Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look stunning in the Scandi nursery. It also offers a great variety of versatility, with three mattress support height levels and the ability to transform into a toddler bed.
Cribs can take up a lot space, so bassinets could be a better choice in case your home is small. Many parents prefer a crib for safety reasons.
Safety
The choice of the best crib for newborns is crucial to your baby's health and well-being. You should ensure that it is in line with current safety standards and is free of dangers that could harm your child during 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 instructions of the manufacturer to set up and use the crib and to regularly inspect the crib.
Check the distance between the slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/4 inches to avoid your baby being able to get their head or limbs caught between them. You must also be able to easily reach and observe your baby's crib. If you're not, the slats are too close to each other and should be larger.
The mattress support system is an additional aspect to consider when choosing the crib. It should be adjustable to different heights, so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. This will lower the chance that your baby will fall out of the crib as they begin to crawl.
A fitted sheet that is secure enough to fit over the bed and a sturdy and stable construction are additional safety features you should be looking for. Select a crib that has fixed sides instead of one that has drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. cots and tots should also share the same room as 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 kept away from radiators and windows, and that any hanging objects such as blind cords or curtains are out of reach. Also, you should remove any items that could pose a choking risk like pillows or blankets. Be cautious when buying used cribs since they may not be in compliance with current safety standards, or have been recalled.
Design
While cribs might appear similar, it's important to keep in mind that all must meet strict safety standards. To this end, the majority cribs we examined have a similar design to ensure uniformity of structural solidity. For cots 4 tots , most have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could entangle or snag babies. We also evaluated each crib and rated it for its ease of use and assembly. We suggest selecting one with fewer components to avoid confusion.
The Evolur Sprout crib is among our favorites. It has a stylish contemporary design and is available in a variety of colors, including two-toned options. Additionally, it features an all-inclusive mattress fit and is Greenguard Gold certified to have minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas into the nursery.
Another option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. This crib is sleek, modern and minimalist in design. It's perfect for modern nurseries. The crib is available in a variety of colors and has four different mattress heights, meaning your baby can use it from the time of birth to toddler. We tested the crib and found it to be extremely solid and stable, without creaking or flexing when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
Convertible cribs are an excellent option if you plan to have more children. A lot of these cribs can transform into a toddler bed, and later a full-size bed giving you a long-lasting investment for your money. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is an example of a convertible crib which received excellent marks from our test parents. The drop-down side rail was loved by a lot of parents for making feeding at night safer and easier. They also noted that the crib offered enough room for the baby to be comfortable while mom and dad were asleep.
The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is a great choice if you like a more traditional style. This crib is less expensive than the Stork Craft and has a timeless design that will complement most any nursery. It comes with three different mattress heights, however it might be a little shallow for some toddlers and petite parents.
Mattress
Newborns can be messy, and a washable crib mattress is a must. Diaper leaks and baby spit-up can cause mattresses to become damp and dirty and result in mildew or bacterial growth that could be harmful to infants. Choose a mattress that is easily cleaned using mild cleaner or cloth. Also, choose an waterproof cover to prevent fluids from entering the mattress.
Choose a mattress that has been that is rated up to 10 years so it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the mattresses featured in this review are reversible and have toddler and infant sides, that allows you to use them from birth until your child is ready to move on to the full-size bed.
A firm mattress for the crib is best because it supports their spines while they are developing. A super-firm sleeping surface can also reduce the chance of SIDS. This is because an extremely soft mattress increases the chance that a baby's head will sink into it.
Examine the label of the mattress to confirm that it is in compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for flammability, waterproofing lead, as well as other chemicals that could pose danger to infants. There are also certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which prove that the mattress has been tested for volatile organic compounds that could harm infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
Another consideration is the weight of a mattress for a crib. Sheet changes at night require you to move and lift the mattress, so if you have difficulty lifting heavy objects or don't want handle a heavy product then consider getting 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 the largest 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
A crib that's simple to put together is great for new parents. Find one equipped with hardware that is securely held with without sharp edges or rough spots that could rub your baby's skin. Beware of cribs that have drop-sides or cutouts for headboards and footboards as they aren't compatible with the current safety standards.
If you're looking for a crib, bear in mind that you'll require a toddler bed conversion kit (if you choose a convertible crib). Most manufacturers offer these kits separately. These kits are typically affordable and can assist your child to make the transition to a bigger bed more easily.
Convertible cribs can be a great investment for families with many children. These cribs are built to last and generally can 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 Certified Gold and has four mattress heights. It's a classic design and is available in slate or white grey to fit with almost every nursery decor. The crib is simple to move around and comes with locking wheels. It can be used with most twin mattresses. Our test subjects found that this crib to be very simple to assemble - it took 23 minutes to complete.
The Sprout Crib, another top-rated crib, is made of sustainably harvested Baltic birch. It is compliant with all U.S. safety standards, as well as the standards of Australia, Canada, and Europe. It is a minimalist elegant design that can go with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is one of the lightest cribs we tested at 6kg, making it easy to move around and has a handy travel bag.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was runner-up in our tests, is made from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has won several awards from various parenting magazines like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a moderate-height profile that can be transformed from an infant crib to a toddler bed that has a rail or into a daybed without the rail. It's simple to put together and has lots of aesthetic appeal, but the thin finish is prone to scratches in normal use.