10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential aspect of the life of your baby. A crib will aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you both safe at night.

There are many different types of cribs, each with varying sizes styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.

Size

A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are many types of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler bed and offer a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable environment that is similar to the womb.

While many parents would like their children to stay in their cribs for as long as is possible but some children are prepared to transition to a toddler bed faster than others. 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 removed.

There are also bassinets, that can be used from birth to four months, or until the baby is too large for it. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in the early years. They are also more compact which makes them a good alternative if you're not sure what type of bedding your child will prefer.

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

Cribs can be bought in various designs and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you are planning to breastfeed, these cribs can be very convenient as you can nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short on space and have the funds to purchase a crib you can find cribs that just feature the basic necessities.

If you have a little more money to spend, you can find cribs that can expand with your child to toddler beds and even sofas and daybeds. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal choice for parents who do not wish to purchase a new crib every time their child outgrows their current one.

Style

When you're looking for a crib, consider the style of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the style of your home is influenced by an inclination like rustic or contemporary then you might want to select the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or colorful finishes, and with many unique shapes and styles.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. They were initially simple cribs that could be rocked. As awareness of child safety grew, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to ensure better protection against falling or entrapment. Today's cribs include features such as sturdy construction, a proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.

There are cribs that combine with a changing table or shelving unit for convenience in the early stages of infanthood. This kind crib is not suitable for infants who are not yet ready to climb or stand. It could make it easier to escape.

Some cribs offer adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for babies. The lower position is recommended when your child can sit up or roll over in the bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.

The mattress can be set on a single-piece wooden board, wood-slat grid, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame because it is more stable than wood slats which can break or loosen with time. The base must be secure and firm to prevent air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause an hazard of suffocation to infants.

If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib as long as possible, then look into 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 allow the transition to the regular bed more straightforward, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Whatever design or style you pick regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available on the packaging of the crib or in its description. Also, check the crib frame to see if there are any paint or wood imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you are planning to purchase an additional crib mattress for your baby's bed choose the most recommended cribs firm one you can find. This will lower the chance of death by accident due to the suffocation. Also, ensure that the mattress is firmly seated in the crib. A mattress that's too big or too small can be risky, since your baby could get caught between the mattress and the crib sides or headboard.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 deaths identified in the NPR as well as two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, are based on a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents can involve a range of hazards, such as gaps between the mattress and the sides, or between the footboard and head, that can cause entrapment. Infants could also fall onto the mattress or get trapped between the headboard or the wall.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattresses that they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and stop breathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. There is no scientific evidence that breathable crib mattresses decrease the risk for SIDS.

Conversion

When you add a new baby to your family, you will likely have to purchase lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. Making the investment in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds could aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit very low chemical emissions, resulting in an environment that is healthier.

If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is crucial to choose the right mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. You can choose from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in a variety of sizes to meet your requirements. For safety, choose a foam mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that satisfies federal safety standards for cribs and toddler mini cot beds.

You will need to buy a full-size cot bed sales conversion or toddler bed once your child is ready to move on to an additional bed. This should be done before your child turns two to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is comfortable. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed should take less than 30 minutes for two people.

It is possible to make the transition from a crib to the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor same and moving the bed into the room where the crib is located. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep on a regular basis can help them adjust.

A crib that converts to an adult-sized bed is a great way to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also gives you an extra bed for your child. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in different designs to complement the furniture pieces you have and can be used on numerous types of mattresses, including twin and full size.