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 good idea to choose one that's both stylish and safe. Look for cribs that meet 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, which could create strangulation risks for infants. Look for cribs with simple hardware, so that it doesn't snag your baby's hair or clothes.

Safety

The crib of a baby is their place of refuge for a long time, so it's important that it be secure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission cot sets specific requirements for cribs, such as durable wood and sturdy mattress supports. Many cribs are additionally certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to provide additional security measures.

Choose cribs constructed of solid wood instead of particle board. Select a crib that is sturdy and does not have rough edges that could pinch your child. Lastly, be sure to make sure that the hardware is securely secured and won't come loose as time passes due to the elements or prolonged use.

Many cribs have various mattress support levels and can be adjusted as your baby grows. The crib should be kept at the lowest point until your child is able to stand on their own and walk around, which is usually at around nine months. Some cribs also come with a toddler bed conversion kit that lets you convert the crib into a toddler bed when your child is old enough to move out of your room.

Some cribs have decorative features or cutouts which could cause choking danger for your child So, look for cribs that don't have these types of embellishments. Likewise, avoid decorative objects like mobiles in the crib, as they could also pose a risk to young babies.

Swivel cribs allow you to monitor your baby from any place within the room. This is particularly useful for those recovering from C-sections or other births that are hospital-based. The Sweet2Sleep crib from Graco is a favorite. It features 360-degree swivel that one parent test participant discovered "was the perfect solution to reach out and soothe your child without getting up from Mini Cot Bed," especially helpful during the recovery process following a c-section. This crib has a lower side wall to allow for maximum accessibility tots and cots closeness. The locking casters make it easy to move from one room to another.

Style

The crib is the most essential piece of furniture in your baby's nursery. It will occupy the most space on the floor, so it should also be designed in a way that is compatible with the aesthetic of your nursery.

Many cribs come with a modern, Cots 4 Tots minimalist design that can be incorporated with any design. Certain cribs have different slat layouts or flat panels at the ends. Some have finials, or drop sides that give them more of the traditional style. Whatever you decide on, ensure that it is in compliance with the safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics or Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Most cribs have an aluminum or wood-slat mattress support that can be a solid one-piece piece board, a wood-slat grid, or a spring-wire grid frame. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter because it is more stable and is a more sturdy structure to support your baby's weight.

It should also have a smooth, non-toxic finish and be easy to clean. Avoid placing anything in the crib that your baby could grab and pull. This includes blankets, toys and pillows. Decorate your crib with attention. Babies may be clingy and they may bite or pull at ornaments. This can hurt or remove them.

Some parents decide to use a bassinet their newborn until they are ready to move into cribs. Depending on how active your baby is the bassinet could last up to six months or more. This crib is a combination of both a bassinet as well as a bed that is full size. This crib has a side to side swivel, making it easy to move from and into the crib. It also comes with a patent-pending reflux incline that helps with colic.

Another option that is stylish is this eco-friendly crib which has received over 2,000 rave reviews from real moms as well as a top 4.8-star rating on Amazon. This crib is made of sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a boring nursery into an appealing space for magazines. It has four levels of adjustable height for the mattress which will come in handy as your baby grows.

Convenience

Cribs are an essential baby product that can help promote secure sleep by reducing the chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as entrapment and suffocation. Cribs must meet specific safety standards, but you can find cribs with a wide range of features to fit your preferences and budget.

Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which features thin, nicely-rounded slats and simple lines to fit in with any style. It's also compact enough to fit through most doors inside without disassembly and is easily moved from room to room. It only has two mattress height options, which makes it a good option for newborns. However other models come with three or four different settings.

If you like an older-fashioned look The Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib comes with a sleigh-style frame and sturdy build. It's GreenGuard certified which means it is in compliance with environmental standards, and its many colors allow you to blend it with any decor. It's also among the more expensive options in our review, but it will last through multiple children and be eventually converted into a toddler bed, and then a daybed.

Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1, with an original design that's perfect for contemporary nurseries and has a lot of features that include one of the tiniest the heights of a sitting mattress. This can help petite parents to reach their child, however, it's higher than the other cribs in the review which could be a challenge for shorter adults concerned about their child falling out of the crib.

The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a more traditional choice, and is certified by GreenGuard. It can be converted into a toddler bed, and it can be converted into a daybed by the purchase of separate conversion pieces, so it's an investment that will benefit your family cot for sale many years to come. It might not be as stylish as the Evolur or the Sloane however it is a classic design.

Budget

A crib of high-end quality is a great investment, whether you plan to cosleep or use the crib that your parents have in their basement. Fortunately, modern standards of safety make it simple to find durable cribs that are stylish too. The best newborn cribs are easy to put together and a design that won't quickly look old-fashioned or outdated by the current fashion trends.

Considering a crib is the most important purchase you make for your child. You may feel compelled to spend large sums of money to purchase the "perfect" one. But there are many affordable, high-quality cribs that will provide your baby with a bed a comfortable and safe.

When looking for a crib, ensure whether it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and meets all safety standards applicable to it. It is also essential to stay clear of buying second-hand cribs, since they could have missing or worn-out hardware which could pose a safety danger to your child. If you decide to purchase a secondhand crib, make sure it is thoroughly examined by an expert before using it.

Aside from the critical safety features, a quality crib should be sturdy, stable and simple to put together. Thistel recommends that you read the instructions thoroughly and make sure all components are included. If you encounter issues, don't attempt to improvise--it's best to call the manufacturer for replacement screws or bolts instead.

Cradlewise is a great option for parents who are looking for a chic crib that will grow with their child. It comes in a single extremely heavy box (enough to warrant calling your friends for assistance), and has easy-to-follow instructions and a solid build. It comes with a Greenguard GOLD-certified natural CoconutCoir Mattress (VOC and PU foam free).

The Babyletto Hudson is the perfect crib for a small space. Its small footprint and minimalist design make it easy to install. It's made of eco-friendly sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and is available in a variety contemporary colors that instantly transform a boring nursery into a magazine-worthy space. It also comes with four adjustable mattress settings to prevent your child from climbing on the bed before they are ready.