The 10 Worst Cribs Beds Errors Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented
Choosing Cribs Beds For Your Baby
Sleep is a crucial element of your baby's development. A crib allows them to establish the habit of sleeping independently, and it also keeps you and your baby safe at night.
There are many different types of cribs, each with varying sizes styles, designs, and mattress support heights. We looked for cribs that are secure and easy to use and compatible with modern aesthetics.
Size
A crib is a bed made for infants and babies. There are several different types of cribs, however they all are smaller than a toddler bed and offer a safe place for your child to sleep. Some cribs come with wheels, which allows them to be moved around the home. They are generally designed to reduce SIDS risk by providing a comfortable and supportive environment similar to the mother's womb.
While cot bed sales would like their children to stay in their cribs for as long as they can, some will be prepared to transition to a toddler bed faster than others. The most commonly used crib is the standard crib. It is suitable by your child from birth until they reach 18 months old, or can climb out.
Bassinets are suitable for infants from birth to four months, or until they are too large. They are smaller and less bulky than cribs, but can provide the closeness to parents that infants require in the early years. They are also more compact, making them a good alternative if you're not sure what type of bedding your child would prefer.
Both bassinets and cribs have safety guidelines that must be adhered to in order to protect your child. For instance, there must be no gaps larger than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame and the slats should not be missing or loose. The bed shouldn't have any cutouts on the footboard or headboard as this could entrap the child's legs or head and increase the risk for death by suffocation.
There are cribs available in many different styles and finishes. Some have integrated shelves or changing tables. cribs beds are especially useful for breastfeeding moms in the future, since it allows you to nurse your baby while in the crib. However, if you are short on space and have an extremely limited budget, you can find cribs that only have the bare essentials.
If you're willing pay a little more you can purchase cribs that can be transformed into toddler beds, daybeds or sofas. These are typically referred to as 4-in-1 cribs. They are an ideal choice for parents who do not want to invest in another crib every time their child outgrows the crib they currently have.
Style
As you look for a crib, take into consideration the style of the crib in relation to the design of your baby's nursery. You might want to choose an option that fits the overall theme of your home, regardless of whether it's rustic or contemporary. There are a variety of cribs available in various designs and shapes, with natural wood or colored finishes.
Cribs are a safe place to sleep for infants. They were initially simple cradles that could be rocked. As understanding of child safety evolved and stationary cribs became the standard, and designs shifted to provide better protection against falling or entrapment. The cribs of today come with features such as sturdy construction, the correct spacing of slats, as well as non-toxic materials. They are designed to ensure your baby's safety and well-being.
There are cribs that combine with a changing table or shelving unit for ease during the newborn stage. It's not recommended to use this type of crib when your baby is ready to stand or climb because it can make it easier for them to escape.
Some cribs have adjustable mattress support heights so you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. The higher position is suitable for babies. The lower position is ideal when your baby can sit up or roll in the bed. This is usually around the age of a year.
The mattress can be placed on a single-piece wooden board or grid of wood slats, or spring-wire frames. Both What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend choosing a metal spring base, because it is believed to be more stable than wood slats that can break or loosen over time. The base should be solid and tightly fitted to the crib so that it doesn't allow excess air to circulate around the mattress, a possibility of suffocation in infants.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib as long as you can, look into a 4-in-1 bed which can be used as an infant's bed, a daybed and eventually, a full-size bed. These cribs generally feature rails that can be removed to make the transition to an adult bed much easier and, in most cases, they come with adjustable mattress heights.
Safety
No matter what style or design you choose, it's essential to look for cribs that are in compliance with strict safety standards. In the United States this includes certifications from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and compliance with ASTM International Standards. These certifications can be found on the packaging of the crib or in the description. Also, check the crib's frame to see if there are any paint or wood imperfections that could pose a risk for your baby.
If you are looking to purchase an infant's mattress for their crib, pick the most solid mattress you can find. This will reduce the risk of accidental suffocation which is a leading cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Make sure that the mattress is able to fit snugly into the crib. A mattress that is too big or too small can be risky, since your baby could get caught between the mattress and the headboard or sides of the crib.
Some reports of nonfatal incidents that include 21 fatalities reported in the NPR and two additional fatalities reported during the NPR update, are based on a crib mattress that was too soft. These incidents can lead to a range of hazards, including gaps between the mattress and the crib's side, or footboard, which create entrapment risks and infants slipping on or being trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard pillows and blankets that pose dangers of suffocation; and mattresses that are too hot which causes infants to be afflicted with burns, rashes and other health issues.
Some manufacturers now market "breathable" crib mattresses which claim to encourage safe sleep and prevent breathing in baby's own carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a contributing factor to SIDS. There is no epidemiological proof that breathable crib mattresses decrease the risk of SIDS.
Conversion
Adding a baby to your family usually results in an influx of new things, from clothes and toys to furniture for the nursery. The purchase of cribs that convert into toddler beds or full-size beds can help you save money on furniture and make the transition into the next stage of life easier for your child and your family. These conversion kits can be bought for many brands of cots, and come with a footboard and headboard. Some models are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means they emit low chemical emissions for better indoor air quality.
If you decide to go with a convertible crib or a standard crib it is essential to purchase the right mattress so that your child is comfortable night's rest. Choose from foam, innerspring, or gel mattresses that come in various sizes to meet your needs. To ensure safety, select the mattress made of foam that is at least 2 and 3/8 inches thick, or an innerspring mattress that satisfies the federal safety standards for toddler beds and cribs.
If your child is ready to transition from the crib, you will require a toddler bed or a full-size bed conversion kit. It is recommended to do this before your child turns two to ensure the smooth transition and ensure that your child is comfortable. Once your mattress and crib conversion kit are in place, converting the crib to a toddler or full-size bed is not more than 30 minutes with two people.
Certain things can make the transition to a toddler bed more relaxing for your child, such as keeping the decor and bedding consistent and moving the toddler bed into the same space as their crib. Getting your child involved in the transition process by giving them a selection of their favorite stuffed animals or toys to sleep with and encouraging them to go to bed on a regular basis will help them adjust to the new arrangement of sleeping.
A crib that is able to convert to a full-size bed is an excellent method to prolong the life of your investment, and provide a bed for your child throughout their teenage years. The conversion kits for these cribs come in different designs to complement your other furniture pieces and can be fitted on many different types of mattresses, such as twin and full size.