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. But picking out a good crib can be a daunting task especially when you consider the many various styles and safety concerns.

Choose cribs that meet the highest safety standards and includes no dangling or chewable components. We also recommend a crib with a broad selection of mattress heights and a sleek design that matches your style.

Safety

Follow the safe sleep guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when assembling and positioning your child's crib. It is crucial to avoid putting any items in your baby's crib that could potentially cause harm or injury including blankets, pillows and sheepskins, toys for stuffed animals and bumper pads (see our complete guide to safe sleeping for more details). Teddy bears, dolls and other stuffed animals that are larger than 15 inches should not be allowed to be placed in the crib of your baby. They could get caught between the crib bars or become stuck in them. They could also be taken in by the mattress.

The best infant cribs are made from safe materials that are free from VOCs and other toxic chemicals. They also comply with strict federal laws, state and local requirements for structural safety. They're also tested by third parties to ensure quality and safety. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certifications!) They're also designed to be durable and convertible, meaning they'll grow with your child.

No matter if you're buying new or used, it's crucial to choose cribs that meet the current stringent safety standards. Secondhand cribs can lose their structural integrity due to age, humidity and prolonged use, which can pose serious dangers to your baby.

The crib's slats should be no more than 3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent children from being wedged between them and the hardware on the crib must be secured. Examine the slats, mattress support rims, and hardware for any broken or loose components.

It's also wise to avoid using cribs that were used by children or pets, as their safety may have been compromised. Do not purchase or purchase cribs with a drop-side rail. This feature was removed in 2012 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for safety reasons.

Style

While all cribs have to comply with strict safety standards, you'll find a lot of design differences. Some are simply aesthetic, such as whether the slats are all identical in length or are spaced closer together or not, while others have an impact on the ease of the crib to operate and maintain. Certain features such as drop sides and finials aren't safe and should not be used. Other features, like adjustable mattress height and wheels, are desirable by many parents.

A crib isn't intended to be used as a place for toys or clothes. It's designed to be a place where babies can sleep. It's also an excellent idea to include a crib on your registry to ensure that family and friends can lend a hand to help you purchase one when the time comes.

Cribs come in all shapes and sizes, but the ones we love best have a mix of style and functionality. For instance the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1 is minimal and looks sharp. It is also GREENGUARD gold certified, which we think is essential for any product that is non-toxic. It can be transformed into a toddler and daybed by converting it with a separate kit.

Other cribs have an older-style look like the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a classy crib that is a good fit for big nursery spaces, but it occupies more floor space than the smaller and minimalist models, and also has exposed hardware that some might find distracting. Furthermore, it only has three mattress height levels which is less than half of the competition and it's not as sturdy as our other choices.

The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a modern design. The Babyletto Hudson's all-round mesh and hidden hardware help cots to tots improve airflow, and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that many new parents will appreciate. It can also be raised to a higher position to help reduce colic and reflux and colic, making it suitable for babies aged from birth to 6 months. It's GREENGUARD GOLD certified and comes with an extra mattress that can be used as a substitute. It's important to know that this bed is more expensive than the other top choices and requires an additional conversion kit to accommodate toddler beds.

Adjustable Mattress Height

If your baby sleeps in their crib, it's vital that the mattress is the correct height. This ensures that your child can't climb out and fall, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher can protect your cheap baby cots for sale from heat exhaustion or suffocation.

A good crib should come with adjustable rails or slats that permit you to raise or lower it as your baby grows. Most good cribs will also include a conversion kit that allows you can convert the crib into a toddler bed or daybed after your baby outgrows it. It's an excellent idea for you to choose a crib that has been certified and tested by a third-party institution. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification which means that it has been tested to ensure that there aren't any chemicals or finishes present in the baby's sleeping space.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is one of the best-rated cribs available and it's easy to assemble and has a simple design that doesn't have any confusing parts or pieces. The sides of the crib are smaller than other cribs, but one parent tester stated that her baby did well sleeping in it and remained in good shape when she passed it on to a friend following the birth of her second child.

Another option that is worth considering is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which is a unique oval-shaped design that gives it a contemporary style. It's a bit more costly than most cribs, but it's durable and comes with a number of features that make up the price. It can be easily converted into a bassinet or toddler bed, and it has wheels to make it simple to move around. It comes with a canopy that can be used to create a space more akin to a womb your baby. It adds a fashionable touch in any nursery.

The crib doesn't come with mattresses. You will need to buy one separately. It's a secure, comfortable crib that will expand with your child as they transition from infant to toddler.

No dangling or chewable parts

The safest cribs are those that are free of chewable or dangling components. Babies like to grab things, and if a piece of furniture is hanging over or above their crib, it could snag on the rails or become an entanglement hazard. If parents decorate their crib with toys or other decorative objects, they should ensure that they secure the items and aren't within reach of Baby.

In addition to the safety features of our best cot newborn infant cribs, we also take into consideration how easy it is to set up. Ideally, the crib should be easy enough to build it yourself and doesn't require special tools or a long time to assemble. The majority of parents say it takes less than an hour to put together the modern crib, and the instructions are generally simple to follow.

A crib will be an important purchase for many new parents, which is why it's important to find one that will last for many years to be. Pick a crib that can be converted from a crib into a toddler's bed, and later a full-size mattress.

The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top choice for convertible cribs that can be used as a bassinet during the beginning, and later converted into a toddler bed, a daybed, or a full-size bed. It's designed to last for a long time and comes in a variety of colors, making it easy to match with your nursery's theme.

Another great option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1 crib. This gorgeous, minimalist-style crib is low-profile so that parents with small feet can touch their child to calm them. It is renowned for its quality, and is available in cherry, white and espresso colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental safety. It's constructed from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of toxins like lead and phthalates (BPA). It also exceeds the government safety standards, including ASTM, CPSC, and JPMA. The only thing that is not included is the toddler rail. You can buy it separately. This is a good option for those who want an affordable cots, high-quality, and low-cost crib that will last.