7 Secrets About Crib Sets That Nobody Will Share With You
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best crib sets come with everything you need for your infant to sleep soundly from the beginning. They are pre-shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to fit comfortably on the mattress without getting tangled - a major safety risk for babies.
One parent testigator said she used hers through two children and then passed it on to a friend, making it a smart purchase. Its sleek design makes it an excellent choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
When it comes to crib bedding, there are plenty of options available. But choosing the right sheet is more than simply choosing a cute design to fit your style. You also want something that fits tightly and doesn't bunch up in areas where it could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. It is important to choose a soft and durable material to withstand blowouts from diapers, spills and other messes over the course of months without fading.
One of our top picks is this set from Avocado It comes with two sheets made from 100% organic cotton that is certified by GOTS and MADE SAFE-certified, an independent third-party verification that guarantees Avocado's fabrics meet strict standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk, which means they won't stretch or shrink after washing, and they're made to fit on a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets are machine washable to remove the inevitable mess that your little bundle will make.
A crib mattress pad is another great option for babies and toddlers. It provides an additional layer of comfort and protects the mattress from accidents and staining. Choose a mattress cover which is less than one inch thick to allow your child to breathe. Avoid anything that's too soft or has long ribbons, bows and other adornments that can be removed and create a strangulation risk.
You should consider buying an adjustable crib if you intend to keep your baby in the crib for a long time. These beds can be converted into a toddler bed, and sometimes even a full-size daybed. Some cribs come with the necessary conversion kits but some require a separate purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 crib is one of our favorites. It's constructed of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are worried about getting on the mattress from a low position). We love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it complies with stringent environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.
Mattress
When it concerns crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are crucial. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm which fits snugly, and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put a sheet over it. The mattress must also be the correct size for the crib and it should remain in place even after your child is old enough to leave it.
In addition, you'll want to consider if the mattress is made of substances that could harm your child. You should look for a mattress free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that emit an unpleasant chemical odor. A good indication is a CertiPUR US certificate, which certifies that the foam used in mattresses is made without Ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, other heavy metals, formaldehyde and phthalates, which are regulated by Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
A few other aspects to consider are how much weight the mattress carries and whether it's waterproof or not. nursery cots 'll likely have to deal with changes to sheets at night So a waterproof or wipeable surface will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the heaviest product we've tested, weighing in at 20 lbs. This may be a deal-breaker for some parents.
A mattress that has two sides could have one side that is firm for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress once your child is at the peak of their normal growth, which is usually around 12 months.
When we tested crib mattresses, we weighed them and looked at how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight, a bit heavier than a newborn on each one to observe how much it recoiled. The top mattresses did not sink, meaning they offer enough support to stop your child from falling off or getting suffocated. Some of the mattresses we test had a removable cover that is machine washable and is waterproof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them much easier.
Crib Rails
A crib isn't complete without the right set of rails fixed. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails along with the crib and others sell them on their own. If you choose to buy the rails separately, ensure that they meet the safety standards. They should, for instance be free of loose or missing screws, brackets, or other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to support your child's weight but not be too thin. They should also secure themselves in place so that they cannot be removed by your child.
The crib rails need to not only be strong, but also fit snugly within the frame of the crib. This will keep the mattress from being too flimsy, which can cause harm to your baby. When purchasing a crib rail, be sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame, because there are slight differences in the size of cribs. The ideal space should be no more than three fingers wide.
Also, you should make sure the crib rails are free of decorative cut-outs and other adornments that could pose dangers to suffocate your child. Avoid placing pillows, quilts or blankets in the crib. These could cause an unintentional buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. Consider a crib cover and pad combination to provide a comfortable sleeping mattress for your baby. They consist of a mattress pad with an elongated waterproof lining as well as an adjustable "skirt" that wraps around the mattress like an oversized sheet.
Finally, you'll need find the best crib rail guards. These are specifically designed to cushion your baby's head when it hits the crib railings while feeding or cradling him/her her in bed. They also help prevent teeth 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 require a toddler guard rail to keep your child safely in the crib until they're ready to move on to a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with all cribs. It's easy to install and meets all of the CPSC's safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some aspects of crib design are only aesthetic or are subject to personal preference, however, other aspects--like the style of slats or whether a crib can be converted into a toddler bed--can have significant impact on the ease of use as well as how long the crib will last. The best cribs have solid wood construction, meet numerous safety standards, and are easily adaptable to various mattress heights. Some cribs come with unique features that make them more effective such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to swap the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.
Generally, you want to avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other embellishments that could snag on clothes or pose a choking risk for children. Be sure to check the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other components that could get caught on objects or clothing.
The best crib sets come with easy-to-follow instructions and all necessary parts including hardware. Most modern cribs can be put together in a half-hour or less, and the majority include all the tools required.
You might also want to consider a convertible crib that could transform into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size bed. This is a good choice for families who intend to use the crib for many years or have limited space. It's important to note, though, that some crib conversion kits require additional items to complete the conversion.
It isn't easy to comprehend crib hardware, but it's crucial to ensure security and stability. The majority of cribs are made up consisting of rectangular blocks, wedges (also known as "shims") and large chocks known as step chocks. They are all designed to tighten up contact points between crib and the surface that supports it.
Some chocks and shims are constructed from soft woods that break slowly, and can give warnings that sound before they fail and more rigid wood materials may break suddenly and with greater force. Plastic shims or chocks can also be purchased. They are much easier to install, since they do not require drilling into the surface.