Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed is a minimalist crib that will look gorgeous in a Scandi-style nursery. It also offers a great variety of versatility with three different mattress support heights and the ability to transform into an infant bed.
Bassinets are a good option when you live in a smaller home. Cribs can take up more space. Many parents prefer a crib because of security concerns.
Safety
The health and well-being of your baby's infant is dependent on the crib you select. It is important to ensure that the crib meets the current safety standards and is free of dangers that could cause harm to your baby during their sleep. It should be constructed well and strong, with no loose pieces that may catch on clothing or pose the risk of choking. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for assembly and use, and to regularly check the crib for signs of wear or damage.
The first thing you need to check is the spacing between slats. It should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep your baby's head or limbs being trapped between them. You should also be able easily reach and observe your baby's crib. If you can't, the slats are too close together and should be wider.
Another aspect of the crib to be considered is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable, so that you can lower the crib mattress as your child grows. This will decrease the risk of your baby climbing out of the crib as is a common occurrence as they learn to crawl.
Other security features to look out for include the fitted sheet that is able to fit the mattress in a secure way and solid and stable construction. Pick a crib with fixed sides rather than one with drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. It's also better to share a room as your baby for the first six months or so, and then transfer them to their own bedroom once they are old enough to be monitored while sleeping alone.
Finally, you should make sure that the crib is positioned away from windows and radiators and that any hanging objects such as curtains or blind cords are out of their reach. You should also take away anything that could create the risk of choking such as pillows or blankets. Be cautious of purchasing second-hand cribs because they may not meet the current safety standards or been recalled for other reasons.
Design
It is important to remember that cribs can look the same but must still comply with strict safety standards. Most of the cribs that we reviewed are designed in a similar way to ensure structural stability. For instance, the majority of cribs have circular bars that do not have any gaps or rough areas that could trap or squeeze a baby. We also evaluated and rated each crib for how easy it was to use and to assemble. We recommend choosing a crib with fewer parts to avoid confusion.
The Evolur Sprout crib is one of our top picks. It features a chic modern design and comes in a range of colors, including two-tone options. It also comes with a mattress that is universal and is Greenguard Gold certified to have minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can release off-gasses into the nursery.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another alternative. This crib is sleek and modern, with minimal details, making it perfect for modern nursery. The crib comes in various finishes and comes with four different mattress heights, meaning your baby can use it from newborn to toddler. We tested the crib and found it to be very solid and stable, without creaking or flexing when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
Convertible cribs are a fantastic option if you are planning to have more children. They can be transformed into a bed for toddlers and then into a larger mattress, offering the best value for money. Our test parents loved the Sweet2Sleep Crib high marks as an example of convertible beds. The side rails that slide down were loved by a lot of parents for making feeding their children at night more secure and easy. They also noted that the crib offered enough space for their baby to be comfortable while mom and dad slept.
If you are looking for a classic style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 is a solid option. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft and comes with an elegant design that is suitable for all nursery. It has three different mattress heights however, some parents and toddlers may find it a bit shallow.
Mattress
A crib mattress that is washable can come in handy for newborns. Spitting up from diapers, baby spit up and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and dirty, leading to mildew and bacterial infections that could be harmful to infants. Look for a product that can be cleaned with cloths or cleaned with mild cleaner. You should also select a mattress cover that is waterproof to stop liquids from getting into the mattress and causing health problems.
Find mattresses that are designed to last up to 10 years, so it will be ready for toddlers and beyond. Many of the products in this review are reversible with toddler and infant sides, which allows you to use them from birth until your child is ready for the full-size bed.
A firm crib mattress is best for infants, because it provides the greatest support for their growing spines. A super-firm sleeping surface will also lower the risk of SIDS. This is due to the fact that an extremely soft mattress increases the chance that a baby's head will sink into it.
Look over the label on the mattress to make sure it is in compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for waterproofing, flammability lead, as well as other chemicals that could be danger to infants. You can also find certifications like Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which show that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that may harm infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
Another factor to consider is the weight of a mattress for a crib. If top ranked cribs 're not able to lift heavy objects, or you don't want to move an item that weighs a lot it is possible to choose a lighter mattress. Newton Wovenaire, for example is only 8 pounds while Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness weighs 20 pounds. This makes it one of the heavier mattresses in this review. It is also made of foam instead of woven-core inners, which makes it much easier to move around in comparison to a heavier traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
New parents will be happy with a crib that's easy to build. Look for one equipped with hardware that is securely held with no sharp edges or rough spots that could irritate your baby's skin. Also, avoid any cribs with drop-sides or cutouts for headboards and footboards -- these features aren't compatible with today's safety standards.
When looking for a crib, bear in mind that you'll need to buy a separate toddler bed conversion kit (if you opt for a convertible crib). The majority of manufacturers sell these kits on their own. These kits are usually cheap and can aid your child in making the transition from a smaller bed more smoothly.
Convertible cribs are an excellent investment for families who have several children. These cribs have been designed to last, and they can be converted into daybeds, toddler beds or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib a solid-wood crib that's GREENGUARD Certified Gold and has four mattress heights. It's available in white or slate grey to complement any nursery decor. The crib comes with locking wheels so you can easily move it from room to room and fits the majority of standard twin mattresses. The crib took our test subjects only 23 minutes to assemble.
Another crib that has been rated highly one of the top cribs, the Sprout Crib is made with an environmentally-friendly harvest of Baltic birch, and it is compliant with all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It has a simple, stylish design that will be a perfect fit with any bedroom décor. The Sprout crib is among the lighter cribs that we've tested, with a weight of only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a handy bag for transport.
A runner-up in our testing the Oeuf Modern Crib is built from sustainably sourced New Zealand pine. It has received several prizes 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 is easy to assemble and has a lot of visual appeal. However the surface can be scratched during normal use.