9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential part of the baby's life. A crib helps them develop the habit of sleeping independently, and it also keeps both of you safe during the night.
There are many different types of cribs, each with different sizes styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure and simple to use and aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a bed that is made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's bed and offer a safe place to sleep for your infant. Some cribs come with wheels so they can be moved around the home. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment similar to that of the baby's womb.
Some parents would prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, but others might be ready switch to a toddler's crib sooner. The most common 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 bassinets too, that are suitable from the time of birth to four months, or until the baby is large for it. They are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can provide the closeness and comfort that parents of infants require during their early years. They are also more compact, making them a good alternative if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would prefer.
To ensure your child's safety the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. For example, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be loose or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this can trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk of the child to suffocate.
Cribs can be bought in different styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs can be very convenient as you can nurse your baby inside the crib. However, if you are short on space and have an extremely limited budget there are cribs that have only the basic necessities.
If you're willing to invest a little more, you can buy cribs that can be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal option for parents who do not want to invest in an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the crib they currently have.
Style
When you are looking for the perfect crib, think about its style and design in relation to the style of the nursery. If the style of your home is influenced by an inclination such as rustic or contemporary it is possible to select a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available with natural wood or vibrant finishes, and in an array of distinctive designs and shapes.
Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for infants. Initially, they were simple cradles that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety evolved and cribs became stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide more protection from falls 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 cots on sale's well-being and safety.
There are cribs that include shelves or a changing table unit for ease during the infant stage. This type of crib is not recommended for infants who are not yet ready to stand or climb. It could make it easier to get out.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for newborns, and the lower setting should be used prior to when your Baby Cot begins 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 or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame since it's more stable than wood slats, which may break or loosen with time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib so it does not allow air to circulate around the mattress, a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib as long as you can, look into a crib that can be transformed into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to facilitate the transition to the regular bed more straightforward and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
No matter what style or design you select, it's essential to look for cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity to ASTM International standards. These certifications are available on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, check the crib sets's frame to determine if there are any paint or wood flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.
If you are contemplating buying an infant's mattress for their crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will decrease the risk of death by accident due to the suffocation. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is either too big or too small could be risky for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents, including 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or the footboard and head that can cause entrapment dangers; infants rolling onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets, which pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will ensure a safe sleep and stop breathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. However there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
Adding a baby to your family can result in an influx of new items including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size cheap cot beds could help you save on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to childhood easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits can be bought for many brands of cots offers, and come with an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have very low chemical emissions, resulting in an environment that is healthier.
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. Choose between foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select an innerspring mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.
If your child is ready to move on from the crib, you'll need to purchase a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is best to have it in place before your child turns two to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and your child is comfortable with the transition. Once you have your mattress and crib kit in place it will take less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into an adult size bed.
Certain things can make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, including keeping the bedroom decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Involving your child in the transition by giving them a selection of their favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular basis can help them adapt to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that converts to a full-size bed is a great way to prolong the life of your investment. It also gives you an extra bed for your child. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs come in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be used on numerous types of mattresses, including twin and full size.