The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
It's a good idea to pick a crib that's elegant and secure for your baby. Find cribs that meet modern safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Avoid cribs with slats too close together, as well as drop-side cribs that could cause strangulation issues for babies. Look for cribs with simple hardware, so that it won't catch your baby's hair or clothing.
Safety
A baby's crib will be their home away from home for a very long duration, so it's crucial to ensure that it's secure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has specific guidelines to be adhered to when building a crib with sturdy mattress supports as well as robust wood. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has also certified a number of cribs for additional security measures.
Choose a crib that is made of solid wood rather than particleboard. Choose a crib that is sturdy and does not have any rough edges that could pinch your child. Also, make sure to make sure that the hardware is securely attached and won't break as time passes due to extreme humidity or use.
Many cribs have various levels of mattress support so you can alter them as your baby grows. You should keep the crib at its lowest level until your child can stand independently and walk around, which is usually around nine months. Some cribs come with the option of converting the crib into an adult bed when your child is ready.
Look for cribs without decorative features or cutouts. They can be the risk of choking your baby. Avoid mobiles and other decorative items as they can pose an issue for infants.
Swivel cribs allow you to monitor your baby from anyplace in the room. This is particularly useful for those recovering from c-sections and other hospital-based births. The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib is a favorite. It features 360-degree swivel that one parent test participant found "was the perfect way to reach and soothe the child without having to get up from the bed," especially helpful during recovering from a c-section. This crib also offers an adjustable side panel that can be lowered for the most complete closeness and access. It's also compact enough that it can be moved from room to room with ease due to locking wheels.
Style
The crib is likely to be the most significant piece of furniture in the nursery of your baby. The crib will occupy the majority of the area in your nursery, which is why it needs to be stylish and fit with the aesthetic.
A lot of cribs have modern, minimalist designs that can be used with any style. Some cribs have different slat configurations or flat panels at the ends. Some have finials, or drop sides which provide an older-fashioned look. Whichever you choose be sure that it is in compliance with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Most cribs come with an aluminum or wood-slat mattress support that is either one-piece solid board, a wood-slat grid, or a spring-wire grid frame. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter as it provides more stability and is a better structure to support your baby's weight.
It must have a non-toxic and smooth finish that is easy to clean. Avoid placing anything in the crib that your baby can grab and pull. This includes blankets, toys, or pillows. If you want to decorate your crib, bear in mind that infants are very clingy and may pull or bite at ornaments. This can hurt or cause them to fall off.
Some parents choose to use a bassinet for their baby until their child is ready for a crib. Based on how active your baby is, a bassinet may only last up to six months or more. If this is the case for you look into this crib which combines all of the benefits of a bassinet with a full-size crib. This model has a side-to-side pivot that makes it simple to reach in and out of the crib. It also features a patent-pending reflux incline that helps with colic.
This eco-friendly crib has more than 2500 rave reviews from real moms, as well as a high rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon. Made of sustainable New Zealand pine wood, this crib is a true design statement that will transform ho-hum nurseries into magazines-worthy rooms. It comes with four adjustable levels of mattress height, a feature that will come in handy as your baby grows.
Convenience
Cribs are a must-have baby item. It helps promote sleep safety by reducing risks of SIDS as well as entrapment and suffocation. Cribs are required to meet safety standards. However cribs are available with a variety of features that fit your style and budget.
For a crib that blends with contemporary nursery styles, try the Ikea Gulliver, which has thin, nicely rounded slats and simple lines that match any decor. It is also compact enough to fit through most doors inside without disassembly and can be easily moved from room-to-room. It comes with two mattress heights, so it's a good choice for infants however it's not as flexible as other models that offer three or four different options.
If you prefer traditional style The Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib comes with an sleigh-style frame with a sturdy build. It's GREENGUARD-certified, which means you can rest assured that it meets the requirements of the environment. The numerous finishes allow you to match the crib to any style. It's also one of the more expensive options we've looked at in our review but it's a solid choice through multiple children and can be eventually converted into a toddler bed and later a daybed.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is a different alternative. It has an innovative design, ideal for modern nursery designs and comes with a variety of features, including one of the lowest sitting mattress heights. This can help petite parents to reach their child however, it's taller than other cribs in the review which could be a challenge for shorter adults concerned about their child falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a classic choice, and it's also certified by GreenGuard. It can be converted into a toddler bed, and later into a daybed through the purchase of separate conversion components, so it's an investment that will last your family for many years to come. It's not as fancy as the Sloane or the Evolur however it does have an appealing traditional design and comes in a variety of different colors that will fit any nursery.
Budget
A high-quality crib is a great investment, whether you intend to sleep with a partner or use the crib your parents have in their basement. Modern safety standards make it possible to find sturdy cribs with an attractive design. The best cribs for babies are easy to set up and come with a design that will not be quickly outdated by the most recent fashion trends.
You might feel pressured to purchase the "perfect" crib, as it is the biggest purchase you'll make for your child. However, there are a variety of affordable, high-quality cribs that will make your baby's first sleep environment comfortable and safe.
When shopping for a crib, check that it is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and conforms to all applicable safety standards. Avoid buying second-hand cribs as they could be damaged or broken hardware that could pose a threat to your baby's safety. If you decide to buy a crib that is used be sure that it has been thoroughly examined by a professional prior to using it.
A good crib should have all the safety features needed and be simple to put together. Read the instructions carefully to ensure that all components are included and fit correctly, says Thistel. If you run into any problems, don't come up with a solution. Contact the manufacturer to request replacement screws or bolts instead.
Cradlewise is a great choice for new parents who are looking for a stylish crib that can grow with their child. It's a heavy box with easy-to-follow instructions and a sturdy construction. It comes with an organic CoconutCoir mattress (VOC & PU foam free) suitable for infants and toddlers and is Greenguard GOLD-certified.
small cot beds is the perfect crib for a small space. Its compact footprint and minimalist design make it easy to install. It's made of eco-friendly sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and is available in a variety contemporary colors that instantly transform a boring nursery into an appealing space for magazines. It also comes with four adjustable mattress settings to prevent your child from climbing up before they're ready.