Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look stunning in a Scandi nursery. It is also very flexible with three different mattress support heights. Additionally, it can be converted into an infant's bed.
Bassinets are a good option if you have a small home. Cribs can take up a lot more space. Many parents prefer a crib because of safety concerns.
Safety
Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial for your baby's health and wellbeing. You must ensure that it meets the current safety standards and is free of any hazards that may harm your baby as they sleep. It should be constructed well and sturdy, with no loose pieces that could catch on clothing or pose danger of choking. It is important to follow the directions of the manufacturer to set up and use the crib and to check the crib regularly.
Examine the distance between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep your baby's head or legs from being trapped between them. You should also be able easily reach and observe your baby in the crib. If you're not then the slats are close together and should be more spacious.
Another aspect of the crib that you should be aware of is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable to different heights, so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will help to reduce the risk of your baby getting out of the crib, which is a common occurrence as they learn to crawl.
Other safety features to consider include the fitted sheet that is able to fit the mattress securely and an enduring and solid construction. You should also choose a crib with fixed sides, rather than ones with drop sides, which can be hazardous for your baby. It's also better to share a room with your baby for six months or so, and only move them into their own room when they are old enough to be supervised while sleeping alone.
Also, make sure that the crib is away from radiators and windows and that any hanging objects like blind cords or curtains are out of their reach. Also, you should remove any items that could be a choking hazard like blankets or pillows. Be cautious of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, as they may not have met the safety standards of today or been recalled for other reasons.
Design
Although cribs may appear identical, it is important to keep in mind that all must comply with strict safety guidelines. For this reason, most cribs we examined are of a similar design to ensure uniformity of structural integrity. Most cribs feature circular bars that do not have gaps or rough surfaces that could catch the baby or squeeze them. We also evaluated each crib and rated it based on its simplicity of use and assembly. More components can cause confusion, so we recommend selecting a crib with a few easy-to-follow directions to minimize frustration.
One of our top cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which comes with an elegant, modern design and comes in a variety of colors, including two-toned. It also comes with a universal 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 and modern with minimal details, making it ideal for modern nurseries. The crib comes in various colors and four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it as a toddler or a newborn. The crib was sturdy and stable. It did not flex or creak when a large child climbed into it.
If you're planning to have more children, you may think about a convertible crib. Many of these options can be converted into a toddler bed, and later a full-size bed giving you a long-lasting investment for the money you spend. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is an example of a convertible crib which received excellent marks from our parents who tested it. Many of them said that the side rails that drop down made feeding their baby at night easier and safer and that the crib was big enough for the co-sleeping baby to be comfortable while mom and dad were sleeping.
If you prefer a traditional style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 crib is a good option. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft and is a classic design that can be incorporated into the majority of nursery decors. It comes with three different heights for the mattress however certain parents and toddlers may find it a bit shallow.
Mattress
A washable crib mattress will be useful for infants. Spitting up from diapers and baby spit can cause mattresses to become damp and dirty, resulting in mildew or bacteria that could affect infants. Look for a product that can be wiped down with a cloth or scrubbed with mild cleaner, and pick a mattress cover with a waterproof material to prevent liquids from getting into the mattress and causing health problems.
Find a mattress that is that is rated up to 10 years, so that it can be used for toddlers. A majority of the mattresses reviewed here are reversible, with a toddler and infant side. This lets you use them from the time of birth until your child is ready to move on to their own bed.
A mattress that is firm for the crib is ideal because it can support their spines while they are developing. A super-firm sleeping surface will also lower the chance of SIDS. This is because a soft mattress increases the chance that a baby's head will sink into it.
Look over the label on a firm mattress to ensure it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC demands that mattresses be tested for the ability to withstand fire and water as well as lead and other chemicals which could pose a risk to babies. You'll also find certifications like Greenguard CertiPUR, GOTS and CertiPURUS which are a great indicator that the mattress has been examined for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can damage infants their nervous and respiratory systems.
Another consideration is the weight of the mattress. If you're not able to lift heavy objects or don't want to move a heavy object, you may want a mattress that is lighter. For example, the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 lbs, while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress Dual Firmness weighs 20 pounds, making it the heaviest in this review. It is also made of foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it more comfortable to move around as compared to a traditional coil bed.
Assembly
New parents will appreciate a crib that's easy to build. Find one equipped with hardware that is securely held with no sharp edges or rough spots that could irritate your baby's skin. Also, stay clear of cribs that have drop-sides or cutouts for headboards and footboards -- these features aren't in line with current safety standards.
If you decide to purchase a convertible crib, you will need to purchase an additional kit to convert it into a toddler bed. These kits are offered separately by the majority of manufacturers. They're usually cheap, and they'll help your child transition into a larger bed more smoothly.
Many new parents appreciate the longevity that is offered by convertible cribs and they're a great option for families with multiple children. These cribs are built to last, and generally can be converted into an infant bed, daybed, or full-size bed.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib solid-wood crib which is GREENGUARD Certified Gold and has four mattress heights. It's a classic design and is available in white or slate grey to match almost any nursery decor. The crib is easily moved around and has locking wheels. It fits most twin mattresses. The crib took our testers only 23 minutes to assemble.
Another crib that is highly rated is the Sprout Crib is made with an environmentally-friendly harvest of Baltic birch that conforms to all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a sleek, minimalist design that won't be a problem with any bedroom decor. The Sprout crib is among the lightest cribs we've tested, with a weight of only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a handy travel bag.
A runner-up in our tests the Oeuf Modern Crib is built using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from different parenting publications, including BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium profile and can be converted from an infant crib to a toddler bed, with or without a rail. It's easy to set up and has a lot of aesthetic appeal, but the thin finish is susceptible to scratches during normal use.