Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential part of the baby's life. best cot newborn can help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety at night.
There are a variety of cribs, each with varying dimensions and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a bed that is made for infants and babies. There are many types of cribs available, but all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels that allow them to be moved from room to room and are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable environment similar to the mother's womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, whereas others might be ready switch them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or be taken away.
There are also bassinets, which can be used from birth to four months or until the baby becomes too large for it. They are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but they can provide the closeness to parents that infants require during their first few months. They also are more portable, making them an attractive option if you are unsure of what kind of bedding you would like for your child.
To ensure your child's safety cribs and bassinets also have safety guidelines. There should not be a gap greater than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress, and slats shouldn't be missing or loose. Additionally the bed shouldn't be fitted with cutouts in the footboard or headboard, because they could hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
You can buy cribs in many different styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. They are particularly useful if you plan on breastfeeding and allowing you to nurse your baby while in the crib. If, however, you are short on space and have an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that only have the essentials.
If you have more money to spend, you can find cribs that will grow with your child into toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are called 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want to buy another one each time their child is out of the old crib.
Style
If you are in the market for the perfect crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You may want to select one that is in line with the overall theme of your home, whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are many cribs available in various designs and shapes that come with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. They were initially cradles which could be rocked. As understanding of child safety grew and the need for a stationary crib became standard, and designs were adapted to provide better protection from accidents or entrapment. The cribs of today are made with features like solid construction, the proper spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's safety and well-being.
For convenience, you can also find cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. This type crib is not recommended for babies who are able to climb or stand. 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 works well for babies. The lower position is best used when your baby can sit up or lie down in the bed. This is usually at the age of one year.
The mattress can be placed on a single-piece board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing springs made of metal since it is believed to be more stable than wooden slats, which could break or loosen over time. The base should be solid and securely attached to the crib so it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib as long as is possible, think about a 4-in-1 crib that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, a daybed, and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition to an adult bed much easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
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. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, look over nursery cots for any defects in the paint or wood which could pose a threat to your child.
If you are planning to purchase an additional mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will decrease the risk of accidental death from suffocation. Also, make sure the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small could be dangerous for your baby, as they may become trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents which include 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, such as gaps between the crib mattress and the side or between the footboard and the head that could cause trapping. Infants may be able to roll onto the mattress or become trapped between the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote the safety of sleep and stop rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you add a new baby to your family, you will likely need to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. The purchase of cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to childhood easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits can be bought for various brands of cots, and come with a footboard and headboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit a low amount of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's sleep. Choose between foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in various sizes to suit your needs. For safety, choose an innerspring mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.
When your child is ready to move on from the crib, you will need to purchase a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child feels comfortable. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit are in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes when you have two people.
You can make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same, and putting the bed into the room where the crib is. Offering your child a selection of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep on a regular basis will help them settle.
A crib that converts to a full size bed is an excellent way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also offers an extra bed for your child. The conversion kits available for these cribs are available in various designs to complement the furniture pieces you have and can be used on many different types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.