Choosing cribs beds (website link) For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential part of the baby's life. A crib helps them learn to sleep independently, and it also keeps both of you safe during the night.

There are a variety of cribs, each with varying sizes and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for cots and tots cribs which are safe, easy to use and suitable for modern designs.

Size

A crib is a small bed that is designed for infants and toddlers. There are many types of cribs to choose from, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are equipped with wheels that allow them to be moved from room to room and the majority are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable space similar to the mother's womb.

Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the best crib for as long as they can, whereas others may be ready to change to a toddler's crib sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child's first year up until they are 18 months old, or they can climb 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 cribs, which are more compact, that can offer the closeness and comfort to parents some infants require in their early years. They also are smaller which makes them a good option if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would prefer.

Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be adhered to in order to protect 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 loose or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this could entrap the child's head or legs and increase the risk of the child to suffocate.

There are cribs available with a variety of styles and finishes. Some even come with integrated shelves or changing tables. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs could be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby in the crib. If, however, you are short on space and have an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that have only the bare essentials.

If you are willing to invest a little more, you can buy cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal option for parents who don't want to invest in an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the current one.

Style

If you are in the market for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. You may want to select one that is in line with the overall style of your home, regardless of whether it's rustic or contemporary. There are many crib options in natural wood or bright finishes, and with an array of distinctive designs and shapes.

Cribs are safe sleeping places for babies. At first, they were cribs that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety grew and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. Modern cribs have features like sturdy construction, the right 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 a changing table or shelving unit to make it easier for parents during the newborn stage. This type of crib is not recommended for babies who are ready to climb or stand. It could make it easier to get out.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for babies, and the lower setting should be used before your baby learns to roll or sit up in bed, which typically happens before they reach the age of a year.

The mattress can be set on a single piece of board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame since it's more stable than wood slats that can break or become loose over time. The base must be secure and firm to prevent excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could create a suffocation hazard for infants.

If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib as long as possible, then consider a 4-in-1 crib that converts into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition from the regular bed more straightforward and often come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It is essential to select cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, no matter the style or design you choose. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to see whether there are any paint or wood imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you're planning to buy a mattress for your child's crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, ensure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small can be a hazard, as your baby could get caught between the mattress and the headboard or sides of the crib.

Some reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 deaths reported in the NPR, and two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, involve crib beds that are too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib side or footboard, which can cause entrapment dangers as well as infants who roll into or getting trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard; pillows and blankets posing suffocation risks; and mattresses that are overheated, causing infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.

Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage the safety of sleep and stop breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, which is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk for SIDS.

Conversion

A baby joining your family typically leads to an influx of new items including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant cot bed to adolescence easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for various models of cribs and usually 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.

Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib, it is crucial to choose the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's rest. Choose from foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in various sizes to meet your needs. To ensure safety, select the mattress made of foam 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.

When your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended that you have it installed before your child turns two years old to ensure the process is smooth and your child will be at ease with the new transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler bed or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes with two people.

It is possible to make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same, Baby Cots Online and putting the bed into the room in which the crib is. Getting your child involved in the transition by offering them a choice of 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 sleeping arrangement.

A crib that is able to transform into a bed that is full size is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide an additional bed for your child through their teens. The conversion kits for these cribs are available in various designs to complement your furniture pieces and can be fitted on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.