Choosing the Best Crib, freelancealie.com, Newborn
The Westport cot sales Bed is a minimalist crib that can look gorgeous in a Scandi-style nursery. It also comes with a amount of flexibility, with three mattress support height levels and the possibility of transforming into an infant bed.
Cribs take up a lot of space, so bassinets may be a better choice if your house is small. However, a lot of parents prefer a crib for safety reasons.
Safety
Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial to your baby's health and well-being. You want to make sure that it meets current safety standards, and is free of hazards that could cause harm during sleep. It should be strong and well-constructed, with no loose parts that might catch on clothing or pose a choking hazard. It is also essential to follow the manufacturer's directions regarding assembly and use, and regularly inspect the crib for signs of wear or damage.
Examine the distance between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to prevent your baby from getting their head or limbs caught between them. You should also be able easily reach and observe your baby in the crib. If you can't reach your baby, the slats may be too close together and need to be a bit larger.
Another aspect of the crib to be considered is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable so you can lower the mattress of your crib as your child grows. This will decrease the chance of your child getting out of the crib, which is a common occurrence as they learn to crawl.
Other security features to look out for include an upholstered sheet that fits the mattress with ease and solid and stable construction. Pick a crib with fixed sides instead of one with drop sides. Drop sides could be dangerous for your child. You should also sleep in the same room with your baby until they are old enough for them to be able to sleep on their own.
The last thing to do is make sure the crib is removed from radiators and windows and that hanging items such as blind cords or curtains are not in reach. Also, you should remove any items that might pose danger to your child's health, such as pillows or blankets. Be wary of purchasing second-hand cribs because they may not meet the current safety standards or been recalled for different reasons.
Design
It is important to remember that cribs may look identical, but they must adhere to strict safety standards. To this end, the majority cribs we looked at are of a similar design to ensure uniformity of structural quality. For instance, the majority of cribs have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could catch or squeeze a baby. We also examined each crib and evaluated it for its user-friendliness and assembly. We recommend choosing one with fewer components to avoid confusion.
One of our top cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which has an elegant, contemporary design and comes in several color options, including some two-toned. It also has a mattress that is universal and is Greenguard Gold certified to have the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas into the nursery.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another option. The crib is sleek, modern and minimal in appearance. It's ideal for modern nursery designs. The crib is available in various finishes and has four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it from newborn to toddler. We tried the crib and found it to be extremely solid and stable, with no flexing or creaking when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
If you're planning to have more children, you may be interested in a convertible crib. Many of these options can be converted into a toddler bed, and later a full-size bed offering excellent longevity for the money you spend. Our test parents loved the Sweet2Sleep Crib top marks as an example of convertible beds. Several of them commented that the side rails that drop down made feeding their baby at night more secure and easier, and the crib was spacious enough for a baby who was sleeping with the parents to feel at ease while dad and mom were asleep.
The Carter's Colby 4-in-1 crib by DaVinci is a fantastic choice if you like traditional design. This crib is more affordable than the Stork Craft and has a timeless design that can be incorporated into most nursery decors. It comes with three different heights for the mattress however, some parents and toddlers might feel it is a bit low.
Mattress
A crib mattress that can be cleaned will be a great crib option for babies. Baby spit up and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and dirty, leading to mildew and other bacteria that can be harmful to infants. Choose a mattress that can be washed with a cloth or scrubbed with mild cleaner. You should also choose a waterproof mattress cover to prevent liquids from getting into the mattress and causing health issues.
Find a mattress that is rated for up to 10 years so that it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the mattresses we've reviewed here are reversible, with toddler and infant sides. This lets you use them from the moment of birth until your child is old enough to be their full-size bed.
A firm mattress for the crib is best, as it will support their spines while they are developing. A super-firm sleeping surface will also lower the risk of SIDS. This is because an extremely soft mattress increases the possibility that a child's head will sink into it.
Check the label on a firm mattress to ensure it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC mandates that mattresses are tested for the ability to withstand fire and water as well as lead and other chemicals that could pose a risk to infants. There are also certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which show that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that may affect infants' nervous and respiratory systems.
Another consideration is the weight of the mattress. If you're unable to lift heavy objects or don't want to move an item that weighs a lot it is possible to choose a mattress that is lighter. For example the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds, while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress Dual Firmness weighs 20 pounds, making it the heaviest in this review. It is also constructed of foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it much easier to move around as compared to a traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
New parents will be happy with a crib that's easy to assemble. Choose a crib with hardware that's firmly secured with no sharp edges or rough spots that could irritate your baby's skin. Also, avoid any cribs with drop-sides, or cutouts for headboards and footboards -- these features aren't in line with current safety standards.
If you're looking for a crib, bear in mind that you'll require a separate toddler bed conversion kit (if you decide to purchase a convertible crib). Most manufacturers offer these kits separately. They're usually inexpensive, and they'll assist your child in transitioning to a bigger bed more seamlessly.
Convertible cribs are an excellent investment for families with several children. They are designed to last and are typically able to be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed, or full-size bed.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib a solid-wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold-certified and comes with four mattress heights. It has a traditional style and is available in white or slate grey to match almost any nursery decor. The crib sets is easy to move around and has locking wheels. It can be used with the majority of twin mattresses. The crib took our test subjects just 23 minutes to assemble.
The Sprout Crib, another top-rated crib is made from sustainable harvested Baltic birch. It meets all U.S. safety standards, as well as those of Canada, Australia and Europe. It also has a sleek minimalist design that doesn't interfere with any decor in the bedroom. The Sprout crib is one of the lighter cribs that we've tested, with a weight of only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a convenient bag for transport.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was runner-up in our tests, is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has won several awards from various parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height profile and can be transformed from an infant crib to a toddler bed, with or without rail. It's simple to put together and has plenty of aesthetic appeal, but the slender finish is susceptible to scratches during normal use.