Are Crib Sets The Greatest Thing There Ever Was?

Crib Sets – Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One

The best cribs include everything your baby needs to sleep well from the very first day. They’re pre-shrunk and machine washable and designed to fit tightly around the mattress without bunching – a significant safety risk for babies.

One parent testigator said that she had used hers for two babies, and then passed it on to another friend. This made it a smart buy. Its sleek design makes it an excellent choice for minimalist nurseries.

Bedding

When it concerns crib bedding, there are a lot of options available. But picking the right one is more than simply picking a cute pattern to fit your style. You need to find one that is firmly fitted and doesn’t bunch up in places where it could be a suffocation hazard for your baby. And it has to be soft to the touch and durable enough to stand up to months of diaper blowouts and spit-up, without deteriorating too fast.

One of our favorite sets is this set from Avocado, which contains two sheets that are made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and MADE SAFE-certified. This is an independent third-party certification that ensures the company’s textiles meet rigorous standards for safety and quality. They’re pre-shrunk, which means they won’t stretch or shrink after washing, and are designed to fit on a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They’re also machine-washable to clean the inevitable mess your little child is bound to create.

A crib mattress pad is a ideal option for babies and toddlers. It provides an additional layer of comfort and shields the mattress from accidents and stains. Look for mattress pads that are less than an inch thick to ensure your child is able to breathe easily. Avoid anything that is too fluffy, or with bows, long ribbons, and other adornments. They can fall off and pose a strangulation hazard.

If you plan to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, consider buying a convertible crib. These beds can be transformed into a toddler bed, and sometimes even a full-size or daybed. Some cribs come with conversion kits, while others require a separate purchase.

This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 crib is one of our favorites. It’s made of solid wood and features one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are worried about getting on a low mattress). It’s also Greenguard Gold-certified, which means it meets strict environmental standards to reduce emissions of gas.

Mattress

When it comes to crib mattresses, firmness and size are essential. The AAP recommends a firm mattress that fits comfortably and doesn’t leave an indentation on the surface when you place the sheet over it. The mattress should be of the proper size for the crib and remain in place even after your child grows out of it.

In addition, you’ll want to be aware of whether the mattress is made of substances that could harm your child. Look for a mattress free of volatile organic compound (VOCs) that emit an unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good sign. It is a certifiable sign that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.

Other aspects to consider are the mattress’s weight and whether or not it is waterproof. A waterproof or wipeable surface is more suitable for cleaning since you’ll be changing sheets at night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the most heavy product we’ve tested, weighing in at 20 lbs. This may be a problem for certain parents.

A mattress with two sides may have a firm side for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child’s mattress once they reach the height of normal growth. This is usually about 12 months old.

We measured the mattresses and then observed how they could be folded easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put an 8-pound weight which is slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn infant, on each mattress to determine how it reacted. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, which means they have enough support to prevent your child from falling over or getting suffocated. 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 would not be complete without the correct set of rails fixed. While some baby furniture companies include a set of baby rails with their cribs and others sell them separately. If you decide to purchase the rails separately, ensure that they meet all safety standards. For instance, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets or other hardware. They should also be able to support the weight of your child without becoming too fragile. They should also be able be secured in a secure way so that they can’t be removed from your child.

The crib rails must not only be strong, but also fit snugly within the crib frame. This will keep the mattress from becoming too flimsy and potentially risky for your child. When buying crib rails, make sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame as there are slight variations in the sizes of cribs. The area should not be larger than three fingers.

It is also important to ensure that the crib rails do not have any decorative cutouts or other ornaments. They could pose a suffocation risk. You should also avoid placing pillows, blankets, quilts and sheepskins in the crib because they can cause the build-up of carbon dioxide and increase your baby’s 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. These products consist of a mattress pad with an elongated waterproof lining as well as an adjustable “skirt” that stretches over the mattress, much like an oversized sheet.

You’ll also want to make sure you have the correct crib rail guards. They are designed to cushion the baby’s head when it comes into contact with the crib railings when you feed them or cradling them on the bed. They also help to prevent dental marks and drool discoloration on the crib’s railings that are fixed.

Once your infant outgrows the crib, you’ll require a toddler guard rail to keep your child safely in the bed until they’re ready to move on to a bigger bed for their child. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will fit on most cribs that are standard. It’s easy to install and complies with CPSC safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Some of the crib’s design features are purely aesthetic and are based on individual preference, while others like the design of the slats on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bedcan have a major impact on the ease of use of the crib as well as its durability. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood, comply with numerous safety standards and can be easily adjusted to various mattress heights. Some cribs feature special features that make them more efficient. For instance, the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without removing the entire mattress.

Avoid cribs with decorative cutouts, or other accessories, as they could snag on clothing or create the risk of choking children. Also, make certain to check the crib’s hardware frequently for loose bolts or other items that could catch on clothing or other objects and Cots4Tots present the risk of injury.

The top crib sets include easy-to-follow instructions and all the essential components, like hardware. The majority of modern cribs can be put together within a half-hour or less, and most come with all of the necessary tools.

Think about a convertible crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed or full-size mattress. It’s a good purchase for families who intend to keep the crib for many years or have a small space in their homes. It’s important to keep in mind that some crib conversion kits require additional items to complete the conversion.

Crib hardware can be a bit tricky to understand but it’s vital to ensure safety and stability. The majority of cribs are made up consisting of rectangular blocks, wedges (also known as “shims”) and massive chocks referred to as step chocks. They are all designed to tighten up contact points between the crib and supported surface.

Some chocks and shims are constructed of soft woods which crack slow, which may provide audible warnings before they fail, while stiffer wooden materials can break up suddenly and with greater force. The shims and chocks are made of plastic and are also available for purchase. They are easier to install, since they don’t require drilling into the surface.