Looking For Inspiration? Look Up Crib Sets

Crib Sets – Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One The best cribs include everything your baby needs to be comfortable from the beginning. They're pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to fit snugly around the mattress without bunching—a major safety hazard for babies. One tester for parents said she used hers through two babies and then passed it to a relative which makes it a wise purchase. Its streamlined design also makes it a perfect choice for smaller nursery spaces. Bedding When it comes to crib bedding, there are plenty of options. It's not just about picking one that is in line with your style. You also want to make sure the sheet is tightly fitted and doesn't bunch up in areas that could be a choking hazard for your child. It should also be soft to the touch and durable enough to withstand months of blowouts from diapers and spit-up spills without wearing out too quickly. The Avocado set is one of our top picks. It includes two sheets made with 100% certified organic GOTS cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, which is an independent third-party certification that assures that Avocado's products meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to guarantee that they don't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit on a standard crib (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 a excellent option for infants and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort and shields the mattress from spills and staining. Choose a mattress cover that is less than one-inch thick to allow your child to breathe. Avoid anything that is too fluffy or with long bows, ribbons, and other adornments. They can fall off and create a strangulation hazard. If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, consider buying a convertible crib. These beds typically convert into a toddler bed and sometimes to full-size beds or a daybed also. nursery cots come with necessary conversion kits, but others require an additional purchase. A few of our favorite cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, made of 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 When it concerns crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are crucial. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm, fits snugly and does not leave an impression when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should be the appropriate size for the crib and remain in place after your child has grown out of it. You should also determine whether the mattress is made up of chemicals that may harm your child. Choose mattresses that are odor-free and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—which frequently emit a noxious chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good indicator. It certifies that the foam in the mattress is free of ozone depleters as well as other harmful chemicals. Other aspects to consider are the mattress's weight and whether or not it's waterproof. A surface that is waterproof or wipeable is better for cleaning, since you'll have to change sheets at night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the largest product we've tested, weighing in at 20 lbs. This could be a major issue for certain parents. A mattress with two sides may have one side that is firm for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians suggest flipping your child's mattress when they reach the height of normal growth. This is usually at around 12 months. When testing crib mattresses, we examined their weight and how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also put an 8-pound tin, slightly heavier than a newborn on each mattress to determine how much it recoiled. The best ones did not sink this means they offer enough support to protect your child from falling out of the mattress while sleeping or suffocate. A few of the mattresses we tried have a removable, machine-washable cover that is waterproof and zips closed. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them a breeze. Crib Rails A crib would be incomplete without the right set of rails fixed. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails with the crib and others sell them separately. If you decide to buy them separately, search for ones that meet all of the safety requirements. They should, for example have no loose or missing screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without becoming too fragile. They should also to secure themselves so that they cannot be removed from your child. The crib rails must not only be strong and sturdy, but they should also fit within the frame of the crib. This will keep the mattress from becoming too fragile and potentially risky for your child. When you purchase a crib rail, be sure to measure the inside of the frame since there are slight variations in the size of cribs. The dimensions should be no wider than three fingers. Also, make sure that the crib rails don't have any decorative cutouts or other adornments. They could pose the risk of suffocation. It is also recommended to avoid putting pillows, blankets, quilts and sheepskins in the crib because they can cause the carbon dioxide build-up and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. If you're looking to add a soft sleeping surface in the crib, you can try a crib cover-and-pad combo. They consist of mattress pads with waterproof lining and an adjustable “skirt” that stretches around the mattress like an oversized sheet. You'll also need to make sure that you have the proper crib rail guards. These are specifically designed to cushion your baby's head in the event that it hits the crib railings when you're feeding or cradling him/her her on the bed. They also can help avoid teeth marks and drool discoloration on the crib's fixed railings. Once your infant outgrows the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to ensure your child's safety in the bed until they're ready for a bigger bed for their child. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will work with most standard cribs. It's easy to install and meets all of the safety standards of the CPSC. Crib Hardware Certain crib design elements are purely aesthetic and are subject to personal taste, but others like the design 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 ease of use of the crib and its durability. The best cribs have solid wood construction, meet various safety standards, and are easily adaptable to various mattress heights. Some cribs feature special features that make them more useful. For example, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without removing the entire mattress. Avoid cribs that have decorative cutouts or other embellishments because they could get caught on clothing or pose the risk of choking infants. Be sure to check the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other items that could snag on objects or clothing. The best crib sets include simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary parts, including hardware. Most modern cribs can be put together in a half-hour or less, and most come with all the necessary tools. You may also want to think about a convertible crib which can transform into daybed, toddler bed or a full-size bed. This is a good option for families who plan to use the crib for many years or have a limited space. It's important to note that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the process. Crib hardware can be a bit difficult to grasp however it is essential for security and stability. Most cribs feature the rectangular blocks as well as wedges (also called “shims”), and big chocks referred to as step chocks. They're all designed to secure the contact points between the crib and supported surface. Some chocks and shims are made of soft woods which crack slowly, and can give audible warnings before they fail and more rigid wood materials may break suddenly and with more force. Choks and shims made of plastic are also available, which can be easier to install since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.