The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a crucial aspect of the life of your baby. A crib can help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety at night.

There are a myriad of cribs that come in different dimensions, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.

Size

A crib is a small Cot Bed made for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's mattress and provide a safe sleeping place for your child. Some cribs come with wheels that allow them to be moved from room to and are designed to reduce the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment that is similar to the birthing womb.

While many parents may want their children to stay in their cribs as long as is possible but some children are ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most common crib is the standard crib. It can be used by your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or can be removed.

Bassinets can be used for babies from birth to four months or until they are large. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, yet they offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in the early years. They are also more compact, making them a good option if you're not sure which bedding type your child would prefer.

To ensure your child's safety, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. For instance, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats must not be loose or missing. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this can trap the child's head or legs and increase the risk for death by suffocation.

Cribs can be purchased in a variety of designs and finishes, and some come with changing tables or shelving units. These are especially useful if you plan on breastfeeding in the future, since it allows you to breastfeed your baby in the crib. However, if you are not a lot of space and have the funds to purchase a crib there are cribs that only have the bare essentials.

If you have more money there are cribs that will expand with your child to toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs and can be an ideal option for parents who do not wish to purchase another crib every when their child grows out of the current one.

Style

As you look for a crib, take into consideration its style in relation to the style of the nursery. If the design of your home reflects one particular direction like modern or rustic it is possible to select one that matches the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in various designs and shapes that come with natural wood or color finishes.

Cribs are safe places to sleep for infants. At first, they were cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety increased, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs were adapted to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. Today's cribs are made with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats and non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's well-being and safety.

There are cribs that include with a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the infant stage. It's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand or climb because it can make it easier for them to get out.

Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby cots on sale grows. The higher setting is ideal for babies. The lower position is best used when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This typically happens at the age of one year.

The mattress can be put on a single-piece board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame as it is more stable than wood slats which can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib, so that it doesn't allow air to circulate around the mattress, a possibility of suffocation in infants.

If you plan to keep your Baby Cot in the crib for as long as you can, look into a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into an infant's bed, a daybed, and eventually a full size bed. They usually have removable rails to allow the transition to an adult bed much easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

It's important to choose cribs that meet strict safety standards, irrespective of the style or design you choose. 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 see if there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you're contemplating buying a mattress for your child's crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure the mattress is able to fit snugly inside the crib. A mattress that is too big or too small could be dangerous, as your baby could be trapped between the mattress and the headboard or sides of the crib.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified by the NPR and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, involve crib beds that are too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or footboard, which can cause entrapment dangers; infants rolling on or being trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.

Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and prevent rebreathing or breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. However there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

When you add the addition of a new child to your family, you'll likely have to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that transform into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to childhood easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits can be purchased for many brands of cots, and come with a footboard and headboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemical for a healthier indoor atmosphere.

If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib it is crucial to choose the right mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's rest. You can choose from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in different sizes to suit your needs. To ensure your safety, pick the mattress made of foam that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that meets federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.

You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed when your child is ready for an additional bed. It is recommended that you have it in place before your child turns two to ensure the process goes smoothly and your child is at ease with the new transition. Once you have your crib and mattress kit it should take two people less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into an adult size bed.

A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child, including keeping the decor and bedding consistent and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Involving your child in the transition by offering them a choice of favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular basis can also help them adjust to the new bed arrangement.

A crib that is able to convert to a full-size bed is an excellent way to extend the lifespan of your investment and also provide an additional bed for your child throughout their teenage years. Conversion kits are available in various styles to complement other furniture and can be used with a variety of mattresses including twin or full size.