Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The most ideal crib sets have everything you need for your infant to rest comfortably from the beginning. They're pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to be able to sit tightly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a major safety hazard for babies.
One tester for parents said that she had used it for two babies and then passed it on to another friend. This made it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it a great option for nursery spaces that are minimalist.
Bedding
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes down to bedding for your crib. It's not just about choosing the right pattern that fits your aesthetic. It is also important to ensure that the bedding fits tightly and does not get tangled in places that could create a choking hazard for your child. It should be soft and durable to withstand diaper blowouts, spit up and other messes for a long time without wearing out.
One of our favorite sets is this Avocado set It comes with two sheets that are made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and MADE SAFE-certified. This is an independent third-party verification that guarantees the company's textiles meet rigorous standards for safety and quality. They're pre-shrunk to ensure they don't stretch or shrink after washing, and are designed to fit on 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 child is bound to create.
A crib mattress pad is a great option for babies and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort, and also protects the mattress from accidents and stains. Choose a mattress cover that is less than 1 inch thick so that your child can breathe. And steer clear of things that are too soft or is adorned with long ribbons, bows and other adornments that can become detached and pose a strangulation risk.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, consider buying a convertible crib. They typically convert into a toddler bed and occasionally to full-size beds or a daybed, too. Some cribs come with the necessary conversion kits included, but others require a purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 sleigh crib is one of our favorites. It's made of solid wood and comes with one of the highest mattress heights (for parents worried about reaching an unattractive mattress). It's also Greenguard Gold-certified, meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to reduce off gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are essential when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends using a mattress that is firm and fits comfortably and does not leave an impression when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should also be of the right size for the crib and it should stay in place even after your child is old enough to leave it.
In addition, you'll want to determine if the mattress is made up of substances that could harm your child. Find 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 in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals.
A few other things to consider include how much the mattress carries and whether it's waterproof or not. You'll likely have to deal with changes to sheets at night and an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the most heavy product we've tested, coming around 20 lbs. This may be a problem for certain parents.
Another important thing to consider is whether the mattress is dual-sided. Some have a firm infant side and the soft toddler side. Pediatricians advise flipping the mattress of your child when they reach the peak of normal growth. This usually occurs around 12 months.
When testing crib mattresses we examined their weight and how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed the weight of 8 pounds, slightly heavier than that of a newborn baby, on each mattress to determine how it reacted. The best ones did not sink in and therefore provide enough support to prevent your child from falling out of their bed during sleep or suffocate. A few of the mattresses we tried have an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips closed. This makes cleaning and maintaining them much easier.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without the proper set of rails fixed. While some furniture companies for babies include a set of baby rails along with the crib, others offer them separately. If you choose to buy them separately, make sure they meet the safety standards. For instance, they must be free of missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to hold your child's weight, but not too thin. They should also be able be secured in a secure way so that they cannot be removed from your child.
The crib rails you choose should not only be strong, they should be able to fit snugly into the frame of the crib. cot bed sales will stop the mattress from becoming too fragile and could be risky for your child. Be sure to measure inside the crib frame prior to purchasing a crib rail. There are slight variations in the crib sizes. The area should be no more than three fingers.
Also, you should ensure that the crib rails are free of decorative cut-outs and other ornaments that could pose suffocation hazards. Avoid placing quilts, pillows, blankets and sheepskins inside the crib. These could cause the buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. Try a crib cover-and-pad combo if you want a soft sleeping surface for your baby. The products comprise a mattress pad with a waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that wraps around the mattress in the same way as an fitted sheet.
Lastly, cribs beds 'll want to purchase the appropriate crib rail guards. They are designed to protect your baby's head in the event that it hits the crib railings while feeding or cradling him or her in bed. They also help prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
As your baby grows out of 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 bigger bed for their child. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will work with most standard cribs. It's easy to install and meets the CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some crib design features are purely aesthetic and subject to personal preference, however other features -- such as the design of the slats on the crib or whether it can be converted into a toddler bed -- can have a significant impact on the user-friendliness of the crib as well as its longevity. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood, comply with various safety standards, and can be easily adjusted to various mattress heights. Some cribs have special features that make them more useful. For example the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without having to take off the entire mattress.
Avoid cribs that have decorative cutouts, or other accessories, as they could snag on clothing or pose the risk of choking children. Check the crib hardware for loose bolts, as well as other items that could get caught on clothing or other objects.
The best crib sets have simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary components, including hardware. The majority of modern cribs can be assembled in half an hour or less, and the majority come with all of the tools needed.
Consider a convertible crib which can be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed or full-size mattress. This can be a smart buy for families that plan to keep the crib for several years or have a small space in their homes. It is important to remember that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the process.
It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it's essential for safety and stability. Most cribs come with a system of rectangular block wedges (also known as "shims") and massive chocks referred to as step chocks. They're all designed to strengthen the connections between the crib and the supported surface.
Some chocks and shims are constructed from soft woods that break slow, which may provide audible warnings prior to failure, while stiffer wooden materials may break suddenly and with more force. Plastic shims or chocks are also available for purchase. They are much easier to install, since they do not require drilling into the surface.