Purchase A Crib Wedge To Elevate The Crib Mattress
The second option will cost you a few bucks but will be a lot easier to set up.
Get yourself a good crib wedge for inclined sleeping and stick it under the crib mattress.
There are a couple of benefits to doing it this way even though theyll cost you anywhere from $20-50.
- Theyre flat and level, so the sleeping surface should be very secure
- Theyre designed to be crib-width, so no extra material will be sticking out
- Theyll give you the right amount of incline every time
You can get crib wedges of all different incline levels, but I havent seen anything that goes all the way up to 30 degrees.
The highest incline crib edge that Ive found is about 16 degrees , which should be right in the sweet spot if your doctor has recommended elevated sleeping for congestion or reflux.
When Your Baby Starts Sitting Up
When your baby starts sitting up, its like a whole new world for them! They can see things in a different way , and they can reach and grab toys on their own now!
It really is an exciting milestone for the entire family. But it can also be a dangerous milestone if youre not paying attention, at least when it comes to their crib.
Babies tend to start sitting up unassisted anywhere between five and eight months old, so this is when you need to lower their crib to the middle setting.
What Height Should I Set My Crib’s Mattress Support At
Generally, the highest level is for newborns. Once your baby can roll over, sit up, or push up onto their hands and knees, the mattress support should be lowered. The higher levels make it easier to take your infant out of the crib, but they’re dangerous when your child is able to pull themselves to a standing position.
The mattress support’s level should be lowered as your baby grows. It should always be set to a level where they cannot climb out. By the time your child is able to pull to a standing position, the support should be at its lowest setting.
Once your child begins to climb or reaches 35″ in height, we recommend that you cease using the crib or convert it to a toddler bed.
TAGGED
You May Like: How To Tell If Newborn Is Autistic
Why Does A Crib Mattress Need To Be Firm
Reasons why a crib mattress needs to be firm include:
- Safety Standards from the CPSC indicate that crib mattresses need to be firm
- There is minor SIDS risk if a mattress is not firm enough
- Firm crib mattresses provide proper Skeletal Support
You may also like to read our article: Do you need a crib mattress?
What Should I Do If My Newborn Is Sleeping A Lot
The first step is to rule out any medical conditions that may be causing issues. Ask yourself the following questions about your baby:
- Feeding at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours?
- Having a minimum of 6 wet and 3 to 4 dirty diapers a day?
- Gaining weight steadily?
- Too hot or too cold?
- Having difficulty breathing?
- Overly fussy or lethargic when awake?
- Difficult to rouse?
- Spitting up large amounts after every feed?
- Soft spots on head appear sunken in?
If you have any concerns, its best to call your pediatrician. If being overly tired is the only symptom your newborn displays, there are some helpful strategies you can try.
- Offer the breast or a bottle every 1 to 2 hours while awake.
- Make sure your baby is fully away to ensure they finish a full feed .
- Feed as soon as they show hunger cuescrying is a late sign of hunger.
- Keep the baby room temperature neutral, neither too warm nor too cool.
- Use a tracker or manually record hours of sleep .
Recommended Reading: How To Ease Newborn Gas
When To Transition To A Toddler Bed
It is recommended that once your baby reaches around 35 inches in height– you should make the transition to a toddler bed. This does mean you can also change the mattress, as the regular baby mattress might be a bit too firm for your toddler to sleep in. Thankfully, most modern cribs are designed to convert into a toddler bed as your baby grows.
Is It Safe To Lower The Crib Mattress To The Floor
Most cribs dont offer this mattress setting. Usually, the lowest setting for a crib mattress will still be above the floor. Only lower a crib mattress to the floor if your crib is specifically designed to do this and youre following the manufacturers instructions. If your child needs to have their mattress lowered even further than the lowest crib setting to keep them from climbing out, consider moving them to a toddler bed.
Also Check: How Do You Get Rid Of Colic In Newborns
Mattress Thickness & Quality Of Sleep
The thickness of your mattress can definitely affect your quality of sleep. If it is too thick or too thin, it could have negative side effects depending on your specific and individual sleep needs. For some, the height is not as important as the materials used on the inside, and the overall quality of the mattress itself.
Keep reading to learn whether it is more important for you to get a bed that is the right height, made from the right materials, or both so you can consistently get a great night of sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and energized.
Anticipate What If My Baby Manages To Climb Out
The thought of our baby falling out of the crib and injuring themselves is horrifying. Hopefully, by following these recommendations on your crib’s mattress heights we can minimize the chance of our child from climbing out over the crib rails. You should especially begin to think about these things as soon as your child can pull themselves to a standing position.
A modern parent should think ahead. IF your child does crawl out and fall – will they at least fall in a relatively safe place? It is likely this will happen when no one is watching .
One thing to consider is the placement of the crib – if it is next to a window they could feasibly fall out of it – especially if you keep your windows open. Below is a short list of objects Id be wary of around the house.
- Windows
You May Like: Can You Bathe A Newborn
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.
What Is The Size Of A Crib Mattress
Upon deciding how high should your crib mattress be for your newborn, you also need to consider the size.
I sure think you are also interested in knowing what size is crib mattress for your baby.
It will keep them comfortable and feel better when they are sleeping, making it a good thing for you.
They can sleep on it longer and undisturbed in an instance. Indeed a crib mattress is helpful.
But then the size of it is about 53 inches long and 28 inches wide. You have to make sure that it matches your crib.
