Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial element of your baby's development. A crib will help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you both safe during the night.
There are a variety of cribs with different dimensions, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, easy to use and suitable for modern designs.
Size
A crib is a bed designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs, but they are all smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe sleeping place for your baby. Some cribs have wheels that allow them to be moved from room-to-room, and most are designed to minimize the chance of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment similar to the mother's womb.
Some parents will want to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, whereas others may be ready to change to a toddler's crib sooner. The most common crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or can be removed.
There are bassinets too, which can be used from newborn to four months or until the baby is large for it. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can provide the closeness to parents that infants require during their first few months. They are also more portable, making them an attractive option if you are unsure about the kind of bedding you'd like for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines that must be followed for the safety of your child. For instance, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame 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 the child to suffocate.
You can purchase cribs with a variety of styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. These are especially useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to breastfeed your baby in the crib. If you're not a lot of space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that just feature the essentials.
If you have a bit more money, you can find cribs that will grow with your child into toddler beds, and 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 buy an entirely new crib each time their child grows out of the old crib.
Style
If you are in the market for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select one that is in line with the general theme of your home, whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are numerous crib options with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with a wide variety of unique designs and shapes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping environments for infants. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rolled. As the understanding of child safety developed and cribs became more stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide greater protection against falls and entrapment. Modern cribs have features such as sturdy construction, a proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.
For ease of use For convenience, you can also locate cribs that have shelves and a changing table unit. It's not recommended to use this type of crib if your child is ready to stand up or climb because it can 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 one should be used prior to when your baby learns to sit or roll in bed, which typically happens before they are a year old.
The mattress can be set on a single-piece wooden board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame because it is more sturdy than wooden slats which can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be sturdy and tightly fitted to the crib so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a potential suffocation risk for infants.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for as long as you can, look into a 4-in-1 bed which can be used as an infant's bed, a daybed and then eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs usually have rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib to an ordinary mattress much easier. They also come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, irrespective 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. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame for imperfections in the paint or wood which could pose a threat to your baby.
If you are contemplating buying an infant's mattress for their crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will decrease the risk of accidental death from the suffocation. Make sure the mattress fits snugly into the crib. If the mattress is too big or too small could be risky for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified by the NPR, and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, are based on a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents can involve a range of dangers, including gaps between the crib mattress and the side, or between the footboard and the head, that can cause entrapment. Infants may also fall onto the mattress or become trapped between the wall or headboard.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a contributing factor 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 usually results in an increase in the number of items such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. 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 childhood easier for both your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of kinds of cribs, and generally come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means they have low chemical emissions for a healthier indoor environment.
It is crucial to select the correct mattress for your child's crib, whether it's a convertible crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they have a comfortable sleep. Choose from foam or innerspring mattresses that are available in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. Choose a foam mattress at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness or an innerspring mattress that meets the safety standards of the federal government.
You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed once your child is ready to move on to an additional bed. Ideally, you should have this in place before your child turns two years old to ensure the transition goes smoothly and your child will be at ease with the new transition. After your crib mattress and conversion kit is installed, converting the crib into a toddler bed or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes with two people.
You can make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor the same, and putting the bed into the room where the crib is located. Getting your child involved in the transition by giving them a selection of their favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular time can help them adapt to the new bed arrangement.
recommended cribs that is able to convert to a full-size bed is a great option to prolong the life of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs through their teenage years. Conversion kits are available in many designs to match furniture and can be used with a variety of mattresses, including twin and full size.