7 Tips About Crib Sets That Nobody Can Tell You

Crib Sets – Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One The best crib sets come with everything you require for your baby to sleep soundly from day one. They are already shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to sit comfortably around the mattress, and avoid getting tangled – a major safety risk for babies. One parent testigator said she used hers through two babies and then passed it on to a friend and it was a great purchase. Its sleek design makes it a perfect choice for small nursery spaces. Bedding There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes down to crib bedding. It's not just about choosing one that is in line with your style. You also want to ensure that the sheet is tightly fitted and doesn't gather in areas that could create an choking risk to your child. It must also be soft to the touch and durable enough to withstand months of diaper blowouts and spit-up, without deteriorating too quickly. One of our favorite sets is this Avocado set that includes two sheets made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and MADE SAFE-certified, an independent third-party certification that ensures Avocado's products meet stringent standards for safety and quality. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they don't shrink and stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib (27 1 The blanket's size is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. The blankets are machine washable to clean up the inevitable mess that your baby will create. Another great option for newborns and toddlers is crib mattress pads which adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress against accidents and stains. Look for a mattress pad that's less than an inch thick, so your child can breathe easily. Beware of anything that's too fluffy or is adorned with long ribbons, bows and other adornments that could be removed and create a strangulation risk. You should consider buying a convertible crib if plan to keep your child in the crib for a long time. They typically convert to a toddler bed, and occasionally to a full-size or daybed also. Some cribs come with necessary conversion kits included but some require a separate purchase. A few of our favorite cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, constructed of solid wood and comes with one of the taller mattress heights in the group (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a mattress that's low). It's also Greenguard Gold-certified, meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to reduce emissions of gas. Mattress Size and firmness are crucial when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm and is comfortable and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress must also be the correct size for the crib, and it should stay in place—even after your baby gets out of it. In addition, you'll want to consider if the mattress is made from chemicals that could potentially harm your child. You should look for a mattress free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which emits an unpleasant chemical odor. A good indicator is a CertiPUR US certificate that certifies that the foam used in mattresses 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. Other factors to consider include the weight of the mattress and whether or not it is waterproof. You'll likely have to deal with changing sheets at night So an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the largest of the ones we tested at 20 lbs which could be a problem for certain parents. Another aspect to be aware of is if the mattress is dual-sided. Some include a firm side for infants and the soft toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress of your child when they reach the peak of normal growth. This usually occurs around 12 months. We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how they were able to fold easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put an 8-pound weight, slightly heavier than that of a newborn baby on each mattress to observe how it reacted. The best ones did not sink and therefore provide enough support to prevent your child from falling out of the their bed during sleep or to suffocate. A few of the mattresses we tested come with an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them simpler. Crib Rails A crib can't be complete without a set of rails that are fixed. Some furniture companies for babies provide baby rails in the crib. Others offer them separately. If you decide to purchase them separately, make sure they meet all safety standards. For example, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets or other hardware. They should be strong enough to withstand your child's weight, but not too thin. They should also to secure themselves so that they cannot be removed from your child. The best crib rails will not only be strong, they should also fit snuggly within the crib frame. best cot newborn will keep the mattress from becoming fragile and could be dangerous for your child. When you purchase a crib rail, be sure to measure the inside of the frame, as there are slight variations in the size of cribs. Ideally, the space should be no more than three fingers wide. Also, make sure that the crib rails do not have any decorative cutouts or other ornaments. They could pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing quilts, pillows or blankets in the crib. They can result in an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. Consider a crib cover and pad combination to provide a comfortable sleeping surface for your baby. These products consist of a mattress pad made of waterproof material and a fitted “skirt” that can be positioned around the mattress just like the fitted sheet. In the end, you'll need to find the best crib rail guards. They are specifically designed to cushion your baby's head in the event that it falls on the crib railings while feeding or cradling him or her in bed. They also can help avoid the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's fixed railings. Once your infant outgrows the crib, you'll require 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 is compatible with most standard cribs. It's simple to install and meets all CPSC's safety standards. Crib Hardware Certain aspects of the crib's design are purely aesthetic or otherwise dependent on personal preference, however, other aspects—like the style of slats or whether the crib converts into a toddler bed—can have significant influence on the ease of use as well as how long the crib will last. The best cribs are made of solid wood, comply with numerous safety standards and are easily configured to different mattress heights. Some cribs have distinct features that make them more useful. For instance the Quick Zip Crib Sheet allows you to replace the sheets without removing the entire mattress. Generally speaking, you should avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs, or other decorations that could snag on clothes or pose a risk of choking for infants. Be sure to check the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other components that could get caught on clothing or other objects. The most effective crib sets come with simple instructions as well as all the required components, including hardware. The majority of modern cribs take half hour or less to put together and many come with all the tools you'll need. You may also want to consider a convertible crib which can transform into a daybed for toddlers, a toddler bed, or full-size bed. This is a great purchase for families who intend to keep the crib for many years or have little space in their homes. It's important to keep in mind that certain crib conversion kits require additional items to complete the process. Crib hardware can be a bit difficult to grasp but it's vital for safety and stability. Most cribs feature a system 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 its support surface. Some shims or chocks could be made from soft woods that crack slowly. This could trigger an audible warning prior to when they fail. However, woods that are more rigid might break more quickly and with greater force. Choks and shims made of plastic are also available, which can be installed more easily since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.