The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
Your little one will spend the majority of her time in the crib, so it's a smart idea to invest in one that's both stylish and safe. Make sure you choose a crib that meets modern safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Avoid cribs with slats too close together, and drop-side cribs. They can pose dangerous for strangulation to infants. Choose cribs that have simple hardware to ensure that it won't catch your baby's hair or clothing.
Safety
The crib of a baby will be their home away from home for a very long duration, so it's crucial to ensure it's secure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific guidelines for cribs, including solid wood construction and strong mattress supports. A majority of cribs are also certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to provide additional safety measures.
Choose a crib made of solid wood instead of particleboard. Also, select a crib that is sturdily built and doesn't have rough edges or areas that could hurt your baby. Verify that the hardware is securely attached and will not come loose due to humidity or frequent use.
Many cribs offer multiple mattress support levels, so you can adjust them as your baby grows. The lowest setting is the best for babies, and you should keep it at this level until your child is able to lift themselves up, which is usually around the age of nine months. Some cribs are also equipped with a toddler bed conversion kit that allows you to transform the crib to a toddler bed once your child is ready to move out of your room.
Find cribs that do not have cutouts or decorative features. They can be a choking hazard for your baby. Likewise, avoid decorative objects like mobiles in the crib, as they could also be a danger for young babies.
cot beds allow you to monitor your baby from any place within the room. This is particularly useful for those recovering from c-sections and other hospital-based births. The Sweet2Sleep crib from Graco is a well-liked option. It features a 360-degree swivel, which one parent discovered "was the ideal solution to reach into and comfort the child without having to get up from their bed," especially helpful during recovery after a c section. The crib features a lowering side wall for maximum accessibility and comfort. It's also small enough to be moved from room to room easily with the help of lockable casters.
Style
The crib is the most important piece of furniture in the nursery of your baby. The crib will take up most of the space in your nursery, therefore it must be stylish and match the style of the nursery.
Many cribs have a minimalistic, modern design that can be used with any style. Some cribs have flat panels or slat arrangements at the ends. Some have finials, or drop sides that give them more of an old-fashioned look. Whatever you decide on, ensure that 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 that can be a solid board or a grid of wood slats, or even a spring wire grid. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter since it offers more stability and is a better structure to support your baby's body weight.
It must also have a smooth, non-toxic finish and be easy to clean. Be careful not to place anything in the crib your baby might grab and pull, such as blankets, toys or pillows. If you're planning to decorate your crib, keep in mind that infants are very affectionate and may grab or bite ornaments. This could cause them be injured, or even to fall off.
Some parents opt to use a bassinet baby until they are ready to move into a crib. Based on how active your baby is, a bassinet may only last up to six months or more. If this is the case look into this crib which is a combination of all the benefits of a bassinet and a full-size crib. This model has the ability to swivel side-to-side that makes it simple to move from and into the crib. It also has a patented reflux incline that helps with colic.
This eco-friendly crib has received over 2500 rave reviews from real moms, and a top rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon. The crib is constructed of sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a drab nursery into a magazine-worthy space. It has four levels of adjustable height for the mattress and a feature that can come in handy as your baby grows.
Convenience
Cribs are an essential baby product that helps promote safe sleep by reducing the chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), entrapment and suffocation. Cribs are required to meet safety standards. However you can pick cribs with a variety of features that fit your style and budget.
Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which has slats that are thin and nicely rounded and clean lines that match any style. It's also quite compact, so it fits through the majority of doors without disassembly and can be moved easily from room to room. It only has two mattress height options, which makes it a good option for infants. However other models offer three or four different settings.
If you prefer a more traditional look then the Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib features frames that resemble sleighs and are built with a solid build. It's certified by GreenGuard, so you know it is in compliance with environmental standards. Additionally, its numerous finishes allow you to match it to any style. It is also one of the most expensive options, but it can last for many children. It is able to be transformed into a toddler bed, and later an adult daybed.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another option. It comes with a unique design, perfect for modern nurseries and comes with several features, including one of the smallest levels of the mattress for sitting. This could make it easier for smaller parents to reach their child, but it's also higher than the other cribs reviewed and can be a problem for shorter adults worried about their baby falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a classic option, and it's certified by the GreenGuard. It can be turned into a toddler bed and then into a daybed with the purchase of separate conversion components, so it's an investment that will benefit your family for many years to come. It's not as fancy as the Sloane or the Evolur however it does have a nice traditional look and comes in a few different color options to fit any nursery.
Budget
Even if you intend to share a bed with your child or you want to use the crib your parents rescued for you from their basement, a high-quality, safe crib is an investment piece. Modern safety standards allow you to find sturdy cribs with excellent design. The best cribs for babies are easy to set up and feature a style that is not easily obsolete by the latest fashion trends.
Considering a crib is the most important purchase you'll 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 priced reasonably and provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for your child to sleep in.
When looking for a crib, make sure whether it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and is in compliance with all safety standards applicable to it. Avoid buying second-hand cribs since they may have worn or broken hardware which could pose a threat to your baby's safety. If you choose to buy an older crib, make sure you have it thoroughly inspected by a qualified professional before using it.
Aside from the critical safety features, a quality crib should be stable, sturdy and easy to assemble. Thistel advises you to read the instructions thoroughly and ensure that all the components are included. If you run into any problems, don't improvise--it's best to call the manufacturer to request replacement screws or bolts instead.
Cradlewise is a great option for new parents looking for a stylish crib that can evolve with their child. It comes in a very heavy box, with simple instructions and a sturdy structure. It comes with an Greenguard GOLD-certified natural CoconutCoir Mattress (VOC and PU foam is not included).
The Babyletto Hudson is the perfect crib for small spaces. Its small footprint and minimalist design makes it easy to fit. It's made from eco-friendly, sustainable New Zealand pine wood and is available in a variety of modern colors that instantly transform boring nursery spaces into magazines-worthy spaces. Plus, it has four adjustable height settings for the mattress to protect your back and stop your baby from climbing out before they're ready.