Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed is a minimalist crib that can look gorgeous in a Scandi-style nursery. It is also very flexible, as it has three different mattress support heights. Additionally, it can be converted into a toddler's bed.
Bassinets are a better choice if you have a small home. Cribs can take up a lot more space. However, a lot of parents prefer a crib for safety reasons.
Safety
Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial to your baby's health and well-being. You should ensure that the crib meets the current safety standards, and is free from any dangers that could harm your child during sleep. It should be constructed well and sturdy, without loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or pose danger of choking. It is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer to set up and use the crib and to check the crib regularly.
Be sure to measure the distance between the slats. It shouldn't be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to prevent your baby from getting their head or legs trapped between them. You must also be able to easily see and reach your baby's crib. If you can't then the slats are close to each other and should be wider.
The mattress support system is a different aspect to consider when choosing the crib. It should be adjustable so you can lower the crib mattress as your child grows. This will lower the chance that your baby will climb out of the crib as they begin to crawl.
A fitted sheet that fits the bed securely and a sturdy and stable construction are additional safety features you should be looking for. Choose a crib with fixed sides instead of one that has drop sides. Drop sides can be dangerous for your child. You should also be in the same room as your baby until they are old enough to sleep alone.
In the end, you must make sure that the crib is positioned away from radiators and windows and that any hanging objects such as curtains or blind cords are not within reach. You should also take away anything that could create the risk of choking, such as pillows or blankets. Be careful when purchasing used cribs as they may not meet the current safety standards or have been recalled.
Design
It is crucial to keep in mind that cribs may look the same but must still comply with strict safety standards. The majority of cribs we examined are constructed in a similar manner to ensure the structural integrity. For example, most have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could trap or pinch babies. We also tested and rated each crib for how easily it was to use and to assemble. More components can cause confusion, so we suggest selecting a crib with clear instructions that are easy to follow to avoid frustration.
One of our favorite cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which is designed with an elegant, contemporary design and comes in a variety of color options, including some two-toned. It also has a universal mattress fitting, and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having the lowest amount of volatile organic compound (VOCs).
Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. This crib is sleek and modern, with minimal features that make it perfect for modern nursery. The crib comes in different designs and four mattress sizes so that your baby can use it as a toddler or newborn. We tested the crib and found it to be solid and stable, with no creaking or flexing when a child weighed a lot of weight inside.
Convertible cribs are a fantastic option if you are planning to have more children. Many of these options can be converted into a toddler bed and later a full-size bed giving you a long-lasting investment for the money. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is an example of a convertible crib which received excellent marks from our test parents. Many of them said that the side rails with a drop-down feature made nighttime feedings easier and safer, and that the crib was roomy enough for the baby to feel at ease while dad and mom were asleep.
The Carter's Colby 4-in-1 crib by DaVinci is a fantastic option if you prefer traditional design. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft, and it has a timeless design that can be incorporated into the majority of nursery decors. It has three different heights for the mattress, but some parents and toddlers might find it a bit shallow.
Mattress
A crib mattress that can be cleaned will be useful for infants. Spitting up from diapers, baby spills and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and dirty, leading to mildew and bacterial infections that could affect infants. Look for a product that can be cleaned with cloths or cleaned with mild cleaner. Also, choose a waterproof mattress cover to prevent liquids from getting into the mattress and causing health problems.
Look for a mattress that is rated for up to 10 years, so that it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the mattresses featured in this review are reversible and have toddler and infant sides that allows you to use them right from birth until your child is ready to move on to an adult-sized bed.
A mattress that is firm is ideal for infants, because it provides the most support to their developing spines. A super-firm sleep surface also helps reduce the chance of SIDS, which is more likely to happen when a baby's head sinks into a soft mattress.
Look over the label of a firm mattress to ensure it is in compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for the possibility of flammability, waterproofing, lead and other chemicals that might pose a hazard to babies. You can also find certifications like Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS, which indicate that the mattress has been tested for volatile organic compounds that may cause harm to infants' nervous and respiratory systems.
The weight of the mattress is a further factor to take into consideration. If you're not able to lift heavy objects or don't want to move a heavy object, you may want an easier mattress. For example the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds, while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 pounds, making it one of the heaviest in this review. It is also made of foam instead of woven-core inners. This makes it easier to move around as compared to a heavier traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
New parents will be happy with a crib that's easy to assemble. Look for one with hardware that is securely secured, no sharp edges or rough spots that could pinch your baby's skin. Avoid cribs with drop-sides or headboard/footboard cuts. These features aren't up to the safety standards of today.
If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you'll require a separate kit for converting it into a toddler bed. The majority of manufacturers offer these kits on their own. They're often inexpensive, and they'll help your child transition into larger beds more easily.
Convertible cribs are an excellent investment for families with many children. They are designed to last and generally can be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size bed.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib a solid wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It's traditional in design and is available in slate or white grey to match any nursery decor. The crib comes with locking wheels that allow you to easily move it from room to place and fits most standard twin mattresses. Our test subjects found that this crib to be very simple to assemble - it took 23 minutes to put together.
Another crib that is highly rated one of the top cribs, the Sprout Crib is made with a sustainably harvested Baltic birch that is compliant with all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It has a minimalist and stylish design that will go with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is among the lightest cribs we test at 6kg, which makes it easy to move around and has an excellent travel bag.
A runner-up in our tests, the Oeuf Modern Crib is built with sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine. It has received several awards from parenting magazines like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium height profile and can be transformed from an infant crib into a toddler bed, with or without a rail. It's easy to assemble and has plenty of appeal. However, the slender finish is susceptible to scratches in normal use.