9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby Cot Bed
Sleep is an essential part of your baby’s life. A crib allows them to learn to sleep independently, and it keeps both of you safe during the night.
There are a variety of cribs, all with different dimensions styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a small bed made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler bed and provide an ideal place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are equipped with wheels that let them be moved from room to room, and most are designed to reduce the chance of SIDS by providing a safe and comfortable space similar to the mother's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to stay in their cribs for as long as they can but some children are ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib, which can be used from birth until your child is around 18 months older or is capable of getting out.
Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth to four months, or until they become too large. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they give parents the intimacy that infants require in the early years. They are also more portable, making them an attractive alternative if you're not sure of what kind of bedding you'd like for your child.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines that must be followed in order to protect your child. There shouldn't be a gap larger than two fingers between a crib's frame and mattress, and the slats should not be sagging or missing. Also, the bed should not have cutouts in the headboard or footboard, because they could trap a child's head or legs and increase the chance of suffocation.
Cribs can be bought in various styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you are planning to breastfeed, these cribs could be very useful as you can nurse your baby in the crib. However, if you are not a lot of space and have an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that only have the basic necessities.
If you have a little more money to spend, you can find cribs that can be adapted to grow with your child into 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 need to buy another crib every time their child outgrows their current one.
Style
If you are in the market for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. You might want to choose a crib that matches the overall style of your home, whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or bright finishes, and with a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.
Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for babies. At first, they were just cribs that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety grew, stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to provide better protection against accidents or entrapment. Today's cribs include features like sturdy construction, appropriate 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 include with a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the newborn stage. However, it's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb, as it could make it easier for Infant cot bed them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for infants. The lower position is recommended when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This typically happens around the age of a 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 metal spring frame since it's more stable than wood slats that can break or loosen with time. The base must be secure and firm to stop excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could pose a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you're looking to keep your baby in a crib for as long as you can, then consider a 4-in-1 crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed and eventually a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature removable rails to make the transition to an adult bed much easier, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
No matter what style or design you choose, it's essential to look for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. These certifications are available on the packaging of the crib or in the description. Also, examine the crib's frame to see whether there are any paint or wood flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.
If you are planning to purchase a new crib mattress for your baby's bed choose the most firm one you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Be sure that the mattress fits comfortably inside the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small could be risky for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
There are reports of accidents that are not fatal which include 21 deaths identified in the NPR and two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, are based on the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or footboard, which pose entrapment hazards as well as infants who roll onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are overheated and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress, which they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and prevent rebreathing or breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could 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 need to purchase lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adolescence easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits are available for various brands of cribs and typically include a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit a low amount of chemicals to create a healthier indoor environment.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib, it is essential to purchase the right mattress so that your child gets a good night's sleep. Choose between foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in various sizes to suit your needs. To ensure your safety, Baby cot online pick the mattress made of foam that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
When your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will have to buy an adult bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended that you have it installed before your child turns two to ensure the process goes smoothly and your child will be at ease with the new transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit is in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes when you have two people.
A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, including keeping the bedroom decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Engaging your child in the transition by giving them a choice of favorite toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular basis can help them adapt to the new sleeping arrangement.
Having a crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is a great way to extend the lifespan of your investment, and provide the bed your child needs throughout their teens. The conversion kits for these cribs are available in a variety of styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on many different types of mattresses, including twin and full size.
