9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds

Choosing cribs beds (More Help) For Your Baby

Sleep is an essential 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 during the night.

There are a variety of cribs, all with varying sizes and styles, as well as mattress-support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure and easy to use and in line with the latest design trends.

Size

A crib is a bed specifically designed for infants and babies. There are many different types of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler's mattress and offer a safe place to sleep for your child. Some cribs come with wheels that let them be moved from room-to-room and the majority are designed to minimize the risk of SIDS by providing a supportive and comfortable environment similar to the birthing womb.

While a lot of parents want their children to stay in a crib for as long as they can but some children are ready to move them to a toddler bed sooner than others. The most recommended cribs commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth up until they are 18 months old, or climb out.

There are bassinets too, which can be used from newborn to four months, or until the baby is too large for it. They are smaller, more compact cribs that can provide the closeness and comfort to parents some infants require in the early years. They are also more mobile, making them an attractive alternative if you're not sure about the kind of bedding you'd like for your child.

To ensure the safety of your child, cribs and bassinets both have safety guidelines. For instance, there should 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 should also not have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard because this could trap the child's legs or head and increase the risk for suffocation.

You can purchase cribs with a variety of styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelves or changing tables. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs could be very convenient as you can nurse your baby inside the crib. However, if you are short on space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that only have the basic necessities.

If you have a bit more money there are cribs that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds and even daybeds and sofas. These are often called 4-in-1 cribs. They can be an ideal option for parents who do not wish to purchase an entirely new crib each time their child outgrows their current one.

Style

As you look for a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. If the style of your home reflects one particular direction such as modern or rustic, you may want to pick the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are many cribs available in a variety of shapes and styles and with natural wood or color finishes.

Cribs are safe places to sleep for babies. At first, they were cradles which could be rocked. As the concept of child safety grew and cribs became more stationary and more secure, crib designs evolved to offer greater protection against falls and entrapment. Today's cribs are equipped with features like solid construction, appropriate spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety as well as his wellbeing.

You'll also find cribs that incorporate with a changing table or shelving unit for convenience during the infant stage. This type of crib is not recommended for babies who are ready to stand or climb. It could make it easier to escape.

Some cribs come with adjustable mattress support heights, meaning you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher setting is great for newborns, and the lower setting should be used prior to when your baby learns to sit or roll in bed, which usually occurs by the time they turn one year old.

The mattress of a crib can be perched on a single piece of board, a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire frame. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame because it is more sturdy than wooden slats, which may 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 are planning to keep your baby in the crib for as long as you can, consider a 4-in-1 bed that can be transformed into a toddler's bed, a daybed and then eventually, a full-size bed. These good cribs generally feature removable rails to facilitate the transition to an adult bed much easier and often come with adjustable mattress heights.

Safety

Regardless of the style or design you select it's crucial to look for cribs that comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States, this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and compliance with ASTM International standards. Check for these certifications on the crib's packaging, or in its description. Also, look over the crib's frame to determine if there are any wood or paint flaws that could be dangerous for your baby.

If you plan to buy a new mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will help reduce the chance of accidental suffocation, which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure the mattress fits snugly into the crib. A mattress that is either too large or too small could be dangerous for your baby, because they could get trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the crib's sides.

Some reports of nonfatal incidents which include 21 reported deaths reported in the NPR and two other fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of dangers, such as gaps between the mattress and the crib side or footboard, which create entrapment risks as well as infants who roll onto or becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose risk of suffocation; mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to be afflicted with burns, rashes and other health issues.

Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote sleeping in a safe manner and reduce the risk of breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, thought to be a contributing factor to SIDS. However, there is no evidence from an epidemiological perspective that breathable mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.

Conversion

When you welcome a new baby to your family, you'll likely have to purchase many new items. This includes everything from clothing and toys to nursery furniture. Investing in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds can aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to childhood easier for your child and family. These conversion kits are available for many kinds of cribs, and generally come with a headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Certified Gold, which means that they emit low levels of chemical to create a healthier indoor environment.

If you decide to go with convertible cribs or a standard crib it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child is comfortable night's rest. Choose between foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in different sizes to meet your requirements. To ensure safety, select a foam mattress that is at a minimum of 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that meets federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.

When your child is ready to move from the crib, you'll need to purchase a toddler bed or full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended that you have it installed before your child turns two years old to ensure the transition goes smoothly and your child is at ease with the new transition. Once your crib and mattress conversion kit are installed, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes for two people.

You can make the transition from a crib the toddler bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Getting your child involved in the transition by offering them a choice of favorite 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 sleeping arrangement.

A crib that is able to convert to a full-size bed is a great method to prolong the life of your investment and also provide the bed your child needs through their teenage years. The conversion kits that are available for these cribs come in a variety of designs to complement your other furniture pieces and are suitable for many different types of mattresses, including twin and full size.