What Are The Different Setting Levels
Not all cribs are the same. Some have higher and lower setting levels compared to other types of cribs. There are different setting levels where you can adjust the height of the crib . This is so you dont lower the crib too much. You see the holes in the crib I use below which indicates the setting levels?
All cribs should be adjustable so you can change the height of it easily. The higher level is suitable for infants between 0 and 4 months old. A higher crib height is ideal for parents who dont want to bend too low to pick up their baby. Then there is a middle height and the lowest setting of your crib.
Is It Safe To Elevate A Crib Mattress
It is safe to raise the height of your crib mattress as long as the distance between the mattress and the top rail is at least 26 inches. This is counted from the top of the mattress, not included its thickness which varies around 5-6 inches depending on different brands.
So why 26 inches? The reason being is safety.
Infants under 5 months of age cant stand up just yet, so you wouldnt have to worry much about injuries inside the crib.
But once he can, especially when he can cling on to the rail and potentially pull himself up, the mattress must be lowered to prevent the baby from falling over.
83.2% of infant injuries are related to cribs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Therefore, it is highly advised for moms to only elevate the crib mattress to a certain level where their babies cant pull up and climb out, to avoid unwanted accidents.
Crib Mattress Size: Shaped
Dimensions
There are no standard specifications or government regulations for shaped crib mattresses. Shaped cribs vary in size and most will likely come with a mattress.
Tips For Selecting The Right Shaped Mattress
If you have a specially shaped crib, the same rule applies for the mattress: not too big and not too small. If your shaped crib does not come with a mattress, youll want to use a tape measure to determine the appropriate size and then choose a mattress that fits snugly inside your crib without too much room around the edges.
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At What Age Does A Baby Outgrow A Crib
At some point between 18 and 36 months, your baby will be ready to move out of his crib and into a toddler bed. That is a huge range, but it is dependent on a wide variety of factors:
- Climbing If your child is a precocious climber, you may need to remove the temptation of those crib rails sooner rather than later.
- Rooming Situation If your child is likely to not show restraint and get into trouble if he can get out of bed on his own, and especially if there is another child in the room with him, it might be better to keep him in place for just a little bit longer.
- Weight The assembly directions that came with your babys crib will also include a weight limit. Depending on your crib, this may be anywhere from 30 to 50 pounds.
- Height No matter where your child falls in the other considerations, if he is three feet tall or more, it is time for a big kid bed. Cribs are designed specifically to be safe for babies who are 35 tall or less children who are above that height are more likely to fall over the rail and be injured.
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Alternatives To Elevated Sleeping
It really depends on what issue youre trying to solve with inclined crib sleeping, but since its not being recommended by as many doctors these days, you may want to explore some alternatives that dont carry any safety risks.
Other sleep positions:
There is some evidence that certain specialized sleeping positions can help reduce reflux in babies with severe cases. However, back is best and safest so ONLY experiment with other sleeping positions at the direction of your pediatrician.
Side and tummy sleeping can be very dangerous for babies if not prescribed by a doctor and done properly.
Tummy time:
If youre primarily using elevated sleeping to prevent flathead, you shouldnt be worried about it.
Just make sure to implement plenty of tummy time for baby and the rest will take care of itself.
Other reflux or colic treatments:
If its reflux youre concerned about, Im not a doctor! But your own pediatrician might prescribe something like mixing cereal in with babys formula or breastmillk, better and more consistent burping techniques, or keeping baby upright after feedings.
You might even try switching to a different formula.
Again, this should come from your doctor and not a blog, but these are some of the common treatment courses.
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What Are The Canadian Crib Mattress Safety Guidelines
According to Health Canada, there are a few important boxes to check when choosing and using a baby mattress:
- Firmness: Some safe sleep experts say that if a baby mattress feels like something youd want to sleep on, its too soft for your little one. Mattresses that are too soft or worn down may pose a safety risk, as they are more likely to create a gap where the babys face could get stuck, making it difficult to breathe.
- Thickness: Baby mattresses should be no thicker than six inches and must fit tightly within the cribs frame.
- Gaps: There must not be a gap of more than 1 3/16 inches between the mattress and any part of the cribs sides. Push the mattress into each corner to check for gaps.
- Support: Before using the crib, check the cribs mattress support to ensure it is secure. You can do this by shaking the crib, thumping the mattress and pressing on the mattress support from the bottom to ensure the mattress stays in place. Test it often once your new addition arrives.
- Manufacturer guidelines: If a crib comes with a mattress, only use that mattress.
Important Things To Keep In Mind
Besides the thickness of the mattress, the most important factor is flame resistance. Your baby should be protected from any possible threats, which include fire. Thickness of your babys mattress is also important. A foam mattress that is firm enough to support your baby is necessary. Make sure you purchase a mattress with a density of at least 1.5 pounds per cubic foot of density.
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How To Raise Crib Mattress Height
In order to raise crib mattress height, make sure to get a crib mattress and frame that will allow for the height adjustment. Unfortunately, you cannot just put any standard-sized crib sheet on your babys bed because it has been raised most sheets are made for 28 or 29, not 32. The best way to solve this is by buying multiple sets of sheets while theyre on sale, such as cotton jersey sheets.
There are also some products you can purchase to make your crib mattress higher. One option is a foam pad that fits underneath the fitted sheet and adds cushioning for more comfort while sleeping . The other options include adjustable wooden blocks or risers which function like books under the legs of a table.
If you do not want to pay the extra money, another solution is sleeping with your baby on an adult bed for the first few months until shes old enough for her own crib. This method works especially well if one or both parents are very anxious about having their little ones sleep in separate rooms. Your infant wont be the first baby sleeping on an adult bed, and its actually a very common practice in European countries.
