Five Things You're Not Sure About About 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're pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to fit snugly around the mattress without bunching - a significant safety risk for babies.
One parent tester said that she used it through two babies and then passed it to a friend which makes it a wise purchase. Its streamlined design also makes it a great option for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
When it concerns crib bedding, there are a lot of options out there. But picking the right one is more than selecting a cute pattern that will match your aesthetic; you also want something that fits snugly and doesn't clump into places that could be a suffocation hazard for your baby. It must be soft and sturdy enough to withstand diaper blowouts, spit up and other messes for months without fading.
The Avocado set is one of our top picks. It comes with two sheets made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third party certification that ensures that the company's products are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib (27 1 The blanket's size is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. The blankets can be washed in the machine to clean up the inevitable mess your little bundle is likely to make.
A crib mattress pad is another ideal option for babies and toddlers. It adds an extra layer of comfort and shields the mattress from spills and staining. Choose a mattress cover that is less than 1 inch thick to let your child breathe. Avoid anything too fluffy or with long ribbons, bows or other ornaments. These could fall off and pose a strangulation hazard.
You should consider buying a convertible crib if you intend to keep your baby in the crib for a long period of time. These beds typically convert to a toddler bed and occasionally to a full-size or daybed also. Some cribs come with required conversion kits included however, others require a purchase.
Some of our top cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib in a sleigh style, which is made from 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 reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
When it is about crib mattresses, firmness and size are important. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm, fits comfortably and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should also be the proper size for the crib and it should remain in place, even after your baby grows out of it.
You'll also want to check if the mattress contains chemicals that may harm your child. Find a mattress that is free of volatile organic compound (VOCs) that emit an unpleasant chemical odor. CertiPUR US certification is a good sign. It confirms that the foam in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.
A few other things to consider include how much the mattress carries and whether it's waterproof or not. You'll likely have to deal with changes to sheets at night, so an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the largest of the bunch we tested at 20lbs which could be a problem for some parents.
A mattress with two sides may have a firm side for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress after your child is at the peak of their normal growth, usually around 12 months.
When we tested crib mattresses, we measured them and observed how easily they folded and maneuvered to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight, a bit heavier than a newborn on each mattress to determine how the mattress reacted. The best ones did not sink into the mattress and therefore offer enough support to protect your child from falling out of bed while they sleep or to suffocate. The mattresses we tested had a removable cover that was machine-washable and is water-proof. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them a breeze.
Crib Rails
A crib isn't complete without the right set of fixed rails. Some furniture companies for babies offer baby rails with the crib. Others sell them separately. If you opt to purchase them separately, look for ones that meet the safety requirements. For example, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets or other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to hold your child's weight without being too thin. They must also secure themselves in place so that they are not able to be removed by your child.
The crib rails must not only be sturdy but also fit comfortably within the crib frame. This will prevent the mattress from becoming too flimsy and potentially dangerous for your child. Be sure to measure the width of the crib frame when buying the crib rail. There are some slight differences in the sizes of cribs. The ideal space should not be more than three fingers wide.
Also, make sure that the crib rails don't contain any cutouts that are decorative or other adornments. best cot bed could pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing pillows, quilts blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. They can result in a dangerous accumulation of carbon dioxide increasing your baby's SIDS risk. If you're looking to add a soft sleeping surface in the crib, try a crib pad-and-cover combo. These products are made up of a waterproof mattress pad and a fitted "skirt", which fits around the mattress just like an fitted sheet.
You'll also want to make sure that you have the proper crib rail guards. They 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 can also help prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings fixed.
You'll need a toddler guardrail once your child has outgrown their crib. This will keep them safe in bed until they're ready to move into a larger bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with most standard cribs. It's easy to install and complies with CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Certain crib design elements are strictly aesthetic and subject to individual preference, while others -- such as the design of the slats on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bed -can have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib and its longevity. The best cribs are made of solid wood, meet numerous safety standards and are easily adapted to different mattress heights. Some cribs come with distinct features that make them more effective like the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to change the sheets without taking the entire mattress from the crib.
You should avoid cribs with decorative cutouts, or other accessories because they could get caught on clothing or pose the danger of choking infants. Examine the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other items that could get caught on objects or clothing.
The best crib sets include easy-to-follow instructions as well as all the required components including hardware. The majority of modern cribs can be put together in half an hour or less, and most come with all the tools required.
You might also want to consider a convertible crib that can transform into daybed, toddler bed or a full-size bed. This is a good choice for families that plan to utilize the crib for a long period of years or have a limited space. It is important to remember that certain crib conversion kits require additional items to complete the conversion.
It isn't easy to comprehend crib hardware, but it is essential to ensure safety and stability. Most cribs feature a system of rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and large chocks called step chocks, all of which are designed to secure the contact points between the crib and supported surface.
Some shims or chocks could be made of soft woods, which break slowly. This can give an audible warning before they fail. However, harder woods might break more quickly and with greater force. Choks and shims made of plastic are also available and are easier to install since they do not require drilling or screwing into the surface.