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 lets them learn to sleep independently, and also keeps both of you safe during the night.
There are many different types of cribs, each with varying dimensions, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched for Top Ranked Cribs cribs that are safe and simple to use and aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs available, but they all are smaller than the standard toddler bed and provide a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels, which allows them to be moved around the home. They are generally designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment similar to the baby's womb.
Some parents will want to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, while others might be ready to move to a toddler's best crib for newborn sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child's first year until they reach 18 months old, or can be taken away.
There are bassinets too, that are suitable from the time of birth to four months or until the baby is too large for it. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can give parents the intimacy that infants require in the early years. They also come in smaller sizes which makes them a good alternative if you're not certain what kind of bedding your child would prefer.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. For example, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be missing or loose. The bed should not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard because this could trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk for death by suffocation.
You can purchase cribs with a variety of styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelves or changing tables. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be very useful as you can nurse your baby inside the crib. If you're limited on space or have a small budget, you can still find cribs that include the essentials.
If you're willing to pay a little more you can purchase cribs that can be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs and are a great option for parents who don't want an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the old one.
Style
When you are looking for a crib, think about the design of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. You might want to choose one that is in line with the general theme of your home, whether rustic or contemporary. There are numerous cribs to choose from in a variety of shapes and styles that come with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for infants. At first, they were just cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety grew and stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to ensure better protection against falling or entrapment. The cribs of today come with features such as sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's safety and well-being.
You'll also find cribs that combine a changing table or shelving unit for convenience in the early stages of infanthood. However, it's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb because it can make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for babies, and the lower position should be used before your baby learns to sit or roll in bed, which typically occurs by the time they are a year old.
The mattress can be put 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 metal spring frame since it's more durable than wooden slats that can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be firm and firm to prevent air from circulating around the mattress. This could create the risk of suffocation for infants.
If you're looking to keep your baby in a crib as long as you can, then look into a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition to the regular bed more straightforward and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that meet strict safety standards, regardless of the style and design you choose. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the packaging of the crib or in the description. In addition, inspect the crib frame for any flaws in the paint or the wood which could pose a threat to your baby.
If you plan to buy an additional crib mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will help reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, ensure that the mattress fits comfortably in the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small can be risky for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents, including 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, involve a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents can involve a range of hazards, such as gaps between the crib mattress and the side, or between the head and footboard that could cause the entrapment of. Infants could also roll onto the mattress or get trapped between the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattresses that they claim will ensure a safe sleep and stop breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome an infant to your family, you will likely have to purchase lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that transform into toddler beds or full size cot beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits can be bought for various brands of online cots. They also come with a footboard and headboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
It is crucial to select the right mattress for your child's crib whether it's an adjustable best crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they get an enjoyable sleeping. You can choose from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in various sizes to meet your needs. To ensure your safety, pick an innerspring mattress that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies 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 when your child is ready to move on to a bigger bed. You should do this before your child turns two to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is at ease. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes for two people.
Certain things can make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, including keeping the decor and bedding uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Give your child a variety of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and urging them to sleep at a regular schedule can help them to adjust.
A crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is a great option to prolong the life of your investment and also provide a bed for your child through their teens. The conversion kits available for these cribs are available in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and are suitable for many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.