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Signs It’s Time To Lower Your Baby’s Crib Mattress
There’s no magical age or height — it’s all a matter of your baby’s mobility
Funny how quickly things change when it comes to babies, right? One day it’s all swaddles and burp cloths and tummy time. Then, before you know it, they’re crawling around trying to drink out of the dog’s water bowl.
Babies hit new milestones faster than you can say, That’s one for the baby book. And while you’re looking for a pen, you might want to grab a screwdriver, too. Because as your baby becomes more mobile, it’s a cue that it’s time to lower their crib.
“Lowering the crib isn’t so much about age, it’s about your baby’s abilities,” says pediatrician Laura O’Connor, MD. “The more mobile your baby gets, the lower the crib should go.”
So, if you can’t plan on your calendar when the right time is, how will you know when to lower the crib mattress? Dr. O’Connor shares some tips for what to look for.
When to lower the crib mattress
Sure, back in the day, cribs with drop-down sides were all the rage. But they’ve been banned after they were found to result in serious injuries and even deaths.
Most cribs these days come with high, middle and low settings for the mattress. That’s for both parents’ comfort and baby’s safety.
Think about it: If your newborn’s crib mattress was down below your knees, you’d be reaching awfully low to place them in bed. And it would be just about impossible to get them back out without crawling in yourself. (Don’t do that. Your crib isn’t meant to hold an adult’s weight.)
On the other hand, a baby who can stand would be in danger of taking a big tumble if their mattress was only a few inches below the crib rail.
But all those different height settings can be confusing. You’ll rest easier knowing your little tot is safe in their crib. Dr. O’Connor helps us take the guesswork out of each crib setting with this quick reference guide:
Developmental stage
Sleeping arrangement
Approximate age
Newborn.
Bassinet or crib’s highest setting.
Under 4 months.
Baby who can roll over.
Crib’s highest setting.
4 months old.
Baby who can sit up, “commando crawl” or get up on their hands and knees.
Crib’s middle setting.
6 months old.
Baby who can stand up or pull themselves up to standing.
Crib’s lowest setting.
9 months old.
Baby who can climb out of the crib or has outgrown the crib.
Big-kid bed.
Anywhere from 18 months to about 3 years old.
Consult your crib’s instruction manual for specifics on how to lower the crib mattress. Most manufacturers provide them online if you can’t find yours. Be sure to tighten all screws securely.
Highest crib setting
If your infant has been sleeping in a bassinet, they should be moved to a crib by the time they can roll over, Dr. O’Connor says. For many babies, that happens somewhere around 4 months old.
But bassinets have different height and weight restrictions. Even if your little one isn’t yet rolling, if they’ve reached the maximum height or weight for the bassinet, it’s time to move to a crib to make sure they have the stability and protection they need.
The highest setting on your crib is the right place for babies who can’t sit up.
“Infants have so little control over their bodies, it’s important for their safety, and for everyone’s comfort, if parents don’t have to bend too far to lay them down or pick them up,” O’Connor explains.
Middle crib setting
After rolling over, other mobility milestones come fast. And with baby’s new moves comes another shift in crib height.
Dr. O’Connor says you should plan to move your crib mattress to the middle height before your baby can crawl. Move the crib down when your baby can start to do any of these pre-crawling actions:
Sit up on their own.
Crawl “commando style” (inch forward by pulling with their arms with their bellies on the ground).
Assume a crawling position, by getting up on their hands and knees.
Many babies begin to hit these milestones around 6 months old. But they may come even earlier, so let your baby’s abilities be your guide.
Lowest crib setting
Standing and walking are probably two of the most exciting milestones in your baby’s first year. And they’re signs that it’s time for the crib to be lowered for its last time.
“By the time your baby can stand up or pull themselves up, their crib should be at its lowest setting,” Dr. O’Connor notes. “If the crib mattress is too high, it becomes a big fall risk.”
Some babies may start off standing by using furniture (or whatever’s handy … say, your leg) to pull themselves up. And the rails on their crib can be perfect for pulling up.
So, even if your baby doesn’t stand up independently yet, any standing is a sign that it’s time to move the crib mattress to its lowest point.
And don’t let sleep sacks or other swaddles lull you into a false sense of security. Sure, they can make standing harder. But even with a sleep sack on, your baby can try to pull themselves to standing. So, if they can get up on their own two feet without the sleep sack, it’s time to make the crib at low as it goes.
