Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs have everything your baby needs to rest comfortably from the first day. They're pre-shrunk, machine washable and designed to be able to sit tightly around the mattress without bunching - a serious safety risk for infants.
One parent testigator said that she had used hers for two babies, and then passed it on to a different friend. This makes it a smart buy. Its sleek design makes it a great option for nursery spaces that are minimalist.
Bedding
When it comes to crib bedding, there are a variety of options. It's not just about choosing a pattern that matches your style. You should also ensure that the sheet is tightly fitted and doesn't gather in areas that could be an choking risk to your child. It must also be soft to the touch and durable enough to endure months of blowouts from diapers and spit-up without wearing out too fast.
One of our top picks is this Avocado set It comes with two sheets made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and MADE SAFE-certified. This is an independent third-party certification that ensures Avocado's fabrics meet strict standards for safety and quality. The sheets are pre-shrunk to guarantee that they don't shrink and stretch after washing. They also fit on a standard crib bed (27 1 The size of the blanket is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. The blankets are machine washable to clean up the inevitable mess that your little bundle will make.
Another great option for newborns and toddlers is crib mattress pads, which provides an additional layer of comfort and protects the mattress against accidents and staining. Choose mattresses that are less than an inch thick to ensure your child can breathe easily. Avoid anything too fluffy or with bows, long ribbons, and other adornments. These can come off and pose an injury to strangulation.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for a considerable amount of time, think about buying a convertible crib. These beds typically convert to a toddler bed and sometimes to full-size beds or a daybed as well. Some cribs include the conversion kits, whereas other require a purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Sleigh crib is among our favorites. It's made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents worried about reaching the mattress from a low position). We love that it's also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it complies with stringent environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are essential when it comes to crib mattress. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm, is comfortable and doesn't leave an indentation when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should be the right size for the crib and remain in place, even after your child has grown out of it.
It is also important to determine whether the mattress has chemicals that may harm your child. Choose mattresses that are odor-free and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which frequently emit a noxious chemical smell. A good indication is a CertiPUR US certificate which confirms that the mattress's foam is free of Ozone depleters, PBDEs and TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, other heavy metals, formaldehyde phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
A few other things to consider include how much weight the mattress carries and whether it's waterproof or not. You'll likely be dealing with changes to sheets at night and a waterproof or wipeable surface will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the largest of the selection we tested at 20 lbs, which may be a problem for certain parents.
A mattress with two sides may have an infant side that is firm and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress when they reach the height of normal growth. This usually occurs around 12 months.
When testing crib mattresses we weighed them and looked at how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed the weight of 8 pounds which is slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby on each mattress to see how it reacts. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, which means they offer enough support to keep your child from falling off or suffocating in bed. Some of the mattresses we tested had a removable cover that can be machine-washed and is water-proof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them simpler.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without a set of rails that are fixed. Some furniture companies for babies provide baby rails as part of the crib. Others offer them separately. If you decide to purchase the rails separately, ensure that they meet all safety standards. They must, for instance, be free of loose screws, brackets and other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without becoming too fragile. They should also be able to secure themselves so that they cannot be removed from your child.
The right crib rails will not only be sturdy but they must be able to fit snugly into the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming too flimsy and potentially risky for your child. When purchasing crib rails, make sure to measure the inside of the frame, since there are slight variations in the size of cribs. The space should ideally be no wider than three fingers.
Also, you should ensure that the crib rails are devoid of cut-outs with decorative designs and other ornaments which could be dangers to suffocate your child. Avoid placing quilts, pillows blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. These could cause an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. If you want to include a soft sleep surface in the crib, you can try a crib pad-and-cover combo. The products comprise an upholstered mattress pad, a waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that stretches over the mattress, much like a fitted sheet.
Lastly, you'll want to purchase the appropriate crib rail protectors. These are designed to protect the head of your child if it hits the crib railings as you feed them or cradling them next to the bed. They also help prevent teeth marks and drool staining on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
You'll need to purchase a toddler guardrail once your child has outgrown their crib. This will keep them safe in the crib until they are ready to move into a larger bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that works with all cribs that are standard. It's easy to install and www.Cots4tots.Co.uk is compliant with the safety standards of the CPSC.
Crib Hardware
Certain aspects of the crib's design are only aesthetic or otherwise subject to personal preference but others--such as the style of slats, or whether the crib can be converted into an adult bed--can have a significant influence on the ease of use as well as how long the crib will last. The best cribs have solid wood construction, meet various safety standards, and are easily configurable to a variety of mattress heights. Certain cribs have distinct features that make them more useful such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to swap the sheets without taking the entire mattress from the crib.
You should avoid cribs with decorative cutouts, or other accessories that could catch on clothing or pose a risk of choking for infants. Examine the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other components that can catch on objects or clothing.
The best crib sets come with easy-to-follow directions as well as all the required components, including hardware. Most modern cribs can be assembled in a half-hour or less, and most come with all of the tools required.
It is also possible to think about a convertible crib that could transform into daybed, toddler bed or a full-size bed. It's a good buy for families that plan to keep the crib for a number of years or have little space in their homes. It is important to know that some crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the process.
It can be difficult to understand crib hardware, but it is crucial for security and stability. The majority of cribs have an arrangement of rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and huge chocks, also known as step chocks, all of which are designed to snug up contact points between the crib and its support surface.
Some shims or chocks can be made of soft woods, which crack slowly. This can give an audible warning prior to when they fail. However, stiffer woods might break more quickly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic can also be purchased. They are simpler to install, as they don't require drilling into the surface.