The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
It's a good idea pick a crib that's stylish and safe for your child. Look for cribs that meet modern safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Avoid slats that are too close together, as well as drop-side cribs, which can cause strangulation issues for babies. Also, look for a crib with a simple hardware that won't catch on your baby's clothes or hair.
Safety
The crib of a baby will be their place of refuge for a very long period of time, so it's vital to ensure it's secure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific standards for cribs, including robust wood and sturdy mattress supports. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has also certified a number of cribs for additional safety measures.
Choose a crib made from solid wood, not particleboard. Pick a crib that's sturdy and does not have any rough edges that could hurt your child. Also, make sure to make sure that the hardware is securely attached and won't come loose over time from humidity or heavy use.
Many cribs offer various levels of mattress support so you can alter them as your baby grows. The lowest level is best for newborns and you should keep the mattress at this level until your child is able to walk up and down, which is usually around nine months. Some cribs come with an infant bed conversion kit, which allows you to convert the crib into a toddler bed when your child is old enough to leave your room.
Certain cribs come with decorative features or cutouts that may cause choking danger for your baby So, look for cribs that do not have these kinds of decorations. Avoid decorative items like mobiles as they can be dangerous for babies.
Swivel cribs let you monitor your baby from any place in the room. This is especially beneficial for babies recovering from c-sections and other hospital-based births. The Sweet2Sleep crib by Graco is a popular option. It features a 360-degree swivel, which one parent test participant found "was the perfect way to reach into and soothe your baby without having to get up from their bed," especially helpful during recovery after a c section. This crib has a lowering side wall for maximum accessibility and intimacy. The locking casters make it easy to move from one room to the next.
Style
The crib is the most important piece of furniture in your baby's nursery. It occupies the most space on the floor and, therefore, it must be designed to fit the style of your nursery.
Many cribs feature modern, minimalist designs that can be used with any style. Some cribs feature flat panels or different arrangement of slats on the ends. Some have finials or drop sides which provide an older-fashioned look. Whatever you decide to go with, make sure it meets the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics or Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The majority of cribs have a wooden or metal slat mattress frame, which can be a solid board or a grid of wooden slats or a spring wire grid. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter since it provides more stability and is a stronger structure to support your baby's body weight.
It must have a non-toxic, smooth surface that is easy to clean. Avoid placing anything in the crib your baby could grab and pull. This includes blankets, toys and pillows. Decorate your crib with consideration. Babies may be clingy and they may bite or pull at ornaments. This could cause injury or detach them.
Some parents opt to use a bassinet for their baby until their child is ready to move into a crib. Based on the level of activity your baby has, a bassinet may only last for six months or more. If this is the case look into this crib which offers all the advantages of a bassinet and a full-size crib. This model features an swivel that is side-to-side which makes it easy to move from and into the crib. It also has an incline of reflux that has been patented for colic.
Another stylish option is this eco-friendly crib which has more than 2,000 rave reviews from real moms as well as a top 4.8-star rating on Amazon. Made of sustainable New Zealand pine wood, this crib is a true design statement that can transform boring nurseries into magazines-worthy rooms. It comes with four adjustable levels of mattress height which will be useful as your baby grows.
Convenience
Cribs are a must-have baby item. It helps promote safe sleeping by reducing the dangers of SIDS, entrapment, and suffocation. Cribs have to meet certain safety standards, but you can find ones with a variety of features that will fit your style and budget.
Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which features thin, nicely-rounded slats and simple lines to complement any style. It's also small enough to fit through most doors inside without disassembly and it is able to be moved from room-to-room. It only has two mattress height options, making it a great choice for infants. However, other models have four or three different settings.
If you prefer traditional style, the Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib comes with frames that resemble sleighs and are built with a solid build. It's GREENGUARD certified, so you know it meets the environmental standards. Additionally, cot bed sales let you match it to any style. It's also among 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 then a daybed.
Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1, which has an innovative design that is ideal for modern nursery designs and has a lot of features, including one of the tiniest sitting mattress heights. That might help petite parents to reach their child but it's also a bit higher than the other cribs we've reviewed and can be a problem for shorter adults concerned about their child falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a more conventional option, and it's GREENGUARD certified. It can be turned into a toddler bed, and it can be converted into a daybed by the purchase of separate conversion components It's an investment that will last your family for years to come. It may not be as fancy as the Evolur or the Sloane however, it has a classic look.
Budget
Even if you intend to sleep with your baby or want to use the crib that your parents rescued for you from their basement, a top-quality, safe crib is an investment piece. Modern safety standards allow you to find sturdy cribs that are stylish too. The best newborn cribs are simple to put together and come with a design that will not be quickly out of date with the most recent fashions.
Considering a crib is the most important purchase you make for your child, you might feel pressured to spend huge sums of money for the "perfect" one. There are many cribs of high quality that are reasonably priced and provide a safe and secure environment for your baby to sleep in.
When buying a crib, make sure it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. It should also be in compliance with all applicable safety standards. It's also important to stay clear of buying second-hand cribs as they may have missing or worn-out hardware that could pose a security risk to your child. If you choose to purchase a used crib be sure that it has been thoroughly inspected by an expert before using it.
Aside from the critical safety features, a great crib must be stable, solid and easy to assemble. Thistel says to check the instructions carefully and make sure that all components are included. If you experience any issues it is recommended to contact the manufacturer to get replacement bolts or screws.
For new parents looking for a chic, budget-friendly crib that grows with their child, the Cradlewise will meet your needs. It arrives in one, very heavy box (enough to be a reason to ask your friends for help) and comes with simple instructions and a sturdy construction. It comes with a Greenguard GOLD-certified natural CoconutCoir Mattress (VOC and PU foam free).
The Babyletto Hudson is the ideal crib for small spaces. Its compact footprint and minimalist design make it easy to fit. It's made from eco-friendly sustainable New Zealand pine wood and comes in a wide range of modern colors that instantly turn ho-hum nurseries into spaces worthy of magazines. It also has four different mattress settings that can be adjusted to prevent your child from climbing up before they're ready.