Time for a big-kid bed
After the crib reaches its lowest point, it can stay there for a while, Dr. O’Connor says. Most toddlers should sleep in a crib until they’re at least 18 months old. Some may not need to move to a toddler bed until well after their third birthday.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends toddlers move to a bed if:
They’re 35 inches tall.
The crib rail is in line with the middle of their chest (at their nipples) when they stand in their crib.
They climb out of the crib.
“If your baby is climbing out of their crib or has outgrown it and causing a dangerous situation, it’s time to move to a bed. If not, it’s better to save the bed for a while,” Dr. O’Connor advises. “Beds come with a lot of autonomy and responsibility for your child, so the longer you can wait, the better for most people.”
Keep safety first
Of course, crib height is just one part of making sure your baby has a safe sleep environment. You also want to make sure you’re following these other safe sleep practices during your baby’s first year:
Use the firm side of the crib mattress.
Keep pillows, blankets, stuffed animals and other soft items out of the crib.
If you have any questions about crib safety or safe sleep, Dr. O’Connor says to talk with your child’s healthcare provider. They can help you understand the best ways to keep your baby safe and sleeping soundly
You go to the store to pick up some apples. Seems simple enough — until you’re faced with a dozen different varieties in the produce aisle. You want the healthiest apple, so which one will keep the doctor away? Dietitian Mira Ilic, RD, LD, reveals the juicy details about this popular fruit. Big difference in taste, not nutrition Apples have slightly different nutrients depending on their type and color. For instance, Red Delicious apples have polyphenols that are exclusively found in dark red fruits. Polyphenols are plant compounds that may help prevent cancer, heart disease and other conditions. But if the thought of biting into a Red Delicious isn’t appealing, don’t worry. Any apple you buy will deliver a punch of health-boosting nutrients. “The nutritional differences among apple varieties are small,” says Ilic. “But the taste differences are big. Don’t choose an apple based on a small nutrient difference if you don’t like the taste.” Choose fresh and local apples Whatever apple variety you pick, make sure it’s fresh. Old apples aren’t as nutritious, don’t taste as good and could be rotten. “Choose a firm apple with no bruises,” says Ilic. “Look for bright color, keeping in mind that some apple varieties are naturally more colorful. Fresh apples usually have a nice aroma, too.” Whenever possible, go with local apples. The less your apple had to travel, the more nutritious it is when it gets to you. July through October is prime apple season in the U.S. During these months, local apples are easy to find. When you choose apples in the off-season, check the sticker for its country of origin. If your apple traveled a long distance, it probably lost some of its nutrition in transport. Try to choose apples that come from a nearby country. “We don’t have the option to eat local apples year-round,” Ilic says. “In the off-season, we have to get apples from other parts of the world. No matter where they come from, wash them thoroughly.” You don’t need any chemicals or tools to wash your apples. Wash your hands first. Then wash your apple with running water. Gently scrub the skin with a cloth or brush. Are organic apples healthier? Some organic fruits may be slightly more nutritious than conventionally grown ones. But you don’t need to buy organic apples. They tend to cost more, which can be a downside if you’re sticking to a grocery budget. “Growers use different growing practices for organic apples and while pesticides are used on conventionally grown apples, some organic growers may actually use pesticides approved for organic farming,” explains Ilic. “The government has guidelines about what pesticides growers can use. Both types are safe and nutritious. Just wash them well if you’re still concerned about pesticide residue or you can peel your apples, but you’ll lose some nutrients and fiber found in the skin.” Have fun with apple sampling With so many apple varieties, you’re bound to find one you like. Hold an apple sampling by picking a few different types. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, put them on a plate and label them. Have your family members try the different apples and choose their favorite. An apple sampling can be a fun way to get kids to eat more apples, too. Kids often like having some control over the types of foods they eat. All apples are amazing Whether your favorite is a sour Granny Smith or a sweet Honeycrisp, you can’t go wrong with apples. “All apples are a good source of fiber, including pectin, which may help lower cholesterol,” Ilic says. “They also contain phytochemicals like polyphenols, which are antioxidants linked to multiple health benefits. Some studies have suggested that apples may also help reduce the risk of some cancers.” Bottom line: An apple a day is a healthy habit, so don’t stress about picking the right one. “Eat the apples you like because they’re all healthy,” Ilic says. FACEBOOK TWITTER LINKEDIN PINTEREST Email applesfiber
There are a lot of areas of sleep that science and medicine can understand and explain. But dreams are an entirely different territory, as the question ‘why we dream’ remains largely unanswered.
