Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look beautiful in the Scandi nursery. It also offers a great deal of flexibility with three different mattress support heights and the capability to convert into an infant bed.
Cribs take up a lot of space, so bassinets may be a better choice if your house is small. Many parents prefer a crib for security reasons.
Safety
The health and wellbeing of your baby's infant is dependent on the crib you choose. You must ensure that it meets the current safety standards and is free from dangers that could harm your baby as they sleep. It should be constructed well and sturdy, with no loose pieces that may catch on clothing or create the risk of choking. It is also essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding assembly and use, and to regularly check the crib for signs of wear or damage.
Examine cheap cot bed between slats. It should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent your baby's head or limbs getting trapped in between them. You must also be able to easily reach and observe your baby in the crib. If you aren't reach your baby, the slats must be wider and not as close together.
Another aspect of the crib to consider is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable so you can lower the crib mattress as your child grows. This will reduce the possibility of your baby climbing out of the crib as is a common situation as they begin to crawl.
A fitted sheet that is able to fit the bed securely and a sturdy and stable construction are other security features you should look for. Choose a crib with fixed sides rather than one with drop sides. Drop sides could be dangerous 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 when they are old enough to be watched while sleeping alone.
The last thing to do is make sure the crib is kept away from radiators and windows and that hanging items such as blind cords or curtains are kept out of reach. You should also remove objects that could pose danger to your child's health, such as blankets or pillows. You should also be wary of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, as they may not have met current safety standards or have been recalled for different reasons.
Design
Although cribs may appear similar, it's important to remember that each must adhere to strict safety guidelines. This is why the majority of the cribs we reviewed have a similar layout to ensure uniformity of structural solidity. Most cribs feature circular bars without gaps or rough surfaces that could entangle a baby or pinch them. We also assessed and rated each crib for how easy it was to use and to assemble. We suggest selecting the crib with less parts to avoid confusion.
One of our top cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which comes with an elegant, modern design and comes in several color options, including some two-toned. Additionally, it features an all-inclusive mattress fit 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. The crib is sleek, modern and minimalist in design. It's ideal for modern nurseries. The crib comes in a variety of finishes and comes with four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it from the time of birth to toddler. We tried the crib and found it to be very sturdy and stable, without flexing or creaking when a child weighed a lot of weight inside.
If you're thinking of having more children, you may think about a convertible crib. These cribs can be converted into a toddler's bed and then into a larger mattress, giving you an excellent value for your money. Our test parents gave the Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib excellent marks as an example of convertible beds. The drop-down side rail was loved by a lot of parents for making feeding at night more secure and less stressful. They also noted that the crib was spacious enough space for their baby to rest comfortably while mom and dad lay down.
If you prefer a traditional style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 is a great option. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft and has a timeless style that is perfect for all nursery. It has three different mattress heights however, certain parents and toddlers may feel it is a bit low.
Mattress
Babies are messy and a washable crib mattress is a must. Diaper leaks and baby spit-up can cause mattresses to become dirty and damp which can lead to mildew or bacterial growth that could affect infants. Select a mattress that can be easy to clean with an mild cleaner or cloth. Also, consider a waterproof cover to stop fluids from entering the mattress.
Look for a mattress that is rated for up to 10 years so that it can be used for toddlers. Many of the products in this review are reversible with toddler and infant sides which allows you to use them right from birth until your child is old enough to be a full-size bed.
A mattress that is firm is best for infants, because it will provide the most support to their developing spines. A mattress that is extremely firm helps to reduce the risk of SIDS which is more likely to happen when an infant's head sinks into a mattress that is soft.
Examine the label on the mattress to confirm that it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC mandates that mattresses are tested for waterproofing and flammability as well as lead and other chemicals that could pose a danger for infants. You'll also see certifications like Greenguard CertiPUR-US, GOTS, and CertiPUR-US, which are a good indication that the mattress has been tested for the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can harm infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
The weight of the mattress is a further factor to consider. If you're unable to lift heavy objects or don't want to move a heavy item, you may want a lighter mattress. For example the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 pounds, making it one of the heaviest in this review. It's also made of foam, not woven-core inners, which makes it much easier to move around in comparison to a heavier traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
New parents will appreciate a crib that is easy to assemble. You should choose an item that is securely secured and with no sharp edges or rough patches that could irritate the skin of your baby. Beware of cribs that have drop-sides or cutouts for headboards and footboards as they aren't compatible with today's safety standards.
If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you will have to purchase a separate kit for converting it into an adult bed. These kits are offered separately by the majority of manufacturers. They're often cheap, and they'll assist your child in transitioning to a bigger bed more seamlessly.
Many new parents appreciate the durability that comes with the convertible crib and are a great choice for families with several children. These cribs have been built to last and can be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib a solid-wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold certified and has four mattress heights. It has a traditional style and is available in slate or white grey to fit with almost any nursery decor. The crib has locking wheels that allow you to easily move it from room to place and can fit most standard twin mattresses. The crib took our testers only 23 minutes to assemble.
The Sprout Crib, another top-rated crib, is made from sustainably harvested Baltic birch. It is in compliance with all U.S. safety standards, in addition to the standards of Australia, Canada and Europe. It is a minimalist elegant design that can go with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is among the lightest cribs we test at 6kg, which makes it easy to move around and has an excellent travel bag.
The runner-up of our tests The Oeuf Modern Crib is built with sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine. It has won several awards from various parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium height profile and can be transformed from an infant crib to a toddler bed, with or without a rail. It is easy to set up and has a lot of aesthetic appeal. However, the thin finish can be scratched during normal use.