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 newborn to rest comfortably from day one. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to fit snugly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a major safety hazard for babies.
One tester for parents stated that she used hers for two children and then passed it on to a friend which makes it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it a great choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
There are a lot of choices when it comes to bedding for your crib. It's not just about picking the right pattern that fits your personal style. It is also important to make sure the sheet fits tightly and does not gather in areas that could create the risk of choking your child. And it has to be soft to the touch and durable enough to withstand months of diaper blowouts and spit-up spills without wearing out too fast.
This Avocado set is one of our favorite. It comes with two sheets made with 100% certified organic GOTS cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, an independent third-party certification that assures that the company's products meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit on a standard crib bed (27 1 The blanket's size is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. The blankets are machine washable to get rid of the inevitable mess that your little bundle will make.
Another option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads that adds a layer of comfort while also protecting the mattress against accidents and staining. Choose mattress pads that are less than an inch thick, so your child can still breathe easily. Avoid anything that is too fluffy or with bows, long ribbons or other ornaments. They can fall off and pose a strangulation hazard.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for a considerable amount of time, consider buying a convertible crib. They typically convert to a toddler bed, and sometimes, to full-size beds or a daybed as well. Some cribs come with conversion kits, whereas others require a purchase.
A few of our most-loved cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, made of solid wood and features one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a mattress that's low). We love that it's also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it complies with stringent environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.
Mattress
When it is about crib mattresses, firmness and size are essential. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm that fits comfortably and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you lay a sheet over it. The mattress should also be of the right size for the crib and it should remain in place, even after your baby is old enough to leave it.
Additionally, you'll need to determine if the mattress is made of substances 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 indication is a CertiPUR US certificate that certifies that the mattress's foam is free of Ozone depleters, PBDEs and TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, other heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates, which are regulated by Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
Other things to consider include how much weight the mattress weighs and whether it's waterproof or not. A mattress that is waterproof or able to be cleaned is better for cleaning, since you'll have to change sheets at night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the heaviest of the bunch we tested at 20 pounds which could be a nagging issue for some parents.
Another thing to keep in mind is if the mattress is dual-sided. Some include a firm side for infants and an easy toddler side. Pediatricians suggest flipping the mattress when your child is at the peak of their normal growth, which is usually around 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. We also put a weight of 8 pounds which was slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby on each mattress to observe how it reacted. The best ones did not sink into the mattress, which means that they provide enough support to keep your child from falling out of the their bed during sleep or drowning. A few of the mattresses we tried have an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them easier.
Crib Rails
A crib would not be complete without the correct set of rails fixed. Some baby furniture companies offer baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you opt to purchase them separately, look for ones that meet the safety requirements. They must, for instance, be free of loose screws, brackets, or other hardware. They should be strong enough to support your child's weight without being too thin. They should also be able lock securely in place so that they cannot be removed from your child.
cots and tots choose should not only be sturdy, they should be able to fit snugly into the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming fragile and could be risky for your child. Be sure to measure the width of the crib frame prior to purchasing a crib rail. There are slight variations in the crib sizes. The dimensions should be no more than three fingers.
Also, make sure that the crib rails do not contain any cutouts that are decorative or other ornaments. They could pose a suffocation risk. Avoid placing pillows, quilts, blankets and sheepskins inside the crib. These can cause an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. If you want to include a soft sleeping surface in the crib, try a crib pad-and-cover combo. They consist of mattress pads with a waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that stretches around the mattress like an oversized sheet.
It is also important to make sure you have the proper crib rail guards. These are designed to cushion your baby's head in the event that it hits the crib railings when you're feeding or cradling him or her in bed. They also help to prevent teeth marks and drool discoloration on the crib's railings that are fixed.
When your child is no longer in the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to keep your child safe in the bed until they're ready for a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that works with the majority of cribs. It is easy to install and meets the CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some of the crib's design features are purely aesthetic and are subject to personal taste, but others -- like the design of the slats on the crib or whether it converts into a toddler bedcan have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib and its longevity. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood, meet multiple safety regulations and can be easily configured to different mattress heights. Certain cribs have special features that make them more effective, such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to change the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.
In general, you should avoid cribs with decorative cut-outs or other ornaments which could get caught on clothes or create a choking risk for infants. Also, make sure to check the crib's hardware frequently for loose bolts or other objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and create the risk of injury.
The best crib sets have easy-to-follow instructions and all necessary parts including hardware. The majority of modern cribs can be put together in half an hour or less, and the majority include all the necessary tools.
Look into a convertible crib that can be converted into a toddler, daybed or full-size mattress. This is a great purchase for families who plan to keep the crib for several years or have a small space in their homes. It is important to know that some crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the process.
It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it is crucial to ensure security and stability. Most cribs are equipped with an arrangement of rectangular blocks and wedges (also called "shims"), and huge chocks, also known as step chocks. They're all designed to secure the contact points between the crib and supported surface.
cots 4 tots and chocks may be made from soft woods, which crack slowly. This may give an audible warning before they fail. However, harder woods may break more suddenly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic can also be purchased. They are simpler to install, as they don't require drilling into the surface.