The Best Cradle

A Buying Guide to Cradles
Why Cradles are Important

Cradles continue to be a central part in rearing a child at a young age. Also known as cribs, these items are essential in serving as a make-shift bed for a baby up to the ages of 2 or 3.

Because babies constantly require sleep during this young age period, chances are that they will spend more time in cradles than anywhere else during their first few years after birth. Because of that, cradles are crucial as a comfortable safe haven for them to always return to on a daily basis. You want a cradle that is safe and protective of one's child.

The Biggest Factors in a Cradle
Stability - A crib must be structurally stable at all times. Your baby is liable to move around in it while growing up, so you can't afford to have a cradle that tends to wobble even the slightest.

Safety - This may go hand-in-hand with stability, but there are other parts of a cradle to consider besides the base. Despite the talk about adjustable side railings or drop railings, fixed or stationary side railings are preferable. If an adjustable side ever becomes loose, they can become a dangerous hazard to curious babies.

Likewise, while some people want crib bumpers to cover the small space between the edges of the mattress and the side of a cradle, there is growing sentiment that they could actually be dangerous to babies.
Frame Size - The cradle must be large enough to fit in a standard-size crib mattress (51 3/4-inches long, 27 3/8-inches wide). While the cradle may seem large when a newborn is first placed in it, keep in mind that this crib will be used for a couple of years in which the baby's size will be much larger. You want the crib to last for those few years before the baby becomes a toddler who can sleep in a small bed. You also don't want loose space between a mattress and the side of a crib, leading to potential hazards in baby safety.

Other Factors to Consider
Versatility - You do want a cradle that can be altered somewhat. Many prefer a crib that will eventually convert to a toddler bed when a child reaches the right age and size. Some would even prefer a crib that eventually becomes a headboard for a full-size bed down the road. While not necessary, having a versatile cradle could cut down on costs and make things more convenient when the time comes for the baby to leave the crib.

Durability - As mentioned above, the baby's cradle would preferable last for a couple of years as they grow from a newborn infant to ages 2-3. That means the cradle must be durable and can stay firm and steady throughout the entire time.

Portability - This feature may be more of a luxury. Some cradles have portable wheels at the bottom which makes it easier to move around. You can move the cradle from one room to the next and be able to keep them in constant sight instead of having the crib stay in one room.

However, you need to make sure the brakes are always good on them. It could also create somewhat of an unstable environment for an especially active baby who tends to roll around on the crib mattress, possibly causing them to develop poor balance early on in their child development.

Making sure the Mattress is Good
So much thought could be put into the crib size and sides, that a key part of the cradle may become an afterthought. However, having a good mattress within the crib is still important. A typical mattress in a crib should be between 3- inches in terms of thickness. Also, make sure a mattress fits tightly, yet snugly, into the crib. Ideally, these mattresses should also last
There are three types of mattresses: foam, inner spring, and organic. Regardless of type, surface firmness is crucial. Even if the mattress feels stiff, a baby can typically adjust to it. Having a resilient surface is better. The more quickly a mattress regains its shape after pressing down on it, the better it is.
Foam mattress - The density of a foam mattress is more important than the actual thickness. A heavier foam mattress is a good sign. You also want to pay attention to the surface of a foam mattress. You want the mattress surface to be resilient because too soft of a surface can conform to a baby's shape and that could lead to hazards such as suffocation.

Inner Spring mattress - These types of mattresses have coils within them that are surrounded by foam, then padding, and finally the fabric. The steel grade and the quality of the cushioning determines the price of such a mattress. If the steel gauge quality is better or there is extra cushioning, then the mattress will be more durable, but also more expensive.

Organic mattress - Usually made of all-natural materials such as cotton, wool, polymers, natural latex, or coconut fibers, these mattresses can still have spring coils within them. The all-natural materials could make it more secure for the baby though these mattresses are also more expensive. Standard mattresses may contain chemicals such as flame retardant that could unintentionally emit harmful gases to a baby.

Others have pointed out that latex could prove to be allergic to some babies, so be aware of your child's health issues before going this route.

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This page about Cradle was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on 2024-06-01 08:04:27 and has been viewed 2103 times.