Vivid and frequent dreaming is often left open to interpretation through things like dream dictionaries and discussing with friends. Did that dream about your ex-boss really mean you have pent-up guilt and anxiety about your last job? Frequently having stress or anxiety-ridden dreams is usually a red flag for real life stress and the role it’s playing on your body. If you’re constantly waking up panicking in a cold sweat over a dream, it’s time to get your thoughts and stress in order.
Stress: we all have it, but it doesn’t have to control us
Stress is an emotional, physical or mental tension that results from something that’s outside of us.
Some of the bigger stressors or stressful life events include moving to a new place, changing roles at school or work, relationship issues or losing a family member. Stress can cause sleep difficulties, including insomnia, by making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. This impacts the quality of rest. Stress can also cause hyperarousal, which can upset the balance between sleep and wakefulness.
Being stressed is associated with poor sleep in general, and may trigger more frequent dreams. So it’s not uncommon to experience a distressing dream prior to a big event like a job interview, taking an exam or an important appointment.
And although there’s limited research about controlling the content of dreams, anxiety dreams can generally be a result of increased stress during our day-to-day lives. Daily stress can also increase the frequency of these dreams.
The good news? You have a great deal of control over your stress. If you learn to better manage stress in your life, you’ll likely decrease anxiety-ridden dreams and improve your sleep.
Here are four simple strategies to help your mind and body relax before turning in for the night:
Spend time winding down before bed: This can be thought of as a “buffer zone,” which is a period of time to allow the activating processes in the brain to wind down and allow your sleep system to take over. It’s generally a good rule of thumb to start about an hour before bedtime. During this time, engage in relaxing activities that you enjoy like reading or listening to music.
Schedule “worry time”: If you’re finding it difficult to control your worrying prior to bedtime, scheduling a specific time when you’re allowed to worry may help. Find a time that’s convenient for you and write down your concerns. Limit the time to a specific amount and stick to it by planning something to do afterward. For example, you can plan 15 minutes in the evening, before your favorite TV show.
Think of your bedroom as a place just for sleep, sex and pleasant activities: Try to limit the time you spend in bed worrying or being anxious. If you find yourself lying awake in bed stressed out, leave the bedroom and spend time in another room until you feel sleepy.
Practice relaxation techniques: There are other ways to relax while getting ready for bed, such as breathing exercises, guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation movements. (You can even check out free apps that help guide you through these exercises.) These techniques can be some of the most critical aspects of stress management and you can use them close to bedtime or throughout your day.
When you wake up panicking at 3 a.m.
We’ve all been there – a nightmare or stress dream causes you to wake up. The next thing you know you’re lying there overthinking your finances and everything you have to do the next day.
When this happens, what can you do to get back to sleep?
Stop watching the clock: Counting the minutes will only heighten your distress. Turn your alarm clock around and don’t pick up your phone.
Try to relax your body: Use a relaxation strategy that helped prior to bed to relax your body and mind.
Get out of bed: If you can’t fall back to sleep after a stressful dream, then try getting out of bed to help decrease the frustration. Don’t spend time in bed hopelessly trying to get back to sleep or interpreting your dream. (If your dream caused you anxiety, you may find yourself attempting to interpret it. But this can further increase the worry. This process will result in your brain associating your bed with stress and not sleeping well.) Once you leave your bed, find an activity that is uninteresting or boring. When you start to get drowsy, go back to bed.
Since dreams obviously aren’t measurable, there’s no real answer to what meaning they hold in our day-to-day life. But we do know that we generally have control over daily stress, which can trigger weird or anxiety-clad dreams. Learning to control the crazy and manage your stress is your best defense to help you sleep peacefully
Moderate-to-vigorous exercise appears to boost cardiorespiratory fitness, which quantifies how well the heart & lungs supply oxygen to the muscles. Higher CRF during midlife is linked to a lower risk of heart disease later: https://bit.ly/3rEwvXe#HarvardHealth
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