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 infant to sleep soundly from day one. They're machine washable, pre-shrunk and designed to fit tightly around the mattress without bunching--a major safety hazard for babies.

One tester for parents said that she had used hers for two babies, and then gave it to a friend. This makes it a wise purchase. Its minimalist design makes it a perfect choice for small cot beds nursery designs.

Bedding

There are plenty of choices when it comes to bedding for your crib. It's not just about picking one that is in line with your personal style. You should also ensure that the sheet is fitted tightly and doesn't get tangled in places where it could pose a choking hazard for your child. It must be soft and sturdy enough to withstand diaper blowouts, spills and other messes for months without wearing out.

This set from Avocado is one of our top picks. It comes with two sheets made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The sheets are MADE SAFE certified, which is an independent third party certification that ensures that the products of the company are in compliance with strict standards for quality and safety. The sheets are pre-shrunk so that they don't shrink or stretch after washing. They also fit a standard crib (27 1 4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long). They're also machine washable for the inevitable mess that your little bundle of joy is sure to make.

Another great option for infants and toddlers is a crib mattress pad, which provides an additional layer of comfort while protecting the mattress against accidents and stains. Select a mattress cover that is less than one-inch thick so that your child can breathe. And steer clear of anything that's too fluffy or has long ribbons, bows and other adornments that can become detached and pose the risk of strangulation.

If you plan to keep your baby in the crib for a considerable amount of time, you should consider purchasing a convertible crib. These beds can be converted into a toddler bed, or even a daybed or full-size. Some cribs come with the necessary conversion kits however, others require an additional purchase.

This Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 crib is one of our top picks. It's constructed of solid wood and features one of the highest mattress heights (for parents who are worried about getting on an unattractive mattress). We love that it's also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it complies with stringent environmental standards to reduce off-gassing.

Mattress

When it is about crib mattresses, firmness and size are essential. The AAP recommends a mattress that is firm which fits snugly, and doesn't leave an indentation on the surface when you place sheets over it. The mattress should be the right size for the crib and should remain in place when your child is out of it.

You should also determine whether the mattress has chemicals that could harm your child. Find a mattress that is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which release an unpleasant chemical odor. A good indication is a CertiPUR US certificate which confirms that the foam used in mattresses is made without Ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP and TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, formaldehyde and phthalates, which are regulated by Consumer Product Safety Commission, and volatile organic compounds.

Other things to think about include how much the mattress weighs and whether it's waterproof or not. You'll likely be dealing with changes to sheets at night So having a surface that is waterproof or wipeable will help with cleaning. The Naturepedic Organic Cotton Classic 150 Seamless 2-Stage is the largest of the ones we tested at 20 lbs that could be a turnoff for some parents.

A mattress with two sides may have one side that is firm for infants and a softer side for toddlers. Pediatricians suggest flipping the mattress of your child when they reach the peak of normal growth. This usually occurs around 12 months.

We weighed the mattresses and observed how they could be folded easily to cover the sides of the crib with sheets. We also put a weight of 8 pounds which is slightly heavier than the weight of a newborn baby, on each mattress to observe how it reacts. The best ones did not sink into the mattress, which means that they offer enough support to protect your child from falling out of the mattress while sleeping or to suffocate. 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 much easier.

Crib Rails

A crib isn't complete without a set of fixed rails. While some furniture companies for babies offer Baby beds rails along with the crib and others sell the rails separately. If you choose to buy them separately, search for Cot Bed Sales ones that meet all of the safety requirements. For instance, they should be free of missing or loose screws, brackets, and other hardware. They must also be able to support the weight of your child without becoming too flimsy. They should also to secure themselves to ensure that they are not removed from your child.

The crib rails you choose should not only be strong They should be able to fit snugly into the crib frame. This will prevent the mattress from becoming too flimsy, which can cause harm to your baby. When you purchase crib rails, be sure to measure the inside of the frame as there are slight variations in the size of recommended cribs. The area should be no more than three fingers.

Also, make sure that the crib rails don't contain any cutouts that are decorative or other adornments. They could pose the risk of suffocation. Avoid placing pillows, quilts, blankets and sheepskins inside the crib. They can result in an unintentional accumulation of carbon dioxide, increasing the risk of SIDS in your child. If you're looking to provide a soft sleeping surface in the crib, you can try a crib pad and cover combination. These products are made up of a mattress pad that is waterproof and a fitted "skirt" that fits around the mattress like an fitted sheet.

Lastly, you'll want to purchase the appropriate crib rail protectors. These are designed to cushion your baby's head if it happens to hit the crib railings while 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.

When your child is no longer in the crib, you'll require a toddler guard rail to ensure your child's safety in the crib until they're ready to move on to a bigger bed for their child. Sweetpea Baby offers a convertible crib toddler rail that will work with all cribs. It's easy to install and meets CPSC safety standards.

Crib Hardware

Some crib design features are only aesthetic and are based on personal taste, but others -- like the style of the slats on the crib or the possibility of it converting into a toddler bed -can have a major impact on the user-friendliness of the crib as well as its lifespan. The best cribs feature solid wood construction, meet multiple safety standards, and are easily adaptable to various mattress heights. Certain cribs have unique features that make them more effective, such as the Quick Zip Crib Sheet, which allows you to change the sheets without taking the entire mattress from the crib.

Generally, you want to avoid cribs with ornamental cut-outs or other embellishments that could catch on clothing or create a choking risk for infants. Also, be sure to check the crib hardware regularly for loose bolts and other objects that could snag on clothing or other objects and present the risk of injury.

The best crib sets come with easy-to-follow directions as well as all the required components, like hardware. The majority of modern cribs take half-hour or less to put together, and a majority include all the tools you'll need.

You might also want to consider a convertible crib that can transform into a toddler Cot Bed, daybed or a full-size bed. This is a great buy for families that plan to keep the crib for several years or have little 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 a bit tricky to understand, but it's essential for security and stability. The majority of cribs have a system of rectangular blocks and wedges (also called "shims") and huge chocks, also known as step chocks, all of which are designed to secure the contact points between the crib and its support surface.

Some shims or chocks could be made from soft woods that crack slowly. This could trigger an audible warning when they fail. However, woods that are more rigid may break more suddenly and with greater force. Plastic shims and chocks are also available, which can be easier to install since they don't require drilling or screwing into the surface.