The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
Your little one will spend the majority of his time in the crib, so it's a smart idea to choose one that's stylish and safe. Find cribs that meet modern safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Avoid cribs with slats too close together, as well as drop-side cribs. They can pose dangerous for strangulation to babies. Also, look for a crib with a simple hardware that won't get caught on your baby's clothes or hair.
Safety
A baby's crib will be their place of refuge for a long duration, so it's crucial that it be secure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific guidelines for cribs, such as solid wood construction and sturdy mattress supports. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has also certified many cribs for additional security measures.
Choose a crib made from solid wood, rather than particle board. Also, select a crib that is sturdily built and doesn't have rough edges or areas that could pinch your baby. Lastly, be sure to check that the hardware is securely attached and won't come loose as time passes due to humidity or heavy use.
There are many cribs that offer multiple mattress support levels, so you can adjust them as your baby grows. The lowest level is best for babies, and you should keep it at this level until your child can begin to stand up at around nine months. Some cribs also come with the toddler bed conversion kit, which allows you to convert the crib into a toddler bed when your child is ready to leave your room.
Certain cribs come with decorative elements or cutouts that could pose a choking risk for your baby So, look for cribs that don't have these types of embellishments. Avoid mobiles and other decorative items as they can pose a danger to young babies.
Swivel cribs allow you monitor your baby from anywhere in the room. This is particularly beneficial for those recovering from C-sections as well as other births in hospitals. The Sweet2Sleep crib from Graco is a popular option. It features an swivel 360 degrees, which one parent test participant found "was the perfect solution to reach into and comfort a child without getting up from the bed," especially helpful during recovering from a c-section. This crib has a lower side wall for maximum accessibility and closeness. The lockable casters make it easy to move from one room to another.
Style
The crib is most likely the most prominent furniture piece in the nursery of your baby. It will occupy the largest amount of floor space and, therefore, it must be designed to fit the style of your nursery.
Many cribs come with a modern, minimalist style that is compatible with any design. Some cribs have flat panels or designs of slats at the ends. Others have finials or drop sides that give them more of the traditional appearance. Whatever you decide on, ensure that it meets the safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics or Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The majority of cribs have a metal or wooden slat frame for mattresses that could be a solid board or a grid of wood slats, or a spring wire grid. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter because it offers more stability and is a stronger structure to support your baby's body weight.
It must have a non-toxic and smooth surface that is easy to clean. Be careful not to place things in the crib that your baby could grab and pull, such as toys, blankets or pillows. If you're planning to decorate your crib, bear in mind that children can be very clingy and may pull or bite at ornaments. This could cause them to be injured or even separated.
Some parents opt to use a bassinet for their baby until they are ready to move into cribs. Based on the level of activity your baby has, a bassinet may only last for six months or more. If this is the case for you look into this crib which offers all the advantages of a bassinet along with a full-size crib. This crib has a side-to-side pivot that makes it simple to reach into and out of the crib. Baby Cot Bed comes with a patent-pending reflux incline that helps with colic.
Another option that is stylish is this eco-friendly crib that has received over 2500 rave reviews from real moms and a high 4.8-star rating on Amazon. The crib is constructed of sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a drab nursery into a magazine-worthy one. It comes with four adjustable levels of mattress height, a feature that will help you as your baby grows.
Convenience
A crib is an essential baby item that promotes secure sleep by reducing the chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), entrapment and suffocation. Cribs must comply with safety standards. However cribs are available with numerous features that match your preferences and budget.
Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which features thin, nicely-rounded slats, and simple lines to fit in with any decor. It's also compact enough to fit through the majority of doors inside without disassembly and is easily moved from room to room. It has only two mattress height options, making it a good choice for newborns. However other models offer four or three different settings.
If you prefer traditional style, the Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib has an sleigh-style frame with a sturdy build. It's certified by GreenGuard, so you can rest assured that it complies with environmental standards. The various finishes allow you to match the crib to any style. It's also one of the more expensive options we've looked at in our review but it's a solid choice through multiple children and can eventually be converted into a toddler bed and then it can be used as a daybed.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is a different alternative. It features unique design, which is perfect for modern nurseries, and a number of features, including one of the lowest levels of the mattress for sitting. This could make it easier for smaller parents to reach their child, but it's also a bit taller than other cribs reviewed which could be a challenge for shorter adults worried about their baby falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a more conventional choice, and is certified by GreenGuard. It can be transformed into a toddler's crib and then a daybed by purchasing separate conversion components. This is an investment that your family can enjoy for a long time. It's not as fancy as the Sloane or the Evolur however, it has an elegant look and comes in a variety of different color options to fit any nursery.
Budget
A high-quality crib is a fantastic investment whether you intend to sleep with a partner or use the crib your parents have in their basement. Modern standards of safety make it simple to find durable cribs that look stylish too. The best newborn cribs are simple to put together and feature a style that won't be outdated by the most recent fashions.
You may feel pressured to purchase the "perfect" crib, since it's the most significant investment you will make for your child. But there are plenty of low-cost, high-quality cribs that will make your baby's first sleep environment comfortable and safe.
When you are looking for a crib, ensure whether it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and is in compliance with all safety standards applicable to it. It's also important to avoid purchasing secondhand cribs, as they can have missing or worn-out hardware that could pose a safety risk for your baby. If you choose to buy an older crib, make sure you make sure it is thoroughly inspected by a qualified professional before using it.
Aside from the critical safety features, a good crib must be stable, solid and easy to assemble. Check the instructions carefully to ensure that all the components are included and properly fitted, says Thistel. If you have any problems you're having trouble, you should contact the manufacturer to get bolts or screws that are replaced.
For parents who are new and looking for a chic affordable crib that can grow with their baby Cradlewise Cradlewise will meet your needs. It arrives in one extremely heavy box (enough to warrant calling your friends for help) and comes with simple instructions as well as a solid construction. It comes with a Greenguard GOLD-certified natural CoconutCoir Mattress (VOC and PU foam is not included).
The Babyletto Hudson is the perfect crib for a small space. Its compact footprint and minimalist design make it easy to fit. It's made of eco-conscious sustainable New Zealand pine wood and is available in a variety of modern colors that instantly transform boring nursery spaces into magazines-worthy spaces. It also has four adjustable height settings for the mattress to protect your back and prevent your baby from getting out before they're ready.