Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed is an elegant crib that will look stunning in a Scandi-design nursery. It's also very adaptable because it comes with three different mattress support heights. Additionally, it can be converted into the bed of a toddler.
Cribs take up a lot of space, so bassinets could be a better choice if your house is small. Many parents choose a crib because of security concerns.
Safety
Choosing the best crib newborn is essential to your baby's health and wellbeing. You should ensure that it is in compliance with current safety standards and is free of dangers that could cause harm to your baby during their sleep. It should be well-constructed and strong, with no loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or pose the risk of choking. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's directions for assembly and use and regularly inspect the crib for signs of wear or damage.
The first thing to look at is the space between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to prevent your baby's head or limbs from getting trapped in between them. You should also be able easily reach and see your baby's crib. If you can't, the slats are too close to each other and should be wider.
Another aspect of the crib to be considered is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable to different levels so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will lower the chance that your child will climb out of the crib when they begin to crawl.
A fitted sheet that is able to fit the bed securely and a solid and stable structure are additional safety features you should be looking for. It is also recommended cribs to choose a crib that has fixed sides, rather than ones with drop sides, which can be dangerous for your baby. It is also advisable to sleep in the same room with your baby for the first six months or so, and then move them into their own bedroom when they are old enough to be supervised while sleeping alone.
Not least, make sure the crib is kept away from windows and radiators, and that dangling items like curtains or blind cords are not in reach. You should also remove objects that could pose danger to your child's health like blankets or pillows. Be cautious when buying second-hand cribs, as they may not meet current safety standards, or have been recalls.
Design
It is important to remember that cribs may appear the same but must still meet the strict safety standards. This is why the majority cribs we examined have a similar layout to ensure consistency in terms of structural quality. Most cribs have circular bars without gaps or rough surfaces that could entangle a baby or pinch them. We also examined each crib and evaluated it for its ease of use and assembly. More parts can mean more confusion, so we suggest choosing one that has clear instructions that are easy to follow to avoid frustration.
The Evolur Sprout crib is one of our top picks. It is stylish contemporary design and is available in a range of colors, including two-toned. Additionally, it features an all-inclusive mattress fit and is Greenguard Gold certified to have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can release off-gasses into the nursery.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another alternative. The crib is sleek and modern, with minimal features that make it perfect for modern nursery. The crib is available in a variety of colors and four different mattress sizes so that your baby can use it as a toddler or newborn. We tested the crib and found it to be extremely solid and stable, without flexing or creaking when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
Convertible cribs are a fantastic option if you plan to have more children. Many of these options convert into a toddler bed and then a full-size bed, providing a long-lasting product for your money. Our test parents have given the Sweet2Sleep Crib high marks as an example of convertible beds. The side rails that slide down were highly praised by parents for making feeding their children at night safer and easier. They also said that the crib had enough space for their baby to be comfortable while mom and dad lay down.
The Carter's Colby 4-in-1 by DaVinci is an excellent choice if you like a more traditional style. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft, and it is a classic design that will fit in with the majority of nursery decors. It comes with three mattress heights, but it could be a bit small for some toddlers and petite parents.
Mattress
A crib mattress that is washable can be useful for infants. Diaper leaks, baby spit up and other accidents can make mattresses damp and dirty which can lead to mildew and bacterial infections that could be harmful to infants. Find a mattress cover that can be cleaned with cloths or cleaned with mild cleaner. You should also pick a mattress cover with a waterproof material to help prevent fluids from seeping into the mattress and causing health issues.
Look for a mattress rated for up to 10 years, so it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the products in this review are reversible with toddler and infant sides which allows you to use them right from birth until your child is old enough to be a full-size bed.
A mattress that is firm is best cot bed for infants, because it will provide the greatest support for their growing spines. A super-firm sleep surface also helps to reduce the risk of SIDS which is more likely to happen when an infant's head sinks into a soft mattress.
If you are in search of a mattress that is firm for your crib be sure to check the label to make sure it is in compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for flammability, waterproofing lead, as well as other chemicals that might pose danger to infants. There are also certifications like Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which prove that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that can cause harm to infants' nervous and respiratory systems.
Another factor to consider is the weight of the mattress. The regular changes to sheets at night require that you move and lift the mattress. If you struggle lifting heavy objects or don't want to handle a heavy product, consider choosing a lighter crib mattress. For instance, the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 lbs, making it one of the heaviest in this review. It is also made of foam, not woven-core inners, which makes it more maneuverable compared with a heavier traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
A crib that's simple to assemble is great for parents who are new. Choose a crib with hardware that's firmly secured with no sharp edges or rough spots that could irritate your Baby Cot Bed's skin. Avoid cribs that have drop-sides and headboard/footboard cuts -- these items aren't in compliance with the safety standards of today.
When you're searching for a crib, bear in mind that you'll probably require a separate toddler bed conversion kit (if you opt for a convertible crib). Most manufacturers offer these kits on their own. These kits are typically cheap and can aid your child in making the transition to a larger bed more smoothly.
Convertible cribs are an excellent investment for families who have multiple children. They are designed to last and typically can be converted into an infant bed, daybed or a full-size bed.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib a solid-wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold certified and has four mattress heights. It is available in slate grey or white to match any nursery decor. The crib is easy to move around and comes with locking wheels. It fits most twin beds. The crib took our testers only 23 minutes to assemble.
The Sprout Crib, another top-rated crib is made from sustainably harvested Baltic birch. It is in compliance with all U.S. safety standards, as well as those of Canada, Australia and Europe. It also has a sleek, minimalist design that won't clash with any bedroom decor. The Sprout crib is among the tiniest cribs we tested, weighing only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a convenient bag for travel.
A runner-up in our testing, the Oeuf Modern Crib is built using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from different parenting publications like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height profile and can be converted from an infant crib into a toddler bed with rail, or to a daybed with no rail. It is simple to put together and has a lot of aesthetic appeal. However the surface can be scratched in normal use.