Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look gorgeous in a Scandi nursery. It is also very flexible, as it has three different mattress support heights. Additionally, it can be converted into the bed of a toddler.
Bassinets are a better choice if you have a small house. Cribs can take up more space. Many parents prefer a crib due to of safety concerns.
Safety
Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial for your baby's health and wellbeing. You must ensure that the crib meets the current safety standards, and is free of hazards that could cause harm during sleep. It should be sturdy and well-constructed, without loose parts that could get caught on clothing or create dangers of choking. It is also essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding assembly and use, and to regularly check the crib for signs of wear or damage.
The first thing to look at is the space between the slats. It shouldn't be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to prevent your baby from being able to get their head or legs trapped between them. You should be capable of seeing and reaching your child in the crib. If you cannot reach your baby, the slats must be wider and not so close together.
Another aspect of the crib that you should be aware of is the mattress support system. It must be adjustable to various heights so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will decrease the chance of your child getting out of the crib, which is a common event as they begin to crawl.
A fitted sheet that is secure enough to fit over the bed and a sturdy and stable construction are additional safety features you should be looking for. You should also select a crib that has fixed sides rather than one with drop sides, which could be hazardous for your baby. You should also be in the same room with your baby until they are old enough to sleep alone.
Not least, ensure that the crib is removed from windows and radiators, and that any hanging objects such as curtains or blind cords are out of reach. Also, you should remove any items that might pose the risk of choking, such as pillows or blankets. You should also be wary of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, as they may not have met current safety standards or have been recalled due to other reasons.
Design
It is important to keep in mind that cribs may appear similar, but must adhere to strict safety standards. This is why the majority cribs we examined have a similar design to ensure consistency in terms of structural integrity. For instance, the majority of cribs have circular bars that do not have any gaps or rough areas that could trap or snag a baby. We also examined each crib and evaluated it based on its user-friendliness and assembly. We suggest selecting a crib with fewer parts to avoid confusion.
One of our favorites is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which has an elegant, modern design and comes in several color options, including some two-toned. It also comes with an all-purpose mattress fitting and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another alternative. The crib is sleek, modern and minimal in appearance. It's perfect for modern nurseries. The crib is available in a variety of finishes and comes with four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it from birth to toddler. We tested the crib and found it to be very sturdy and stable, without creaking or flexing when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
Convertible cribs are a great option if you are planning to have more children. These options can be transformed into a bed for toddlers and then into a larger mattress, offering the best value for price. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is an example of a convertible crib that earned excellent marks from our parents who tested it. The side rail that can be removed was highly praised by parents for making feeding their children at night more secure and easy. They also noted that the crib was spacious enough space for their baby to sleep comfortably while mom and dad were asleep.
The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is an excellent choice if you like traditional design. It is less expensive than the Stork Craft and features a classic design that is suitable for any nursery. It has three different mattress heights, but it could be a bit small for some toddlers and small parents.
Mattress
A crib mattress that can be cleaned will come in handy for newborns. Diaper leaks, baby spit up and other accidents can make mattresses damp and filthy, leading to mildew and other bacteria that can affect infants. Find a mattress cover that can be wiped down with a cloth or cleaned with mild cleaner. Also, choose a waterproof mattress cover to prevent fluids from leaking into the mattress and causing health issues.
Choose a mattress that has been that is rated for up to 10 years so that it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the mattresses featured in this review are reversible and have infant and toddler sides, which will let you use them from the time of birth until your child is old enough to be a full-size bed.
A firm crib mattress is ideal for infants, because it provides the greatest support for their developing spines. A firm sleeping surface will also lower the risk of SIDS. This is due to the fact that an extremely soft mattress increases the chance that a baby's head will sink into it.
Examine the label of the mattress to make sure it is in compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for waterproofing, flammability lead, as well as other chemicals that could pose a hazard to babies. You can also find certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which prove that the mattress has been tested for volatile organic compounds that may affect infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
The weight of the crib mattress is another thing to consider. Sheet changes at night require that you move and lift the mattress. If you struggle lifting heavy objects or don't want handle a heavy product you should consider a lighter crib mattress. For example the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds, while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 pounds, making it the largest in this review. It is also constructed of foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it more comfortable to move around in comparison to a heavier traditional coil bed.
Assembly
A crib that's easy to put together is ideal for parents who are new. You should choose a crib with firmly-secured hardware and with no sharp edges or rough patches that could rub the skin of your baby. Also, stay clear of cribs that have drop-sides or cutouts for headboards and footboards as they aren't in line with current safety standards.
If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you'll require an additional kit to convert it into a toddler bed. These kits are offered separately by a majority of manufacturers. These kits are usually affordable and can assist your child to make the transition to a larger bed more smoothly.
Convertible cribs can be a great investment for families who have multiple children. They are designed to last and typically can be converted into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size bed.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib is a solid-wood crib that's GREENGUARD Certified Gold and has four mattress heights. It's a classic design and is available in white or slate grey to fit with almost any nursery decor. The crib is simple to move around and features locking wheels. It fits most twin mattresses. The crib took our test subjects just 23 minutes to put together.
Another crib that has been rated highly is the Sprout Crib is made with an environmentally-friendly harvest of Baltic birch, and it meets all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a stylish, minimalist design that won't clash with any bedroom decor. The Sprout crib is among the tiniest cribs we tried, weighing just 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a convenient bag for Cot Sale travel.
A runner-up in our testing the Oeuf Modern Crib is built using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has won numerous awards from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium profile and can be transformed from an infant crib into a toddler bed, with or without rail. It's easy to assemble tots and cots has a lot of aesthetic appeal, but the thin finish is prone to scratches during normal use.