Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look gorgeous in the Scandi nursery. It also provides a good deal of flexibility, with three different mattress support heights and the ability to transform into an infant bed.
Cribs take up a lot of room, so bassinets might be a better choice if your house is small. Many parents choose a crib because of safety concerns.
Safety
The health and wellbeing of your baby is dependent on the crib you choose. You should ensure that it conforms to current safety standards and is free of dangers that could harm your baby while they sleep. It should be sturdy and well-constructed, with no loose parts that could get caught on clothing or present the risk of choking. It is also crucial to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for assembly and use, and regularly inspect the crib for signs of wear or damage.
The first thing you need to check is the space between slats. It shouldn't be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to avoid your baby getting their head or legs trapped between them. You should also be able easily see and reach your baby's crib. If you're not then the slats are close together and need to be a bit larger.
Another aspect of the crib that you should be aware of is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable to different levels so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will help to reduce the chance of your child getting out of the crib which is a frequent occurrence as they learn to crawl.
Other safety features to consider include the fitted sheet that is able to fit the mattress in a secure way and a stable and sturdy construction. Pick a crib with fixed sides rather than one that has drop sides. Drop sides can be dangerous for your child. It's also better to sleep in the same room as your baby for the first six months or so, and only move them into their own bedroom when they are old enough to be watched when they are sleeping on their own.
homepage to do is ensure that the crib is kept away from radiators and windows and that any hanging objects such as blind cords or curtains are out of reach. It is also recommended to remove any objects that could pose a choking hazard like pillows or blankets. Be careful when purchasing used cribs as they may not meet the current safety standards or have been recalls.
Design
It is important to remember that cribs can look similar, but must comply with strict safety standards. The majority of cribs we examined are constructed in a similar way to ensure structural solidity. For instance, the majority of cribs have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could trap or snag a baby. We also evaluated each crib and rated it based on its simplicity of use and assembly. We suggest selecting the crib with less parts to avoid confusion.
The Evolur Sprout crib is one of our top picks. It is stylish contemporary design and is available in a range of colors, including two-toned. It also comes with a mattress that is universal and is Greenguard Gold certified to have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas into the nursery.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is a different option. This crib is sleek, modern and minimal in appearance. It's ideal for modern nursery designs. The crib comes in various designs and four mattress heights so that your baby can use it as a newborn or toddler. We tested this crib and found it to be extremely solid and stable, without flexing or creaking when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
Convertible cribs are an excellent option if you're planning to have more children. Many of these options transform into a toddler bed, and then a full-size bed, providing a long-lasting product for the money you spend. Our test parents have given the Sweet2Sleep Crib high marks as an example of a convertible bed. Several of them commented that the side rails that drop down made feeding at night easier and safer and that the crib was big enough for the co-sleeping baby to feel comfortable while mom and dad were sleeping.
If you are looking for a classic style, the Carter's by DaVinci Colby 4-in-1 is a great choice. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft and has an elegant design that will complement most every nursery. It comes with three different mattress heights however, some parents and toddlers might consider it too shallow.
Mattress
A crib mattress that can be cleaned will be useful for infants. Baby spit up and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and dirty that can cause mildew and bacterial infections that could affect infants. Choose a mattress that is easily cleaned with mild cleaner or cloth. Also, choose a waterproof cover to prevent fluids from leaking into the mattress.
Look for a mattress that is rated to last 10 years, so it will be ready for toddlers and beyond. Many of the mattresses featured in this review are reversible with infant and toddler sides, that allows you to use them from birth until your child is old enough to be an adult-sized bed.
A firm mattress for the crib is best because it supports their spines as they are developing. A super-firm sleep surface also helps reduce the risk of SIDS, which is more likely to happen when a baby's head sinks into a mattress that is soft.
If you are looking for a firm crib mattress be sure to look over the label to be sure it is in compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for the possibility of flammability, waterproofing, lead and other chemicals that could pose risk to infants. You'll also find certifications like Greenguard, GOTS and CertiPUR-US which are a good sign that the mattress has been tested for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can harm infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
The weight of the mattress is another factor to consider. If you're unable to lift heavy objects, or you don't wish to move a heavy item it is possible to choose an easier mattress. For example the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress Dual Firmness weighs 20 lbs, making it the largest in this review. It is also made of foam instead of woven core inners. This makes it much easier to move around compared to a heavier traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
New parents will be happy with a crib that's easy to assemble. You should choose an item that is securely secured and without sharp edges or rough patches that could irritate the skin of your baby. Avoid cribs with drop-sides or headboard/footboard cuts -- these features aren't up to the current safety standards.
When looking for a crib, bear in mind that you'll probably require a separate toddler bed conversion kit (if you choose a convertible crib). These kits are sold separately by a majority of manufacturers. These kits are often cheap and can aid your child in making the transition to a larger bed more easily.
Convertible cribs are a great investment for families with many children. The cribs are designed to last and can be converted into daybeds, toddler beds or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib is a solid-wood crib that is GREENGUARD Gold certified and has four mattress heights. It's traditional in design and is available in white or slate grey to match every nursery decor. The crib has locks that let you easily move it from room to place and can fit the majority of twin mattresses. The crib took our test subjects just 23 minutes to put together.
Another top-rated crib one of the top cribs, the Sprout Crib is made with sustainable harvested Baltic birch that meets all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a sleek, minimalist design that won't clash with any bedroom decor. The Sprout crib is among the tiniest cribs we've tested, with a weight of only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a convenient travel bag.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was a runner-up in our tests, is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has been awarded numerous awards from different parenting publications, including BabyCenter and Babble. It has a moderate-height profile and can be converted from an infant crib to a toddler bed that has rail or a daybed that doesn't have rail. It's easy to assemble and has a lot of aesthetic appeal, but the thin finish is susceptible to scratches when used regularly.
