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

The best cribs include everything your baby needs to be comfortable from the beginning. They are already shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to sit comfortably around the mattress, and avoid getting tangled - a major risk to the safety of babies.

One parent tester stated that she had used hers for two babies and then passed it on to another friend. This makes it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it an excellent choice for minimalist nurseries.

Bedding

There are many choices when it comes to crib bedding. However, picking the right bedding is more than picking a cute pattern to fit your style. You also want something that fits snugly and doesn't get clumped into places that could pose a danger of suffocation for your baby. And it has to be soft to the touch and durable enough to endure months of diaper blowouts and spit-up, without deteriorating too quickly.

This Avocado set is one of our top ranked cribs picks. It comes with two sheets made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The sheets are MADE SAFE certified, which is an independent third-party certification that guarantees that Avocado's products meet the highest standards of quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk, which means 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. They're also machine washable for the inevitable mess your little child is bound to make.

Another option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads that adds a layer of comfort and protects the mattress against accidents and stains. Choose a mattress pad that's less than an inch thick so your child is able to breathe easily. Beware of anything that's too fluffy or has long ribbons, bows and other adornments that can become detached and pose the risk of strangulation.

Consider purchasing a convertible crib if you want to keep your child in the crib for a long time. They typically convert to a toddler bed and occasionally to a full-size or daybed as well. Some cribs come with necessary conversion kits included, but others require a purchase.

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

Mattress

Firmness and size are important when it comes down to a crib mattress. The AAP recommends a firm mattress that is comfortable and does not leave an indentation on the surface when you lay the sheet over it. The mattress should be of the proper size for the crib and should remain in place even when your child is out of it.

Additionally, you'll need to consider if the mattress is made of substances that could harm your child. Choose mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which often emit an unpleasant chemical smell. A good indicator is a CertiPUR US certificate that certifies that the foam used in a mattress is made without Ozone depleters, PBDEs and TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.

A few other things to think about include how much weight the mattress carries and whether it's waterproof or not. A mattress that is waterproof or able to be cleaned is better for cleaning, because you'll be changing sheets at night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the heaviest of the ones we tested at 20lbs, which may be a problem for certain parents.

A dual-sided mattress may have one side that is firm for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress when your child is at the peak of their normal growth. This is typically around 12 months.

When testing crib mattresses, we examined their weight and how they could fold and move to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed an 8-pound weight, slightly heavier than a newborn on each mattress to determine how it reacted. The best ones did not sink, which means that they provide enough support to prevent your child from falling out of the their bed during sleep or drowning. A few of the mattresses we tried have a removable, machine-washable cover that is waterproof and zips closed. This makes cleaning and maintaining them easier.

Crib Rails

A crib can't be complete without a set of fixed rails. Some furniture companies for babies offer Baby Cots On Sale rails with the crib. Others sell them separately. If you opt to buy them separately, search for ones that meet all of the safety requirements. They should, for instance, be free of loose or missing screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be strong enough to support your child's weight but not be too thin. They must also lock securely into place so they can't be taken away by your child.

The crib rails need to not only be sturdy and sturdy, but they should also fit within the crib frame. This will keep the mattress from being too flimsy, which can be unsafe for your child. Be sure to measure inside the crib frame prior to purchasing the crib rail. There are slight variations in the sizes of the crib. The dimensions should not be larger than three fingers.

Also, make sure that the crib rails do not contain any cutouts that are decorative or other ornaments. These can pose the risk of suffocation. Avoid placing quilts, pillows blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. They can result in an unintentional buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. If you're looking to add a soft sleeping surface in the crib, try a crib pad-and-cover combo. They consist of an upholstered mattress pad, waterproof lining and an adjustable "skirt" that stretches around the mattress like an oversized sheet.

It is also important to ensure that you have the correct crib rail guards. They 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 in bed. They also can help avoid the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings that are fixed.

Once your infant cot bed outgrows the crib, you'll need 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 cots offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will fit on most cribs that are standard. It is easy to install and meets CPSC safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Some of the crib's design features are strictly aesthetic and are subject to individual preference, while others -- like the design of the slats that are on the crib or whether it can be converted into a toddler bed -can have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib as well as its durability. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood construction, meet various safety standards, and are easily adaptable to various mattress heights. Some have unique features that make them more useful, such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet that allows you to change the sheets without taking the entire mattress from the crib.

Generally, you want to avoid cribs with decorative cut-outs, or other decorations that could catch on clothing or pose a choking risk for infants. Examine the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other items that could snag on clothing or objects.

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

Look into a convertible crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size mattress. It's a good purchase for families who plan to keep the crib for a number of years or have a limited space in their homes. It is important to remember that certain crib conversion kits require a second purchase to complete the conversion.

Crib hardware can be difficult to comprehend, but it's essential to ensure safety and stability. Most cribs feature the rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and large chocks called step chocks, all of which are designed to secure the contact points between the crib and its support surface.

Some chocks and shims are constructed of soft woods which crack slowly, which can provide audible warnings prior to failure as more robust wood materials may break suddenly and with more force. Shims and chocks made of plastic can also be purchased. They are simpler to install, as they do not require drilling into the surface.