9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial part of your baby's life. A crib will help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you and your baby safe during the night.
There are a myriad of cribs of various dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use and suitable for modern designs.
Size
A crib is a bed that is designed for babies and infants. There are a variety of cribs available, but all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels that allow them to be moved from room to room and the majority are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable space similar to the womb.
Some parents will want to keep their child in the crib as long as they can, while others might be ready move to a toddler's crib sooner. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib that is suitable from birth until your child is 18 months old old or is capable of climbing out.
There are bassinets too, which are suitable from the time of birth to four months, or until the baby is large for it. These are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that can provide the closeness and comfort that parents of infants require in the early months. They are also more mobile, making them an attractive alternative if you're not sure about the kind of bedding you will prefer for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow for the safety of your child. For instance, there should be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be missing or loose. Additionally the bed shouldn't be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard, since they can restrict a child's head or legs and increase the chance of death by suffocation.
You can purchase cribs with a variety of designs and colors. Some come with integrated shelves or changing tables. If you are planning to breastfeed, these cribs could be very convenient as you can nurse your baby in the crib. If you're short of space or have a small budget, you can still find cribs that have all the necessities.
If you have more money to spend there are cribs that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds, and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are called cots 4 tots-in-1 cribs. They can be a great crib choice for parents who don't want to purchase an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows the old one.
Style
As you look for a crib, take into consideration its style and design in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. You may want to select a crib that matches the overall style of your home, whether rustic or contemporary. There are a variety of cribs available with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with many unique designs and shapes.
Cribs are a safe place to sleep for infants. Initially, they were simply cradles which could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety evolved and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer more protection from falls or entrapment. Today's cribs are made with features like solid construction, the proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's well-being and safety.
To make life easier For convenience, you can also locate cribs that have a changing table and shelving unit. This kind crib is not recommended for babies who are ready to stand or climb. It can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for newborns. The lower position is ideal when your baby can sit up or roll over in the bed. This usually happens at the age of one year.
The mattress can be set on a single-piece board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend using a metal spring base, since it is considered to be more durable than wood slats that can break or become loose over the course of time. The base should be firm and securely attached to the crib so it doesn't allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you're planning on keeping your baby in a crib for as long as you can, then think about a crib that converts into a toddler cheap cot bed, daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have removable rails that make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress less difficult. They also typically come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
Whatever design or style you pick it's crucial 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 conformity to ASTM International standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to see if there are any paint or wood flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.
If you're planning to purchase an additional crib mattress for your baby's bed, go for the firmest one you can find. This will help reduce the risk of accidental suffocation, which is the most common cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure that the mattress fits snugly into the crib. A mattress that's too large or too small can be a hazard, as your baby may get trapped between the mattress and headboard or the sides of the crib.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents that include 21 fatalities identified in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, such as gaps between the crib mattress and the side, or between the head and footboard, that can cause entrapment. Infants could be able to roll on the mattress, or be trapped between the wall or headboard.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage the safety of sleep and stop rebreathing, or breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, thought to be a contributing factor to SIDS. However, there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
The addition of a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new things such as toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can save you money on furniture and make the transition into the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits are available for many models of cribs and usually include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have very low chemical emissions, resulting in better indoor air quality.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the right mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's sleep. You can choose from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in different sizes to suit your needs. Pick a foam mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring bed that is compliant with the safety standards of the federal government.
You'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed once your child is old enough to be in a bigger bed. It is recommended to do this before your child turns 2 to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child is comfortable. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit is in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes for two people.
A few things can make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, including keeping the bedding and bedroom decor constant and putting the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Getting your child involved in the transition by giving them a selection of their favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular time will help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that converts to an adult-sized bed is an excellent way to prolong the life of your investment. It also provides an extra bed for cots offers your child. Conversion kits are available in various styles to match other furniture and are compatible with a variety of mattresses including twin or full size.