15 Things You Didn't Know About Crib Sets
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The most ideal crib sets have everything you need for your newborn to sleep peacefully from the beginning. They're pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to fit snugly around the mattress without bunching - a serious safety risk for infants.
One tester for parents said that she used it through two babies and passed it to a friend which makes it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it an excellent choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
There are plenty of choices when it comes to crib bedding. However, picking the right bedding is more than picking a cute pattern to match your aesthetic; you need to find one that fits tightly and doesn't get clumped up in places where it could pose a danger of suffocation for your baby. It should also be soft to the touch and durable enough to withstand months of diaper blowouts and spit-up, without deteriorating too fast.
This Avocado set is one of our favorites. It contains two sheets made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, which is an independent third-party certification that assures that the products of the company meet rigorous 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 The size of the blanket is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. The blankets are machine washable to clean up the inevitable mess your baby will create.
Another option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads, which provides an additional layer of comfort while protecting the mattress from spills and stains. Find a mattress pad that's less than an inch thick so your child can still breathe easily. And steer clear of anything that's too soft or is adorned with long ribbons, bows and other adornments that could become detached and pose a strangulation risk.
You should consider buying a convertible crib if plan to keep your child in the crib for a long time. These beds typically convert into a toddler bed and occasionally to full-size beds or a daybed also. Some cribs have the required conversion kits included but some require a purchase.
A few of our most-loved cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, constructed of solid wood and comes with one of the taller mattress heights (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a low mattress). We love that it's also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets stringent environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.
Mattress
Firmness and size are important when it comes to a crib mattress. The AAP suggests using a mattress that is firm, is comfortable and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should be the proper size for the crib, and it should stay in place even after your child gets out of it.
In addition, you'll want to consider if the mattress is made of substances that could harm your child. Look for a mattress that is odor-free and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which frequently emit a noxious chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good sign. cots offers confirms that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals.
Other things to consider are the weight of the mattress and whether or not it's waterproof. You'll likely have to deal with changing sheets at night and a waterproof or wipeable surface will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the most heavy of the ones we tested at 20lbs which could be a problem for some parents.
A dual-sided mattress may have one side that is firm for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress once your child has reached the height of their normal growth, usually at around 12 months.
We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how easily they folded to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. tots and cots put an 8-pound tin, slightly heavier than a newborn on each one to observe how it reacted. The best mattresses did not sink, meaning they have enough support to stop your child from falling or getting suffocated. Some of the mattresses we tested had a cover that was machine-washable and is waterproof. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them much easier.
Crib Rails
A crib is not complete without the proper set of rails fixed. Some furniture companies for babies provide baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you decide to buy them separately, search for ones that meet all of the safety requirements. For example, they should be free of missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without becoming too fragile. They should also lock securely in place to ensure that they are not removed from your child.
The right crib rails will not only be sturdy, they should be able to fit snugly into the frame of the crib. This will prevent the mattress from becoming too fragile and could be hazardous for your child. Be sure to measure inside the crib frame prior to purchasing a crib rail. There are slight variations in the sizes of cribs. Ideally, the space should be no more than three fingers wide.
It is also important to make sure the crib rails are devoid of cut-outs with decorative designs and other adornments which could be dangers for suffocation. You should also avoid placing pillows, blankets, quilts and sheepskins in the crib since they can contribute to an unhealthy accumulation of carbon dioxide and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. If you want to include a soft sleeping surface in the crib, consider a crib pad-and-cover combination. These products consist of a mattress pad that is waterproof and a fitted "skirt", which fits around the mattress like the fitted sheet.
You'll also want to make sure that you have the right crib rail guards. They are designed to protect your baby's head if it hits the crib railings while feeding or cradling him or her beside the bed. They can also stop the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
You'll need a toddler guardrail once your child outgrows their crib. This will keep them safe in the crib until they are ready to move into a larger bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that can be used with the majority of cribs. It is easy to install and meets CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Certain crib design elements are only aesthetic and are 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 bed -can have a major impact on the ease of use of the crib as well as its lifespan. The best cribs feature solid wood construction, comply with numerous safety standards, and are easily configurable to a variety of mattress heights. Certain cribs have unique 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.
In general, you should avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other embellishments that could snag on clothes or pose a risk of choking for children. Check the crib hardware for loose bolts, as well as other items that could get caught on clothing or other objects.
The best crib sets have easy-to-follow instructions as well as all the required parts, including hardware. Most modern cribs take a half-hour or less to put together, and a majority include all the tools you'll require.
Look into a convertible crib that can be transformed into a toddler, daybed or a full-size mattress. This can be a smart purchase for families who plan to keep the crib for several years or have a limited space in their homes. It is important to know that some crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the process.
It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it's essential for safety and stability. The majority of cribs are made up of rectangular blocks, wedges (also known as "shims") and large chocks, also known as step chocks. They are all designed to strengthen the contact points between crib and the surface that supports it.
Some shims or chocks can be made from soft woods, which break slowly. This could trigger an audible warning before they fail. However, woods that are more rigid might break more quickly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available, which can be easier to install since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.