9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential aspect of your baby’s life. A crib lets them establish the habit of sleeping independently, and also keeps you and your baby safe at night.

There are many cribs with different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are safe and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.

Size

A crib is a bed that is made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your baby. Some cribs are equipped 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 space similar to the womb.

While many parents would like their children to remain in their cribs for as long as possible, some will be ready to move them to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most popular crib is the standard crib. It can be used by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or can climb out.

Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months, or until they become too large. These are smaller cribs that are smaller and more compact. They can provide the closeness and comfort parents infants require during their early years. They also are smaller which makes them a good option if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would like.

Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines that must be adhered to in order to protect your child. There should be no gap of more than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress and the slats should not be sagging or missing. The bed should also not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this can trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk for the child to suffocate.

Cribs can be bought in a variety of designs and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. They are particularly useful when you are planning to breastfeed in the future, since it allows you to nurse your baby while in the crib. If you're short on space or have a tight budget, you can still find cribs that have the essentials.

If you have a bit more money there are cribs that can be adapted to expand with your child to toddler beds, and even sofas and daybeds. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal choice for parents who don't need to buy an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows their crib they have.

Style

When choosing the perfect crib, think about its style and design in relation to the style of the nursery. If the design of your home reflects a particular direction 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 bright colors, and with many unique shapes and styles.

Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping spaces for infants. They were initially cradles which could be rocked. As understanding of child safety grew and stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection from falling or entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like solid construction, a proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials that are all geared towards your baby's safety and wellbeing.

For ease of use, you can also find cribs that have an adjustable table and shelving unit. It's not recommended that you use this kind of crib until your baby is ready to stand up or climb as 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 suitable for babies. The lower position is ideal when your child can sit up or roll over in the bed. This usually happens around the age of a year.

The crib's mattress can be set on a single piece of board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a metal spring frame because it is more sturdy than wooden slats that can break or loosen with time. The base must be secure and firm to prevent air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause the risk of suffocation for infants.

If you're looking to keep your baby in a crib as long as possible, then look into a crib that can be converted into a daybed, toddler bed and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have removable rails to allow the transition from the regular bed more straightforward, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Regardless of the design or style you pick it's crucial to look for cribs that meet 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 in its description. Also, check the crib's frame to see if there are any wood or paint imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.

If you're planning to buy a mattress for your child's crib, choose the firmest mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death from the suffocation. Be sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly inside the crib. A mattress that is either too big or too small could be dangerous for your baby, as they could be trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.

Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported deaths identified by the NPR and two deaths that were reported during the NPR Update, are based on a crib bed that is too soft. These incidents involve a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or head and footboard that can cause entrapment dangers as well as infants who roll on or being trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard; pillows and blankets posing dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.

Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses, which they claim promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, which is hypothesized to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses lower the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

When you welcome the addition of a new child to your family, you'll likely need to buy many new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to nursery furniture. Making the investment in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adulthood easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for many models of cribs and usually include a headboard and footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified that means they have very low chemical emissions, resulting in an environment that is healthier.

It is essential to choose the best mattress for your child's crib, whether it be a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure that they have an uncomfortably sleep. You can pick from foam mattress, innerspring or gel in various sizes to meet your needs. To ensure safety, select the mattress made of foam that is between 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'll need to purchase a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed when your child is ready to move on to larger beds. Ideally, you should have it in place before your child turns two to ensure that the process goes smoothly and your child is at ease with the new transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, the process of converting the crib into a toddler bed or full-size bed will take no more than 30 minutes with two people.

A few things can make the transition to the toddler bed more enjoyable for your child, including keeping the decor and bedding uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and encouraging them to sleep on a regular time will help them settle.

A crib that can be converted to a full size bed is a great option to prolong the time-to-value of your investment. It also offers a bed for your teenager. Conversion kits are available in a variety of designs to match furniture and are compatible with a wide variety of mattresses including twin or full size.