9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial element of your baby's development. A best crib for newborn helps them learn to sleep independently, and it keeps both of you safe during the night.
There are many types of cribs, each with varying sizes, styles, and mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a bed that is made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than a 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 that of the mother's womb.
While many parents would like their children to stay in their cribs for as long as is possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed earlier than others. The most common type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until the time your child is 18 months old old or is capable of climbing out.
There are also bassinets that are suitable from the time of birth to four months or until the baby becomes too large for it. These are smaller cribs that are smaller and more compact. They provide the intimacy and comfort parents infants require in their early years. They are also more portable which makes them a desirable option if you are unsure of what kind of bedding you would like for your child.
To ensure your child's safety the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. For example, there should be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats shouldn't be missing or loose. In addition the bed shouldn't have cutouts in the footboard or headboard, since they can hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in various styles and finishes, and some have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you are planning to breastfeed, these cribs could be extremely convenient since you can feed your baby cot online in the crib. If you're short on space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that have only the bare essentials.
If you have a bit more money on a crib, you can find one that can be adapted to expand with your child to toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These are commonly referred to as cots 4 tots-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal option for parents who don't wish to purchase another crib every time their child outgrows their crib they have.
Style
When choosing a crib, take into consideration its style in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. It is possible to pick an option that fits the general style of your home, whether it's rustic or contemporary. There are numerous cribs to choose from in various designs and shapes and with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for infants. They were initially simple cradles that could be rocked. As awareness of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs were adapted to provide better protection against falling or entrapment. The cribs of today are made with features like 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 with shelves and a changing table unit. This kind of crib is not recommended for babies who are able to climb or stand. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for babies. The lower position is recommended cribs when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This is usually at the age of one year.
The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a one-piece board, a grid of wood slats or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using springs made of metal as this is believed to be more stable than wooden slats, which could be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be firm and firm to prevent excess 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 for as long as you can, then think about a crib that can be transformed into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature removable rails to allow the transition from a regular bed easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It's important to choose cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, irrespective of the style or design you select. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available on the packaging of the crib or in its description. Also, examine the crib frame to see if there are any wood or paint defects that could pose danger for your baby.
If you're looking to purchase a mattress for your child's crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will help reduce the chance of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, ensure that the mattress is firmly seated in the crib. If the mattress is too large or too small can be risky for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, like gaps between the mattress and the side or between the footboard and the head that could cause the entrapment of. Infants could also fall onto the mattress or get trapped between the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, which is believed to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you add the addition of a new child to your family, you'll likely need to purchase lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can aid in saving money on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to adulthood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for many models of cribs and usually come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
If you decide to go with a convertible crib or a standard crib, it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. You can pick from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. For safety, choose a foam mattress that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll require a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is at ease. After your crib mattress and conversion kit is in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes with two people.
You can make the transition from a crib a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor the same, and putting the bed into the room in which the crib is. Involving your child in the transition by giving them a choice of toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular time can also help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that can be converted to a full-size bed is an excellent way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also provides a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in different designs to complement your furniture pieces and can be used on various kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.