One of the most important decisions you will make as a parent is when to lower your crib mattress for your sleeping baby. There are many different schools of thought on the baby’s crib mattress height, and it can be tough to decide what is best for your baby.
So, when to lower crib mattress?
Once your baby starts to sit up on their own, which usually happens when they are around 5-8 months old, is the right time to lower the crib by half a notch or even a full notch. And, once they begin to pull themselves up is the time when you should adjust the mattress to its lowest setting keeping their safety in mind.
This blog post will discuss the pros and cons of lowering the crib mattress at different stages in your child’s life.
What Are The Benefits Of Lowering Your Crib Mattress?
When babies can sit up, they will be able to pull themselves up by supporting them on the sides of cribs. They are in danger of flipping over crib rails if mattress levels are high, and once they start getting into a standing position.
This is in case they try to escape and climb out of the crib, as most accidents happen when babies become ‘Houdinis.’ To keep your baby safe, lowering the crib mattress height at specific ages is essential.
When To Lower Crib Mattress?
A baby’s crib should be at the highest position if they are not yet mobile. When your infant is still tiny, having the highest crib setting allows you to reach them easily while ensuring they fall safely when reclining. It might be difficult for parents to access their newborn securely when the crib is set to its lowest position.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that you should lower your crib to its lowest setting once your child can sit up independently. This is typically around 5-8 months old, but every baby develops differently, so be sure to keep an eye out for signs that indicate they may soon be able to stand. A lowered crib will help prevent accidents related to standing in the crib.
How Can You Lower A Crib Mattress?
Follow these steps to lower your crib mattress:
- Remove all bedding from the crib, including the mattress and its protector, sleep sack, sheet, and other material.
- Check the crib mattress’s manufacturer’s installation instructions and choose a height for it.
- Following the instructions, remove the screws and set them to your preferred setting.
- Replace the mattress, mattress cover, and fitted sheet.
- Check for sharp edges or damage to the crib’s slats, rails, and corners.
Is It Necessary To Raise The Crib Mattress?
The highest crib setting is ideal for mothers who want to safely lay down their newborns, especially those recovering from childbirth or C-sections. Raise the mattress of your baby’s crib to its highest level at the beginning of your infant’s life. Not only will it be easier for you to reach them, but it precautionarily ensures their safety.
Regardless of your sleep training technique, keep an eye on mattress height to ensure your child’s safety.
If your baby is congested or refluxed, you may wish to angle their mattress. A mild incline can help a baby feel better. Using towels, pillows, and sleep positioners in the crib puts your kid at risk of suffocation.
How To Raise A Crib Mattress
Now that you know when to lower crib mattress and how to do it, let’s look at how you can raise a crib mattress.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter, use the same steps as you did for lowering the mattress settings if you want to raise it to either the middle or highest setting.
Keep the crib’s sheets and mattress protectors tight and in place. It’s safer for your child and lowers the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by keeping loose objects out of the crib. It also helps you avoid having an overstimulated baby by reducing bedtime distractions.
What to Know Before Adjusting Crib Mattresses?
Keep your baby safe by following these crib mattress height adjustment tips:
- Following the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular crib model when adjusting the mattress height is important.
- Always buy a crib mattress that fits snugly in your crib, so there are no gaps where the baby could get injured.
- If you’re using an older crib, double-check to ensure no components have been damaged or altered. The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises against using cribs over ten years old and suggests utilizing a new crib whenever feasible.
- Examine the crib rails and slats regularly for sharp edges or splinters that could harm your baby if they grip the sides.
- Don’t try to lower the crib mattress setting unless you’ve removed the mattress, covered it, and any other bedding.
- According to the AAP, SIDS rates are lowered when parents keep their infant’s crib clear of extras. Sleep sacks make a safe replacement for loose blankets.
- If your crib’s components need to be replaced, the AAP advises that you only obtain them from the manufacturer. Never use non-original hardware or crib components in place of original ones.
- Understand crib mattress height and baby crib safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How old should my baby be when I switch them from a crib to a toddler bed?
Ans: When your baby reaches 35 inches tall, experts recommend transitioning them to a toddler bed instead of a crib.
Q2: What should I put in my baby’s crib?
Ans: To keep your baby safe, remove any toys, extra bedding, or other items from their crib. Parents are urged not to use crib bumpers, bumper pads, stuffed animals, pillows, sleeping positioning gadgets, loose blankets, or quilts in their infant’s cot.
Q3: Can you lower the crib to the floor?
Ans: Most crib mattresses will always be higher than the floor.
Q4: How to find out if the baby is too tall?
Ans: If you’re unsure whether your baby has outgrown its crib, measure the distance from the top of its head to the floor. Once they reach 35 inches, it’s time for a toddler bed.
Q5: When is the right time to switch to the softer side of the crib?
Ans: If your baby is teething, you may want to switch to the softer side of the crib mattress.
Conclusion
Knowing when to lower the crib mattress height and how to do so safely is important. Also, ensure you buy a baby’s crib mattress that fits snugly in your crib, so there are no gaps where the baby could get injured. If you’re using an older crib, double-check to ensure no components have been damaged or altered.
You should also regularly examine the crib rails and slats for sharp edges or splinters that could harm your baby if they grip the sides. Finally, don’t try to alter a crib mattress setting unless you’ve removed the mattress, covered it, and any other bedding.
