Here's A Few Facts About Crib Sets. Crib Sets
Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best crib sets include everything you need for your infant to sleep soundly from day one. They're pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to fit snugly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a serious safety risk for infants.
One tester for parents said that she used hers for two babies, and then passed it on to another friend. This made it a wise purchase. Its streamlined design also makes it an ideal choice for smaller nursery spaces.
Bedding
When it comes to crib bedding, there are a lot of options available. However, picking the right bedding is more than just picking a cute pattern to fit your style. You must also find something that fits snugly and doesn't get clumped up in places where it could be a risk of suffocation for your baby. It should be soft and durable to withstand diaper blowouts, spills and other messes over the course of months without wearing out.
One of our favorite sets is this Avocado set that includes two sheets made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and MADE SAFE-certified. It's an independent third-party certification that ensures the company's textiles meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk so they won't shrink or stretch after washing, and they're made to fit a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). The blankets are machine washable to remove the inevitable mess your little bundle will make.
A crib mattress pad is another ideal option for babies and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort and shields the mattress from accidents and stains. Choose a mattress pad that's less than an inch thick, so your child can breathe easily. Beware of anything that's too soft or is adorned with long ribbons, bows and other adornments that can become detached and pose the risk of strangulation.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for a long time, think about buying a convertible crib. They typically convert to a toddler bed and sometimes, to a full-size or daybed as well. Some cribs have the required conversion kits included however, others require an additional purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 sleigh crib is one of our top picks. It's made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents worried about reaching a low mattress). It's also Greenguard Gold-certified, which means it meets the strictest environmental standards to prevent emissions of gas.
Mattress
When it comes to crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are crucial. The AAP recommends a firm mattress which fits snugly, and does not leave an indentation on the surface when you lay a sheet over it. The mattress should be the right size for the crib and remain in place after your child has grown out of it.
It is also important to determine if the mattress contains chemicals that may harm your child. You should look for a mattress free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that emit an unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good indicator. It is a certifiable sign that the foam in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.
Other things to consider are the mattress's weight and whether or not it's waterproof. It's likely that you'll be dealing with changes to sheets at night and an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the largest of the bunch we tested at 20 lbs that could be a nagging issue for some parents.
A mattress that has two sides could have one side that is firm for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians advise flipping your child's mattress when they reach the peak of normal growth. This is typically around 12 months.
We measured the mattresses and then observed how they could be folded easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight which was slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby on each mattress to determine how it responded. The best ones did not sink in and therefore provide enough support to keep your child from falling out of the bed while they sleep or to suffocate. The mattresses we tested had a removable cover that can be machine-washed and is waterproof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them even more simple.
Crib Rails
A crib is not complete without the correct set of fixed rails. While some cribs for babies include a set of baby rails with their cribs and others sell them on their own. If you decide to purchase them separately, make sure they meet all safety standards. They should, for example, be free of loose or missing screws, brackets, or other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without being too fragile. They should also be able to be secured in a secure way so they cannot be removed by your child.
The crib rails must not only be strong and sturdy, but they should also fit within the crib frame. This will keep the mattress from becoming too fragile and potentially risky for your child. Be sure to measure the width of the crib frame before purchasing a crib rail. There are slight variations in the crib sizes. Ideally, the space should not be more than three fingers wide.
It is also important to make sure the crib rails are free of decorative cut-outs and other adornments which could be suffocation hazards. Avoid placing pillows, quilts blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. These can cause an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. If you're looking to provide a soft sleep surface in the crib, try a crib pad-and-cover combination. They consist of an upholstered mattress pad, a waterproof lining and a fitted "skirt" that wraps around the mattress like a fitted sheet.
It is also important to make sure you have the proper crib rail guards. These are designed to protect the head of your child in the event that it falls on the crib railings while you feed him or her or cradling them next to the bed. They also help to prevent teeth marks and drool discoloration on the crib's railings fixed.
When your child is no longer in the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to ensure your child's safety in the crib until they're ready for an adult bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that works with all cribs that are standard. It's easy to install and is compliant with the safety standards of the CPSC.
Crib Hardware
Certain crib design elements are purely aesthetic and are based on personal taste, but others -- such as the style of the slats that are on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bed- can have a significant impact on the user-friendliness of the crib and its lifespan. The best cribs are made from solid wood, and meet numerous safety standards and can be easily adapted to different mattress heights. Some cribs come with special features that make them more effective like the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to change sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.
Generally, recommended cribs want to avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other ornaments that could snag on clothes or pose a choking risk for infants. Be sure to check the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other items that could snag on clothing or objects.
The best crib sets have simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary parts including hardware. Most modern cribs take a half hour or less to put together and a lot come with all the tools you'll require.
Consider a convertible crib which can be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed or full-size mattress. It's a good buy for families that plan to keep the crib for several years or have a limited space in their homes. You should be aware that some crib conversion kits require additional items to complete the process.
It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it is crucial to ensure security and stability. Most cribs have a system of rectangular blocks wedges (also known as "shims") and massive chocks referred to as step chocks. They are all designed to strengthen the contact points between the crib and the surface that supports it.
Some shims or chocks could be made from soft woods, which break slowly. This may give an audible warning before they fail. However, harder woods can break more rapidly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic can also be purchased. They are easier to install since they do not require drilling into the surface.