Crib Sets - Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best crib sets include everything you need for your newborn to sleep soundly from the first day. They're pre-shrunk, machine washable and designed to fit tightly around the mattress, without bunching. This is a significant safety risk for babies.
One parent testigator stated that she used hers for two babies and passed it to a relative, making it a smart purchase. Its sleek design makes it an excellent option for nurseries with minimalist designs.
Bedding
When it concerns crib bedding, there are plenty of options out there. However, picking the right bedding is more than selecting a cute pattern that will match your aesthetic; you need to find one that fits tightly and doesn't bunch into places that could pose a danger of suffocation for your baby. It must also be soft to the touch and durable enough to endure months of diaper blowouts and spit-up, without deteriorating too quickly.
One of our top picks is this Avocado set It comes with two sheets made of 100% organic cotton certified by GOTS and MADE SAFE-certified. This is an independent third-party certification that guarantees the company's textiles meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to guarantee that they won'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 can be washed to clean up the inevitable mess your baby will create.
Another great option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads, which adds an extra layer of comfort while also protecting the mattress against accidents and stains. Choose mattress pads that are less than an inch thick to ensure your child is able to breathe easily. And steer clear of anything that's too fluffy or includes long bows, ribbons and other adornments that could be removed and create a strangulation risk.
Consider purchasing a convertible crib if plan to keep your baby in the crib for a long time. These beds can be transformed into a toddler bed, and occasionally even a full-size or daybed. Some cribs have the necessary conversion kits included, but others require an additional purchase.
A few of our most-loved cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, constructed of solid wood and features one of the taller mattress heights in the group (for parents who are worried about reaching down to a low mattress). We love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets stringent environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
When it concerns crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are essential. The AAP recommends a firm mattress that fits comfortably and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet down on it. The mattress should be the right size for the crib and remain in place, even when your child is out of it.
In addition, you'll want to consider if the mattress is made up of chemicals that could potentially harm your child. Look for a mattress free of volatile organic compound (VOCs), which emits an unpleasant chemical odor. CertiPUR US certification is a good indicator. It confirms that the foam in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.
Other aspects to consider are the weight of the mattress and whether or not it is waterproof. A mattress that is waterproof or able to be cleaned is ideal for cleaning, since you'll have to change sheets in the night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the largest product we've tested, weighing in at 20 lbs. This may be a major issue for some parents.
A mattress with two sides may have an infant side that is firm and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians advise 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 weighed them and looked at how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also put a weight of 8 pounds which is slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn infant, on each mattress to determine how it reacts. The best ones did not sink in, which means that they offer enough support to protect your child from falling out of their bed during sleep or to suffocate. A few of the mattresses we tested come with a removable, machine-washable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them more simple.
Crib Rails
A crib isn't complete without the proper set of rails fixed. Some furniture companies for babies offer baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you decide to purchase them separately, look for ones that meet the safety requirements. They should, for instance, be free of missing or loose screws, brackets, or other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without becoming too fragile. They should also be able to secure themselves to ensure that they are not removed from your child.
The best crib rails will not only be sturdy They should also fit snuggly within the frame of the crib. This will stop the mattress from becoming too flimsy, which can cause harm to your baby. Make sure you measure the crib frame when buying 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 ensure that the crib rails do not have any decorative cutouts or other embellishments. They could pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing quilts, pillows blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. These can cause the buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing your baby's SIDS risk. Try a crib cover-and-pad combo to provide a comfortable sleeping mattress for your baby. The products comprise mattress pads with an elongated waterproof lining as well as an adjustable "skirt" that wraps around the mattress like an oversized sheet.
Lastly, you'll want to get the right crib rail protectors. They are designed to protect the head of your baby if it hits the crib railings as you feed them or cradling them next to the bed. They can also stop the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's side railings that are fixed.
You'll need to purchase an infant guardrail when your child is no longer in their crib. This will keep them safely in bed until they are ready to move into a larger bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will work with most standard cribs. It's easy to install and complies with CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Certain crib design elements are only aesthetic and subject to individual preference, while 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 as well as its lifespan. The best cribs are made of solid wood, meet numerous safety standards, and can be easily adjusted to various mattress heights. Certain cribs come with special features that make them more efficient. For instance, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet allows you to change the sheets without having to remove the entire mattress.
Generally, you want to avoid cribs that have decorative cut-outs or other ornaments which could get caught on clothes or pose a risk of choking for children. Be sure to check the crib's hardware for loose bolts, as well as other items that could snag on objects or clothing.
good cribs come with easy-to-follow instructions and all necessary components, including hardware. Most modern cribs can be assembled in a half-hour or less, and they come with all the necessary tools.
Look into a convertible crib that can be converted into a daybed, toddler or full-size mattress. This is a great purchase for families who intend to keep the crib for a number of years or who have limited space in their homes. It's important to note that certain crib conversion kits require additional purchases to complete the conversion.
Crib hardware can be a bit difficult to grasp however it is essential for safety and stability. Most cribs come with a system of rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and massive chocks referred to as step chocks. They are all designed to tighten up contact points between crib and the surface that supports it.
Some shims or chocks could be made of soft woods that crack slowly. This could trigger an audible warning when they fail. However, stiffer woods can break more rapidly and with greater force. Choks and shims made of plastic are also available, which can be installed more easily because they do not require drilling or screwing into the surface.