could create the risk of suffocation for infants.

If you intend to keep your baby in the crib for as long as possible then look into a 4-in-1 bed that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, a daybed and then eventually a full size bed. They usually have rails that can be removed to make the transition to a regular bed easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It is essential to select cribs that meet strict safety standards, no matter the style and design you choose. 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, check the crib's frame to see if there are any wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.

If you're contemplating buying an infant's mattress for their crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of death by accident due to the suffocation. Make sure that the mattress fits snugly inside the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small cot beds could pose dangerous, as your baby may get trapped between the mattress and headboard or sides of the crib.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 deaths reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or head and footboard that pose entrapment hazards; infants rolling onto or becoming wedged 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.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress that claim to help your baby sleep more safely and will prevent breathing or rebreathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

The addition of a baby to your family typically leads to an increase in the number of items, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of kinds of cribs, and generally include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit a low amount of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.

It is crucial to select the best cot newborn mattress for your child's crib, whether it be an adjustable crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they get an enjoyable sleep. You can pick between foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. Pick a foam mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government.

If your child is ready to move from the crib, you'll have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is best cots uk to have it installed before your child turns two years old to ensure the process goes smoothly and your child will be at ease with the new transition. Once you have your crib mattress and kit, it will take less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into an adult size bed.

You can make the transition from a crib the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular time will help them settle.

A crib that can convert to a full-size bed is a great method to prolong the life of your investment, and provide an additional bed for your child throughout their teens. Conversion kits are available in many styles to complement other furniture and can be used with a wide variety of mattresses such as twin or full size.