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

The most ideal crib sets have everything you require for your baby to sleep peacefully from day one. They are already shrunk and machine washable. They are designed to sit comfortably on the mattress without the risk of bunching, which is a serious safety risk for babies.

One tester for parents stated that she used hers for two babies and then passed it to a relative which makes it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it a good cribs option for nurseries with minimalist designs.

Bedding

There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes down to crib bedding. But picking the right one is more than just choosing a cute design to match your aesthetic; you need to find one that fits snugly and doesn't get clumped up in areas where it could be a suffocation hazard for your baby. It must also be soft to the touch and durable enough to endure months of diaper blowouts and spit-up, without deteriorating too quickly.

One of our favorite sets is this set from Avocado that includes two sheets made of 100% organic cotton that is certified by GOTS and MADE SAFE-certified. It's an independent third-party verification that guarantees Avocado's fabrics meet strict standards for quality and safety. They're pre-shrunk, which means they won't shrink or stretch after washing, and they're designed to fit on a standard crib mattress (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine-washable for the inevitable mess that your little child is bound to create.

Another great option cot for sale newborns and toddlers is a crib mattress pad, that adds a layer of comfort while protecting the mattress against accidents and stains. Select a mattress cover that is less than 1 inch thick to allow your child to breathe. Avoid anything that is too fluffy, or with long bows, ribbons or other ornaments. They can fall off and create a strangulation hazard.

If you're planning to keep your baby in a crib for quite some time, consider buying a convertible crib. These beds can be converted into a toddler bed, and sometimes even a full-size daybed. Some cribs have the necessary conversion kits however, others require a separate purchase.

This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 crib is one of our top rated cots picks. It's made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents worried about reaching a low mattress). It's also certified Greenguard Gold, meaning it complies with strict environmental standards to prevent gassing.

Mattress

When it concerns crib mattresses, firmness and size are important. 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 of the right size for the crib, and it should stay in place--even after your baby cots on sale (supplemental resources) grows out of it.

You should also determine if the mattress contains chemicals that could harm your child. Look for 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 sign. It confirms that the foam used in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.

A few other things to think about include how much the mattress is weighing and whether it's waterproof or not. You'll likely have to deal 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've tested, weighing around 20 lbs. This may be a major issue for certain parents.

Another thing to keep in mind is whether the mattress is dual-sided. Some have a firm infant cot bed side and a soft toddler side. Pediatricians recommend flipping the mattress when your child has reached the height of their normal growth, usually about 12 months.

When testing crib mattresses, we examined their weight and how they folded and moved to dress the sides with sheets. We also placed a weight of 8 pounds which was slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby on each mattress to see how it responded. The most effective mattresses did not sink this means they provide enough support to keep your child from falling out of the mattress while sleeping or drowning. Some of the mattresses that we tested had a removable cover that can be machine-washed and is waterproof. This makes cleaning and maintaining them even easier.

Crib Rails

A crib would be incomplete without the right set of rails fixed. Some furniture companies for babies offer baby rails in the crib. Others sell them separately. If you decide to purchase them on their own, make sure they meet the safety standards. They should, for example, be free of loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should also be able support the weight of your child without being too flimsy. They must also secure themselves in place so that they are not able to be removed by your child.

The right crib rails will not only be strong, they should be able to fit snugly into the crib frame. This will stop the mattress from becoming too fragile and potentially risky for your child. When buying crib rails, be sure to examine the inside of the frame, because there are slight differences in the size of cribs. The area should be no more than three fingers.

Also, make sure that the crib rails do not include any cutouts with decorative designs or other adornments. They can create an suffocation threat. Avoid placing pillows, quilts blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. They can result in a dangerous buildup of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. If you want to include a soft sleep surface in the crib, try a crib pad-and-cover combo. These are comprised of a waterproof mattress pad and a fitted "skirt" that can be positioned around the mattress like an fitted sheet.

In the end, you'll need to purchase the appropriate crib rail guards. They are designed to cushion your baby's head in the event that it hits the crib railings while you're feeding or cradling him or her on the bed. They also help prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's fixed side railings.

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 an adult bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with all cribs. It is easy to install and meets CPSC safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Certain crib design elements are purely aesthetic and are subject to individual preference, while others -- like the design of the slats on the crib or whether it can be converted into a toddler bed -can have a major impact on the comfort of the crib and its lifespan. The most durable cribs are made of solid wood, meet numerous safety standards and can be easily adapted to different mattress heights. Some have distinct features that make them more efficient such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to change the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.

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

The best crib sets have simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary parts, including hardware. Modern cribs typically take half-hour or less to assemble, and a lot include all the tools you'll require.

Look into a convertible crib that can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed or full-size mattress. This is a good cribs option for families that plan to utilize the crib for a long period of years or have limited space. It is important to remember that certain crib conversion kits require a second purchase to fully complete the process.

It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it is crucial to ensure safety and stability. Most cribs feature an arrangement of rectangular blocks as well as wedges (also known as "shims"), and large chocks called step chocks, all designed to secure the contact points between the crib and its support surface.

Some chocks and shims are constructed from soft woods that crack slowly, which can provide audible warnings prior to failure as more robust wood materials may break suddenly and with more force. Choks and shims made of plastic are also available, which can be easier to install since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.