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 infant to sleep peacefully from the beginning. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk 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 gave it to a friend. This makes it a good investment. Its streamlined design also makes it an ideal choice for small nursery designs.
Bedding
When it is time to choose a crib bedding, there are a variety of options. But picking the right one is more than selecting a cute pattern that will fit your style. You must also find something that is firmly fitted and doesn't bunch up in areas where it could be a suffocation hazard for your baby. It must be soft and sturdy enough to withstand blowouts from diapers spit up and other messes for months without wearing out.
The Avocado set is one of our favorite. It includes two sheets made with 100% certified organic GOTS cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, an independent third-party certification that guarantees that the products of the company meet the highest standards of quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk, which means they won't stretch or shrink after washing, and they're made to fit on a standard crib mattress (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 little bundle is likely to make.
Another great option for newborns and toddlers is a crib mattress pad, which adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress against accidents and stains. Select a mattress cover that is less than one inch thick to let your child breathe. Avoid anything too fluffy or with bows, long ribbons, and other adornments. These can come off and create the risk of strangulation.
If you plan to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, think about buying a convertible crib. These beds can be converted into a toddler bed, or even a daybed or full-size. Baby Cot come with conversion kits, while others require a separate purchase.
A few of our favorite cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 sleigh-style crib, which is made from solid wood and features one of the taller mattress heights (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a low mattress). It's also certified Greenguard Gold, which means it meets the strictest environmental standards to reduce off gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are crucial when it comes to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm that fits comfortably and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put the sheet over it. The mattress should be of the proper size for the crib and remain in place after your child has grown out of it.
In addition, you'll want to consider if the mattress is made up of substances that could harm your child. Look for mattresses that are odorless 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 foam used in a mattress is made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, other heavy metals, formaldehyde Phthalates that are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
A few other aspects to consider are how much the mattress is weighing and whether it's waterproof or not. You'll likely have to deal with nighttime sheet changes and having a surface that is waterproof or wipeable will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the largest product we've tested, coming at 20 pounds. This could be a major issue for some parents.
A dual-sided mattress may have a firm side for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress when they reach the height of normal growth. This usually occurs at around 12 months.
When testing crib mattresses we examined their weight and how easily they folded and maneuvered to dress the sides 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 responded. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, meaning they provide enough support to stop your child from falling or being suffocated in bed. A few of the mattresses we tested have an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them more simple.
Crib Rails
A crib can't be complete without the proper set of rails that are fixed. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails along with the crib and others sell them separately. If you decide to purchase them on their own, make sure they meet all safety standards. For instance, they should be free of missing or loose screws, brackets or other hardware. They should be strong enough to support your child's weight without being too thin. They should also lock securely into place so they cannot be removed by your child.
The right crib rails will not only be sturdy, they should also fit snuggly within the crib frame. This will prevent the mattress from becoming too flimsy, which can be dangerous for your baby. When buying crib rails, be sure to measure the inside of the frame since there are slight variations in the size of cribs. The space should ideally not be larger than three fingers.
Also, you should ensure that the crib rails are devoid of decorative cut-outs or other decorations, which can be potential suffocation hazards. You should also avoid placing pillows blankets, blankets, quilts, and sheepskins on the crib, because they can cause an unhealthy build-up of carbon dioxide and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. Try a crib cover-and-pad combo to provide a comfortable sleeping surface for your baby. These products consist of an upholstered mattress pad, an elongated waterproof lining as well as an adjustable "skirt" that wraps around the mattress in the same way as an oversized sheet.
Finally, you'll need find the best crib rail protectors. These are designed to cushion the head of your baby when it comes into contact with the crib railings when you feed them or cradling them on the bed. They can also prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's side railings that are fixed.
Once your infant outgrows the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to keep your child safe in the crib 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 install and complies with CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Certain aspects of the crib's design are only aesthetic or otherwise subject to personal preference however, other aspects--like the style of slats or whether a crib can be converted into an infant bed--can have a major influence on the ease of use as well as how long the crib will last. The best cribs feature solid wood construction, comply with numerous safety standards, and are adaptable to various mattress heights. Some cribs have special features that make them more useful. For instance the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without having to remove the entire mattress.
In general, you should avoid cribs that have decorative cut-outs, or other decorations which could get caught on clothes or create a choking risk for children. Be sure to inspect the crib's hardware regularly for loose bolts or other objects that could get caught on clothing or other objects, and pose danger.
The top crib sets include easy-to-follow directions and all the necessary components, including hardware. Most modern cribs take a half an hour or less to put together and many come with all the tools you'll need.
It is also possible to consider a convertible crib that can transform into daybed, toddler bed or a full-size bed. This is a good option for families who intend to use the crib for many years or have a limited space. It's important to keep in mind that certain crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be a bit difficult to grasp, but it's essential to ensure safety and stability. The majority of cribs are made up of rectangular block wedges (also known as "shims") and massive chocks referred to as step chocks. They are all designed to strengthen the connections between the crib and supported surface.
Some chocks and shims are made from soft woods that crack slowly, which can provide audible warnings prior to failure as more robust wood materials may break suddenly and with more force. Plastic shims and chocks are also available and are easier to install because they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.