How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

The crib is an extremely essential piece of furniture for your baby's nursery. However, choosing a suitable crib can be a daunting task particularly with the number of various styles and safety concerns.

Find a crib that meets the most stringent safety standards and has no chewable or dangling parts. We recommend a crib with a broad range of mattress height settings and a sleek design that matches your style.

Safety

Follow the safe sleeping guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when setting up and arranging your child's crib. Avoid placing any objects that could cause injury or harm in the nursery of your baby. This includes pillows, blankets and sheepskins. Also avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys, and blankets. Your baby cot online should not sleep with any teddy bears dolls or stuffed animals bigger than 15 inches. These items could easily fall into or become caught between your baby and the crib bars or be swallowed by the mattress.

The best cribs for babies are made of materials that are free of VOCs, toxic chemicals and other harmful substances. They also adhere to strict federal, state and local standards for structural safety. They're also third-party tested to ensure safety and quality. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certs!) And they are designed to be durable and adaptable, so they can expand with your child.

No matter if you're buying new or used, it's crucial to choose a crib that is in line with today's rigorous safety standards. Used cribs can become less sturdy over time due to the effects of humidity, age and frequent use. This could pose serious risks to your baby.

The slats on your crib should not exceed 3/8 inch (6 centimeters), and the hardware must be secured. It's an excellent idea to check the slats and the rims of the mattress support for any loose or broken parts.

It's also wise to stay clear of cribs that were used by other children and/or pets, since their safety might be compromised. Also, don't purchase or accept an older crib that has a drop side rail, which was deemed unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 for reasons of safety.

Style

While all cribs have to comply with strict safety standards, there are a lot of design differences. Some differences are purely cosmetic, like the slats have the same length, or are spaced closer than others, and some can make it difficult to clean and use the crib. Some features, like finials and drop sides, aren't safe and should be avoided and others, like adjustable mattress height and wheels/casters popular with parents.

A crib is not meant to be used as a place for toys or clothes. It's intended to be an area where babies can sleep. It's also an excellent idea to include a crib on your registry so that your family and friends can lend a hand to assist you in getting one when the time arrives.

Cribs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes However, the ones we like best crib combine style and functionality. For instance the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1 is minimal and stylish. It's also GREENGUARD gold-certified and we believe that is essential for any toxic-free product. It can be transformed to a daybed or toddler by converting it with a separate kit.

Other cribs have more traditional designs like the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a stately choice that fits well into 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. Additionally, it has only three mattress height levels, which is less than half the competition and isn't as durable as our other options.

The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern aesthetic. Its concealed hardware and all-round mesh enhance airflow and allow you to observe baby which Dr. Casares says is an important feature for a lot of new parents. It can also be elevated to a higher position to help reduce colic and reflux, making it suitable for babies from birth to 6 months. It is also GREENGUARD certified gold and comes with a mattress. It's important to note, however it's more expensive than our other top picks and requires a separate toddler bed conversion kit.

Adjustable Mattress Height

When your baby is sleeping in their crib, it's important that the mattress is at the correct height. This ensures that your child can't climb out, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher can protect your baby from heat exhaustion or suffocation.

A quality crib should include adjustable rails or slats that allow you to raise the mattress or lower it as your child grows. The majority of cribs include a conversion kit that allows you can transform the crib into the toddler bed or daybed after your baby outgrows it. In the end, it's a good idea to choose a crib that has been tested and inspected by a third party organization to ensure safety. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal and GREENGUARD Gold Certification are two examples. These certifications guarantee the crib of your baby is free of finishes or chemicals.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib features simple design and doesn't have complicated parts. It is among the top cribs. The sides of the crib are smaller than the other models. However, one parent tester said that her child was sleeping well and the crib was still in good condition when she gave it to a relative for her second child.

Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which is a unique oval-shaped design that gives it a contemporary look. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs, however its durability and features are worth it. It can, for instance, be transformed into a bassinet, or a toddler bed, and it comes with wheels that make it easy to move from room to room. It also has a canopy that can be used to create a like a womb for your baby and adds an elegant touch to any nursery.

The only drawback to this crib is it doesn't have a mattress, which you'll need to purchase separately. However, it's a secure and comfortable crib that will grow with your child from a newborn to a toddler.

No dangling or chewable components.

The safest cribs have no chewable or dangling parts. If something is hung over or below the crib, it could cause the rails to pull or cause strangulation. Babies are very grabby. If parents decorate their crib with toys or decorative objects, they should make sure the items are secured tightly and aren't in the reach of Baby.

We also examine how easy it is to put together our top rated cots infant cribs. The ideal crib will be simple enough to build it yourself, and doesn't require any special tools or long assembly time. Most parents report that it takes less than one hour to assemble the modern crib, and the directions are generally easy to follow.

It's important that you choose a crib that will last many years. For longevity, opt for a convertible crib that will be used from the time of infancy until a toddler cot bed sales 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 during the early months and then 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 your nursery's theme.

Stork Craft Equinox is another fantastic option. This stunning, minimalist-style crib is low-profile, so parents with small feet can touch their child to soothe them. It is renowned for its quality, and is available in white, cherry and mini Cot beds espresso colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental safety. It's made from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of harmful substances such as lead and phthalates (BPA). It also exceeds the standards of government agencies like ASTM, CPSC and JPMA. The only thing that is lacking is the toddler rail. You can buy it separately. This is a great choice for those looking for an inexpensive, high-quality crib that will last for a long time.