10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an important aspect of the life of your baby. A crib lets them learn to sleep independently, and also keeps you both safe during the night.
There are many types of cribs, all with varying dimensions, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure and simple to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed made for infants and babies. There are many types of cribs available, but they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to lower the risk of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment that is similar to the mother's womb.
Some parents prefer to keep their cheap baby cots in the crib as long as they can, but others may be ready to move them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib, that can be used from birth until the time your child is about 18 months older or is capable of climbing out.
There are bassinets too, which can be used from newborn to four months or until the baby is too large for it. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, but can give parents the intimacy that infants require in their early months. They are also more compact and therefore a great alternative if you're not certain what kind of bedding your child will prefer.
To ensure your child's safety the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. There should be no gap larger than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress and the slats must not be missing or loose. Also the bed shouldn't be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard, as these can restrict a child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
You can purchase cribs in a variety of styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelves or changing tables. These can be particularly convenient when you are planning to breastfeed and allowing you to breastfeed your baby while still in the crib. If you're limited on space or have a limited budget, you can still find cribs with all the necessities.
If you're willing to pay a little more it is possible to purchase cribs that can be converted into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These cribs are called 4-in-1 cribs. They can be a great choice for parents who don't want to buy a new one every time their child is out of the old crib.
Style
When choosing a crib, take into consideration its style and design in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. It is possible to pick an option that fits the overall style of your home, whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in various shapes and styles that come with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are safe places to sleep for infants. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety grew and cribs became stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer 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 prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.
There are top ranked cribs that incorporate shelves or a changing table unit for ease in the early stages of infanthood. It's not recommended that you use this kind of crib until your baby is ready to stand or climb because it can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for infants. The lower position is best used when your child can sit up or roll over in the bed. This typically happens at the age of one year.
The mattress can be put on a single-piece 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 sturdy than wooden slats which can break or become loose over time. The base should be firm and securely attached to the crib, so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a potential suffocation risk 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 converts into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to make the transition from a regular bed easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
No matter what style or design you select regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity to ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, examine the crib'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, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death due to the suffocation. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is either too large or too small can be dangerous for your baby, as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 reported fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents can involve a range of dangers, including gaps between the crib mattress and the sides, or between the head and footboard which can lead to trapping. Infants could also roll onto the mattress or become wedged between it and the wall or headboard.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress that claim to promote safe sleep, and will prevent breathing or rebreathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you add the addition of a new child to your family, you will likely need to purchase lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. The purchase of cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to childhood easier for both your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many brands of cheap cots. They also come with the headboard and footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means they have very low chemical emissions, resulting in a healthier indoor environment.
No matter if you choose a convertible crib or a standard crib it is crucial to choose the right mattress so that your child gets a good night's rest. Choose between foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in various sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select the mattress made of foam that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.
You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed once your child is old enough to be in a bigger bed. This should be done before your child turns 2 to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child is at ease. After your crib mattress and conversion kit is installed, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes with two people.
A few things can help make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, such as keeping the bedding and bedroom decor uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and urging them to go to bed at a regular schedule will help them settle.
A crib that converts to an adult-sized bed is a great way to extend 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 designs to complement your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.