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

The best crib sets come with everything you require for your baby to sleep soundly from the beginning. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to fit tightly around the mattress without bunching - a major safety hazard for babies.

One parent testigator said that she had used hers for two babies and then gave it to a different friend. This makes it a wise purchase. Its sleek design makes it a great option for minimalist nursery spaces.

Bedding

There are plenty of options when it comes to crib bedding. But choosing the right sheet is more than picking a cute pattern to fit your style. You must also find something that fits snugly and doesn't get clumped up in areas where it could pose a danger of suffocation for your Baby Cot. It should be soft and durable to withstand diaper blowouts, spills, and other messes for a long time without fading.

This set from Avocado is one of our top picks. It contains two sheets made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The textiles are also MADE SAFE certified, a non-responsible third-party certification that guarantees that Avocado's products meet rigorous standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk to ensure that they don't shrink and stretch after washing. They also fit 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.

A crib mattress pad is another excellent option for infants and toddlers. It adds an additional layer of comfort and shields the mattress from spills and staining. Choose 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, and other adornments. They can fall off and create a strangulation hazard.

Consider purchasing a convertible crib if want to keep your child in the crib for a long period of time. These beds can be transformed into a toddler Mini Cot Bed, and occasionally even a daybed or full-size. Some cribs have the necessary conversion kits included however, others require a purchase.

This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 sleigh crib is one of our top ranked cribs picks. It's made of solid wood and has one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who worry about reaching an unattractive mattress). We love that it's also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it meets stringent environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.

Mattress

Size and firmness are crucial when it comes to crib mattress. The AAP recommends using a firm mattress that fits snugly and doesn't leave an indentation when you lay a sheet on it. The mattress should be the right size for the crib and should remain in place, even after your child has grown out of it.

You'll also want to check if the mattress contains chemicals that could harm your child. You should look for a mattress free of volatile organic compound (VOCs) which release an unpleasant chemical odor. A good indication is a CertiPUR US certificate which confirms that the foam used in a mattress is free of Ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants mercury, lead, other heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates, which are regulated by 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. You'll likely have to deal with nighttime sheet changes and an easily wipeable or waterproof surface will make cleaning easier. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2Stage is the most heavy product we tested, weighing around 20 lbs. This may be a deal-breaker for certain parents.

A mattress that has two sides could have a firm side for infants and a soft side for toddlers. Pediatricians suggest flipping the mattress after your child is at the peak of their normal growth, which is usually around 12 months.

We tested the mattresses by weight and observed how they were able to fold easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also placed the weight of 8 pounds which was slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby, on each mattress to determine how it reacts. The best mattresses did not sink, which means they have enough support to prevent your child from falling over or getting suffocated. Some of the mattresses we tried have an easily washable, removable cover that is waterproof and zips shut. This makes cleaning and maintaining them much easier.

Crib Rails

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

The crib rails must not only be sturdy, but also fit snugly within the frame of the crib. This will stop the mattress from being too flimsy, which can be unsafe for your child. Be sure to measure the width of the crib frame when buying the crib rail. There are some slight differences in the crib sizes. The ideal space should be no more than three fingers wide.

You'll also want to ensure that the crib rails are free of cut-outs for decorative purposes and other ornaments that could pose dangers for suffocation. Avoid placing quilts, pillows or blankets in the crib. These can cause an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide increasing the risk of SIDS for your baby. Consider a crib cover and pad combination for a comfortable sleeping mattress for your baby. They consist of mattress pads with waterproof lining and an adjustable "skirt" that stretches around the mattress in the same way as an oversized sheet.

It is also important to make sure you have the proper crib rail guards. These are designed to protect your baby's head if it falls on the crib railings while you're feeding or cradling him/her her on the bed. They can also help prevent the formation of marks from teeth and drool on the crib's railings that are fixed.

You'll need a toddler guardrail once your child is no longer in their crib. This will keep them safe in bed until they are ready to move into a larger bed. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that can work with all cribs. It's simple to install and meets all CPSC's safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Certain aspects of the crib's design are solely aesthetic or subject to personal preference however other aspects, such as the design of slats, or whether the crib converts into a toddler bed--can have significant impact on ease of use and the length of time the crib will last. The best cribs feature solid wood construction, comply with various safety standards, and are configurable to a variety of mattress heights. Some cribs come with unique features that make them more useful such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to swap the sheets without removing the entire mattress from the crib.

Generally speaking, you should avoid cribs that have decorative cut-outs or other ornaments that could snag on clothes or pose a choking risk for children. Examine the crib's hardware for loose bolts, as well as other items that could get caught on objects or clothing.

The best cot bed crib sets include simple instructions that are easy to follow and all the necessary parts, including hardware. Modern cribs can be assembled in half an hour or less, and they come with all of the tools needed.

You might also want to think about a convertible crib that could transform into a daybed for toddlers, a toddler bed, or full-size bed. This is a great purchase for families who intend to keep the crib for a number of years or have small space in their homes. You should be aware that certain crib conversion kits require additional purchases in order to complete the process.

It can be difficult to comprehend crib hardware, but it is vital for safety and stability. The majority of cribs are made up of rectangular block wedges (also called "shims") and large chocks known as step chocks. They're all designed to strengthen the contact points between crib and supported surface.

Some shims or chocks could be made from soft woods, which break slowly. This could trigger an audible warning before they fail. However, stiffer woods can break more rapidly and with greater force. Shims and chocks made of plastic are also available, and are easier to install since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.