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 peacefully from the beginning. They're pre-shrunk, machine washable and designed to fit snugly around the mattress without bunching--a serious safety risk for infants.
One parent testigator said that she used it through two babies and passed it on to a friend and it was a great purchase. Its minimalist design makes it an ideal choice for minimalist nursery designs.
Bedding
When it comes to crib bedding, there are a variety of options. It's not just about choosing one that is in line with your style. You also want to ensure that the sheet is tightly fitted and doesn't gather in areas that could create the risk of choking your child. It must be soft and sturdy enough to withstand blowouts from diapers, spit up and other messes over the course of months without wearing out.
The Avocado set is one of our favorite. It includes two sheets made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The fabrics are MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third-party certification that assures that Avocado's products meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to guarantee that they don't shrink and stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine-washable to clean the inevitable mess your little baby is bound to create.
A crib mattress pad is another great option for babies and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort and shields the mattress from accidents and stains. Choose a mattress cover which is less than one-inch thick to allow your child to breathe. Avoid anything too fluffy, or with long bows, ribbons and other adornments. They can fall off and create a strangulation hazard.
Consider buying an adjustable crib if you intend to keep your child in the crib for a long period of time. They typically convert into a toddler bed and sometimes to a daybed or full-size bed as well. Some cribs come with conversion kits, whereas other require a purchase.
A few of our most-loved cribs include this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib in a sleigh style, which is made from solid wood and features one of the taller mattress heights (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a mattress that is low). We love that it's also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets the strictest environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
Size and firmness are essential when it comes to crib mattress. The AAP recommends using a mattress that is firm, fits snugly and does not leave an impression when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress must also be the proper size for the crib, and it should remain in place, even after your baby gets out of it.
In addition, you'll want to determine if the mattress is made from substances that could harm your child. Look for mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which frequently emit a noxious chemical smell. A good indicator is a CertiPUR-US certificate which confirms that the mattress's foam is made without Ozone depleters, PBDEs and 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 how much weight the mattress is weighing and whether it's waterproof or not. You'll likely be dealing with changes to sheets at night and having a surface that is waterproof or wipeable will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the heaviest product we tested, weighing at 20 pounds. This may be a major issue for some parents.
mini cotbed to keep in mind is if the mattress is dual-sided; some of these include a firm side for infants and an easy toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child's mattress when they reach the peak of normal growth. This usually occurs at around 12 months.
When we tested crib mattresses, we measured them and observed how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also put an 8-pound weight, slightly heavier than that of a newborn infant, on each mattress to see how it reacted. The top mattresses did not sink in this means they offer enough support to protect your child from falling out of bed while they sleep or drowning. Some of the mattresses that we test had a removable cover that is machine washable and is waterproof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them more simple.
Crib Rails
A crib isn't complete without the proper set of fixed rails. While some cribs for babies include a set of baby rails with the crib and others sell the rails separately. If you decide to buy them separately, search for ones that meet the safety requirements. They must, for instance have no loose or missing screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should also be able to support the weight of your child without being too fragile. They should also be able lock securely in place so that they cannot be removed from your child.
The crib rails you choose should not only be sturdy, they should also fit snuggly within the frame of the crib. This will keep the mattress from becoming fragile and potentially dangerous for your child. When you purchase crib rails, make sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame, because there are slight differences in the size of cribs. The dimensions should be no wider than three fingers.
You should also make sure that the crib rails do not have any decorative cutouts or other ornaments. These can pose a suffocation risk. Avoid placing pillows, quilts or blankets in the crib. These can cause a dangerous accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. Try a crib cover-and-pad combo for a comfortable sleeping surface for your baby. These products consist of a mattress pad that is waterproof and a fitted "skirt" that can be positioned around the mattress just like a fitted sheet.
You'll also need to ensure that you have the right crib rail guards. These are designed to protect your baby's head in the event that it hits the crib railings when you're feeding or cradling him or her beside the bed. They can also help 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 ensure your child's safety in the bed until they're ready for a bigger bed for their child. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that can be used with most standard cribs. It's easy to install and meets CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Some aspects of crib design are purely aesthetic or otherwise dependent on personal preference, however, other aspects--like the style of slats, or whether the crib converts to an adult bed--can have a significant impact on the ease of use as well as how long the crib will last. The best cribs are made from solid wood, and meet multiple safety regulations and are easily adjusted to various mattress heights. Certain cribs come with unique features which make them more efficient. For example the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without having to take off the entire mattress.
Avoid cribs that have decorative cutouts, or other accessories, as they could snag on clothing or create the danger of choking children. Examine the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other components that could snag on clothing or other objects.
The top crib sets include simple instructions and all the necessary parts, such as hardware. Modern cribs typically take half an hour or less to assemble, and many include all the tools you'll need.
Consider a convertible crib which can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size mattress. This can be a smart buy for families that plan to keep the crib for a number of years or have a limited space in their homes. You should be aware that some crib conversion kit require additional purchases in order to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be difficult to comprehend however it is essential for security and stability. Most cribs have a system of rectangular blocks wedges (also called "shims") and large chocks known as step chocks. They are all designed to tighten the contact points between crib and the surface that supports it.
Some chocks and shims are constructed of soft woods which crack slowly, and can give audible warnings before they fail, while stiffer wooden materials could break abruptly and with greater force. Choks and shims made of plastic are also available, which can be easier to install because they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.