Mini Cot Bed - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best cribs include everything your baby needs to rest comfortably from the beginning. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to be able to sit tightly around the mattress without bunching - a serious safety risk for infants.
One parent tester said she used hers through two babies and passed it to a relative which makes it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it a good choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
When it comes to crib bedding, there are plenty of options out there. However, picking the right bedding is more than choosing a cute design to match your aesthetic; you also want something that fits tightly 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 months without wearing out.
This set from Avocado is one of our favorite. It contains two sheets made of 100% certified organic GOTS cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third party certification that ensures that the company's products meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to ensure that they don't shrink and stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib (27 1 The blanket's dimensions is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. They're also machine washable for the inevitable mess your child is bound to make.
A crib mattress pad is a excellent option for infants and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort and shields the mattress from accidents and stains. Select a mattress cover that is less than one inch thick so that your child can breathe. Avoid anything that's too fluffy or is adorned with long ribbons, bows and other adornments that can be removed and create a strangulation risk.
If infant cot bed planning to keep your baby in the crib for a considerable amount of time, think about buying a convertible crib. These beds usually convert to a toddler bed and occasionally to full-size beds or a daybed also. Some cribs come with the necessary conversion kits but some require a separate purchase.
A few of our favorite cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 sleigh-style crib, which is made of solid wood and features 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 complies with stringent environmental standards to prevent off-gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are crucial when it comes to crib mattress. The AAP recommends using a mattress that is firm and fits snugly and does not leave an impression when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress should be the right size for the crib and remain in place even after your child has grown out of it.
You'll also want to check if the mattress contains chemicals that could harm your child. Choose mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which typically emit a unpleasant chemical smell. A good indicator is a certificate from CertiPUR-US which confirms that the foam used in a mattress is free of Ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, other heavy metals, formaldehyde phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.
Other aspects to consider are the mattress's weight and whether or not it's waterproof. A mattress that is waterproof or able to be cleaned is more suitable for cleaning because you'll be changing sheets at night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the largest of the selection we tested at 20lbs which could be a turnoff for certain parents.
Another important thing to consider is if the mattress is dual-sided. Some have a firm infant side and an easy toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress once they reach the height of normal growth. This is usually at around 12 months.
When testing crib mattresses we measured them and observed how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight, slightly heavier than a newborn, on each mattress to determine how the mattress reacted. The most effective mattresses did not sink into the mattress and therefore provide enough support to prevent your child from falling out of their bed during sleep or suffocate. A few of the mattresses we tested have an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips closed. This makes cleaning and maintaining them more simple.
Crib Rails
A crib would not be complete without the correct set of fixed rails. While some cribs for babies include a set of baby rails along with the crib and others sell them on their own. If you choose to purchase them separately, look for ones that meet the safety requirements. For instance, they should be free of missing or 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 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 but they must be able to fit snugly into the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming too fragile and potentially dangerous for your child. When purchasing a crib rail, be sure to measure the inside of the frame, since there are slight variations in the sizes of cribs. Ideally, the space should not be more than three fingers wide.
You should also make sure that the crib rails don't contain any cutouts that are decorative or other embellishments. They could pose an suffocation threat. It is also recommended to avoid putting pillows, blankets, quilts and sheepskins in the crib as these can contribute to a dangerous carbon dioxide build-up and increase the risk of SIDS. If you're looking to provide a soft sleeping surface in the crib, you can try a crib cover-and-pad combo. They consist of mattress pads with a waterproof lining and an adjustable "skirt" that stretches around the mattress in the same way as an fitted sheet.
In the end, you'll need to get the right crib rail guards. They are designed to cushion the head of your baby in the event that it falls on the crib railings while you're feeding him or her or cradling them on the bed. They also can help avoid the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings that are fixed.
As your baby grows out of the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to keep your child safely in their bed until they're ready to move on to an adult bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with all cribs. mini cotbed to install and meets all CPSC's safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some aspects of crib design are solely aesthetic or are dependent on personal preference, but others--such as the style of slats or whether a crib can be converted into a toddler bed--can have significant impact on ease of use as well as how long the crib will last. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood construction, meet various safety standards, and are easily configurable to a variety of mattress heights. Some cribs have distinct features that make them more useful. For example the Quick Zip Crib Sheet allows you to change the sheets without having to take off the entire mattress.
In general, you should avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other ornaments that could catch on clothing or pose a risk of choking for infants. Be sure to inspect the crib hardware regularly for loose bolts or objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and create danger.
The best crib sets come with easy-to-follow instructions and all the essential components, including hardware. Modern cribs typically take half hour or less to put together, and a lot include all the tools you'll need.
Think about a convertible crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size mattress. This is a good choice for families who plan to use the crib for many years or have limited space. It is important to know that some crib conversion kit require additional purchases in order to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be difficult to grasp but it's vital for safety and stability. The majority of cribs have the rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and huge chocks, also known as step chocks. They're all designed to ensure that contact points are secure between the crib and supported surface.
Some shims or chocks could be made of soft woods, which crack slowly. This could trigger an audible warning prior to when they fail. However, woods that are more rigid may break more suddenly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic can also be purchased. They are much easier to install, as they do not require drilling into the surface.