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 day one. They are already shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to sit comfortably around the mattress, without bunching - a major safety risk for babies.
One tester for parents said she used hers through two babies and then passed it to a relative, making it a smart purchase. Its sleek design makes it an excellent choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
There are many options to choose from when it comes down to crib bedding. It's not just about picking the right pattern that fits your personal style. You also want to ensure that the sheet is fitted tightly and doesn't gather in areas where it could pose a choking hazard for your child. It is important to choose a soft and durable material to withstand blowouts from diapers spills and other messes for months without fading.
This set from Avocado is one of our favorites. It contains two sheets that are made from 100% certified organic GOTS cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, an independent third-party certification that assures that Avocado's products meet the highest standards of 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 (27 1 The blanket's size is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. They're also machine-washable for the inevitable mess that your little baby is bound to make.
A crib mattress pad is a ideal option for babies and toddlers. It adds an extra layer of comfort and shields the mattress from accidents and stains. Choose a mattress cover which is less than 1 inch thick so that your child can breathe. Avoid anything that's too soft or includes long bows, ribbons and other ornaments that could detach and pose a strangulation risk.
Consider purchasing an adjustable crib if you plan to keep your child in the crib for a long period of time. These beds typically convert to a toddler bed and sometimes to a full-size or daybed, too. Some cribs include the conversion kits, whereas others require an extra purchase.
A few of our most-loved cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib in a sleigh style, which is made of solid wood and comes with one of the taller mattress heights (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a low mattress). We also love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets stringent environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are essential when it comes to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a firm mattress that is comfortable and does not leave an indentation on the surface when you lay the 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.
You'll also want to check if the mattress contains substances that could harm your child. Choose mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which frequently emit a noxious chemical smell. A good sign is a CertiPUR-US certificate which confirms that the foam used in a mattress is free of Ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates, which are regulated by Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
Other aspects to consider are the weight of the mattress and whether or not it's waterproof. find out here that is waterproof or able to be cleaned is ideal for cleaning, because you'll be changing sheets in the night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the largest product we've tested, weighing around 20 lbs. This may be a major issue for certain parents.
A dual-sided mattress may have an infant side that is firm and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians advise flipping your child's mattress once they reach the height of normal growth. This usually occurs at around 12 months.
Baby Cot Bed measured the mattresses and then 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 a newborn on each one to observe how it reacted. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, which means they offer enough support to prevent your child from falling over or being suffocated in bed. The mattresses we tested had a cover that is machine washable and is waterproof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them simpler.
Crib Rails
A crib isn't complete without a set of fixed rails. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails along with the crib and others sell them on their own. If you decide to purchase the rails separately, ensure that they meet the safety standards. They must, for instance, be free of loose screws, brackets, or other hardware. They should be strong enough to hold your child's weight but not be too thin. They should also be able be secured in a secure way so that they can't be removed from your child.
The crib rails you choose should not only be strong, they should also fit comfortably within the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming flimsy and potentially risky for your child. Be sure to measure the width of the crib frame when buying the crib rail. There are slight variations in the crib sizes. The space should ideally be no wider than three fingers.
You should also make sure that the crib rails do not have any decorative cutouts or other adornments. They could pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing quilts, pillows, blankets and sheepskins inside the crib. They can result in an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. If you're looking to provide a soft sleeping surface in the crib, you can try a crib pad and cover combination. These products consist of a mattress pad that is waterproof and an elongated "skirt" that fits around the mattress just like an fitted sheet.
In the end, you'll need to get the right crib rail guards. These are designed to protect the head of your baby if it hits the crib railings while you feed them or cradling them next to the bed. They also help prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
When your child is no longer in the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to ensure your child's safety in their bed until they're ready to move on to an adult bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that can be used with all cribs that are standard. It is easy to install and meets CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some aspects of crib design are solely aesthetic or subject to personal preference however other aspects, such as the design of slats or whether a crib converts into an adult bed--can have a significant impact on the ease of use and the length of time the crib will last. The best cribs are constructed from solid wood, and meet various safety standards and are easily configured to different mattress heights. Certain cribs have special features that make them more useful such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to change the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.
You should avoid cribs with decorative cutouts or other embellishments that could catch on clothing or pose the risk of choking children. Check the crib hardware for loose bolts, as well as other items that could snag on clothing or objects.
The best crib sets come with simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary parts including hardware. The majority of modern cribs take half an hour or less to put together and a majority come with all the tools you'll require.
Consider a convertible crib which can be transformed into a toddler, daybed or a full-size mattress. This is a good choice for families who plan to use the crib for many years or have a limited space. It's important to note, though, that some crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the conversion.
Crib hardware can be a bit difficult to comprehend but it's vital for security and stability. Most cribs are equipped with a system of rectangular blocks and wedges (also known as "shims"), and big chocks referred to as step chocks, all designed to snug up contact points between the crib and its support surface.
Some shims and chocks are made from soft woods that crack slow, which may provide audible warnings prior to failure and more rigid wood materials may break suddenly and with more force. The shims and chocks are made of plastic and can also be purchased. They are much easier to install since they don't require drilling into the surface.