However, you should be aware that there are many risks associated with this method which include: suffocation from having your infant sleep on top of blankets or pillows falls off the bed at night and the possibility of rolling onto your baby.
How To Lower Crib Mattress
Always remember to check manufacturers instruction either via paper or online, because this can be a little more complex than raising it on an incline, but if you can it on your own? That will be awesome. Follow these steps
Choose A Height
You dont want to be holding a screw in your hands while struggling to decide on which set to go for. Its a lot easier to decide this before you start.
Always Remove Bedding
Remember to remove the sheets and mattress protector off of the mattress, to keep them from getting ripped as you move down the mattress.
Always Make Adjustments
Remove the screws out of the foot of the bed and lower the mattress to your desired setting. Remember to do the same with the head.
Reconstruct
Fit in your mattress protector and sheets onto the lowered mattress.
Here is a video showing how to lower crib mattress
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Firm Crib Mattresses: The Experts Agree Firmer Is Better
If you need more evidence to convince a partner, grandparent, or co-parent that a firm bassinet mattress and/or crib mattress is best for your baby, take a look at what some of the experts say:
Theres virtually no professional organization operating in child health and safety that doesnt argue the case for a firm crib mattress.
The experts have weighed in, and theyve made an overwhelming case in support of buying a firm crib mattress for your baby.
Crib Mattress Safety Guidelines
Obviously, your babys safety is a top priority. Here are a few safety basics to keep in mind when choosing a crib mattress:
- Avoid second-hand if possible: Because of the dangers associated with mold and bacteria, its best to avoid a used mattress, especially if you dont know the history of the product. Reusing one from another one of your children? Make sure there arent any openings in the waterproof cover where mold couldve taken root.
- Keep the crib empty: Although they look lovely, pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals and blankets shouldnt be in a babys crib. Thats because they can wind up covering your babys face and be a suffocation hazard. Keep it to a fitted sheet only.
- Place baby on their back: The safest sleeping position for your baby is on the back. It reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome , which is the leading cause of death in the first year of life.
- Check before you flip the mattress: If you have a double-sided mattress, check with your pediatrician to see if the time is right to flip it over to the toddler side. Most parents make the switch when their children are about 12 months old.
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What Is The Standard Size For A Crib Mattress
The standard crib mattress size is 27 and 1/4 inches for its width and 51 and ¼ inches for its length. Its also worth noting that the maximum recommended thickness for a crib mattress is 6 inches. However, there are other crib mattress sizes available in some stores.
To help you achieve the safest fit, which is snug, write down the dimensions of your crib and use it when selecting a crib mattress. Furthermore, remember that there are other shapes of cribs. Get the proper shape mattress for these models, typically smaller than the standard crib mattress size.
Safety For Lowering Crib Mattresses
Lowering your babys crib mattress is perfectly safe in fact, when the time is right, it will make their crib even safer. Every year 10,000 children are taken to the emergency room for crib-related accidents, with many related to children falling out of their crib .
This means youll actually want to adjust your crib height more than once as your baby grows.
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What To Look For When Shopping For A Crib Mattress
When considering what crib mattress, youll want to consider:
- Quality. Will this mattress stand the test of time? Remember that your little one will be spending many hours sleeping on it.
- Price. What does your budget allow? Crib mattresses are small, but they can be rather pricey.
- Safe size and fit. According to the AAP, youll want a firm, if not hard mattress. Youll also want a mattress that is an exact fit for your crib frame to prevent injury to your baby. If its not firm and doesnt fit the frame, its not a safe choice for your baby or your crib.
- The cover. Crib mattresses typically come with either a fabric or vinyl cover. Fabric covers are more breathable, but vinyl covers are more resistant to punctures, leaks, and stains.
- Used vs new. With a used mattress, you run the risk of not knowing about bacteria, mold, and stains. Its better to buy new.
When To Lower Crib For Your Baby
Amenna Daayo
Child Care
When to lower crib for your baby is a very important decision that can prevent discomfort, causalities, and the possibility of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome . But despite its importance, not many mothers and caregivers are aware that the crib needs to be adjusted from time to time.
There is a one hundred percent chance that if you walk to a random person to ask when to lower the crib for your baby, they will be dumbfounded.
This is fine there is no issue if a random person does not know the technicalities and reasons behind adjusting the crib mattress. But every nursing mother, mother-to-be, or caregiver should know everything about when to lower crib for your baby.
Although you have no excuse not to know when to lower crib for your baby, we forgive you.
Below, we have carefully answered all the possible questions that could arise from everything you need to know about lowering or elevating the crib for your baby and why you should do it.
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Why Raise The Crib Mattress In The First Place
You are not the only one asking this question, everyone who agrees that a high crib can be hazardous asks the exact same question. Well, it is your lucky day we have the correct answer for you.
The reasons why a babys crib is raised in the first place can be both irrationally and scientifically backed. According to experts, the major reasons why the crib mattress is raised are:
1. To Prevent the Baby from Access
For newborns, the crib has to be elevated and rails installed so as to prevent the baby from easy access by older babies and pets in the home or nursery.
Older babies and pets can disturb the newborns sleep which is not good for the growing child.
2. To protect the Baby
As a newborn, raising the crib and installing high rails around it helps to protect the baby. The elevated crib protects the baby.
Babies and pets in the home can harm the newborn knowingly or unknowingly.
3. There is a Regulation Crib Elevation
According to experts, there is a regulation to this effect. There is a regulation that has set a minimum standard for the distance between a mattress and the top of the crib rails at 26 inches.
The regulation also states that the mattress must be about 6 inches thick. The reason for the regulation is to make the crib escape-resistant for newborns.