9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential part of the baby's life. A crib will help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety during the night.
There are a myriad of cribs that come in different dimensions, styles, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are safe, simple to use, and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a compact bed designed for infants and toddlers. There are many types of cribs to choose from, however all are smaller than a toddler bed and provide an appropriate place for your child to sleep. Some cribs have wheels so they can be moved around the home. Most are designed to lower SIDS risk by providing a comfy and supportive environment similar to the mother's womb.
While many parents may want their children to stay in their cribs for as long as is possible, some will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed faster than others. The most recommended cribs popular type of crib is a standard crib that is suitable from birth until your child is about 18 months old or is capable of getting out.
There are bassinets too, which can be used from newborn to four months, or until the baby is too large for it. These are smaller cribs, which are more compact, that provide the intimacy and comfort that parents of infants require in the early years. They are also more portable and therefore a great option if you're unsure about what type of bedding you would like for your child.
Both cribs and bassinets have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. For instance, there must be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats shouldn't be loose or missing. The bed shouldn't 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.
You can buy cribs with a variety of styles and finishes. Some come with integrated shelving units or changing tables. If you plan to breastfeed, these cribs can be extremely convenient since you can nurse your Baby beds in the crib. If, however, you are limited in space and have a an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that have only the bare essentials.
If you're willing to pay a little more, you can buy cribs that can be converted into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These are commonly referred to as 4-in-1 cribs and can be an ideal option for parents who do not want to invest in another crib every when their child grows out of the crib they have.
Style
When choosing a crib, consider its style and design in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery. You might want to choose one that is in line with the general theme of your home, whether rustic or contemporary. There are a variety of cribs available with natural wood or vibrant colors, and with a wide variety of unique shapes and styles.
Cribs have a long tradition of providing safe sleeping areas for babies. At first, they were cradles which could be rocked. As the knowledge of child safety developed and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide better protection against falls or entrapment. Modern cribs have features such as sturdy construction, the right spacing of slats, and non-toxic materials, all of which are geared towards your baby's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that include a changing table or shelving unit for convenience in the early stages of infanthood. However, it's not recommended that you use this type of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb, as it could make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support levels, so you can lower it as your Baby Cot Bed grows. The higher position is suitable for infants. The lower position is best used when your child can sit up or roll over in bed. This is usually around the age of a year.
The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single-piece board, a wood-slat grid or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend springs made of metal, since it is believed to be more sturdy than wooden slats, which could be prone to breaking or becoming loose over time. The base should be sturdy and securely attached to the crib, so that it doesn't allow air to circulate over the mattress, which could pose a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you intend to keep your Baby Crib in the crib for as long as is possible, consider a 4-in-1 bed that can be converted into a toddler's bed, a daybed and then eventually a full size bed. They usually come with rails that can be removed to make the transition from a crib to a regular mattress easier. They also come with adjustable levels for the mattress.
Safety
It is important to choose cribs that comply with strict safety standards, regardless of the style and design you select. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. These certifications are available 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 imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you are looking to purchase a mattress for your child's crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death from the suffocation. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. If the mattress is too big or too small could be hazardous for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents that include 21 deaths reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, involve 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's side, or footboard, which create entrapment risks; infants rolling on or being trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets, which pose suffocation risks; and mattresses that are overheated, causing infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Some manufacturers are now marketing "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote safe sleep, and will prevent breathing or rebreathing in carbon dioxide from your baby's body. This is thought to contribute to SIDS. However, there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you add the addition of a new child to your family, you'll likely have to purchase a lot of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that convert to toddler beds or full-size beds could help you save on furniture purchases and make the transition from infant to adolescence easier for your child as well as your family. These conversion kits are available for a variety of models of cribs and usually include a headboard and a footboard. Certain models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit very low chemical emissions, resulting in a healthier indoor environment.
If you decide to go with a convertible crib or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the right mattress to ensure your child gets a good night's rest. You can pick from foam, innerspring or gel mattresses in various sizes to suit your needs. For safety, choose the mattress made of foam that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that is in compliance with federal safety standards for cribs and toddler beds.
If your child is ready to transition from the crib, you'll need to purchase a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. You should do this before your child turns two to ensure a smooth transition and that your child is at ease. Once you have your crib mattress and kit It should take two people less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult size bed.
A few things can help make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, including keeping the decor and bedding constant and putting the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Offering your child a selection of toys and stuffed animals to sleep with, and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular time can help them adjust.
Having a crib that can be converted into a full-size bed is a great method to prolong the life of your investment and provide the bed your child needs through their teens. The conversion kits for these cribs come in various styles to match your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on many different kinds of mattresses, including twin and full size.
