9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is a crucial element of your baby's development. A crib can help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and keep you and your baby safe in the evening.

There are a myriad of cribs with different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.

Size

A crib is a tiny bed made for infants and toddlers. There are a variety of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler's mattress and offer a safe place to sleep for your infant. Some cribs have wheels that let them be moved from room to room, and most are designed to lower the chance of SIDS by providing a secure and comfortable environment similar to the birthing womb.

Some parents prefer to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, whereas others might be ready to switch them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib, which can be used from birth until the time your child is around 18 months old or best cots for newborns is capable of climbing out.

There are bassinets too, that can be used from birth to four months, or until the baby is too large for it. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, but they can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that infants require during their first few months. They also are smaller and therefore a great alternative if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would prefer.

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 the crib's frame and mattress, and the slats must not be sagging or missing. Additionally, the bed should not be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard as these can hold a child's head and legs and increase the chance of being suffocated.

Cribs are available in different designs and finishes, and some even include changing tables and shelving units. These are especially useful for breastfeeding moms in the future, since it allows you to breastfeed your baby while still in the crib. If, however, you are not a lot of space and have the funds to purchase a crib you can find cribs that only have the bare essentials.

If you have a little more money to spend on a crib, you can find one that can grow with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are referred to as cots 4 tots-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want another one each time their child is out of the old crib.

Style

When you are looking for a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the style of the nursery. If the design of your home is influenced by a particular direction such as rustic or contemporary, you may want to pick the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are numerous cribs to choose from in various shapes and styles that come with natural wood or color finishes.

Cribs have a long-standing tradition of providing safe sleeping environments for infants. They were initially simple cradles that could be rocked. As the understanding of child safety developed and top ranked cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. Today's cribs are built with features like sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's safety and well-being.

You'll also find cribs that incorporate a changing table or shelving unit for convenience during the newborn stage. 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 them to get out.

Some cribs have adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for infants, while the lower setting should be used before your baby is able to sit up or roll in bed, which typically happens before they are a year old.

The crib's mattress can be positioned on a one-piece board, a grid of wood slats or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal because it is believed to be more stable than wood slats that can break or become loose over the course of time. The base should be tight and firm to stop the excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause the risk of suffocation for infants.

If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for as long as you can, then look into a crib that can be converted into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. They usually have removable rails to allow the transition from a regular bed easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Whatever style or design you choose, it's essential to look for cribs that meet strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the conformity to ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the crib's packaging or in the description. In addition, examine the crib frame for any imperfections in the paint or the wood which could pose a threat to your baby.

If you are planning to buy an infant's mattress for their crib, select the most firm mattress 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 is able to fit snugly within the crib. A mattress that is too big or too small could be dangerous, as your baby could be trapped between the mattress and the crib sides or headboard.

Some reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified in the NPR, and two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, involve crib beds that are too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or head and footboard that create entrapment risks and infants slipping into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall; pillows and blankets posing suffocation risks; and mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.

Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim will promote safe sleep, and stop breathing in your baby's carbon dioxide. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. However there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

Adding a baby to your family typically leads to an influx of new items including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition to 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 footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means they emit low levels of chemical for a healthier indoor atmosphere.

Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib it is crucial to choose the right mattress so that your child gets a good night's sleep. You can choose from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in different sizes to meet your needs. To ensure safety, select a foam mattress that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that meets the safety standards of the federal government for toddler beds and cribs.

You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion or a toddler bed once your child is ready for an additional bed. It is recommended that you have this in place before your child turns two years old to ensure the process is smooth and your child is comfortable with the new transition. Once you have your mattress and crib kit in place, it will take less than 30 minutes to transform the crib into a full-size or toddler bed.

It is possible to make the transition from a crib to a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor the same, and putting the bed into the room where the crib is. Give your child a variety of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and urging them to sleep on a regular time can help them to adjust.

A crib that converts into a full-size bed is a great option to extend 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 come in various styles to match the furniture pieces you have and are suitable for numerous types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.