The 10 Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

A crib is one of the most essential items for your baby's nursery. It can be difficult to choose the best crib, given so many designs and safety concerns.

Search for a crib with the highest safety standards, and no chewable or dangling components. We recommend a crib that has a broad selection of mattress heights and a modern design that matches your style.

Safety

When assembling and arranging your baby's crib, be sure you follow the safe sleep guidelines set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Avoid placing any objects that could cause injury or harm in the nursery of your baby. This includes blankets, pillows, and sheepskins. Also avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys and blankets. Your baby should not sleep with any teddy bears dolls or stuffed animals bigger than 15 inches. These items can easily get caught between the crib bars or be stuck within them. They may also get taken in by the mattress.

The best crib newborn cribs for babies are made from safe materials that are free of VOCs and other harmful chemicals. They also adhere to strict federal laws, state and local requirements for structural safety. Additionally, they're third-party tested for safety and quality (think GREENGAURD gold or ASTM, JMPA, or CPSIA certificates!). They're designed to be sustainable and flexible, allowing them to grow with your child.

Whether you're buying new or used, it's important to choose a crib that is in line with today's strict safety standards. Secondhand cribs could lose structural integrity over time due to the effects of humidity, age and frequent use. This could create serious risks for your baby.

The slats on your crib should not be longer than 2-3/8 inch (6 centimeters) and the hardware must be secured. It's an excellent idea to examine the mattress support rims and slats for any broken or loose components.

It's best to avoid cribs that were used by pets or children in the past, since their safety could have been compromised. Don't buy or purchase a secondhand crib that has an incline side rail, which was deemed unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 for reasons of safety.

Style

There are a variety of design differences between cribs, despite the fact that they all have to meet safety standards. Some of the differences are cosmetic, like whether the slats are all the same length, or are spaced closer than others, and some can impact the ease to clean and use the crib. Some features like finials and drop sides are not safe and should not be used. Other features, like adjustable mattress height and wheels, are desirable by many parents.

One important thing to remember is that a crib is meant exclusively for sleeping infants and is not an area to store toys or clothing. You can also put the crib on your registry to get help from family and friends in the event that you require one.

Cribs come in all sizes and shapes However, the ones we love best have a mix of style and functionality. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalistic crib that looks great. It is also GREENGUARD gold certified, which we think is essential for any product that is free of toxics. It can be turned into a toddler and daybed by converting it with a separate kit.

Other cribs have a more traditional look like the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a grand crib that is a good fit for large nurseries, but it occupies more space than smaller and minimalist models, and also has exposed hardware that some might find distracting. Moreover, it only has three levels of mattress height, which is less than half of the competition and isn't as sturdy as some of our other picks.

The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern aesthetic. The Babyletto Hudson's mesh all-around and hidden hardware enhance airflow and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that new parents appreciate. It can be raised to ease colic and reflux. This makes it suitable for babies aged 6 months and the birth. It's also GREENGUARD GOLD certified and includes an extra mattress that can be used as a substitute. It's important to remember that this bed is more expensive than other top choices and requires a separate conversion kit for toddler beds.

Adjustable Mattress Height

If your baby is sleeping in their crib, it's vital that the mattress is at the correct level. This will prevent your child from escaping the crib, which can be fatal or dangerous. A higher mattress can also safeguard your child from overheating or suffocation.

A good crib should come with adjustable rails or slats that allow you to raise the mattress or lower it as your baby grows. A conversion kit comes with most good cribs to allow you to convert it into a toddler bed or daybed when your child is no longer in the crib. Finally, it's best cot beds to choose a crib that has been tested and inspected by a third-party organization to ensure safety. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification that means it has been tested to ensure there are no harmful chemicals or finishes in your baby's sleep space.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib has an easy design and has no complicated parts. It is among the most highly-rated cribs. The sides of the crib are shorter than those of other cribs. However, one parent test subject said that their child was sleeping well and the crib was in good condition when she gave it to a relative for her second baby.

Stokke Sleepi Crib is another great option. It features an oval shape, which creates a modern appearance. It's a bit more costly than most cribs, but it's durable and comes with numerous features to make up for the cost. It can, for instance, be transformed into a bassinet, or toddler bed and has wheels so it's easy to move from room to room. It has a canopy which can be used to create an atmosphere more like a womb for your baby. This adds a stylish design to any nursery.

This crib is not equipped with a mattress. You'll need to purchase a mattress separately. It's a safe and comfortable crib that can expand with your child as they grow from infant to toddler.

No Chewable or Dangling Parts

The safest cribs do not have chewable or dangling parts. If something is hanging over or below the crib, it could cause the rails to pull or cause strangulation. Babies are extremely grabbing. If a parent decorates their crib with toys or other objects, they should ensure that the items are secured tightly and aren't in the reach of Baby.

We also examine how easy it is to build our top infant cribs. Ideally, the crib should be easy enough to build it yourself, and doesn't require any special tools or long assembly time. The majority of parents say that the assembly of a modern crib takes less than a half hour, and the included instructions are generally clear and easy to follow.

A crib will be a major purchase for most new parents, and it is essential to choose one that will last for a long time to come. To ensure longevity, you should choose a convertible crib that can work from infancy until a toddler bed and finally an adult-sized bed.

The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top choice for convertible cribs that can be used as a bassinet in the early months and then transformed into a toddler cheap cot bed, a daybed, or a full-size bed. It's designed for the long haul and comes in a range of colors which makes it easy to match your nursery design theme.

Stork Craft Equinox is another excellent option. This gorgeous, minimal-style crib is low-profile which makes it easier for parents with small hands to touch their child and comfort them. It also has a great reputation for quality and is available in cherry, white and espresso colors as well as natural pine colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means it is made of sustainable New Zealand pine and is free of toxins like lead and phthalates. It also surpasses standards set by the government like ASTM, CPSC and JPMA. The only thing that is missing is a toddler rail which you can purchase separately. This is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable, high-quality, and low-cost crib that will last for a long time.