Blog entry by Lourdes De Lissa
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential aspect of the life of your baby. A crib can aid your baby in developing the habit of sleeping on their own and keep you and your baby safe at night.
There are a variety of cribs of various sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs which are safe, easy to use and suitable for modern designs.
Size
A crib is a small bed made for babies and infants. There are many different types of cribs, however they are all smaller than a toddler's bed and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your infant. Some cribs come with wheels so they can be moved around the house. Most are designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfortable and safe environment that is like the mother's womb.
Some parents will want to keep their baby in the crib for as long as they can, whereas others might be ready to move them to a toddler's bed sooner. The most common type of crib is a standard crib, that is suitable from birth until the time your child is around 18 months older or has the capacity of climbing out.
There are also bassinets which can be used from birth to four months, or until the baby is large for it. They are smaller and smaller than cribs, but can give parents the intimacy that some infants need during their first few months. They are also more portable, making them an attractive alternative if you're not sure about what type of bedding you will prefer for your child.
To ensure your child's safety the bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines. For instance, there should be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats should not be loose or missing. Also the bed shouldn't have cutouts in the footboard or headboard, as these can trap a child's head or legs and increase the chance of suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in a variety of styles and finishes, and some even have integrated changing tables or shelving units. If you intend to breastfeed, these cribs can be extremely convenient since you can nurse your baby in the crib. However, if you are not a lot of space and have an extremely limited budget you can find cribs that just feature the bare essentials.
If you're willing pay a little more you can purchase cribs that can be transformed into daybeds for toddlers, toddlers or sofas. These cribs are called 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want to purchase a new one every time their child grows out of the old one.
Style
As you look for a crib, consider its style and design in relation to the decor of your baby's nursery cots. If the style of your home reflects one particular direction such as rustic or contemporary, you may want to choose the crib that is in line with the overall theme. There are a variety of cribs available in a variety of designs and shapes and with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for babies. Initially, they were simply cribs that could be rolled. As the understanding of child safety evolved, stationary cribs became the norm, and the designs changed to provide better protection against falling or entrapment. Today's cribs are made with features like sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats and non-toxic materials. They prioritize your baby's safety and well-being.
To make life easier, you can also find cribs with shelves and a changing table unit. It's not recommended that you use this kind of crib when your baby is ready to stand up or climb because it can make it easier for them to get out.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights, so you can lower it as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for infants. The lower position is best used when your baby is able to sit up or lie down in the bed. This typically happens around the age of a year.
The crib's mattress 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 choosing springs made of metal, because it is considered to be more durable than wood slats that can break or loosen over time. The base should be firm and tightly fitted to the crib so it doesn't allow excess air to circulate around the mattress, creating a possible risk of suffocation for infants.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for as long as you can, then think about a crib that can be transformed into an infant bed, a daybed and eventually a full-size bed. They usually have removable rails to allow the transition from the regular bed more straightforward, and they often have adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
Whatever style or design you select regardless of the style or design you choose, it's important to search for cribs that are in compliance with 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, look over the crib's frame for flaws in the wood or paint which could pose a threat to your baby.
If you're planning to buy a mattress for your child's crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental death due to inhalation. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is too big or too small could be hazardous for your baby as they may become trapped between the mattress's sides and the headboard or the sides of the crib.
There are reports of accidents that are not fatal which include 21 deaths identified in the NPR as well as two additional reported deaths received during the NPR Update, are based on crib beds that are too soft. These incidents include a variety dangers, including gaps between the crib mattress and the side or between the head and footboard which can lead to the entrapment of. Infants could also fall onto the mattress or become trapped between the headboard or the wall.
Some manufacturers now offer "breathable" crib mattresses that claim to promote the safety of sleep and stop breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a contributing factor to SIDS. However, there is no epidemiological evidence that breathable mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
The addition of a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new items including toys and clothes to furniture for the nursery. Investing in cribs which can be converted into toddler beds or full size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into childhood easier for both your child and your family. These conversion kits can be purchased for many brands of cots 4 tots and include an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit low emissions of chemicals, which makes for better indoor air quality.
It is important to choose the best rated cribs mattress for your child's crib whether it's a convertible crib or standard crib. This will ensure they have an uncomfortably sleeping. You can pick between foam mattresses, innerspring and best cots (Https://Atomcraft.ru/) gel in a variety of sizes to suit 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 federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.
You will need to buy a full-size bed conversion or toddler bed once your child is ready to move on to larger beds. Ideally, you should have this in place before your child turns two years old to ensure the process goes smoothly and your child will be comfortable with the transition. Once you have your crib mattress and kit it will take two people less than 30 minutes to change the crib into an adult-sized bed or a toddler bed.
You can make the transition from a crib a toddler-sized bed more comfortable by keeping the bedding and decor the same and moving the bed into the room in which the crib is. Involving your child in the transition process by giving them a choice of favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to get into bed at a regular time can help them adapt to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that can be converted to an adult-sized bed is a great option to extend the lifespan of your investment. It also gives you a bed for your teenager. The conversion kits for these cribs come in various styles to match the furniture pieces you have and can be used on numerous types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.