Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs come with everything your baby needs to sleep well from the first day. They are pre-shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to fit snugly around the mattress, without getting tangled - a major risk to the safety of babies.
One parent tester stated that she had used it for two babies and then passed it on to another friend. This makes it a good investment. Its sleek design makes it an excellent choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes down to bedding for your crib. It's not just about picking a pattern that matches your aesthetic. You should also ensure that the sheet fits tightly and does not get tangled in places that could create an choking risk to your child. And it has to be soft to the touch and durable enough to stand up to months of blowouts from diapers and spit-up spills without wearing out too quickly.
This Avocado set is one of our favorite. It comes with two sheets that are made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third party certification that ensures that the products of the company meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they don't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit on a standard crib bed (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 get rid of the inevitable mess your little bundle will make.
A crib mattress pad is a excellent option for infants and toddlers. It adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress from spills and staining. Choose mattresses that are less than an inch thick so your child can still breathe easily. Beware of anything that's too soft or has long ribbons, bows and other adornments that could be removed and create a strangulation risk.
You should consider buying a convertible crib if intend to keep your child in the crib for a long time. These beds typically convert to a toddler bed, and sometimes, to a full-size or daybed as well. Some cribs include the conversion kits, while others require a purchase.
A few of our favorite cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib in a sleigh style, which is constructed of solid wood and features one of the highest mattress heights in the group (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a low mattress). We love that it's also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it complies with stringent environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.
Mattress
When it concerns crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are important. The AAP recommends using a mattress that is firm and fits snugly and does not leave an impression when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress should also be the correct size for the crib, and it should remain in place, even after your baby gets out of it.
You'll also want to check whether the mattress is made up of chemicals that may harm your child. Choose a mattress that is odor-free and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which frequently emit a noxious chemical smell. A good indicator is a certificate from CertiPUR-US that certifies that the foam used in mattresses is free of Ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates, which are regulated by Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
Other things to consider are the weight of the mattress and whether or not it's waterproof. A surface that is waterproof or wipeable is better for cleaning, because you'll be changing sheets in the night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the largest product we've tested, coming at 20 pounds. This may be a problem for certain parents.
Another important thing to consider is whether the mattress is dual-sided; some of these come with a firm infant side and the soft toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress once your child is at the peak of their normal growth, which is usually at around 12 months.
We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how easily they folded 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 it reacted. The best mattresses did not sink, meaning they offer enough support to prevent your child from falling or suffocating in bed. Some of the mattresses we tested had a cover that is machine washable and is waterproof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them even simpler.
Crib Rails
A crib would not be complete without the right set of fixed rails. Some furniture companies for babies offer baby rails as part of the crib. Others offer them separately. If you choose to buy them on their own, make sure they meet the safety standards. They must, for instance have no loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be strong enough to hold your child's weight without being too thin. They should also be able to secure themselves in place so that they are not able to be removed by your child.
The right crib rails will not only be sturdy but they must also fit comfortably within the crib frame. This will prevent the mattress from being too fragile, which could cause harm to your baby. Be sure to measure inside the crib frame before purchasing a crib rail. There are slight variations in the crib sizes. The dimensions should be no wider than three fingers.
You should also make sure that the crib rails do not include any cutouts with decorative designs or other embellishments. They could pose a suffocation risk. Avoid placing pillows, quilts blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. They can result in the accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS for your baby. If you want to include a soft sleep surface in the crib, consider a crib cover-and-pad combo. The products comprise an upholstered mattress pad, a waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that stretches around the mattress like an oversized sheet.
In the end, you'll need to purchase the appropriate crib rail protectors. They are designed to protect your baby's head in the event that it falls on the crib railings while feeding or cradling him/her her beside the bed. They also help to prevent teeth marks and drool discoloration on the crib's railings that are fixed.
When your child is no longer in the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to ensure your child's safety in the crib until they're ready to move on to an adult bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that is compatible with all cribs that are standard. It's easy to install and meets the CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some of the crib's design features are only aesthetic and subject to personal preference, however other features -- such as the design of the slats on the crib or whether it can be converted into a toddler bed -can have a major impact on the ease of use of the crib as well as its durability. The best cribs are made of solid wood, meet numerous safety standards and can be easily adapted to different mattress heights. Some cribs come with special features that make them more effective such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to change the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.
In general, you should avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other embellishments that could catch on clothing or create a choking risk for infants. Also, be certain to check the crib hardware regularly for loose bolts and other objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and create a hazard.
The top crib sets include easy-to-follow directions and all the essential components, like hardware. Most modern cribs take a half hour or less to assemble, and many include all the tools you'll require.
Consider Baby beds which can be converted into a daybed, toddler or a full-size mattress. This is a great option for families who plan to use the crib for a number of years or have limited space. It's important to keep in mind that some crib conversion kits require additional purchases to fully complete the process.
It can be difficult to understand crib hardware, but it's vital to ensure security and stability. Most cribs feature an arrangement of rectangular blocks as well as wedges (also called "shims") and big chocks referred to as step chocks, all designed to ensure that contact points are secure between the crib and the supported surface.
cot beds and shims are constructed from soft woods that crack slowly, and can give audible warnings before they fail and more rigid wood materials may break suddenly and with greater force. The shims and chocks are made of plastic and can also be purchased. They are easier to install, since they do not require drilling into the surface.