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

The best cribs include everything your baby needs to rest comfortably from the very first day. They’re machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to fit tightly around the mattress without bunching--a serious safety risk for infants.

One tester for parents said that she used it through two babies and passed it to a friend and it was a great purchase. Its sleek design makes it a good option for nursery spaces that are minimalist.

Bedding

When it concerns crib bedding, there are plenty of options available. But choosing the right sheet is more than picking a cute pattern to be in line with your preferences. You also want something that fits snugly and doesn’t bunch up in places where it could pose a danger of suffocation for your baby. It must be soft and sturdy enough to withstand blowouts from diapers, spills, and other messes for a long time without fading.

One of our favorites is this Avocado set, which contains two sheets that are made of 100% organic cotton that is certified by GOTS and MADE SAFE-certified. This is an independent third-party certification that guarantees Avocado’s fabrics meet strict standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to guarantee that they don’t shrink and 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 to clean the inevitable mess your little bundle of joy is sure to make.

Another option for infants and toddlers is crib mattress pads, which adds an extra layer of comfort and protects the mattress against accidents and staining. Look for a mattress pad that’s less than an inch thick, so your child is able to breathe easily. Beware of anything that’s too soft or is adorned with long ribbons, bows and other adornments that could be removed and create the risk of strangulation.

Consider buying an adjustable crib if you intend to keep your baby in the crib for a long period of time. These beds can be transformed into a toddler bed, and occasionally even a daybed or full-size. Some cribs have the necessary conversion kits, but others require an additional purchase.

This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Sleigh crib is among our favorites. It’s made of solid wood and comes with one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are worried about getting on the mattress from a low position). It’s also certified Greenguard Gold, cots4tots.Co.uk which means it meets strict environmental standards for reduced emissions of gas.

Mattress

Size and firmness are essential when it comes to crib mattress. The AAP recommends using a mattress that is firm and is comfortable and does not leave an impression when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress should be the appropriate size for the crib and should remain in place even when your child is out of it.

In addition, you’ll want to consider if the mattress is made from substances that could harm your child. Look for mattresses that are odorless and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)--which often emit an unpleasant chemical smell. CertiPUR US certification is a good sign. It confirms that the foam in the mattress is free of ozone depleters and other harmful chemicals.

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 ideal for cleaning, because you’ll be changing sheets every night. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the heaviest product we tested, weighing in at 20 lbs. This could be a major issue for certain parents.

A mattress with two sides may 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 is usually at around 12 months.

When testing crib mattresses, we examined their weight and how easily they folded and maneuvered to dress the sides with sheets. We also put an 8-pound weight, a bit heavier than a newborn on each mattress to determine how it reacted. The most effective mattresses did not sink in this means 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 covers that can be washed and removed that is waterproof and zips closed. This makes cleaning and maintaining them much easier.

Crib Rails

A crib would not be complete without the correct set of rails fixed. Some furniture companies for babies provide baby rails in the crib. Others offer them separately. If you choose to buy the rails separately, ensure that they meet the safety standards. For instance, they must be free of any missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They should be sturdy enough to withstand your child’s weight but not be too thin. They should also lock securely in place to ensure that they are not removed from your child.

The crib rails should not only be strong but also fit comfortably within the frame of the crib. This will stop the mattress from becoming too fragile and potentially hazardous for your child. Make sure you measure the crib frame when buying a crib rail. There are a few slight variations in the sizes of cribs. Ideally, the space should be no 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 can create a suffocation risk. Avoid placing quilts, pillows blankets, sheepskins and blankets inside the crib. They can result in an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide increasing your baby’s SIDS risk. If you want to include an extra soft surface for sleeping in the crib, consider a crib cover-and-pad combination. These products consist of a mattress pad that is waterproof and an elongated “skirt” that can be positioned around the mattress in the same way as a fitted sheet.

Finally, you’ll need get the right crib rail protectors. They are designed to protect the head of your baby if it hits the crib railings as you feed him or her or cradling them beside the bed. They also help to prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib’s railings that are fixed.

You’ll need a toddler railing once your child outgrows their crib. This will ensure they are safe in their bed until they are ready for a bigger bed. Sweetpea Baby has a convertible crib toddler guard rail that is compatible with the majority of cribs. It is simple to install and complies with CPSC safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Some of the crib’s design features are only aesthetic and subject to personal preference, however other features -- like the design of the slats that are on the crib or whether it converts into a toddler bed -can have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib as well as its durability. The best cribs are constructed of solid wood, comply with multiple safety regulations, and can be easily adjusted to various mattress heights. Some cribs come with special features that make them more effective, such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to swap the sheets without taking the entire mattress from the crib.

Avoid cribs with ornamental cutouts or other designs, as they could snag on clothing or pose a risk of choking for children. Check the crib hardware for loose bolts and other components that could snag on objects or clothing.

The most effective crib sets come with simple instructions as well as all the required parts, such as hardware. Most modern cribs can be put together within a half-hour or less, and most include all the tools needed.

You might also want to consider a convertible crib which can transform into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size bed. This is a great purchase for families who intend to keep the crib for a number of years or have a little space in their homes. It’s important to note that some crib conversion kits require a second purchase to fully complete the process.

It can be difficult to understand crib hardware, but it is essential to ensure security and stability. The majority of cribs are made up of rectangular block wedges (also called “shims”) and large chocks known as step chocks. They are all designed to strengthen the connections between the crib and the surface that supports it.

Some chocks and shims are made from soft woods that crack slowly, and can give audible warnings before they fail and more rigid wood materials could break abruptly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available and are easier to install because they don’t require drilling or screwing into the surface.