9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a vital part of the life of your baby. A crib helps them establish the habit of sleeping independently, and it also keeps you both safe during the night.
There are a myriad of cribs with different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, easy to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a small bed that is designed for infants and toddlers. There are many different types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's mattress and provide a safe sleeping place for your child. Some cribs come with wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and are designed to reduce the chance of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment that is similar to the womb.
While many parents may want their children to remain in their cribs as long as they can, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed earlier 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 climb out.
Bassinets are suitable for babies from birth to four months, or until they become too large. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, yet they give parents the intimacy that infants require during their first few months. They are also more compact and therefore a great option if you're not sure what type of bedding your child would like.
To ensure your child's safety, cribs cots and tots bassinets both have safety guidelines. For example, there should be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the frame of the crib and the slats shouldn't be missing or loose. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard because this could trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk for suffocation.
Cribs are available in a variety of styles and finishes, and some even include changing tables and shelving units. These can be particularly convenient when you are planning to breastfeed, as it will enable you to breastfeed your baby in the crib. If you're not a lot of space and have the funds to purchase a crib, you can find cribs that only have the basic necessities.
If you have more money to spend, you can find cribs that will expand with your child to toddler beds, and even sofas and daybeds. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal choice for parents who don't need to buy another crib every time their child outgrows the crib they have.
Style
If you are in the market for a crib, think about the style of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the design of your home is influenced by an inclination such as modern or rustic then you might want to select a crib that fits with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in natural wood or colorful colors, and with a wide variety of unique designs and shapes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. They were initially simple cradles that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety evolved and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer better protection against falls or entrapment. The cribs of today come with features such as solid construction, the proper spacing of slats and non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that combine a changing table or shelving unit for convenience during the infant cot bed stage. However, it's not recommended to use this type of crib until your baby is ready to stand up or climb because it can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is ideal for newborns, and the lower position should be used prior to when your baby begins to roll or sit up in bed, which typically happens before they reach the age of a year.
The crib's mattress can be perched on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains, recommend a metal spring frame because it is more stable than wood slats which can be loosened or broken over time. The base should be tight and firm to prevent excessive air from moving around the mattress. This could cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib as long as you can, think about a 4-in-1 crib which can be used as a toddler's bed, a daybed and then eventually a full size bed. They typically have removable rails that make the transition from a crib an ordinary mattress much easier. They also typically come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is essential to select cribs that comply with strict safety standards, regardless of the style or design you select. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and conformity with ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, look over the crib frame to see if there are any wood or paint flaws that could be dangerous for your best baby cots.
If you are planning to purchase a new crib mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will reduce the chance of accidental suffocation, which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly within the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small could be risky for your baby as they could be trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
There are reports of non-fatal incidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, relate to a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents include a variety dangers, including gaps between the mattress and the sides, or between the footboard and head, that can cause entrapment. Infants may also fall onto the mattress or become trapped between it and the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in the baby's own carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
If you are adding the addition of a new child to your family, you'll likely have to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds could aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to childhood easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of kinds of cribs, and generally include a headboard and a footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
If you decide to go with a convertible crib or a standard crib, it is essential to purchase the right mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's rest. You can choose from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in various sizes to meet your requirements. Select a mattress that is at least 2 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring bed that is in compliance with federal safety standards.
You will have to purchase a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed when your child is ready for a bigger bed. You should do this before your child turns 2 to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is at ease. Once you have your crib mattress and kit It will take less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult size bed.
Certain things can make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child. These include keeping the bedroom decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same room as their crib. Involving your child in the transition by offering them a choice of toys or stuffed animals to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular time can help them adapt to the new bed arrangement.
A crib that converts into a full size bed is a great option to extend the time-to-value of your investment. It also offers a bed for your teenager. Conversion kits are available in many styles to complement other furniture and can be used with a wide range of mattresses such as twin or full size.