Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a crucial element of your baby's development. A crib can help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you both safe during the night.

There are a myriad of cribs with different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and suitable for modern designs.

Size

A crib is a tiny bed designed for infants and babies. There are several different types of top ranked cribs, however they are all smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels, so they can be moved around the house. They are generally designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to that of the mother's womb.

Some parents would prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, while others might be ready to move to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until your child is 18 months old older or has the capacity of getting out.

There are also bassinets that are suitable from the time of birth to four months, or until the baby is too large for it. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They are also more mobile and therefore a great option if you are unsure about the kind of bedding you'd like for your child.

To ensure the safety of your child, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. For instance, there should be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be loose or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard because this could trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk of death by suffocation.

Cribs can be purchased in different styles and finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs can be very useful as you can nurse your baby inside the crib. If you're short on space or have a limited budget you can still find cribs that include the essentials.

If you have a bit more money there are cribs that can be adapted to grow with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs and are a great option for parents who don't want to purchase an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the old crib.

Style

If you are in the market for a crib, think about the design of the crib in relation to your baby cots on sale's nursery. If the design of your home is influenced by one particular direction such as rustic or contemporary then you might want to choose the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are many crib options in natural wood or bright colors, and with many unique designs and shapes.

Cribs are safe places to sleep for infants. Initially, they were simply cradles which could be rocked. As awareness of child safety increased and the need for a stationary crib became norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. The cribs of today come with features such as solid construction, the proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.

To make life easier For convenience, you can also locate cribs that have shelves and a changing table unit. This type crib is not recommended for infants who are not yet ready to climb or stand. 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 position is suitable for babies. The lower position is ideal when your baby is able to sit up or roll in the bed. This typically happens around the age of a year.

The mattress of a crib can be perched on a single piece of board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal since it is believed to be more sturdy than wooden slats, which could break or become loose over the course of time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib so that it doesn't allow air to circulate around the mattress, creating a potential suffocation risk for infants.

If you intend to keep your baby in the crib for as long as possible then think about a 4-in-1 crib which can be used as an infant's bed, a daybed and then eventually, a full-size bed. They usually have removable rails to make the transition from a regular bed easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It is important to choose top ranked cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, regardless of the style or design you select. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to determine whether there are any wood or paint flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.

If you are looking to purchase a mattress for your child's crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death from suffocation. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is too big or too small could pose risky, since your baby may get trapped between the mattress and the headboard or the sides of the crib.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards; infants rolling onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets, which pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are too hot, causing infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.

Certain manufacturers are now selling "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of rebreathing, or breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to be a contributing factor to SIDS. However there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

When you welcome an infant to your family, you will likely have to purchase many new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to nursery furniture. The purchase of cribs that transform into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many models of cribs and usually include a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemical for a healthier indoor atmosphere.

Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib it is crucial to choose the correct mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's rest. Choose from foam or innerspring mattresses that come in different sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select an innerspring mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.

You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed once your child is ready for larger beds. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure a smooth transition and that your child feels comfortable. Once you have your crib mattress and kit it will take less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult size bed.

You can make the transition from a crib to 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 toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular time will help them settle.

Having a crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide the bed your child needs through their teens. Conversion kits are available in many styles to match other furniture and are compatible with a variety of mattresses including twin or full size.