10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential part of the baby's life. A crib can aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you and your baby safe in the evening.
There are many different types of cribs, each with varying dimensions, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure and easy to use and aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a bed specifically designed for infants and babies. There are many types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room to room and the majority are designed to minimize the risk of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment similar to the mother's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to stay in their cribs for as long as they can but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or can be taken away.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months or until they are large. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they provide the closeness to parents that some infants need in their early months. They also are smaller which makes them a good alternative if you're not certain what type of bedding your child would prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be adhered to for the safety of your child. For example, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats should not be loose or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this can trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk of the child to suffocate.
Cribs can be purchased in various styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you are planning to breastfeed, these cribs can be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby in the crib. If, however, you are limited in space and have a an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that have only the basic necessities.
If you have more money to spend, you can find cribs that can expand with your child to toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a good cribs choice for parents who don't wish to purchase an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the crib they have.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, think about the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the design of your home is in an inclination like modern or rustic, you may want to choose one that matches the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or colorful finishes, and in many unique shapes and styles.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping environments for babies. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rocked. As awareness of child safety grew, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to ensure better protection against falls or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like solid construction, appropriate spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety and wellbeing.
There are cribs that combine with a changing table or shelving unit to make it easier for parents during the infant stage. This kind crib is not suitable for babies who are able to climb or stand. It can make it easier to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your cheap baby cots grows. The higher setting is ideal for newborns. The lower position is ideal when your baby is able to sit up or roll over in the bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.
The mattress can be set on a single piece of board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains, recommend a metal spring frame because it is more sturdy than wooden slats that can break or become loose over time. The base should be sturdy and securely attached to the crib so that it doesn't allow air to circulate around the mattress, a potential suffocation risk for infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib as long as you can, then think about a crib that can be converted into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to allow the transition to a regular bed easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
No matter what style or design you choose regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the packaging of the crib or in its description. Also, examine the crib's frame to see if there are any paint or wood defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you're planning to buy 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 the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, ensure that the mattress is firmly seated in 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 crib sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents include a variety dangers, including gaps between the mattress and the side, or between the head and footboard that could cause the entrapment of. Infants may be able to roll onto the mattress or become wedged between it and the wall or headboard.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage safe sleep and prevent breathing in the Baby Crib's carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to contribute to SIDS. However there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome an infant to your family, you'll likely need to purchase many new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. Investing in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adulthood easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemical to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is important to buy the right mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's sleep. You can pick between foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in different sizes to suit your needs. For safety, choose a foam mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with the federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
If your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will require an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. Ideally, you should have this in place before your child turns two to ensure the process is smooth and your child will be at ease with the new transition. Once you have your mattress and crib kit it should take two people less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.
It is possible to 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. Getting your child involved in the transition by offering them a selection of their favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed on a regular basis can also help them adjust to the new bed arrangement.
A crib that converts into a full-size bed is an excellent way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also provides a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits for these cribs come in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and are suitable for many different types of mattresses, including twin and full size.