9 Things 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 allows them to learn to sleep independently, and it also keeps you both safe during the night.

There are a variety of cribs, each with varying sizes styles, designs, 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 that is made for infants and babies. There are many different types of cribs, but they are all smaller than a toddler's mattress and offer a safe place to sleep for your child. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to minimize the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment similar to the birthing womb.

While many parents would like their children to stay in their cribs for as long as possible however, some parents will be ready to move them to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used by your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or be removed.

There are also bassinets that can be used from newborn to four months or until the baby is large for it. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, but can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in their early months. They also are more portable and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure about what type of bedding you would like for your child.

To ensure your child's safety cribs and bassinets also have safety guidelines. There should be no gap of more than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be missing or loose. Additionally the bed should not be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard since they can hold a child's head and legs and increase the risk of suffocation.

There are cribs available with a variety of designs and colors. Some have integrated shelving units or changing tables. They are particularly useful for breastfeeding moms, as it will enable you to breastfeed your baby in the crib sets. If you're limited on space or have a limited budget you can still find cribs that include all the necessities.

If you have more money to spend there are cribs that can be adapted to expand with your child to toddler beds and even sofas and daybeds. These cribs are called 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the old crib.

Style

As you look for a crib, take into consideration its style and design 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 in natural wood or bright colors, and with a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.

Cribs are a safe place to sleep for babies. Initially, they were simply cradles which could be rocked. As the concept of child safety evolved and cribs became more stationary, designs changed to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety and well-being.

There are cribs that incorporate with a changing table or shelving 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 climb or stand. It could make it easier for them to escape.

Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for newborns, and the lower setting is recommended before your baby is able to roll or sit up in bed, which usually occurs by the time they reach the age of a year.

The mattress can be set on a single piece of board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame since it's more durable than wooden slats, which may break or become loose over time. The base must be secure and firm to stop excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause a suffocation hazard for infants.

If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib as long as you can, then look into a crib that can be converted into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature removable rails to allow the transition to an adult bed much easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It is important to choose cribs that meet strict safety standards, regardless of the style and design you choose. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or description. Also, look over the crib frame for any imperfections in the paint or wood that could pose a risk to your baby.

If you're looking to purchase a mattress for your child's crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will decrease the risk of accidental death from the suffocation. Also, ensure that the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small could be dangerous for your baby, because they could get trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 deaths identified in the NPR, and two deaths reported during the NPR Update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents include a variety hazards, like gaps between the crib mattress and the side, or between the head and footboard that could cause trapping. Infants can be able to roll on the mattress, or be trapped between it and the headboard or the wall.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote safe sleep, and stop breathing into your baby cots on sale's carbon dioxide. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. However there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

When you welcome the addition of a new child to your family, you'll likely have to purchase many new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that convert to toddler best cot beds or full-size beds can aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adulthood easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits can be purchased for many brands of top rated cots. They also come with an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit low levels of chemical to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.

No matter if you choose a convertible crib or a standard crib it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's sleep. You can choose from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in different sizes to meet your requirements. 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 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 ready for a bigger bed. You should do this before your child turns 2 to ensure a smooth transition and that your child feels comfortable. After your crib mattress and conversion kit are installed, converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes with two people.

It is possible to make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is located. 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 adjust.

Having a crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is a great method to prolong the life of your investment and also provide a bed for your child through their teens. Conversion kits are available in various styles to complement other furniture and are compatible with a wide variety of mattresses including twin or full size.