Crib Sets – Everything You Need For Your Newborn to Sleep Soundly From Day One
The best crib sets come with everything you need for your infant to sleep peacefully from the first day. They are pre-shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to fit snugly around the mattress, without bunching – a major risk to the safety of babies.
One parent tester stated that she used hers for two babies, and then gave it to another friend. This makes it a smart buy. Its sleek design makes it a perfect choice for minimalist nursery spaces.
Bedding
When it concerns crib bedding, there are plenty of options. But choosing the right sheet is more than simply selecting a cute pattern that will match your aesthetic; you also want something that fits tightly and doesn’t clump into places that 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 blowouts in diapers and spit-up, without deteriorating too fast.
This set from Avocado is one of our favorite. It contains two sheets that are made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third party certification that ensures that the company’s products are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. They’re pre-shrunk so they won’t shrink or stretch after washing, and are designed to fit on a standard crib mattress (27 1 The blanket’s size is 4 inches wide and 51 5/8 inches long. The blankets can be washed in the machine to get rid of the inevitable mess that your baby will create.
Another great option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads, which provides an additional layer of comfort and protects the mattress from spills and stains. Choose a mattress cover which is less than one-inch thick so that your child can breathe. Avoid anything that is too fluffy or with long ribbons, bows, and other adornments. These could fall off and pose a strangulation hazard.
If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for a considerable amount of time, you should consider purchasing a convertible crib. These cheap cot beds can be transformed into a toddler bed, and occasionally even a daybed or full-size. Some cribs include the conversion kits, whereas other require a separate purchase.
This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Sleigh crib is among our favorites. It’s made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents worried about reaching a low mattress). We love that it’s also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets the strictest environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
Firmness and size are important when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm that is comfortable and does not leave an indentation on the surface when you put sheets over it. The mattress should be the correct size for the crib and it should stay in place even after your child is old enough to leave it.
Additionally, you’ll need to consider if the mattress is made of chemicals that could potentially harm your child. Look for mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)–which typically emit a unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a positive sign. It certifies that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.
Other things to consider are the weight of the mattress and whether or not it’s waterproof. It’s likely that you’ll be dealing with changing sheets at night, so having a surface that is waterproof or wipeable will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the heaviest of the ones we tested at 20 lbs, which may be a nagging issue for some parents.
A mattress that has two sides could have one side that is firm for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping your child’s mattress once they reach the peak of normal growth. This usually occurs 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 placed the weight of 8 pounds which is slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby, on each mattress to determine how it responded. The top mattresses did not sink, which means they have enough support to stop your child from falling or getting suffocated. Some of the mattresses we tested have a removable, machine-washable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them easier.
Crib Rails
A crib can’t be complete without the proper set of fixed rails. Some furniture companies for babies offer baby rails with the crib. Others sell them separately. If you choose to buy the rails separately, ensure that they meet all safety requirements. For instance, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to support your child’s weight, but not too thin. They should also be able to be secured in a secure way so they cannot be removed by your child.
The crib rails you choose should not only be sturdy but they must also fit snuggly within the crib frame. This will prevent the mattress from becoming flimsy, which can be unsafe for your child. When buying a crib rail, be sure to take measurements of the inside of the frame as there are slight variations in the size of cribs beds. The ideal space should not be more than three fingers wide.
You should also make sure that the crib rails don’t have any decorative cutouts or other embellishments. These can pose an suffocation threat. Avoid placing quilts, pillows or blankets in the crib. These could cause a dangerous accumulation of carbon dioxide increasing the risk of SIDS for your baby. Try a crib cover-and-pad combo for a comfortable sleeping mattress for your baby. These products consist of a waterproof mattress pad and a fitted “skirt”, which fits around the mattress just like an fitted sheet.
In the end, you’ll need to get the right crib rail guards. These are designed to cushion your baby’s head if it happens to hit the crib railings while you’re feeding or cradling him/her her beside the bed. They can also help prevent teeth marks and drool discoloration on the crib’s railings 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 big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will work with most standard cribs. It’s easy to set up and meets all safety standards of the CPSC.
Crib Hardware
Some crib design features are strictly 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 bedcan have a major impact on the ease of use of the crib as well as its longevity. The best cribs are constructed of solid wood, meet various safety standards and are easily adapted to different mattress heights. Some have unique features that make them more effective like the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to swap the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.
You should avoid cribs with decorative cutouts, or other accessories, as they could snag on clothing or create a risk of choking for babies. Be sure to inspect the crib’s hardware regularly for loose bolts or other objects that could get caught on clothing or other objects and create danger.
The most effective crib sets come with simple instructions and all the necessary parts, such as hardware. Modern cribs typically take half an hour or less to put together and many include all the tools you’ll require.
Think about a convertible crib that can be converted into a toddler, daybed or a full-size mattress. This is a great option for families who intend to use the crib for a number of years or have limited space. It’s important to keep in mind that certain crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be a bit tricky to understand however it is essential for security and stability. The majority of cribs have an arrangement of rectangular blocks as well as wedges (also known as “shims”) and huge chocks, also known as step chocks. They’re all designed to ensure that contact points are secure between the crib and the supported surface.
Some shims or chocks can be made of soft woods, which crack slowly. This may give an audible warning when they fail. However, harder woods can break more rapidly and with greater force. The shims and chocks are made of plastic and can also be purchased. They are much easier to install, since they don’t require drilling into the surface.