The People Who Are Closest To Crib Sets Tell You Some Big Secrets
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs have everything your baby needs to be comfortable from the very first day. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to fit tightly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a major safety hazard for babies.
One tester for parents said that she used hers for two babies and then gave it to a different friend. This made it a good investment. Its sleek design makes it a great option for small nursery spaces.
Bedding
There are a lot of options when it comes to bedding for your crib. However, picking the right bedding is more than choosing a cute design to match your aesthetic; you need to find one that is firmly fitted and doesn't clump up in places where it could pose a danger of suffocation for your baby. And best infant cribs www.cots4tots.co.uk has to be soft to the touch and durable enough to stand up to months of diaper blowouts and spit-up spills without wearing out too fast.
One of our favorite sets is this Avocado set It comes with two sheets made with 100% organic cotton certified by GOTS and MADE SAFE-certified, an independent third-party certification that ensures Avocado's fabrics meet strict standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to ensure that they don't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine-washable for the inevitable mess your bundle of joy is sure to create.
A crib mattress pad is a great option for babies and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort, and also protects the mattress from spills and stains. Choose a mattress cover that is less than 1 inch thick to allow your child to breathe. Beware of things that are too soft or includes long bows, ribbons and other ornaments that could become detached and pose a strangulation risk.
If you plan to keep your baby in a crib for a long time, consider buying a convertible crib. These beds usually convert to a toddler bed, and sometimes to full-size beds or a daybed also. Some cribs come with the necessary conversion kits however, others require an additional purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 crib is one of our favorites. It's made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who worry about reaching the mattress from a low position). It's also Greenguard Gold-certified, meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to prevent gassing.
Mattress
Firmness and size are important when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm and fits snugly and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should be the appropriate size for the crib and remain in place even after your child has grown out of it.
You'll also want to check if the mattress contains chemicals that could harm your child. Find a mattress that is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which emits an unpleasant chemical odor. A good indicator is a CertiPUR-US certificate which confirms that the foam used in mattresses is made without Ozone depleters, PBDEs and TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, formaldehyde phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
Other things to consider are the weight of the mattress and whether or not it is waterproof. It's likely that you'll be dealing with changing sheets at night, so a waterproof or wipeable surface will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the heaviest of the ones we tested at 20 pounds, which may be a nagging issue for some parents.
Another important thing to consider is whether the mattress is dual-sided. Some have a firm infant side and a soft toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress once they reach the peak of normal growth. This is typically around 12 months.
We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how they could be folded easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight, slightly heavier than a newborn, on each one to observe how much it recoiled. The top mattresses did not sink, which means they provide enough support to stop your child from falling or being suffocated in bed. Some of the mattresses that we tested had a removable cover that can be machine-washed and is waterproof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them even easier.
Crib Rails
A crib isn't complete without the right set of fixed rails. Some furniture companies for babies provide baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you decide to purchase them separately, make sure they meet the safety standards. They must, for instance have no missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to hold your child's weight, but not too thin. They should also lock securely into place so they are not able to be removed by your child.
The crib rails you choose should not only be strong, they should also fit snuggly within the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming fragile, which could be unsafe for your child. Make sure you measure the crib frame before purchasing the crib rail. There are some slight differences in the sizes of cribs. Ideally, the space should be no more than three fingers wide.
Also, make sure that the crib rails do not contain any cutouts that are decorative or other adornments. They could pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing pillows, quilts blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. These can cause the accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. If you want to include an extra soft surface for sleeping in the crib, try a crib pad and cover combination. The products comprise mattress pads with waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that stretches around the mattress in the same way as an fitted sheet.
You'll also want to ensure that you have the proper crib rail guards. They are designed to protect the head of your child in the event that it falls on the crib railings while you feed them or cradling them on the bed. They also can help avoid teeth marks and drool discoloration on the crib's fixed railings.
As your baby grows out of the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to keep your child safe in the crib until they're ready to move on to a bigger bed for their child. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with all cribs. It's easy to install and meets all CPSC's safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some crib design features are purely aesthetic and are subject to personal taste, but others -- such as the design of the slats on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bed -could have a significant impact on the user-friendliness of the crib and its lifespan. The best cribs have solid wood construction, comply with numerous safety standards, and are easily adjustable to a variety of mattress heights. Certain cribs come with special features that make them more effective. For example, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet allows you to replace the sheets without removing the entire mattress.
You should avoid cribs with decorative cutouts or other embellishments because they could get caught on clothing or create a risk of choking for babies. Also, be sure to inspect the crib's hardware regularly for loose bolts or other objects that could get caught on clothing or other objects and present a hazard.
The best crib sets include easy-to-follow instructions as well as all the required components including hardware. Modern cribs typically take half-hour or less to assemble, and many come with all the equipment you'll need.
Consider a convertible crib which can be converted into a daybed, toddler or a full-size mattress. It's a good purchase for families who plan to keep the crib for many years or have little space in their homes. It is important to remember, though, that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the conversion.
Crib hardware can be a bit tricky to understand but it's vital to ensure security and stability. Most cribs come with a system of rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and large chocks known as step chocks. They are all designed to tighten the contact points between the crib and the surface that supports it.
Some shims and chocks are made of soft woods which crack slowly, which can provide warnings that sound before they fail as more robust wood materials could break abruptly and with greater force. Choks and shims made of plastic are also available and can be easier to install because they do not require drilling or screwing into the surface.