How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs
The crib is an crucial piece for the nursery of your baby. However, picking a suitable crib can be overwhelming especially when you consider the many various styles and security concerns.
Look for cribs that meet the highest safety standards and has no chewable or dangling parts. We also recommend a crib with a wide choice of mattress heights and a modern design that matches your style.
Safety
When assembling and positioning your baby's crib, make sure to follow safe sleep guidelines set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is essential to not place any items in the crib of your child that could potentially cause harm or injury including blankets, pillows, sheepskins, stuffed toys and bumper pads (see our complete guide to safe sleep for more details). Also, your baby should not sleep with any teddy bears dolls or stuffed animals bigger than 15 inches. They could easily fall into or get stuck between your baby and the crib bars, or be swallowed by the mattress.
The best infant cribs cribs for babies are made of safe materials that are free from VOCs and other harmful chemicals. They also meet strict federal laws, local and state requirements for structural safety. They're also tested by third parties to ensure quality and safety. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certs!) And they are designed to be sustainable and flexible, allowing them to adapt to your child's needs.
It's crucial to choose a crib that meets current safety standards, whether you're purchasing a brand-new or used crib. Used cribs can lose structural integrity over time due to humidity, age and heavy use. This can pose serious risks to your baby.
The slats of your crib should be spaced no more than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent babies from getting trapped between them, and the hardware on the crib must be secured. Check the slats and mattress support rims and hardware for any loose or damaged components.
It's also recommended to avoid using cribs that were used by children or pets, since their safety may be compromised. Don't buy or accept a crib with drop-side rails. This feature was banned in 2012 by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect the public.
Style
While all cribs must comply with strict safety standards, there are numerous design variations. Some are simply aesthetic, such as whether the slats are of the same length or placed closer apart 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 be avoided and others, like adjustable mattress height and wheels/casters highly sought-after by many parents.
A crib is not meant to be used as a place for toys or clothes. It's intended to be a place for babies to sleep. You can also include a crib on your registry to seek help from family and friends when you need one.
Cribs come in many different styles, but we prefer ones that blend fashion and functionality. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalist crib that looks great. It's also GREENGUARD Gold certified, which we believe is essential for any baby product that is non-toxic, and it can convert into a toddler bed as well as a daybed (toddler conversion kit sold separately).
Other cribs beds are more traditional, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4 in 1. It's a stately choice that can be incorporated into large nursery spaces, however it occupies more space than smaller minimalist options and has exposed hardware that some find distracting. It has only three mattress levels, which is half the number of competitors. It's also not as sturdy as our other choices.
The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a modern design. Its concealed hardware and all-round mesh increase airflow and make it easier to see baby, which Dr. Casares says is an important feature for many new parents. It can be raised higher to alleviate colic and reflux. This is suitable for babies aged 6 months and the birth. It's also GREENGUARD certified gold and comes with a complimentary matching mattress. It's worth noting, however it's more expensive than our other top choices and requires a separate toddler Cot Bed conversion kit.
Adjustable Mattress Height
When your baby is sleeping in their crib, it is important that the mattress is at the right level. This will ensure that your child isn't able to climb out which could be hazardous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher will also protect your child from overheating or suffocation.
A good crib should come with adjustable rails or slats which allow you to raise or lower it as your child grows. The majority of cribs come with a conversion kit, so you can turn the crib into the toddler bed or daybed when your child is no longer using it. In the end, it's best to choose a crib that has been tested and certified by a third party organisation to ensure safety. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification, which means it has been tested to make sure there are minimal chemical or other finishes in the crib where your baby sleeps.
The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib one of the top-rated cribs available and it's easy to put together and has a simple layout that doesn't contain any complicated pieces or parts. The sides of the crib are smaller than those of other cribs. However, one parent test subject said that their child was sleeping well and the crib was still in good shape when she gave it to a friend for her second child.
Stokke Sleepi Crib is another fantastic option. It features an oval shape which gives it a contemporary look. It's a bit more expensive than the majority of cribs, but it's durable and comes with a number of features to make up for the price. For instance, it can be transformed into a bassinet, or toddler bed and comes with wheels that make it easy to move from room to room. It has a canopy which can be used to create an environment more akin to a womb your baby. It adds a fashionable accent to any nursery.
The crib doesn't come with mattress. You'll have to buy one separately. It's a safe and comfortable crib that can expand with your child from a newborn to a toddler.
There are no dangling or chewable ingredients.
The safest cribs have no chewable or hanging components. Babies love to grasp things, and if a piece of furniture is hanging over or above their crib it could tug off the rails or become a strangulation hazard. If parents decorate their crib with toys or other decorative items, they must make sure the items are securely secured cots and tots aren't within reach of Baby.
We also consider how it is easy to build our top cribs for infants. The ideal crib will be easy enough to make it yourself and doesn't require specialized tools or a long time to assemble. Most parents report that it takes less than an hour to put together a modern crib, and the directions are generally simple to follow.
A crib is a major purchase for most new parents, and it's crucial to find one that will last for years to come. For long-lasting use, choose a convertible crib that can start at the beginning of your child's life until an adult bed and then a full-size bed.
Our favorite 4-in-1 convertible crib is the Ikea Nestig Cloud Crib, that can be used to replace a bassinet for those early months, and then be converted to a toddler bed, daybed, and a full-size bed. It's made for long-term use and is available in a variety of colors which makes it easy to match with your nursery's theme.
Stork Craft Equinox is another great option. This gorgeous, minimalist-style crib is low-profile to ensure that petite parents can reach their child and comfort them. It also has a great reputation for quality and is available in white, cherry and espresso colors as well as natural pine colors.
This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental safety, and it's made from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of harmful substances such as lead and phthalates (BPA). 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 choice for those who want an inexpensive, high-quality crib that will last.