10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential aspect of your baby’s life. A crib lets them establish the habit of sleeping independently, and it keeps you and your baby safe at night.

There are many types of cribs, all with varying sizes styles, designs, 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 designed for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler’s bed and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your infant. Some cribs have wheels so they can be moved around the house. They are generally designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfortable and supportive environment similar to the mother’s womb.

Some parents would prefer to keep their baby in the crib as long as they can, but others may be ready to move to a toddler’s crib sooner. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child’s first year until they reach 18 months old, or can be taken away.

There are bassinets too, which are suitable from the time of birth to four months or until the baby is large for it. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, but they can give parents the intimacy that infants require during their first few months. They are also more compact which makes them a good option if you’re not sure what type of bedding your child would like.

Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow for the safety of your child. For example, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats must not be loose or missing. The bed should not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this can trap the child’s head or legs and increase the chance of the child to suffocate.

Cribs are available in various styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be very useful as you can feed your baby in the crib. If you’re short of space or have a limited budget you can still find cribs that include the basic necessities.

If you’re willing to pay a little more you can purchase cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or sofas. These cribs are known as 4-in-1 cribs and can be a great choice for parents who don’t want to buy an entirely new crib each time their child grows out of the crib they have previously used.

Style

When you’re looking for the perfect crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to your baby’s nursery. You might want to choose one that is in line with the general theme of your home, whether contemporary or rustic. There are many cribs available in a variety of designs and shapes that come with natural wood or colored finishes.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. At first, they were cribs that could be rocked. As the concept of child safety grew and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide greater protection against falls and entrapment. Today’s cribs include features such as sturdy construction, appropriate spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby’s safety and well-being.

There are cribs that incorporate with a changing table or shelving unit to make it easier for parents during the infant stage. This kind crib is not suitable for babies who are ready to stand or climb. It could make it easier to escape.

Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for newborns. The lower position is recommended when your baby is able to sit up or lie down in the bed. This typically happens around the age of a year.

The mattress can be set on a single-piece board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame since it’s more stable than wood slats that can break or loosen with time. The base should be sturdy and securely attached to the crib so it does not allow air to circulate around the mattress, creating a possibility of suffocation in infants.

If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for as long as is possible, consider a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into an infant’s bed, a daybed, and eventually a full size bed. They usually come with rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress easier. They also come with adjustable mattress levels.

Safety

No matter what design or style you pick, it’s essential to look for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib’s packaging, or in its description. Also, look over the crib’s frame for defects in the paint or the wood that could pose a risk to your child.

If you’re contemplating buying an infant’s mattress for their crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress is firmly seated in the crib. A mattress that is too big or too small can be a hazard, as your baby could be trapped between the mattress and the crib sides or headboard.

There are reports of non-fatal incidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib’s side or the footboard and head that pose entrapment hazards and infants slipping into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets, which pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are overheated which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.

Some manufacturers now offer “breathable” crib mattresses which claim to encourage sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of rebreathing, or breathing in the baby’s own carbon dioxide, thought to contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

The addition of a baby to your family can result in an influx of new items, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save on furniture purchases and help make the transition from infant to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits can be purchased for various brands of cots, and come with a footboard and headboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit low levels of chemicals for a healthier indoor atmosphere.

If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the correct mattress to ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep. Choose between foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that are available in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. To ensure safety, select an innerspring mattress that is between 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.

You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed once your child is ready for a bigger bed. You should do this before your child turns two to ensure an easy transition and to ensure that your child is at ease. Once you have your crib mattress and kit in place, it will take less than 30 minutes to change the crib into a full-size or toddler bed.

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 consistent and moving the toddler bed into the same space 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 will help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.

A crib that converts to a full-size bed is a great option to extend the life of your investment. It also gives you a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in a variety of designs to complement your other furniture pieces and are suitable for various types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.