Have you heard the phrase, "Sleep like a baby" ? Several factors contribute to this, especially with babies; the crib certainly plays a big role. A healthy, well-fed baby with a clean diaper sleeps peacefully in their crib, so it's important that it's the best, one that provides security, comfort, and lasts. Why not? For the little one, it requires features that adhere to the quality and safety standards required by official regulations.
Safe, comfortable, and practical for parents. These are the main requirements a crib must meet.
- Allow good ventilation and monitor the baby.
- It should include a mattress base that can be adjusted to various heights, allowing the baby to be laid down easily and adapting to their growth so there's no risk of falling. Minimum depth: 60 cm.
- The baby's head cannot fit between the bars (between 4.5 and 6.5 cm).
- It must be made of non-toxic materials.
- It should not have sharp edges or protrusions, no hole larger than 6mm in diameter.
And where do we put the crib? At first, right next to our bed. Once in its own room, it shouldn't be next to a heater, under a window, or near shelves or other items hanging on the wall. The best thing: we should be able to see it easily from the door.
Convertible or evolutionary cribs:
Nowadays, there's another crib option worth considering, depending on your needs as parents: convertible cribs. Once their purpose is fulfilled, they can take on a second life by transforming into another piece of furniture adapted to your baby's needs, such as a cot, armchair, single bed, or double bed. They must meet the same standards as a single crib. A crib bed is heavier and larger, so it's often left in the baby's room. Therefore, co-sleeping is recommended to provide close proximity to the parents for the first six months.
As for the mattress for babies, it is recommended that it be comfortable, with a firmness level that reduces the risk of complications such as sudden infant death syndrome or reflux aspiration. Thanks to certain new technologies, polyurethane (foam) mattresses are able to adapt better to the baby 's body. Their composition makes them hypoallergenic, acaricidal, and fungicidal. For safety, no more than two fingers should fit between the mattress and the crib's bars, footboard, and headboard.