A Peek Into The Secrets Of Crib Sets
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs have everything your baby needs to sleep well from the first day. They are pre-shrunk and washable. They are designed to sit comfortably around the mattress, without the risk of bunching, which is a serious risk to the safety of babies.
One parent testigator said she used hers through two babies and then passed it to a friend and it was a great purchase. Its minimalist design makes it an ideal choice for smaller nursery spaces.
Bedding
There are a lot of options when it comes to crib bedding. But picking the right one is more than picking a cute pattern to fit your style. You need to find one that fits snugly and doesn't get clumped into places that could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. And it has to be soft to the touch and durable enough to endure months of diaper blowouts and spit-up, without deteriorating too fast.
This set from Avocado is one of our favorite. It includes two sheets that are made from 100% certified organic GOTS cotton. The sheets are MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third-party certification that assures that the products of the company are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk to ensure they don't stretch or shrink after washing, and they're designed to fit a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets can be washed to get rid of the inevitable mess your little bundle will make.
A crib mattress pad is another excellent option for infants and toddlers. It provides an additional layer of comfort, and also protects the mattress from accidents and staining. Select a mattress cover that is less than 1 inch thick to allow your child to breathe. Avoid anything too fluffy, or with long bows, ribbons or other ornaments. These can come off and pose an injury to strangulation.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for a long time, you should consider purchasing a convertible crib. These beds can be converted into a toddler bed, and sometimes even a full-size daybed. Some cribs include the conversion kits, whereas others require a purchase.
A few of our most-loved cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib in a sleigh style, which is constructed of solid wood and comes with one of the taller mattress heights (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a mattress that's low). We love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets stringent environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.
Mattress
When it concerns crib mattresses, firmness and size are important. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm which fits snugly, and does not leave an indentation on the surface when you put sheets over it. The mattress should be the appropriate size for the crib and remain in place even after your child grows out of it.
You'll also want to check if the mattress contains chemicals that could harm your child. Look for mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which typically emit a unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good sign. It is a certifiable sign that the foam in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.
cheap cot bed to consider are the weight of the mattress and whether or not it's waterproof. You'll likely be dealing with changing sheets at night, so an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the most heavy product we've tested, coming in at 20 lbs. This may be a deal-breaker for some parents.
Another important thing to consider is if the mattress is dual-sided. Some have a firm infant side and the soft toddler side. Pediatricians suggest flipping the mattress once your child reaches the height of their normal growth, usually around 12 months.
When testing crib mattresses, we weighed them and looked at how they folded and moved to dress the sides with sheets. We also put an 8-pound weight, slightly heavier than that of a newborn baby, on each mattress to determine how it responded. The top mattresses did not sink, which means they offer enough support to stop your child from falling over or suffocating in bed. The mattresses we tested had a removable cover that is machine washable and is waterproof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them even more simple.
Crib Rails
A crib is not complete without the right set of rails fixed. Some baby furniture companies offer baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you opt to buy them separately, search for rails that meet the safety requirements. For example, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should also be able to support the weight of your child without being too flimsy. They should also be secured in a secure way so that they cannot be removed from your child.
The crib rails should not only be sturdy, but also fit snugly within the frame of the crib. This will keep the mattress from becoming too flimsy and potentially hazardous for your child. When you purchase crib rails, be sure to measure the inside of the frame, as there are slight variations in the size of cribs. The ideal space should not be more than three fingers wide.
Also, make sure that the crib rails do not contain any cutouts that are decorative or other adornments. They can create a suffocation risk. Avoid placing pillows, quilts or blankets in the crib. These can cause an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. Consider a crib cover and pad combination for a comfortable sleeping surface for your baby. These products consist of a mattress pad with an elongated waterproof lining as well as an adjustable "skirt" that wraps over the mattress, much like an oversized sheet.
Finally, you'll need purchase the appropriate crib rail guards. They are designed to cushion the baby's head if it hits the crib railings as you're feeding him or her or cradling them beside the bed. They also help prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
Once your infant outgrows the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to keep your child safely in their bed until they're ready to move on to a bigger bed for their child. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that works with all cribs that are standard. It's simple to install and is compliant with the CPSC's safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some crib design features are purely aesthetic and are based on personal preference, however other features like the style of the slats on the crib or whether it can be converted into a toddler bedcan have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib and its durability. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood construction, comply with various safety standards, and are adaptable to various mattress heights. Certain cribs come with distinct features that make them more effective. For example, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet allows you to replace the sheets without removing the entire mattress.
Avoid cribs that have decorative cutouts, or other accessories that could catch on clothing or create a risk of choking for children. Be sure to check the crib hardware regularly for loose bolts and other items that could catch on clothing or other objects and create the risk of injury.
The best crib sets come with simple instructions and all the necessary components, like hardware. Modern cribs can be assembled within a half-hour or less, and the majority come with all the tools required.
Look into a convertible crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed or full-size mattress. This is a great option for families who plan to utilize the crib for a long period of years or have a limited space. It is important to remember, though, that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the process.
It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it is essential to ensure security and stability. Most cribs are equipped with the rectangular blocks as well as wedges (also known as "shims") and large chocks called step chocks. They're all designed to snug up contact points between the crib and the supported surface.
Some shims and chocks are made of soft woods which crack slowly, which can provide audible warnings before they fail as more robust wood materials may break suddenly and with more force. Plastic shims or chocks can also be purchased. They are simpler to install since they don't require drilling into the surface.