What Is It That Makes Crib Sets So Popular

Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One

The Best cot for newborn cribs come with everything your baby needs to rest comfortably from the first day. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to fit tightly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a serious safety risk for infants.

One parent testigator said that she had used it for two babies and then passed it on to another friend. This made it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it a great option for nursery spaces that are minimalist.

Bedding

There are many options to choose from when it comes down to bedding for your crib. It's not just about picking a pattern that matches your aesthetic. You also want to ensure that the sheet is fitted tightly and doesn't get tangled in places where it could pose the risk of choking your child. It must also be soft to the touch and durable enough to stand up to months of blowouts from diapers and spit-up, without deteriorating too quickly.

This set from Avocado is one of our favorite. It comes with two sheets made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, an independent third-party certification that guarantees that the products of the company are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk, which means they won't shrink or stretch after washing, and they're made to fit on a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine-washable to clean the inevitable mess your Baby Crib is bound to make.

Another great option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads that adds a layer of comfort while protecting the mattress from spills and stains. Choose mattresses that are less than an inch thick so your child is able to breathe easily. And steer clear of anything that's too soft or includes long bows, ribbons and other adornments that can detach and pose the risk of strangulation.

Consider purchasing a convertible crib if you intend to keep your child in the crib for a long time. These cribs can be converted to a toddler bed, and sometimes even a daybed or full-size. Some cribs come with the required conversion kits included, but others require a purchase.

Some of our top cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 sleigh-style crib, which is constructed of solid wood and has one of the taller mattress heights (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a mattress that is low). It's also certified Greenguard Gold, meaning it complies with strict environmental standards for reduced gassing.

Mattress

When it comes to crib mattresses, firmness and size are crucial. The AAP recommends a firm mattress which fits snugly, and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put a sheet over it. The mattress should be of the right size for the crib, and it should stay in place, even after your baby is old enough to leave it.

You should also determine whether the mattress has chemicals that could harm your child. Look for a mattress free of volatile organic compound (VOCs) that emit an unpleasant chemical odor. A good indication is a CertiPUR US certificate which confirms that the mattress's foam is free of Ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, formaldehyde phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.

Other aspects to consider are how much weight the mattress weighs and whether it's waterproof or not. A mattress that is waterproof or able to be cleaned is better for cleaning, since you'll be changing sheets every night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the most heavy product we've tested, coming around 20 lbs. This may be a major issue for certain parents.

A mattress that has two sides could have an infant side that is firm and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians suggest flipping the mattress after your child is at the peak of their normal growth, usually about 12 months.

We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how they could be folded easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put a weight of 8 pounds which was slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby on each mattress to observe how it responded. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, which means they have enough support to stop your child from falling over or suffocating in bed. Some of the mattresses that we test had a removable cover that can be machine-washed and is water-proof. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them much easier.

Crib Rails

A crib isn't complete without the proper set of rails that are fixed. While some cribs for babies include a set of baby rails with their cribs, others offer them separately. If you choose to buy them separately, search for rails that meet the safety requirements. For example, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without being too fragile. They should also be secured in a secure way so that they can't be removed from your child.

The best crib rails will not only be sturdy They should also fit snuggly within the frame of the crib. This will keep the mattress from becoming too fragile and could be hazardous for your child. When buying crib rails, make sure to examine the inside of the frame because there are slight differences in the size of cribs. Ideally, the space should be no more than three fingers wide.

Also, you should ensure that the crib rails are free of cut-outs for decorative purposes or other decorations which could be suffocation hazards. Avoid placing pillows, quilts or blankets in the crib. They can result in the accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. Consider a crib cover and pad combination to provide a comfortable sleeping mattress for your baby. These are comprised of a mattress pad that is waterproof and a fitted "skirt" that fits around the mattress like the fitted sheet.

Lastly, you'll want to purchase the appropriate crib rail guards. These are designed to cushion your baby's head in the event that it falls on the crib railings while feeding or cradling him or her beside the bed. They can also stop dental marks and drool staining on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.

As your baby grows out of the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to keep your child safe in the bed until they're ready to move on to a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with most standard cribs. It's easy to install and meets CPSC safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Some crib design features are strictly aesthetic and subject to individual preference, while others like the style of the slats that are on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bedcan have a major impact on the ease of use of the crib and its lifespan. The best cribs beds have solid wood construction, meet numerous safety standards, and are easily configurable to a variety of mattress heights. Certain cribs have distinct features that make them more useful, such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to change the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.

Generally, you want to avoid cribs with decorative cut-outs, or other decorations that could snag on clothes or pose a choking risk for children. Be sure cots to tots inspect the crib hardware regularly for loose bolts or objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and present the risk of injury.

The best crib sets include simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary parts including hardware. Most modern cribs take a half an hour or less to assemble, and a lot include all the equipment you'll need.

You might also want to consider a convertible crib that can transform into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size bed. This is a great buy for families that plan to keep the crib for many years or have a limited space in their homes. It's important to keep in mind, though, that some crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the process.

It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it is vital for safety and stability. Most cribs feature the rectangular blocks, wedges (also known as "shims"), and big chocks referred to as step chocks, all designed to snug up contact points between the crib and the supported surface.

Some shims and chocks may be made from soft woods that crack slowly. This could trigger an audible warning when they fail. However, harder woods may break more suddenly and with greater force. Plastic shims and chocks are also available and can be easier to install since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.