Cribs

The crib is the centerpiece of a lil one's nursery, or is it? According to the Montessori educational philosophy, a mattress placed directly on the floor (of a child-safe room) is the ideal place for a lil one to sleep — the thought being that once the tot can crawl, he can play with the items in his room — meaning the crib has no place in the nursery.

One mama is sharing her adventures in trying to "floor sleep" train her 8-month-old tot. On Tall Tara, Tara shares images and insight into her son's adjustment to the unusual sleeping arrangement — five months into the "experiment" she says he wakes up on the bed approximately 95 percent of the time (though nap time is a whole other story!), while other times he can be found just resting his head on the mattress, or completely on the floor.

Would you consider ditching the crib and relying on a floor bed?

Photos courtesy of: Tall Tara

For the love of all things gray! We can't get enough of the gray trend in nurseries, and we know you can't either. Mamas have increasingly been turning to all shades of gray when it comes to painting the nursery walls, but if you feel like you just don't want to commit to something so bold, why not add a little gray to your baby room decor with a modern gray crib?

• Simple: The Modena 3-in-1 Fixed Side Crib by Baby Mod in Cool Grey ($200) is made of sustainable pine wood, featuring clean lines and simple forms. A perfect — and affordable — fit for a modern nursery!
• Swank: The ever-popular Oeuf Sparrow Crib in Gray ($730) is expertly crafted in Europe from solid birch. It's got the design that mamas love with a gray finish. It's a minimalist's dream come true!

Which do you prefer?

Bumpers begone! The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated their sleep guidelines, officially advocating against the use of crib bumpers for the first time. According to the new findings, bumper pads unequivocally should not be used in cribs because the pads don't prevent injuries, but can cause suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. Bumpers have been falling out of favor within the medical community for the last several years, with antibumper sentiment gaining major momentum stemming from an article in the September 2007 issue of The Journal of Pediatrics, Deaths and Injuries Attributed to Infant Crib Bumper Pads, and this new AAP report SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Expansion of Recommendations For a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment will likely be the final nail in bumpers' coffin.

Keep reading to see what bedding companies are doing in light of the new recommendations.

The design of an heirloom wrought iron crib evokes nostalgia and is the preferred crib choice for parents that want to create a luxurious nursery — like Jennifer Lopez. These cribs are expertly crafted and can either feature very intricate details or be sleek and modern. An heirloom wrought iron crib with a simple yet versatile design can make a big statement in a nursery and can be used — and loved — for generations! We've found two such cribs at two very different prices. Take a look and tell us which you prefer.

• Simple: Bratt Decor's Joy Baby Crib ($495) is part of the brand's lower-priced collection, Stephen Bauer Baby.  Its geometrical circles and satin finish make this affordable alternative a fresh pick for either a traditional or modern nursery.
• Swank: RH Baby & Child's Milbrook Iron Crib ($849) has a nostalgic design inspired by an antique. The vintage white finish with distressed details gives the crib a timeworn look.