Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the life of your baby. A crib can aid your baby to develop the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you both safe at night.
There are a myriad of cribs with different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
cheap cot bed is a bed that is made for infants and babies. There are a variety of cribs, but they are all smaller than a toddler's mattress and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your child. Some cribs are on wheels, which allows them to be moved around the house. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a cozy and safe environment that is similar to the baby's womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to stay in a crib for as long as possible but some children are ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable for your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or can be removed.
There are also bassinets, which are suitable from the time of birth to four months or until the baby is large for it. These are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but can provide the closeness to parents that some infants need in their early months. They are also more compact which makes them a good alternative if you're not certain what type of bedding your child would prefer.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. There shouldn't be a gap greater than two fingers between the crib's frame and mattress, and slats shouldn't be loose or absent. Additionally the bed shouldn't be fitted with cutouts in the headboard or footboard, as these can restrict a child's head or legs and increase the risk of being suffocated.
cheap cot beds are available in various designs and finishes, and some even include changing tables and shelving units. If you are planning to breastfeed, these cribs can be very convenient as you can feed your baby in the crib. If you're short on space or have a limited budget, you can still find cribs with all the necessities.
If you are willing to invest a little more, you can buy cribs that are able to be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal option for parents who don't need to buy another crib every time their child outgrows the crib they have.
Style
When you're looking for a crib, think about the design of the crib in relation to your baby's nursery. It is possible to pick a crib that matches the overall style of your home, regardless of whether it's rustic or contemporary. There are many cribs available in various designs and shapes that come with natural wood or color finishes.
Cribs have a long history of providing safe sleeping areas for infants. At first, they were cribs that could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer greater protection against falls and entrapment. The cribs of today are built with features like solid construction, the proper spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials. They focus on your baby's well-being and safety.
You'll also find cribs that include a changing table or shelving unit for ease in the early stages of infanthood. This type crib is not suitable for babies who are ready to stand or climb. It could make it easier to get out.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting works well for infants. The lower position is best used when your baby can sit up or lie down in bed. This usually happens at the age of one year.
The mattress can be put on a single-piece wooden board or grid of wood-slats, or a spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal, as this is considered to be more durable than wood slats that can be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib so it doesn't allow excess air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you are planning to keep your baby in the crib for as long as is possible, think about a 4-in-1 crib that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, daybed, and eventually a full size bed. They usually come with rails that are removable, making the transition from a crib to an ordinary mattress much easier. They also typically come with adjustable mattress levels.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that adhere to strict safety standards, irrespective of the style and design you select. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or in its description. In addition, inspect the crib frame for any imperfections in the paint or wood which could pose a threat to your child.
If you're planning to purchase a new mattress for your baby's crib choose the most firm one you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental death due to suffocation. Make sure the mattress fits comfortably inside the crib. If the mattress is too big or too small could be risky for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents which include 21 deaths identified by the NPR, and two deaths reported during the NPR Update, involve the crib mattress being too soft. These incidents can involve a range of hazards, such as gaps between the mattress and the sides, or between the footboard and head that could cause the entrapment of. Infants can also fall onto the mattress or become trapped between the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattress that they claim will promote safe sleep, and prevent rebreathing or breathing into 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
When you welcome an infant to your family, you'll likely need to buy lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to nursery furniture. Making the investment in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to adolescence easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of models of cribs and usually include a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit low levels of chemical to ensure a cleaner indoor environment.
If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's rest. You can choose from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in various sizes to meet your requirements. For safety, choose an innerspring mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that meets the federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
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 the process goes smoothly and your child is at ease with the new transition. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit is in place, converting the crib into a toddler or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes when you have two people.
You can make the transition from a crib a toddler-sized bed more enjoyable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Give your child a variety of toys, stuffed animals or other to sleep with, and urging them to sleep on a regular time can help them to adjust.
A crib that can transform into a bed that is full size is a great method to prolong the life of your investment and provide an additional bed for your child through their teens. The conversion kits for these cribs come in different styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.