24 Hours To Improve Cribs Beds
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is an essential part of your baby's life. A crib can help your baby develop the habit of sleeping on their own, and ensure your safety at night.
There are a variety of cribs that come in different sizes, styles and mattress support heights. We searched for cribs that are secure and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a tiny bed designed for infants and toddlers. There are many different types of cribs, but they all are smaller than a toddler's bed, and provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your child. Some cribs are on wheels, so they can be moved around the home. They are generally designed to decrease SIDS risk by providing a comfortable and safe environment that is similar to the womb.
While a lot of parents want their children to stay in a crib for as long as possible but some children are ready to move them to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used type of crib is a standard crib which can be used from birth until the time your child is around 18 months old or is capable of climbing out.
Bassinets can be used by babies from birth to four months, or until they become too big. They are smaller and more compact than cribs, but can offer the comfort and closeness to parents that some infants need in their early months. They also come in smaller sizes and therefore a great option if you're not sure what kind of bedding your child would like.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines to follow to ensure the safety of your child. For instance, there must be no gaps greater than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats must not be loose or missing. cot beds have any cutouts on the headboard or footboard as this could entrap the child's head or legs and increase the risk of death by suffocation.
Cribs can be purchased in various styles and finishes, and some even come with changing tables or shelving units. These are especially useful for breastfeeding moms and allowing you to breastfeed your baby in the crib. If, however, you are limited in space and have a an extremely limited budget there are cribs that just feature the bare essentials.
If you have a little more money to spend there are cribs that can be adapted to develop with your child into toddler beds, or even daybeds and sofas. These cribs are referred to as 4-in-1 cribs, and they can be a great choice for parents who don't want a new one every time their child is out of the old one.
Style
As you look for the perfect crib, think about its style and design in relation to the style of the nursery. Baby beds is possible to pick an option that fits the overall style of your home, whether it's contemporary or rustic. There are numerous crib options in natural wood or colorful colors, and with an array of distinctive shapes and styles.
Cribs are safe sleeping places for infants. At first, they were cribs that could be rolled. As the understanding of child safety grew and cribs became stationary, designs changed to provide greater protection against falls and 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 wellbeing.
To make life easier For convenience, you can also locate cribs that have shelves and a changing table unit. This type crib is not suitable for babies who are ready to climb or stand. It could make it easier to escape.
Some cribs come with adjustable heights for mattress support so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher setting is ideal for infants, while the lower setting should be used before your baby learns to sit or roll in bed, which usually happens by the time they are a year old.
The mattress of a crib can be positioned on a single-piece board, a grid of wood slats or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect, and Baby Bargains recommend a steel spring frame since it's more sturdy than wooden slats which can break or loosen with time. The base must be secure and firm to stop excess air from circulating around the mattress. This could cause the risk of suffocation for infants.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib as long as possible then consider a 4-in-1 bed which can be used as a toddler's bed, daybed, and eventually, a full-size bed. They typically have rails that can be removed to make the transition from a regular bed easier and, in most cases, they come with 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 comply with stringent safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and conformity with ASTM International Standards. Look for these certifications on the crib's packaging or in its description. Also, look over the crib frame for any defects in the wood or paint that could pose a risk to your baby.
If you are planning to purchase a new crib mattress for your baby's crib, go for the firmest one you can find. This will lower the chance of accidental suffocation, which is the leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Also, make sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. A mattress that is either too large or too small can be risky for your baby because they could get trapped between the mattress' sides and the headboard or crib sides.
Certain reports of nonfatal accidents, including 21 reported fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, involve the crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents are characterized by a variety of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side or the footboard and head that pose entrapment hazards as well as infants who roll into or getting trapped between the mattress and the headboard or wall pillows and blankets, which pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot and cause infants to suffer burns, rashes, and other health issues.
Certain manufacturers are now advertising "breathable" crib mattress that claim to promote safe sleep, and stop breathing into your baby's carbon dioxide. It is believed that this could contribute to SIDS. There is no evidence from an epidemiological study that breathable crib mattresses reduce the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
When you welcome an infant to your family, you'll likely need to buy lots of new items. This includes everything from clothing to toys to furniture for the nursery. Making the investment in cribs that can be converted into toddler beds or full-size beds can aid in saving money on furniture purchases and make the transition from baby to adolescence easier for your child and the family. These conversion kits can be purchased for various brands of cots, and come with an adjustable headboard and footboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit low chemical emissions for an environment that is healthier.
No matter if you choose a convertible crib or a standard crib, it is important to buy the correct mattress to ensure your child has a comfortable night's sleep. Choose from foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that are available in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. Choose a foam mattress at least 2 3/8 inches thick or an innerspring bed that is compliant with federal safety standards.
You will have to purchase a full-size bed conversion, or a toddler bed when your child is ready to move on to larger beds. Ideally, cot beds should have it in place before your child turns two to ensure the process is smooth and your child will be comfortable with the new transition. Once you have your crib and mattress kit, it will take less than 30 minutes to convert the crib into an adult size bed.
Certain things can make the transition to a toddler bed more comfortable for your child, including keeping the bedding and bedroom decor uniform and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Give your child a variety of stuffed animals or other toys to sleep with, and encouraging them to go to bed at a regular schedule can help them to adjust.
Having a crib that can convert to a full-size bed is an excellent method to prolong the life of your investment and provide an additional bed for your child through their teens. Conversion kits are available in many styles to match other furniture and are compatible with a wide variety of mattresses including twin or full size.