Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed is a minimalist crib that will look amazing in a modern Scandi nursery. It also comes with a deal of flexibility, with three mattress support height levels and the ability to transform into the bed of a toddler.
Bassinets are a good option if you have a small house. Cribs can take up a lot more space. However, many parents prefer a crib due to safety reasons.
Safety
Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial for your baby's health and well-being. You must ensure that it conforms to current safety standards and is free of hazards that may harm your baby during their sleep. It should be sturdy and well-constructed, with no loose parts that could get caught on clothing or create the risk of choking. It is also essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding assembly and use, and check the crib regularly for indications of wear or damage.
Be sure to measure the distance between the slats. It shouldn't be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to avoid your baby falling over or getting their limbs caught between them. You should be capable of seeing and reaching your baby's crib. If you're not then the slats are close together and need to be a bit wider.
The mattress support system is an additional aspect to take into consideration when selecting the crib. It must be adjustable to various heights, so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. This will decrease the chance that your child will climb out of the crib when they begin to crawl.
A fitted sheet that is secure enough to fit over the bed and a sturdy and stable construction are additional safety features you should be looking for. Select a crib that has fixed sides instead of one that has drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. You should also be in the same room with your baby until they are old enough for them to sleep alone.
Not least, 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. You should also remove items that might pose the risk of choking like blankets or pillows. Be wary of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, since they may not meet the safety standards of today or been recalled for different reasons.
Design
It is important to keep in mind that cribs may appear identical, but they must meet the strict safety standards. The majority of cribs we looked at were designed in a similar fashion to ensure structural stability. For example, most have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could catch or snag a baby. We also examined each crib and evaluated it for its user-friendliness and assembly. We recommend choosing one with fewer components to avoid confusion.
One of our favorites is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which has an elegant, contemporary style and comes in a variety of colors, including two-toned. It also has a mattress that is universal and is Greenguard Gold certified to have minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could release gas into the nursery.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another option. The crib is sleek and modern, with minimal details that make it ideal for modern nurseries. The crib is available in various finishes and has four different mattress sizes, so your baby can use it from birth to toddler. The crib was sturdy and stable. It didn't flex or squeak when a big child climbed in.
Convertible cribs are a fantastic option if you are planning to have more children. They can be transformed into a toddler's bed and then into a full-size mattress, offering the best value for price. Our test parents gave the Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib excellent marks as an example of a convertible bed. The side rails that slide down were praised by many parents for making feeding at night safer and easier. They also noted that the crib offered enough space for their baby to sleep comfortably while dad and mom were asleep.
The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is a great choice if you like traditional design. This crib is less expensive than the Stork Craft and features a timeless style that is perfect for any nursery. It comes with three different mattress heights, 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 and baby spit can cause mattresses to become damp and dirty and result in mildew or bacterial growth that could affect infants. Look for a product that can be wiped down with a cloth or scrubbed with mild cleaner. Also, choose a waterproof mattress cover to stop fluids from leaking into the mattress and causing health issues.
Choose mattresses that are designed to last for 10 years, which means it will be ready for toddlers and beyond. A majority of the mattresses that we have reviewed are reversible, with infant and toddler side. This lets you use them from birth up until your child is ready for their full-size bed.
A mattress that is firm is best for infants, because it will provide the greatest support for their developing spines. A firm sleeping surface helps to reduce the chance of SIDS, which is more likely to happen when a baby's head sinks into a mattress that is soft.
Examine the label of the mattress to make sure 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 risk to infants. There are also certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which prove that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that could cause harm to infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
Another thing to consider is the weight of a crib mattress. The regular changes to sheets at night require you to lift and move the mattress, so if you are unable to lift heavy objects or don't want carry a heavy item you should consider a mattress that is lighter for your crib. 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, not inners with woven-core that makes it much easier to move around in comparison to traditional coil mattresses that weigh more.
Assembly
New parents will appreciate a crib that is easy to put together. You should look for a crib with firmly-secured hardware, and no sharp edges or rough patches that could irritate the skin of your baby. Also, stay clear of cribs that have drop-sides or cutouts for headboards and footboards -- these features aren't in line with current safety standards.
If you're looking for a crib, bear in mind that you'll likely need to buy a separate toddler bed conversion kit (if you opt for a convertible crib). These kits are sold separately by a majority of manufacturers. They're often affordable, and will assist your child in transitioning to a bigger bed more seamlessly.
Convertible cribs are an excellent option for families with multiple children. The cribs are built to last, and they can be converted into daybeds, toddler beds, or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib is solid wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It's available in white or slate grey to match any nursery decor. infant cot bed Cots 4 Tots is simple to move around and has locking wheels. It can be used with most twin beds. The crib took our testers only 23 minutes to assemble.
Another crib that has been rated highly, the Sprout Crib is made with an environmentally-friendly harvest of Baltic birch, and it conforms to all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It is a minimalist, stylish design that will go with any bedroom decor. The Sprout crib is one of the lightest cribs we've tested, with a weight of only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a handy bag for travel.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was runner-up in our tests, is made from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from different parenting publications like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a moderate-height profile, and it converts from an infant crib to a toddler bed with rail, or to a daybed that doesn't have rail. It's simple to put together and has lots of appeal. However, the thin finish is susceptible to scratches in normal use.