You can have it customized, but then that is the standard size for it. It should be in the correct size.
It will also give you problems later on, and it can lead to severe injuries for your baby, which isnt good at all.
Read Also: How Can I Help My Newborn Poop
Guide To Crib Mattress Height
One of the major features of your baby’s crib is the ability for the crib mattress height to be adjusted. There are multiple reasons why the height should be adjusted down, and adjusted up .
Parents are often faced with many questions as to when and why they need to adjust the height – and our guide to crib mattress height should help clear up any potential questions.
Why Crib Mattress Height Matters
Of all the furniture, toys, and accessories you will buy for your baby, one of the most important purchases you will make is the crib. When you choose a crib, you envision what color and design will work best in your nursery, research safety ratings, decide if you want a standard crib, one that will convert into a toddler bed, or even one that will grow with your child all the way up to a twin bed.
Next you buy a crib mattress, which requires even more research. Then you have to assemble everything! Finally, you are ready to top it all off with the cutest pink, blue, or gray fitted sheet and lay your sweet little baby down, safe in the knowledge that youve done everything you can to make the crib safe and comfortable.
Although it may be a sweet idea to consider putting your baby in someone specials old crib, you should probably just say thanks-but-no-thanks to the offer. Today, the regulations surrounding crib safety are stricter than they have ever been, and that kind gesture could be a safety hazard in disguise.
In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics journal published an extensive study based on nineteen years of research regarding injuries from playpens, bassinets, and cribs.
Within just a few months, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for cribs.
The new requirements for crib standards and heights included:
With that being said, lets get into some more details!
You May Like: What Shot Do You Need To Be Around A Newborn
How To Lower The Babys Crib Mattress Height
Heres how you lower your babys crib mattress to your desired setting.
First, remove all bedding and sheets from the babys crib. This will give you easy access to the mattress itself.
Next, lower the mattress to your desired setting. You can do this by removing the mattress support and simply lowering the mattress down.
Once youve lowered the cribs mattress, its important to test the babys mattress out. Make sure that its stable and doesnt wobble or move around too much for the safety of your sleeping baby.
Additionally, there should be no crib bumpers or bumper pads around for optimal crib safety and to prevent crib-related accidents such as children falling out of their cribs. and hitting their head on the floor.
Finally, put the bedding and sheets back on. Keep your babys crib clear from any extra blankets, stuffed animals, baby books and pillows for the safest sleep for your baby. Follow the assembly instructions if you removed some parts other than the mattress.
And thats it! Lowering your babys crib is not as hard as you think it was. Youve successfully lowered the crib mattress to your desired setting.
When Should I Lower The Crib Mattress
As your baby grows, your baby starts to sit up, and the baby shows signs of pulling up to standing, its time to lower the crib mattress.
For most babies, this is between five and eight months old.
If your baby is particularly small or large, you may need to adjust the mattress sooner or later. Watch for these signs that its time to make the switch. And remember, when in doubt, always err on the side of safety.
You May Like: What To Get A Newborn Baby Boy
Foundation Or Base Layer
The base layer of a mattress promotes durability, breathability, and overall support for sleepers. In general, a quality mattress will have a foundation layer that is at least 5 to 6 inches thick.
Without a thick foundation, it is common for a mattress to break down quicker and begin to sag in the middle, near your hips and low back. When this happens, it is important to replace your mattress so your spine can stay aligned while you sleep.
Does A Standard Crib Mattress Fit An Ikea Crib
Yes, absolutely. The standard crib dimensions at IKEA in the U.S. are 52 by 27 ½ inches. IKEA crib mattresses have exactly the same dimensions, but any other standard crib mattress should also fit. And, just as we said above, the cradle that they stock will come with a fitted sleeping pad.
Is a crib mattress the same as a toddler mattress?Babies need less give in their sleeping surface, to support them better and to stop them from pushing their hands and feet down the side of the mattress and getting stuck, and some parents notice that their toddlers prefer a softer bed.
Lots of cribs also let you remove the sides once your little one gets big enough to climb out on their own.
Thats why some mattresses are sold as having a firmer side for young babies in the crib, and a softer side for toddlers. But as long as the crib mattress is still in good condition, theres no reason that your future big kid cant keep using it until theyre ready for a full-size single bed.
Youll find more advice on safe sleeping for babies right here:
Recommended Reading: How Many Diapers Do You Need For Newborn
Why When And How Much Should You Elevate A Crib Mattress
The idea behind sleeping in an inclined or elevated position is essentially to promote fluid drainage away from the head and face area.
Its kind of like when you hurt your foot or leg and need to keep it elevated to prevent too much swelling and better circulation.
For babies, the same advice is often used. Some doctors will recommend that babies sleep on a slight incline to help with:
- A stuffy nose from a cold
- Other congestion
- Reflux
- Or even an ear infection
The most commonly recommended angle for babies sleeping on an incline seems to be between 15-30 degrees.
But there is one thing I want to mention before we move forward on how to elevate a crib.
Its important to note that there is contradictory evidence out there on this.
Not everyone supports elevating babys head while sleeping, including the American Academy of Pediatrics. There are lots of recommendations these days against any kind of inclined sleep product including rock and plays and sleep wedges.
I would talk to your own doctor or pediatrician before you try to do this at home.
Some doctors still do prescribe inclined sleeping to help with certain conditions in certain cases, so if youre sure you should be doing this, heres exactly how to safely elevate a crib at home.