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

The best cribs come with everything your baby needs to be comfortable from the beginning. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to fit snugly around the mattress without bunching - a serious safety risk for infants.

One parent testigator said that she had used it for two babies and then passed it on to another friend. This makes it a smart buy. Its sleek design makes it an ideal choice for minimalist nursery designs.

Bedding

When it is time cots to tots choose a crib bedding, there are plenty of options out there. But choosing the right sheet is more than choosing a cute design to fit your style. You must also find something that fits snugly and doesn't clump up in areas where it could be a risk of suffocation for Cheap cot beds your baby. It must also be soft to the touch and durable enough to stand up to months of blowouts in diapers and spit-up, without deteriorating too fast.

One of our favorite sets is this Avocado set, which contains two sheets made of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and MADE SAFE-certified. This is an independent third-party certification that guarantees Avocado's products meet stringent standards for safety and quality. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they won't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit on a standard crib bed (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine washable for the inevitable mess your baby is bound to make.

A crib mattress pad is a excellent option for infants and toddlers. It provides an additional layer of comfort, and also protects the mattress from accidents and stains. Find mattress pads that are less than an inch thick so your child can breathe easily. Avoid anything too fluffy or with long bows, ribbons or other ornaments. These can come off and pose an injury to strangulation.

If you're planning to keep your Baby Cot Bed in a crib for a long time, think about buying a convertible crib. These cribs can be converted to a toddler bed, and occasionally even a full-size or cribs daybed. Some cribs come with required conversion kits included, but others require a separate purchase.

A few of our most-loved cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 sleigh-style crib, which is made of solid wood and comes with one of the taller mattress heights (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a mattress that's low). It's also certified Greenguard Gold, meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to prevent off gassing.

Mattress

When it comes to crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are essential. The AAP suggests using a mattress that is firm, fits comfortably and does not leave an indentation when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress should be the appropriate size for the crib and remain in place after your child grows out of it.

In addition, you'll want cots to tots be aware of whether the mattress is made up of substances that could harm your child. Find a mattress that is odor-free and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which typically emit a unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good indicator. It is a certifiable sign 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 surface that is waterproof or wipeable is better for cleaning, since you'll have to change sheets every night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the most heavy product we've tested, coming at 20 pounds. This may be a major issue for some 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 once they reach the height of normal growth. This is typically around 12 months.

We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how easily they folded to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put an 8-pound weight, slightly heavier than a newborn on each one to observe how the mattress reacted. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, meaning they have enough support to prevent your child from falling over or being suffocated in bed. Some of the mattresses we tried have covers that can be washed and removed that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning them and maintaining them easier.

Crib Rails

A crib is not complete without the proper set of fixed rails. While some cribs for babies offer baby rails with their cribs, others offer them separately. If you decide to purchase them separately, look for ones that meet the safety requirements. For instance, they should be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets and other hardware. They should be strong enough to support your child's weight without being too thin. They must also be secured in a secure way so they can't be taken away by your child.

The crib rails you choose should not only be sturdy They should be able to fit snugly into the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming too flimsy, which can cause harm to your baby. When purchasing crib rails, be sure to measure the inside of the frame since there are slight variations in the size of cribs. The space should ideally be no wider than three fingers.

You should also make sure that the crib rails don't have any decorative cutouts or other ornaments. They can create an suffocation threat. Avoid placing quilts, pillows, blankets and sheepskins inside the crib. They can result in a dangerous buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. Try a crib cover-and-pad combo if you want a soft sleeping mattress for your baby. These products consist of a mattress pad that is waterproof and a fitted "skirt", which fits around the mattress in the same way as an fitted sheet.

You'll also need to make sure that you have the correct crib rail guards. These are specifically designed to cushion your baby's head when it hits the crib railings while feeding or cradling him or her on the bed. They can also prevent teeth marks and drool staining on the crib's side railings that are fixed.

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 to move on to a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with most standard cribs. It's easy to install and is compliant with the CPSC's safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Some crib design features are strictly aesthetic and are subject to individual preference, while others -- like the style of the slats on the crib or whether it can be converted into a toddler bed -- can have a significant impact on the ease of use of the crib and its longevity. The best cribs have solid wood construction, meet various safety standards, and are adaptable to various mattress heights. Certain cribs have special features that make them more effective like the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to change sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.

Generally speaking, you should avoid cribs with decorative cut-outs or other embellishments which could get caught on clothes or pose a risk of choking for children. Also, make sure to check the crib's hardware regularly for loose bolts or other items that could catch on clothing or other objects and create a hazard.

The best crib sets come with easy-to-follow instructions and all necessary parts including hardware. Most modern cribs take a half-hour or less to put together, and a lot come with all the tools you'll need.

It is also possible to think about a convertible crib which can transform into a daybed for toddlers, a toddler bed, or full-size bed. It's a good purchase for families who intend to keep the crib for many years or who have limited space in their homes. Be aware that certain crib conversion kits require additional purchases in order to complete the process.

It isn't easy to comprehend crib hardware, but it is vital for safety and stability. Most cribs feature an arrangement of rectangular blocks and 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 the supported surface.

Some shims or chocks could be made of soft woods that crack slowly. This can give an audible warning when they fail. However, harder woods can break more rapidly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available, and are easier to install because they do not require drilling or screwing into the surface.