Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs include everything your baby needs to rest comfortably 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 testigator stated that she used hers for two babies and then passed it on to a friend and it was a great purchase. Its sleek design makes it a great choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
When it comes to crib bedding, there are a lot of options out there. But choosing the right sheet is more than simply choosing a cute design to match your aesthetic; you must also find something that fits snugly and doesn't get clumped up in areas where it could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. And it has to be soft to the touch and durable enough to stand up to months of blowouts from diapers and spit-up, without deteriorating too quickly.
The Avocado set is one of our favorite. It includes two sheets made with 100% certified organic GOTS cotton. The sheets are MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third-party certification that assures that the company's products meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to guarantee that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib bed (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets can be washed in the machine to remove the inevitable mess your little bundle will make.
Another option for infants and toddlers is a crib mattress pad, which provides an additional layer of comfort while also protecting the mattress from spills and stains. Select a mattress cover that is less than one inch thick to let your child breathe. And steer clear of anything that's too fluffy or includes long bows, ribbons and other adornments that can be removed and create a strangulation risk.
Consider buying a convertible crib if you want to keep your child in the crib for a long time. These beds can be converted into a toddler bed, or even a full-size daybed. Some cribs come with the necessary conversion kits however, others require a separate 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 are worried about getting on the mattress from a low position). It's also Greenguard Gold-certified which means it meets strict environmental standards to reduce gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are crucial when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm, is comfortable and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress must also be the correct size for the crib and it should remain in place, even after your baby is old enough to leave it.
It is also important to determine whether the mattress is made up of substances that could harm your child. Look for mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which often emit an unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a positive sign. It certifies that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.
Other things to consider include how much the mattress is weighing and whether it's waterproof or not. A surface that is waterproof or wipeable is ideal for cleaning, since you'll be changing sheets in the night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the heaviest of the bunch we tested at 20 pounds that could be a problem for certain parents.
A mattress that has two sides could have a firm side for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress after your child reaches the height of their normal growth, usually at around 12 months.
When testing crib mattresses, we measured them and observed how they folded and moved to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight, a bit heavier than a newborn on each one to see how it reacted. The top mattresses did not sink, which means they have enough support to stop your child from falling or getting suffocated. The mattresses we tested had a cover that is machine washable and is water-proof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them easier.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without a set of rails fixed. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails with their cribs however, some offer them separately. If you choose to buy the rails separately, ensure that they meet the safety standards. They should, for instance be free of loose screws, brackets and other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without being too fragile. They should also be secured in a secure way so they cannot be removed by your child.
The crib rails need to not only be strong, but also fit snugly within the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming too fragile, which could cause harm to your baby. When you purchase crib rails, make sure to measure the inside of the frame, since there are slight variations in crib sizes. Ideally, the space should not be more than three fingers wide.
You should also make sure that the crib rails don't have any decorative cutouts or other adornments. They could pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing pillows blankets, blankets, quilts, and sheepskins in the crib, as these can contribute to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and increase the risk of SIDS. If you're looking to provide a soft sleep surface in the crib, you can try a crib cover-and-pad combination. The products comprise mattress pads with waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that stretches around the mattress like a fitted sheet.
Lastly, you'll want to purchase the appropriate crib rail guards. These are designed to cushion the baby's head when it comes into contact with the crib railings while you feed him or her or cradling them beside the bed. They also can help avoid dental marks and drool discoloration on the crib's railings fixed.
You'll need to purchase a toddler railing once your child outgrows 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 is simple to install and meets CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some aspects of crib design are purely aesthetic or otherwise subject to personal preference, but others--such as the style of slats or whether the crib converts to an infant bed--can have a major influence on the ease of use as well as how long the crib will last. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood construction, comply with numerous safety standards, and are adaptable to various mattress heights. Certain cribs come with unique features which make them more useful. For example the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without having to remove the entire mattress.
Avoid cribs that have decorative cutouts or other embellishments, as they could snag on clothing or pose the danger of choking infants. Be sure to inspect the crib's hardware frequently for loose bolts and other objects that could get caught on clothing or other objects and create a hazard.
The best crib sets have easy-to-follow instructions as well as all the required parts including hardware. The majority of modern cribs take half-hour or less to put together, and a lot include all the tools you'll need.
It is also possible to think about a convertible crib which can transform into daybed, toddler bed, or full-size bed. This is a great option for families who plan to utilize the crib for a long period of years or have limited space. You should be aware that some crib conversion kit require additional purchases to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be difficult to comprehend but it's vital for safety and stability. Most cribs are equipped with a system of rectangular blocks, wedges (also known as "shims"), and big chocks referred to as step chocks, all of which are designed to snug up contact points between the crib and its support surface.
sale cot and shims are made from soft woods that break slow, which may provide audible warnings before they fail, while stiffer wooden materials could break abruptly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic can also be purchased. They are simpler to install since they do not require drilling into the surface.