Cots 4 Tots
9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the baby’s life. A crib helps them develop the habit of sleeping independently, and also keeps you both safe during the night.
There are many different types of cribs, all with different dimensions styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, simple to use and in line with the latest design trends.
Size
A crib is a bed made for infants and babies. There are many types of cribs to choose from, however all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs are on wheels, which allows them to be moved around the house. Most are designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a cozy and supportive environment like the baby’s womb.
While many parents would like their children to remain in a crib for as long as is possible but some children are ready to move them to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most popular type of crib is a standard crib that can be used from birth until the time your child is 18 months old older or is capable of climbing out.
There are also bassinets that can be used from newborn to four months, or until the baby becomes too large for it. These are smaller and more compact than cribs, yet they provide the closeness to parents that some infants need in their early months. They are also more portable and therefore a great alternative if you’re not sure of what kind of bedding you’d like for your child.
Both bassinets and cribs are required to adhere to safety guidelines that must be followed in order to protect your child. For instance, there must be no gaps bigger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats shouldn’t be missing or loose. The bed shouldn’t have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard because this could trap the child’s legs or head and increase the chance of suffocation.
You can purchase cribs in many different designs and colors. Some even come with integrated shelves or changing tables. They are particularly useful when you are planning to breastfeed in the future, since it allows you to nurse your baby while still in the crib. If you’re short on space or have a limited budget, you can still find cribs that have the basic necessities.
If you have a bit 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 known as 4-in-1 cribs and can be a great choice for parents who don’t want to buy an entirely new crib each time their child is out of the old one.
Style
When you’re looking for a crib, consider the design of the crib in relation to the nursery of your baby. If the design of your home reflects a particular direction like rustic or contemporary then you might want to choose the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available with natural wood or vibrant finishes, and in a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for babies. They were initially cradles which could be rocked. As the concept of child safety developed and cribs became stationary design, the cribs were redesigned to provide greater protection against falls and entrapment. Modern cribs have features such as sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby’s safety and well-being.
For convenience You can also find cribs with shelves and a changing table unit. This kind crib is not suitable for babies who are ready to climb or stand. It could make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for babies. The lower position is best used when your child can sit up or roll in bed. This is usually at the age of one year.
The mattress can be put on a single piece of board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing springs made of metal, as this is believed to be more sturdy than wooden slats, which could break or loosen over time. The base should be tight and firm to stop the air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib as long as possible then think about a 4-in-1 crib that can be transformed into a toddler’s bed, a daybed, and eventually a full size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to make the transition to a regular bed easier and, in most cases, they come with 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 (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. Look for these certifications on the crib’s packaging or description. In addition, examine the crib frame for any defects in the wood or paint that could pose a danger for your baby.
If you are planning to buy a mattress for your child’s crib, select the most firm mattress you can find. This will reduce the chance of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress is firmly seated in the crib. A mattress that is too large or too small could be hazardous for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress’s sides and the headboard or the crib’s sides.
There are reports of accidents that are not fatal that include 21 deaths reported in the NPR, and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents involve a variety of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib’s side or the footboard and head that can cause entrapment dangers as well as infants who roll onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets, which pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to suffer burns, rashes and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising “breathable” crib mattress that they claim will help your baby sleep more safely and will prevent breathing or rebreathing in your baby’s carbon dioxide. This is believed to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new items, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs which can be converted into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save 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 a variety of cots, and come with a footboard and headboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, meaning that they emit low levels of chemicals to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
Whether you opt for a convertible crib or a standard crib it is crucial to choose the correct mattress to ensure your child gets a good night’s rest. You can pick from foam mattresses, innerspring and gel in various sizes to meet your requirements. Select a mattress that is at minimum 2 3/8 inches in thickness 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 to move on to an additional bed. It is best to have it installed before your child turns two to ensure that the process is smooth and your child will be comfortable 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 is not more than 30 minutes when you have two people.
A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child. These include keeping the decor and bedding uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Involving your child in the transition by offering them a selection of their favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular basis can also help them adjust to the new sleeping arrangement.
A crib that converts to a full-size bed is an excellent way to extend the lifespan of your investment. It also gives you a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs are available in various designs to complement your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on various types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.