Choosing the crib for your newborn is important because it must be a safe place for the baby to rest. Furthermore, the crib should provide a very snug and protected environment to ensure that the little one is not in any danger, such as rolling over during sleep. The safety of this small environment is also largely the merit and responsibility of the parents, because the first thing to keep in mind is that the newborn must sleep on their back to try to minimize the risk of SIDS.
Additionally, there are many crib models on the market, from traditional wood to fabric suitable for co-sleeping, just to name a few examples. Depending on the model of the crib, the price can vary significantly, also depending on the brand and the accessories that come with it, so the cost of a crib can range from a minimum of 50 euros to as much as 800 euros.
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So, how to choose the right crib for your newborn? Here are some useful tips to avoid making a mistake.
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Please note that the crib complies with safety standards
The safety standards for these products are EN1130 and EN716 and you should pay particular attention to compliance when purchasing this type. In this regulation, certain parameters are specified indicating that the crib is safe for accommodating a newborn. Some of them are:
- The sides of the crib must be at least 60 cm high. (to prevent the little one from falling during sleep)
- The distance between the bars must be 6 cm. and no more than 7.5 (to prevent the child’s head from getting stuck between the bars)
- When the side is lowered, it must have a height of 20 cm. from the edge. This is because, when the baby is a bit older, they may be able to pull themselves up to go to sleep.
- Among the most important features of a crib are sturdiness and the complete absence of edges.
- There is no better material than another, but the essential thing is that the material chosen is certified.
Avoid oddities and toys
A simple, safe, and compliant crib is certainly your best choice. Odd accessories, unusual shapes, and everything else are unnecessary for the child to rest well. It is always better to prefer simplicity over eccentricity when it comes to children.
Even toys represent a surplus that is best avoided. The baby can grow well even without stuffed toys during the first months of life, especially in the crib. An accessory that does no harm could be a mobile to place high, on one side of the crib, not in contact with the baby.
Choose a simple bedding
Inside the crib, as mentioned above, it is necessary to limit the appearance of dangers as much as possible and, therefore, it is better to avoid objects that could disturb the little one’s sleep.
The linen should be made of cotton, without ribbons, bows, or laces that could be swallowed or twisted around the little one’s limbs creating a real and proper trap.
The sheet must be well anchored to the bottom of the crib and well placed under the mattress to prevent the little one from getting tangled up.
Moreover, it is very important that the bedding is hypoallergenic and non-toxic and these are characteristics that should also apply to the mattress and pillow when the baby is older.
STATIC CRIB OR ROCKING CRIB?
Between these two options, the choice is solely up to the parents. A rocking crib, which can also be transformed into a static crib, can certainly be helpful in case the newborn has trouble falling asleep or suffers from colic. The rocking motion could certainly benefit the serenity of the children, and it is the same motion that mom performs when holding them.
MATERIAL AND SHAPE
As mentioned, the material is not a fundamental parameter for choosing the crib, but it is its characteristics that should guide you in one direction or another. Whatever material you choose, it is important that it is: non-toxic, hypoallergenic, removable, and washable, and as natural as possible. This is because the best materials could be untreated wood and pure cotton, but wicker baskets are also great.
Regarding the shape, you need to choose whether you prefer a fixed crib or a foldable and portable crib and this depends on your needs and the habits of the parents.
Dimensions must comply with European safety standards (60 cm.) and if you prefer a bed directly, you need to accessorize it with special gear boxes and bumpers.
Mattress features
The perfect mattress for a newborn’s crib should be made of latex or rubber, which is preferable to foam rubber. Additionally, the mattress should be firm and thin and must be the same size as the crib. Inside the crib, you should never leave empty spaces where the child could fit.
Better to avoid the pillow
The pillow is not recommended until the first year of life at least for the newborn. The reason is very simple. The child during sleep must take as horizontal a position as possible to eliminate any risk of suffocation.
Better the PA cord bed
For at least the first 4 to 5 months of the newborn’s life, it is best for the crib to be placed as close as possible to the parents’ bed. Many crib models have a removable side and various systems to bring the crib closer to the bed. This proximity is essential to immediately understand if something is wrong during the newborn’s sleep, but you should never sleep in the same bed because it is very dangerous. If you opt for a bed directly, without going through the crib, it is important to use appropriate bumpers and reducers, so that the child can feel protected and contained in their small environment.
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