The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
Your little one will spend most of her time in the crib So it's a good option to buy one that is elegant and secure. Look for cribs that meet modern safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Avoid cribs that have slats too close together, or drop-side cribs. They pose dangerous for strangulation to babies. Look for cribs with simple hardware, so that it won't catch your baby's hair or clothing.
Safety
A baby's crib will be their home away from home for a very long duration, so it's crucial that it be secure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has specific standards to be adhered to when manufacturing a crib, including strong mattress supports and sturdy wood. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has also certified many cribs for additional safety measures.
Choose a crib constructed of solid wood rather than particle board. Pick a crib that's solid and doesn't have rough edges that could irritate your child. Make sure that the hardware is firmly secured and won't come loose due to humidity or frequent use.
There are many cribs that have multiple mattress support heights and can be adjusted as your baby grows. The lowest level is ideal for infants and you should leave it at this height until your child can begin to stand up, which is usually around nine months. Some cribs come with an infant bed conversion kit that lets you transform the crib into a toddler bed when your child is ready to leave your room.
Look for cribs without cutouts or decorative features. These can pose the risk of choking your baby. Likewise, avoid decorative objects such as mobiles in the crib since they can also be a danger for infants.
Swivel cribs allow you monitor your baby from anywhere in the room. This is particularly beneficial for those recovering after c-sections and other hospital-based births. The Sweet2Sleep crib from Graco is a popular option. It has an swivel 360 degrees, which one parent tester found "was the perfect way to reach out and comfort a child without getting up from the bed," especially helpful during recovering from a c-section. The crib features a lowering side wall for maximum accessibility and intimacy. The locking casters allow you to easily move from one room to another.
Style
The crib is likely to be the most prominent piece of furniture in the nursery of your baby. The crib will occupy the majority of the space in your nursery, so it needs to be stylish and in line with the overall design.
Many cribs feature a minimalistic, modern design that can be used with any style. Some cribs have flat panels or designs of slats at the ends. Some have finials, or drop sides which give them a more a traditional look. Whatever you decide on, ensure that it meets the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics or Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Most cribs have a wooden or metal slat frame for mattresses that could 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 as it offers more stability and is a stronger structure to support your baby's weight.
It must have a non-toxic, smooth surface that is easy to clean. Avoid placing anything in the crib that your baby can grab and pull. This includes toys, blankets or pillows. If you want to decorate your crib, keep in mind that babies can be extremely clingy and may bite or pull on ornaments. This could cause injury or remove them.
Some parents opt to use a bassinet for their baby until their child is ready for the crib. Based on the level of activity your baby has and how active they are, a bassinet can last up to six months or more. If this is the case for you, consider this crib that 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 for reflux that is trademarked for colic.
Another stylish option is this eco-friendly crib that has received over 2000 rave reviews from actual moms and a premium 4.8-star rating on Amazon. The crib is made from sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a drab nursery into a magazine-worthy one. It comes with four mattress heights, which will be useful as your child grows.
Convenience
A crib is an essential baby product that helps promote secure sleep by reducing the danger of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), entrapment and suffocation. Cribs have to meet safety standards. However cribs are available with a variety of features that fit your preferences and budget.
If cots to tots looking for a crib that fits with contemporary nursery styles, try the Ikea Gulliver, which has sleek, well-rounded lines and slats that can be incorporated into any decor. It's also compact, which means it can fit through the majority of doors without requiring disassembly. It can also be moved easily from room to room. It only has two mattress height options, which makes it a good choice for infants. However other models offer three or four different settings.
The Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib is a fantastic choice for those who prefer a more traditional design. It is built with solid frame and an sleigh-like design. It is GREENGUARD-certified, so you can be certain that it meets environmental standards. The numerous finishes allow you to match the crib with any decor. It's also one of the more expensive options we've looked at in our review however it's durable enough to last through multiple children and can eventually be converted into a toddler bed and then it can be used as a daybed.
Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1, which has an original design that's perfect for modern nurseries and has a lot of features, including one of the lowest sitting mattress heights. This can make it easier for smaller parents to reach their child but it's also taller than other cribs in the review and can be a problem for those who are shorter and worried about their baby falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden is a more traditional option. It's also GREENGUARD certified. It can be converted into a toddler bed and then into a daybed with the purchase of separate conversion pieces and is an investment that will last your family for many years to come. It's not as stylish as the Sloane or the Evolur, but it has an appealing traditional design and comes in several different color options to fit any nursery.
Budget
A high-quality crib is a good investment whether you intend to sleep with a partner or use the crib your parents have in their basement. Modern safety standards make it possible to find durable cribs with an attractive design. The best cribs for babies are easy to assemble and have a design that is not easily obsolete by the most recent fashion trends.
You may feel pressured to purchase the "perfect" crib, considering that it is the biggest purchase you'll ever make for your child. There are many cribs with high quality that are affordable and provide a safe and secure environment for your baby to sleep in.
When you are looking for a crib, check that it is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and is in compliance with all applicable safety standards. It's also important to avoid purchasing secondhand cribs, since they could have missing or worn-out hardware which could pose a safety danger to your child. If you choose to buy an old crib, ensure that you make sure it is thoroughly inspected by a trained professional prior to using it.
A good crib should have all the necessary safety features and be simple to put together. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and make sure all parts are included and fitted correctly According to Thistel. If you encounter any issues, don't attempt to come up with a solution. Contact the manufacturer for replacement bolts or screws instead.
For parents who are new and looking for a chic and affordable crib that will grow with their baby, the Cradlewise fits the bill. It arrives in one extremely heavy box (enough to warrant calling your friends for help), and has easy-to-follow instructions and a sturdy construction. It comes with a natural CoconutCoir mattress (VOC and PU foam-free) suitable for infants and toddlers and is Greenguard GOLD certified.
If you're trying to squeeze an infant's crib into a tiny space the Babyletto Hudson can help thanks to its small footprint and sleek, minimalist style. It is made from eco-friendly, sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and is available in a variety of contemporary colors that instantly transform a boring nursery into an appealing space for magazines. It also has four adjustable mattress heights to save your back and stop your child from stepping out before they're ready.