The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
It's a good idea to select a crib that is stylish and safe for your little one. Search for cribs that are up to date with the latest safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Product Safety Commission and other organizations.
Avoid cribs with slats that are too close together, or drop-side cribs. These can be dangerous for strangulation to babies. Choose cribs that have simple hardware, so that it won't catch your baby's hair or clothing.
Safety
The crib of a baby will be their place of refuge for a very long duration, so it's crucial to ensure it's safe. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific standards for cribs, such as durable wood and sturdy mattress supports. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has also certified many cribs for additional safety measures.
Look for a crib that is constructed from solid wood instead of particle board. Choose a crib that is sturdy and does not have any rough edges that could irritate your child. Check that the hardware is securely secured and won't come loose over time due to humidity or frequent use.
There are many cribs that have various mattress support levels, so they can be adjusted as your baby grows. You should keep the crib at its lowest position until your child can stand independently, which usually happens at around nine months. Some cribs come with the option of converting the crib into an adult bed when your child is ready.
Find cribs that do not have decorative features or cutouts. These can pose the risk of choking your baby. Avoid decorative items like mobiles as they can be an issue for infants.
A crib that swivels allows you to monitor your baby from any place in the room, and is particularly useful for parents recovering from c-sections and other deliveries in hospitals. The Sweet2Sleep crib by Graco is a favorite. Cot Bed has an swivel 360 degrees, which one parent found "was the ideal solution to reach out and soothe a baby without having to get up from bed," especially helpful during recovering from a c-section. The crib features a lowering side wall to allow for maximum accessibility and comfort. It's also small enough that it can be moved from room to room effortlessly, thanks to lockable casters.
Style
The crib is likely to be the most prominent furniture piece in your baby's nursery. The crib will occupy most of the floor space in your nursery, therefore it must be stylish and match the style of the nursery.
A lot of crib options come with a modern, minimalist look that will fit in with any style. Some cribs have flat panels or other arrangement of slats on the ends. Some have finials, or drop sides that give them a more an old-fashioned appearance. Whatever you decide to go with, make sure it meets the safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Most cribs come with a metal or wooden slat mattress frame, which can be a solid board or a grid of wood slats, or even a spring wire grid. The latter is suggested by What to Expect and Baby Bargains since it provides greater stability and is a more solid structure to hold your baby's weight.
It must have a non-toxic and smooth surface that is easy to clean. Be careful not to place anything in the crib your baby might grasp and pull, such as toys, blankets or pillows. If you want to decorate your crib, keep in mind that babies can be extremely sensitive and could bite or pull on ornaments. This can cause them to be injured, or even to fall off.
Some parents opt to use a bassinet for their baby until their child is ready for a crib. Depending on how active your baby is and how active they are, a bassinet can last six months or more. This crib is a combination of both a bassinet as well as a bed that is full size. This crib has an swivel that is side-to-side that makes it simple to get into and out of the crib. It also has an incline for reflux that is trademarked for colic.
Another stylish option is this eco-friendly crib which has received over 2500 rave reviews from real moms as well as a top 4.8-star rating on Amazon. Made of sustainable New Zealand pine wood, this crib is a true design statement that will transform boring nursery spaces into magazines-worthy spaces. Baby beds has four adjustable levels of mattress height which will be useful as your baby grows.
Convenience
Cribs are a must-have baby item. It can help promote safe sleeping by reducing the dangers of SIDS as well as entrapment and suffocation. Cribs have to meet certain safety standards, but you can find ones that come with a range of features to suit your preferences and budget.
Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which features thin, nicely-rounded slats, and simple lines to match any decor. It's also compact, which means it can fit through most doors in the interior without disassembling and can be easily moved from room to room. It comes with only two mattress height options, which makes it a good choice for babies. However other models come with four or three different settings.
The Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib is a fantastic choice for those who prefer a traditional design. It features an extremely sturdy frame that has the sleigh design. It's GREENGUARD certified which means it meets the environmental standards, and its many options let you match it with any decor. It's also among the most expensive options, but it will last for multiple children. It can be converted to an infant bed, and then into a daybed.
Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1, which has an original design that's perfect for contemporary nurseries and comes with a variety of features, including one of the tiniest sitting mattress heights. This can make it easier for smaller parents to reach their child, but it's also higher than the other cribs we've reviewed and can be a problem for those who are shorter and worried about their baby falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden is a more traditional option. It's also GREENGUARD-certified. It can be transformed into a toddler's bed and later a daybed with the purchase of separate conversion components. This is a great investment that your family can enjoy for a long time. It may not be as stylish as the Evolur or the Sloane, but it still is a classic design.
Budget
Even if you are planning to co-sleep with your baby or want to use the crib your parents rescued for you from their basement, a high-quality, safe crib is an investment piece. The modern safety standards make it easy to find durable cribs that look stylish too. The best newborn cribs are easy to put together and a design that won't appear old-fashioned or outdated by the new trends in fashion.
You may feel pressured to purchase the "perfect" crib, as it's the most significant investment you will make for your child. There are many cribs with high quality that are reasonably priced and provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for your child to sleep in.
When you are looking for a crib, make sure whether it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and meets all safety standards applicable to it. Avoid buying second-hand cribs because they may have worn or missing hardware, which could pose a threat to your baby's safety. If you decide to purchase an old crib, ensure that you make sure it is thoroughly inspected by a trained professional prior to using it.
In addition to the crucial safety features, a good crib should be sturdy, stable and easy to assemble. Read the instructions carefully to make sure all parts are included and fitted correctly According to Thistel. If you encounter any issues, don't attempt to make your own solution. Instead, contact the manufacturer to request replacement screws or bolts instead.
Cradlewise is a great choice for new parents looking for a stylish crib that will grow with their child. It's a heavy box, with simple instructions and a sturdy construction. It comes with an organic CoconutCoir mattress (VOC and PU foam-free) that's suitable for toddlers and infants and is Greenguard GOLD certified.
The Babyletto Hudson is the ideal crib for small spaces. Its small footprint and minimalist design make it easy to fit. It's made of eco-friendly, sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and comes in an array of modern colors to instantly transform a dull nursery into a magazine-worthy one. It also has four adjustable mattress height settings to save your back and prevent your baby from climbing out before they're ready.