9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an important element of your baby's development. A crib lets them learn to sleep independently, and also keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are a variety of cribs with different dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe and simple to use and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a bed designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs available, but they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are on wheels, so they can be moved around the house. They are generally designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a comfy and safe environment that is similar to the baby's womb.
Some parents will want to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, but others may be ready to move them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most common crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child's first year up until they are 18 months old, or they can be removed.
Bassinets can be used for babies from birth until four months or until they are too big. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can provide the closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They also are smaller which makes them a good alternative if you're not certain what kind of bedding your child would like.
To ensure your child's safety, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. There should not be a gap greater than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress, and the slats should not be missing or loose. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this can trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk for suffocation.
You can purchase cribs in a variety of styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelves or changing tables. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs can be very useful as you can nurse your baby inside the crib. If you're limited on space or have a tight budget you can still find cribs that have all the necessities.
If you're willing pay a little more it is possible to purchase cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are called 4-in-1 cribs, and they are a great option for parents who don't want a new one every time their child outgrows the old one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. If Baby beds of your home reflects one particular direction such as rustic or contemporary it is possible to pick the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in various designs and shapes, with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for babies. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety grew and cribs became stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.
You'll also find cribs that incorporate with a changing table or shelving unit for convenience during the infant stage. It's not recommended to use this type of crib until 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 setting is ideal for babies, and the lower one should be used before your baby begins to sit or roll in bed, which usually occurs by the time they are a year old.
The mattress of a crib can be set on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame because it is more stable than wood slats, which may break or become loose over time. Baby Crib must be secure and firm to stop excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could cause the risk of suffocation for infants.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib as long as possible then think about a 4-in-1 crib that can be converted into a toddler's bed, daybed and then eventually a full size bed. They usually come with rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib an ordinary mattress much easier. They also often come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
Whatever style or design you select, it's essential to look 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 are available on the packaging of the crib or in the description. Also, look over the crib's frame to see whether there are any paint or wood defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you are looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death from the suffocation. Make sure the mattress fits comfortably within the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small could be risky for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or crib sides.
There are reports of accidents that are not fatal that include 21 deaths identified by the NPR as well as two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, such as gaps between the mattress and the side, or between the footboard and head which can lead to trapping. Infants could be able to roll on the mattress, or be wedged between it and the headboard or the wall.
Certain manufacturers are now selling "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, thought to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome an infant to your family, you will likely have to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. Making the investment in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save money on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to adolescence easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of brands of cribs and typically come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
It is crucial to select the right mattress for your child's crib, whether it be an adjustable crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they have an uncomfortably sleep. You can pick from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in different sizes to meet your requirements. Select a mattress that is at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness, or an innerspring bed that meets federal safety standards.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will require an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended to do this before your child turns two to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child is comfortable. Once you have your crib mattress and kit in place it will take two people less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into an adult size bed.
A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, such as keeping the decor and bedding consistent and moving the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Give your child a variety of toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed on a regular basis can help them to adjust.
A crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is a great method to prolong the life of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs throughout their teens. The conversion kits available for these cribs come in a variety of designs to complement your other furniture pieces and can be used on various kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.