Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The most ideal crib sets have everything you require for your baby to sleep soundly from the first day. They are pre-shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to fit comfortably around the mattress, and avoid bunching - a major risk to the safety of babies.
One parent testigator said that she used it through two children and then passed it to a friend, making it a smart purchase. Its minimalist design makes it a great option for minimalist nursery spaces.
Bedding
There are plenty of choices when it comes to bedding for your crib. However, picking the right bedding is more than just choosing a cute design to fit your style. You must also find something that is firmly fitted and doesn't clump into places that could be a suffocation hazard for your baby. It should also be soft to the touch and durable enough to stand up to months of blowouts from diapers and spit-up without wearing out too fast.
This set from Avocado is one of our favorite. It comes with two sheets made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, an independent third party certification that ensures that the company's products are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk so they won't shrink or stretch after washing, and are designed to fit on a standard crib mattress (27 1 The size of the blanket is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. They're also machine-washable to clean the inevitable mess your baby is bound to create.
Another option for infants and toddlers is a crib mattress pad, which adds an extra layer of comfort while also protecting the mattress against accidents and staining. Look for sale cot that are less than an inch thick to ensure your child can still breathe easily. Avoid anything that's too fluffy or includes long bows, ribbons and other ornaments that could be removed and create a strangulation risk.
Consider buying an adjustable crib if you plan to keep your baby in the crib for a long time. These cribs can be converted to a toddler bed, or even a daybed or full-size. Some cribs come with conversion kits, whereas others require a purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 crib is one of our top picks. It's made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are worried about getting on an unattractive mattress). It's also certified Greenguard Gold, meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to reduce off gassing.
Mattress
When it is about crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are crucial. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm that fits comfortably and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you place sheets over it. The mattress should be the right size for the crib and remain in place when your child is out of it.
Additionally, you'll need to determine if the mattress is made of chemicals that could potentially harm your child. Look for mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which typically emit a unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good sign. It is a certifiable sign that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals.
Other things to consider include how much weight the mattress is weighing and whether it's waterproof or not. It's likely that you'll be dealing with changing sheets at night and a waterproof or wipeable surface will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the most heavy product we've tested, coming in at 20 lbs. This could be a major issue for some parents.
A mattress that has two sides could have one side that is firm for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians suggest flipping the mattress once your child is at the peak of their normal growth, which is usually about 12 months.
We weighed the mattresses and observed how they could be folded easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put a weight of 8 pounds, slightly heavier than that of a newborn baby, on each mattress to determine how it reacted. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, meaning they have enough support to stop your child from falling or getting suffocated. Some of the mattresses we tried have covers that can be washed and removed that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them simpler.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without the proper set of fixed rails. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails along with the crib and others sell them separately. If you decide to buy them separately, search for rails that meet the safety requirements. For instance, they must be free of missing or loose screws, brackets or other hardware. They should also be able to support the weight of your child without being too flimsy. They should also be able lock securely in place to ensure that they are not removed from your child.
The crib rails should not only be strong, but also fit snugly within the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from being too flimsy, which can cause harm to your baby. When buying a crib rail, be sure to examine the inside of the frame, as there are slight variations in the sizes of cribs. The dimensions should be no more than three fingers.
You should also make sure that the crib rails don't include any cutouts with decorative designs or other adornments. They could pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing quilts, pillows blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. They can result in a dangerous accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. Consider a crib pad and cover if you want a soft sleeping surface for your baby. These products are made up of a waterproof mattress pad and an elongated "skirt" that can be positioned around the mattress in the same way as a fitted sheet.
You'll also want to make sure you have the right crib rail guards. They are designed to cushion your baby's head in the event that it falls on the crib railings when you're feeding or cradling him/her her beside the bed. They also help prevent dental marks and drool staining on the crib's side 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 bed until they're ready for a bigger bed for their child. 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
Some of the crib's design features are purely aesthetic and are based on individual preference, while others -- like the design of the slats that are 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 lifespan. The best cribs have solid wood construction, meet various safety standards, and are configurable to a variety of mattress heights. Certain cribs come with unique features which make them more effective. For example the Quick Zip Crib Sheet allows you to change the sheets without having to remove the entire mattress.
Generally, you want to avoid cribs that have decorative cut-outs or other ornaments that could snag on clothes or create a choking risk 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 instructions as well as all the required components, including hardware. The majority of modern cribs can be assembled in a half-hour or less, and they come with all of the necessary tools.
Consider a convertible crib which can be transformed into a daybed, toddler or a full-size mattress. This can be a smart purchase for families who plan to keep the crib for several years or have small space in their homes. It is important to know that certain crib conversion kits require additional purchases in order to complete the process.
It isn't easy to comprehend crib hardware, but it's essential to ensure safety and stability. Most cribs are equipped with the rectangular blocks, wedges (also known as "shims"), and huge chocks, also known as step chocks, all of which are designed to secure the contact points between the crib and its support surface.
Some chocks and shims are made of soft woods which crack slowly, and can give warnings that sound before they fail, while stiffer wooden materials could break abruptly and with more force. Plastic shims or chocks are also available for purchase. They are easier to install since they do not require drilling into the surface.