5 Clarifications On Crib Sets
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs come with everything your baby needs to rest comfortably from the beginning. They're pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to fit tightly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a serious safety risk for infants.
One parent testigator said that she used hers for two babies, and then passed it on to another friend. This makes it a good investment. Its streamlined design also makes it a great option for small nursery designs.
Bedding
There are plenty of choices when it comes to crib bedding. However, picking the right bedding is more than picking a cute pattern to be in line with your preferences. You must also find something that fits tightly and doesn't bunch into places that could be a suffocation hazard for your baby. It should be soft and durable to withstand blowouts from diapers spills and other messes for a long time without fading.
One of our favorites is this Avocado set, which contains two sheets made with 100% organic cotton certified by GOTS and MADE SAFE-certified. It's an independent third-party certification that guarantees Avocado's products meet stringent standards for safety and quality. The sheets are pre-shrunk to ensure that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit on a standard crib bed (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets can be washed in the machine to get rid of the inevitable mess that your baby will create.
Another great option for infants and toddlers is a crib mattress pad, which adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress from accidents and staining. Choose a mattress cover that is less than one-inch thick so that your child can breathe. Avoid anything too fluffy, or with bows, long ribbons or other ornaments. These can come off and create an injury to strangulation.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, you should consider purchasing a convertible crib. These cribs can be converted to a toddler bed, and occasionally even a full-size or daybed. Some cribs come with necessary conversion kits included however, others require a purchase.
A few of our favorite cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, made of solid wood and has one of the taller mattress heights (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a mattress that is low). We love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets the strictest environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
Firmness and size are important when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm which fits snugly, and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put sheets over it. The mattress should be the right size for the crib and remain in place after your child has grown out of it.
Additionally, you'll need to determine if the mattress is made of chemicals that could potentially harm your child. Choose mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which typically emit a unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good indicator. It confirms that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals.
A few other aspects to consider are how much weight the mattress weighs and whether it's waterproof or not. You'll likely have to deal with nighttime sheet changes and an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the largest of the bunch we tested at 20 lbs, which may be a nagging issue for certain parents.
Another aspect to be aware of is if the mattress has a dual-sided. Some come with a firm infant side and a soft toddler side. Pediatricians suggest flipping the mattress when your child reaches the height of their normal growth. This is typically about 12 months.
We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how they could be folded easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. see post placed an 8-pound tin, slightly heavier than a newborn on each mattress to determine how much it recoiled. The most effective mattresses did not sink and therefore provide enough support to keep your child from falling out of the bed while they sleep or suffocate. Some of the mattresses we tested come with an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them a breeze.
Crib Rails
A crib is not complete without the right set of fixed rails. While some baby furniture companies include a set of baby rails with their cribs, others offer them on their own. If you choose to buy them separately, search for rails that meet the safety requirements. They must, for instance have no missing or loose screws, brackets and other hardware. They should be strong enough to support your child's weight, but not too thin. They should also to secure themselves so that they can't be removed from your child.
The best crib rails will not only be strong They should be able to fit snugly into the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming fragile and could be hazardous for your child. When buying a crib rail, be sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame because there are slight differences in the size of cribs. Ideally, the space should be no more than three fingers wide.
Also, make sure that the crib rails don't contain any cutouts that are decorative or other adornments. They can create the risk of suffocation. Avoid placing pillows, quilts, blankets and sheepskins inside the crib. They can result in an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. Consider a crib pad and cover to provide a comfortable sleeping mattress for your baby. These products consist of an upholstered mattress pad, a waterproof lining and an adjustable "skirt" that wraps around the mattress in the same way as a fitted sheet.
Lastly, you'll want to get the right crib rail protectors. They are designed to cushion your baby's head in the event that it happens to hit the crib railings while you're feeding or cradling him or her beside the bed. They can also prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
Once your infant outgrows the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to ensure your child's safety in the bed until they're ready to move on to a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with most standard cribs. It's easy to set up and is compliant with the CPSC's safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Certain crib design elements are strictly aesthetic and are subject to personal taste, but others -- like the style of the slats on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bed -- can have a significant impact on the comfort of the crib as well as its lifespan. The best cribs have solid wood construction, meet multiple safety standards, and are adaptable to various mattress heights. Some cribs feature unique features which make them more useful. For instance, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without having to take off the entire mattress.
Generally, you want to avoid cribs that have decorative cut-outs or other embellishments that could catch on clothing or pose a risk of choking for infants. Also, make sure to check the crib's hardware regularly for loose bolts or other objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and create the risk of injury.
The most effective crib sets come with easy-to-follow instructions and all the essential components, including hardware. Modern cribs can be assembled within a half-hour or less, and most come with all the necessary tools.
It is also possible to think about a convertible crib that can transform into daybed, toddler bed, or full-size bed. This is a good option for families who plan to use the crib for a number of years or have limited space. It is important to remember that certain crib conversion kits require additional items to fully complete the process.
It isn't easy to comprehend crib hardware, but it's essential for safety and stability. Most cribs come with a system consisting of rectangular blocks wedges (also called "shims") and large chocks, also known as step chocks. They are all designed to strengthen the contact points between crib and the supported surface.
Some shims and chocks may be made from soft woods that crack slowly. This could trigger an audible warning prior to when they fail. However, stiffer woods may break more suddenly and with greater force. The shims and chocks are made of plastic and can also be purchased. They are simpler to install, since they do not require drilling into the surface.