Five Things You Don't Know About Crib Sets
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs include everything your baby needs to be comfortable from the beginning. 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 parent tester said she used hers through two babies and then passed it on to a friend, making it a smart purchase. Its sleek design makes it a good option for nurseries with minimalist designs.
Bedding
When it comes to crib bedding, there are a variety of options out there. But choosing the right sheet is more than picking a cute pattern to match your aesthetic; you also want something that fits tightly and doesn't get clumped up in areas where it could be a suffocation hazard for your baby. It should be soft and durable to withstand blowouts from diapers spills, and other messes over the course of months without fading.
The Avocado set is one of our top picks. It comes with two sheets made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, an independent third-party certification that assures that Avocado's products meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to ensure that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit on a standard crib (27 1 The blanket's size is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. They're also machine washable for the inevitable mess your little baby is bound to make.
A crib mattress pad is a ideal option for babies and toddlers. It adds an extra layer of comfort and shields the mattress from spills and staining. Select a mattress cover that is less than one inch thick to let your child breathe. Avoid anything that's too soft or includes long bows, ribbons and other adornments that could become detached and pose the risk of strangulation.
Consider purchasing an adjustable crib if you plan to keep your baby in the crib for a long period of time. These beds typically convert to a toddler bed and sometimes to full-size beds or a daybed also. Some cribs come with conversion kits, whereas other require a separate purchase.
Some of our top cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 sleigh-style crib, which is made of solid wood and features one of the taller mattress heights in the group (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a low mattress). It's also Greenguard Gold-certified meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to reduce off gassing.
Mattress
Firmness and size are important when it comes to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a firm mattress that is comfortable and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put sheets over it. The mattress should be the correct size for the crib and it should remain in place, even after your baby is old enough to leave it.
You should also determine whether the mattress is made up of chemicals that could harm your child. Find mattresses that are odor-free and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which typically emit a unpleasant chemical smell. A good indicator is a CertiPUR-US certificate, which certifies that the foam used in a mattress is free of Ozone depleters, PBDEs and TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, Phthalates that are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
A few other aspects to consider are how much the mattress is weighing and whether it's waterproof or not. It's likely that you'll be dealing with changing sheets at night, so a waterproof or wipeable surface will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the largest product we've tested, coming in at 20 lbs. This could be a deal-breaker for certain parents.
Another aspect to be aware of is if the mattress is dual-sided; some of these have a firm infant side and a soft toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress when they reach the peak of normal growth. This is usually at around 12 months.
When we tested crib mattresses, we examined their weight and how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also put an 8-pound weight, a bit heavier than a newborn on each one to see how the mattress reacted. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, which means they provide enough support to prevent your child from falling over or getting suffocated. Some of the mattresses we tried have an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips closed. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them a breeze.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without the right set of rails that are fixed. While some baby furniture companies offer baby rails with their cribs however, some offer them on their own. If you opt to purchase them separately, look for rails that meet the safety requirements. For instance, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets and other hardware. They should be strong enough to hold your child's weight, but not too thin. They should also be secured in a secure way to ensure that they are not removed from your child.
The crib rails should not only be sturdy and sturdy, but they should also fit within the crib frame. This will prevent the mattress from becoming too flimsy and potentially dangerous for your child. When you purchase crib rails, make sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame, as there are slight variations in the sizes of cribs. The area should not be larger than three fingers.
You should also make sure that the crib rails don't include any cutouts with decorative designs or other embellishments. They could pose a suffocation risk. Avoid placing pillows, quilts or blankets in the crib. These could cause an unintentional buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. Consider a crib pad and cover for a comfortable sleeping surface for your baby. They consist of an upholstered mattress pad, a waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that stretches around the mattress like an fitted sheet.
Finally, you'll need find the best crib rail guards. These are designed to protect your baby's head if it happens to hit the crib railings when you're feeding or cradling him or her beside the bed. They can also stop teeth marks and drool staining on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
You'll need to purchase a toddler railing once your child is no longer in their crib. This will keep them safely in the crib until they are ready to move into a larger bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with all cribs. It's easy to install and complies with CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some aspects of crib design are purely aesthetic or subject to personal preference, however, other aspects--like the style of slats or whether a crib can be converted into an adult bed--can have a significant impact on the ease of use and how long the crib will last. The best cribs feature solid wood construction, meet various safety standards, and are adjustable to a variety of 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 remove the entire mattress.
Generally, you want to avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs, or other decorations that could catch on clothing or create a choking risk for children. Also, make sure to check the crib's hardware frequently for loose bolts or objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and present a hazard.
cots and tots include easy-to-follow instructions and all the essential components, like hardware. Most modern cribs take a half-hour or less to assemble, and a majority include all the tools you'll require.
tots and cots is also possible to think about a convertible crib that can transform into daybed, toddler bed, or full-size bed. This is a great purchase for families who plan to keep the crib for many years or who have limited space in their homes. You should be aware that certain crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the process.
It isn't easy to comprehend crib hardware, but it's essential for security and stability. The majority of cribs have an arrangement of rectangular blocks as well as wedges (also called "shims"), and huge chocks, also known as step chocks. They're all designed to snug up contact points between the crib and supported surface.
Some shims and chocks are made of soft woods which crack slow, which may provide warnings that sound 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.