You’ll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Crib Sets’s Benefits
Crib Sets – Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best crib sets come with everything you need for your newborn to sleep soundly from the first day. They’re pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to fit tightly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a major safety hazard for babies.
One parent tester said she used hers through two babies and passed it to a friend and it was a great purchase. Its streamlined design also makes it an ideal choice for small nursery designs.
Bedding
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes down to crib bedding. However, picking the right bedding is more than just selecting a cute pattern that will match your aesthetic; you also want something that fits snugly and doesn’t bunch up in areas where it could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. It should be soft and durable to withstand blowouts from diapers spit up and other messes for a long time without wearing out.
One of our favorite sets is this set from Avocado, which contains two sheets that are made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and MADE SAFE-certified. It’s an independent third-party verification that guarantees Avocado’s products meet stringent standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to guarantee that they don’t shrink and stretch after washing. They also fit on a standard crib bed (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They’re also machine-washable to clean the inevitable mess that your little child is bound to create.
Another great option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads, which provides an additional layer of comfort while also protecting the mattress from accidents and staining. Choose a mattress pad that’s less than an inch thick, so your child can breathe easily. Avoid anything that is too fluffy or with long bows, ribbons or other ornaments. They can fall off and pose a strangulation hazard.
If you’re planning to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, you should consider purchasing a convertible crib. These beds typically convert to a toddler bed, and sometimes, to full-size beds or a daybed, too. Some cribs include the conversion kits, whereas others require a purchase.
Some of our top cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib in a sleigh style, which is made from solid wood and comes with one of the highest mattress heights in the group (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a mattress that is low). It’s also certified Greenguard Gold, meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to reduce emissions of gas.
Mattress
When it comes to crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are crucial. The AAP suggests using a mattress that is firm and is comfortable and does not leave an impression when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should be the correct size for the crib, and it should stay in place even after your child grows out of it.
You’ll also want to check whether 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 often emit an unpleasant chemical smell. A good indication is a certificate from CertiPUR-US which confirms 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.
Other things to consider include how much the mattress is weighing 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 2Stage is the most heavy product we’ve tested, coming around 20 lbs. This may be a problem for certain parents.
Another thing to keep in mind is if the mattress has a dual-sided. Some come with a firm infant side and the soft toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress of your child when they reach the height of normal growth. This usually occurs at around 12 months.
We weighed the mattresses and observed how easily they folded to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put a weight of 8 pounds, slightly heavier than that of a newborn infant, on each mattress to observe how it reacted. The top mattresses did not sink, meaning they offer enough support to prevent your child from falling over or being suffocated in bed. A few of the mattresses we tried have a removable, machine-washable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them much easier.
Crib Rails
A crib would be incomplete without the right set of fixed rails. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails with the crib and others sell them on their own. 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 and other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to hold your child’s weight without being too thin. They should also be able to secure themselves in place so that they can’t be taken away by your child.
The crib rails must not only be strong, but also fit snugly within the frame of the crib. This will keep the mattress from becoming too flimsy and potentially hazardous for your child. Be sure to measure the width of the crib frame before purchasing the crib rail. There are a few slight variations in the sizes of the crib. The space should ideally be no more than three fingers.
It is also important to make sure the crib rails are devoid of decorative cut-outs or other decorations that could pose dangers for suffocation. Avoid placing quilts, pillows or blankets in the crib. They can result in the accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS for your baby. If you’re looking to provide a soft sleep surface in the crib, you can try a crib pad-and-cover combo. These products consist of a mattress pad that is waterproof and an elongated « skirt » that can be positioned around the mattress like a fitted sheet.
You’ll also need to make sure that you have the right crib rail guards. They are designed to cushion your baby’s head if it happens to hit the crib railings while you’re feeding or cradling him/her her beside the bed. They also help to prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib’s railings fixed.
You’ll need a toddler railing once your child has outgrown their crib. This will ensure they are safe in their bed until they are ready for a bigger bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that can be used with the majority of cribs. It’s easy to set up and is compliant with the safety standards of the CPSC.
Crib Hardware
Some of the crib’s design features are strictly aesthetic and are based on personal taste, but others — like the style of the slats on the crib or whether it can be converted into a toddler bed — can have a significant impact on the comfort of the crib as well as its lifespan. The best cribs feature solid wood construction, meet various safety standards, and are easily configurable to a variety of mattress heights. Certain cribs come with distinct features that make them more effective. For example the Quick Zip Crib Sheet allows you to 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 create the danger of choking children. Be sure to check the crib’s hardware frequently for loose bolts and other objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and present a hazard.
The best crib sets include easy-to-follow instructions as well as all the required parts, including hardware. The majority of modern cribs take half hour or less to put together, and a majority include all the tools you’ll require.
Think about a convertible crib that can be transformed into a toddler, daybed or full-size mattress. It’s a good buy for families that plan to keep the crib for many years or who have small space in their homes. You should be aware that some crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be difficult to grasp, but it’s essential for safety and stability. The majority of cribs are made up of rectangular blocks wedges (also called « shims ») and large chocks known as step chocks. They’re all designed to tighten the contact points between the crib and the supported surface.
Some shims or chocks can be made from soft woods, which crack slowly. This could trigger an audible warning before they fail. However, woods that are more rigid might break more quickly and with greater force. Plastic shims or chocks can also be purchased. They are easier to install, since they don’t require drilling into the surface.