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 newborn to sleep peacefully from the beginning. They are pre-shrunk and washable. They are designed to fit snugly around the mattress, without getting tangled - a major danger for infants.
One tester for parents 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 a great choice for minimalist nurseries.
Bedding
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes down to bedding for your crib. It's not only about picking one that is in line with your personal style. You also want to make sure the sheet fits tightly and does not gather in areas that could be the risk of choking your child. It must be soft and sturdy enough to withstand diaper blowouts, spills and other messes over the course of months without wearing out.
The Avocado set is one of our favorite. It includes two sheets that are made from 100% certified organic GOTS cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, which is an independent third-party certification that guarantees that Avocado's products meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk to ensure they don't shrink or stretch after washing, and they're made to fit a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine washable for the inevitable mess your child is bound to make.
A crib mattress pad is a great option for babies and toddlers. It adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress from spills and stains. Choose mattress pads that are less than an inch thick to ensure your child can breathe easily. Avoid anything that is too soft or with long ribbons, bows or other ornaments. They can fall off and create an injury to strangulation.
If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, you should consider purchasing a convertible crib. These cribs can be converted to a toddler bed, and sometimes even a full-size daybed. Some cribs have the required conversion kits included however, others require a purchase.
Some of our top cribs are this Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 crib that is sleigh-style, made of solid wood and comes with one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are concerned about reaching down to a mattress that's low). We love that it's Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets stringent environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.
Mattress
When it concerns crib mattresses, firmness and sizing are essential. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm that is comfortable and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you put a sheet over it. The mattress should be the proper size for the crib, and it should remain in place even after your child gets out of it.
You should also determine whether the mattress has chemicals that could 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 good indicator. It certifies that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.
Other things to consider include how much the mattress is weighing and whether it's waterproof or not. It's likely that you'll be dealing with nighttime sheet changes, so having a surface that is waterproof or wipeable will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the most heavy product we've tested, coming at 20 pounds. This could be a deal-breaker for certain parents.
A mattress with two sides may have a firm side for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians advise flipping your child's mattress once they reach the height of normal growth. This is typically at around 12 months.
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, slightly heavier than a newborn on each one to see how the mattress reacted. The most comfortable mattresses did not sink, which means they have enough support to keep your child from falling or getting suffocated. Some of the mattresses we tested come with an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them a breeze.
Crib Rails
A crib isn't complete without the proper set of fixed rails. While some furniture companies for babies include a set of baby rails along with the crib and others sell them separately. If you decide to purchase them on their own, make sure they meet all safety standards. They must, for instance be free of loose screws, brackets, or other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to support your child's weight without being too thin. They should also lock securely into place so they cannot be removed by your child.
The best crib rails will not only be sturdy They should also fit snuggly within the frame of the crib. This will stop the mattress from being too fragile, which could be unsafe for your child. When purchasing a crib rail, be sure to examine the inside of the frame since there are slight variations in the size of cribs. The ideal space should not be more than three fingers wide.
It is also important to ensure that the crib rails do not contain any cutouts that are decorative or other adornments. They could pose an suffocation threat. It is also recommended to avoid putting pillows, blankets, quilts and sheepskins in the crib because they can cause an unhealthy accumulation of carbon dioxide and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. Consider a crib cover and pad combination to provide a comfortable sleeping surface for your baby. These products are made up of a waterproof mattress pad and a fitted "skirt", which fits around the mattress just like an fitted sheet.
Finally, you'll need get the right crib rail protectors. These are designed to cushion the head of your child when it comes into contact with the crib railings when you're feeding him or her or cradling them on the bed. They can also stop the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings on the sides that are fixed.
When your child is no longer in the crib, you'll need a toddler guard rail to keep your child safe in the bed until they're ready for a big kid bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that works with all cribs that are standard. It is easy to install and complies with CPSC safety standards.
Crib Hardware
Certain aspects of the crib's design are solely aesthetic or are dependent on personal preference, but others--such as the style of slats, or whether the crib can be converted into an infant bed--can have a major influence on the ease of use and the length of time the crib will last. The best cribs are made from solid wood, and meet numerous safety standards, and can be easily adapted to different mattress heights. Certain cribs come with distinct features that make them more useful. For example the Quick Zip Crib Sheet lets you replace the sheets without having to remove the entire mattress.
Generally, you want to avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other embellishments that could snag on clothes or pose a risk of choking for infants. Be sure to check the crib's hardware for loose bolts and other components that can catch on clothing or other objects.
The best crib sets come with easy-to-follow directions and all the essential parts, such as hardware. Modern cribs can be assembled in a half-hour or less, and most include all 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 several years or who have small space in their homes. You should be aware that some crib conversion kits require additional items to complete the process.
Crib hardware can be difficult to comprehend, but it's essential to ensure security and stability. Most cribs are equipped with a system of rectangular blocks, wedges (also called "shims") and large chocks called step chocks, all designed to snug up contact points between the crib and its support surface.
Some shims and chocks may be made of soft woods, which crack slowly. This may give an audible warning when they fail. However, woods that are more rigid might break more quickly and with greater force. Choks and shims made of plastic are also available, and can be installed more easily because they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.