Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a vital part of your baby’s life. A crib allows them to learn to sleep independently, and also keeps you both safe during the night.
There are simply click the next website page of cribs, each with varying sizes, styles, and mattress-support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe and easy to use and aesthetically pleasing.
Size
A crib is a compact bed designed for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe sleeping place for your baby. Some cribs are on wheels, so they can be moved around the home. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and safe environment that is similar to that of the womb.
Some parents will want to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, while others may be ready to change them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used for your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or be taken away.
There are bassinets too, that can be used from birth to four months or until the baby is large for it. These are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that provide the intimacy and comfort parents infants require during their early years. They are also more mobile and therefore a great option if you're unsure about the kind of bedding you would like for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. For instance, there should be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats must not be missing or loose. Additionally the bed shouldn't have cutouts on the footboard or headboard, because they could hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of suffocation.
You can purchase cribs in a variety of styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. These are especially useful for breastfeeding moms, as it will enable you to breastfeed your baby while in the crib. If you're short on space or have a tight budget you can still find cribs with all the necessities.
If you have more money on a crib, you can find one that can expand with your child to toddler beds and even sofas and daybeds. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs and can be an ideal choice for parents who don't wish to purchase an entirely new crib each when their child grows out of the current one.
Style
When choosing the perfect crib, think about its style and design in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. You might want to choose an option that fits the overall theme of your home, whether rustic or contemporary. There are numerous cribs to choose from in a variety of designs and shapes and with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. Initially, they were simple cribs that could be rolled. As the understanding of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary, designs changed to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. Today's cribs come with features such as sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that include with a changing table or shelving unit to make it easier for parents in the early stages of infanthood. However, it's not recommended that you use this kind of crib if your child is ready to stand or climb, as it could make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs offer adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for newborns, and the lower one should be used prior to when your baby begins to sit up or roll in bed, which typically happens before they turn one year old.
The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single piece of board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. 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 securely attached to the crib, so that it doesn't allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you intend to keep your baby in the crib for as long as is possible, think about a 4-in-1 crib that can be converted into an infant's bed, a daybed and then eventually a full size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to make the transition to a regular bed easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, irrespective of the style and design you select. 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 its description. Also, check the crib frame to see if there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you're planning to purchase an additional mattress for your baby's crib opt for the most sturdy one you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death due to the suffocation. Be sure that the mattress fits snugly inside the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small can be a hazard, as your baby may get trapped between the mattress and crib sides or headboard.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional reported fatalities received during the NPR update, involve a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or footboard, which create entrapment risks as well as infants who roll on or being trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard; pillows and blankets posing risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's carbon dioxide, thought to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no epidemiological proof that breathable crib mattresses decrease the risk for SIDS.
Conversion
The addition of a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new items including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs which can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of kinds of cribs, and generally come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit a low amount of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.
It is essential to choose the right mattress for your child's crib whether it be a convertible crib or a standard crib. This will ensure they get an uncomfortably sleeping. You can pick between foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in various sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select a foam mattress that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with the 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 to move on to an additional bed. Ideally, you should have it installed before your child turns two years old to ensure the process is smooth and your child will be at ease with the new transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit is installed, converting the crib into a toddler bed or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes when you have two people.
A few things can help make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, such as keeping the decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Offering your child a selection of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep on a regular time can help them to adjust.
A crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is an excellent option to prolong the life of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs through their teens. Conversion kits are available in a variety of styles to complement other furniture and can be used with a variety of mattresses including twin or full size.