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're pre-shrunk, machine washable and designed to fit snugly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a significant safety risk for babies.
One tester for parents said that she had used it for two babies and then passed it on to a different friend. This makes it a wise purchase. Its streamlined design also makes it an ideal choice for smaller nursery designs.
Bedding
There are plenty of choices when it comes to crib bedding. However, picking the right bedding is more than just picking a cute pattern to be in line with your preferences. You need to find one that fits tightly and doesn't get clumped up in places where it could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. tots and cots is important to choose a soft and durable material to withstand blowouts from diapers, spills and other messes over the course of months without fading.
This set from Avocado is one of our top picks. It comes with two sheets that are made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The sheets are MADE SAFE certified, an independent third-party certification that guarantees that the products of the company meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk, which means they won't stretch or shrink after washing, and they're designed to fit a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine-washable for the inevitable mess your little baby is bound to create.
A crib mattress pad is a great option for babies and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort and protects the mattress from accidents and stains. Choose a mattress cover that is less than one inch thick to let your child breathe. Avoid anything that is too soft, or with long ribbons, bows or other ornaments. These can come off and create an injury to strangulation.
You should consider buying a convertible crib if want to keep your child in the crib for a long period of time. These cribs can be converted to a toddler bed, and occasionally even a full-size daybed. Some cribs have the necessary conversion kits included, but others require an additional purchase.
Some of our top cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, made from solid wood and features one of the taller mattress heights in the group (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a mattress that's low). We love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets the strictest environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are crucial when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP suggests using 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 child is old enough to leave it.
It is also important to determine if the mattress contains chemicals that could harm your child. Choose a mattress that is odor-free 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.
A few other things to consider include how much weight the mattress weighs and whether it's waterproof or not. cots 4 tots or wipeable surface is more suitable for cleaning since you'll be changing sheets every night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the heaviest product we've tested, coming in at 20 lbs. This could be a problem for some parents.
A mattress with two sides may have one side that is firm for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress once they reach the height of normal growth. This usually occurs about 12 months old.
We weighed the mattresses and observed how they were able to fold easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put an 8-pound weight which was slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby, on each mattress to see how it reacted. The most effective mattresses did not sink in, which means that they offer enough support to protect your child from falling out of the their bed during sleep or drowning. A few of the mattresses we tested have covers that can be washed and removed that is waterproof and zips closed. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them easier.
cots 4 tots Rails
A crib isn't complete without the right set of rails fixed. Some baby furniture companies offer baby rails in the crib. Others offer them separately. If you decide to purchase them separately, make sure they meet the safety standards. For example, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be strong enough to support your child's weight but not be too thin. They should also be able lock securely in place so that they cannot be removed from your child.
The crib rails need to not only be strong but also fit comfortably within the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming fragile and could be dangerous for your child. Make sure you measure the crib frame before purchasing a crib rail. There are some slight differences in the sizes of cribs. The ideal space should not be more than three fingers wide.
Also, you should ensure that the crib rails are free of cut-outs for decorative purposes and other ornaments which could be suffocation hazards. You should also avoid placing pillows blankets, blankets, quilts or sheepskins in the crib, as these can contribute to the build-up of carbon dioxide and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. If you're looking to add a soft sleeping surface in the crib, you can try a crib cover-and-pad combo. These are comprised of a mattress pad made of waterproof material and a fitted "skirt" that fits around the mattress in the same way as the fitted sheet.
In the end, you'll need to purchase the appropriate crib rail protectors. These are specifically designed to cushion your baby's head when it happens to hit the crib railings when you're feeding or cradling him/her her on the bed. They can also help prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings that are fixed.
You'll need to purchase a toddler railing once your child has outgrown their crib. This will keep them safely in bed until they are ready for a bigger bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can fit on most cribs that are standard. It is simple to install and meets the CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some aspects of crib design are purely aesthetic or subject to personal preference however other aspects, such as the design of slats or whether a crib converts to a toddler bed--can have significant influence on the ease of use and the length of time the crib will last. The best cribs are constructed of solid wood, meet various safety standards and can be easily adjusted to various mattress heights. Certain cribs come with unique features which make them more useful. For instance, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without having to remove the entire mattress.
You should avoid cribs with decorative cutouts or other embellishments, as they could snag on clothing or pose a risk of choking for infants. Also, be sure to check the crib's hardware regularly for loose bolts or other objects that could snag on clothing or other objects, and pose the risk of injury.
The best crib sets come with simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary parts, including hardware. Most modern cribs can be assembled in a half-hour or less, and they include all the tools required.
You might also want to think about a convertible crib which can transform into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size bed. This is a good option for families who intend to use the crib for many years or have a limited space. It's important to note, though, that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to fully complete the process.
Crib hardware can be difficult to grasp however it is essential to ensure safety and stability. The majority of cribs have the rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and big chocks referred to as step chocks, all designed to snug up contact points between the crib and its support surface.
Some shims and chocks may be made of soft woods that crack slowly. This may give an audible warning before they fail. However, harder woods might break more quickly and with greater force. The shims and chocks are made of plastic and are also available for purchase. They are simpler to install since they do not require drilling into the surface.