Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look gorgeous in a Scandi nursery. It also provides a good variety of versatility by offering three mattress support levels and the ability to transform into an infant bed.
Cribs can take up a lot space, so bassinets could be a better choice in case your home is small. However, many parents prefer a crib for safety reasons.
Safety
The health and well-being of your baby is dependent on the crib you choose. You want to make sure that it is in line with current safety standards, and is free of hazards that could cause harm during sleep. It should be sturdy and well-constructed, with no loose parts that might catch on clothing or present the risk of choking. It is also essential to follow the manufacturer's directions for assembly and use and regularly inspect the crib for signs of wear or damage.
The first thing to check is the spacing between the slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches, to keep your baby's head or limbs from getting trapped in between them. You should also be able to easily reach and see your baby's crib. If you can't then the slats are close together and should be larger.
Another aspect of the crib that you should be aware of 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 climbing out of the crib which is a frequent situation as they begin to crawl.
Other safety features to look for include a fitted sheet that fits the mattress securely as well as solid and stable construction. You should also select a crib that has fixed sides, rather than one with drop sides, which can be dangerous for your baby. You should also sleep in the same room as your baby until they are old enough for them to be able to go off on their own.
The last thing to do is ensure that the crib is placed away from radiators and windows and that dangling items like curtains or blind cords are kept out of reach. Also, you should remove any items that could be danger to your child's health, such as 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
It is important to remember that cribs may look similar, but must meet the strict safety standards. This is why the majority cribs we looked at have a similar layout to ensure uniformity of structural solidity. Most cribs have circular bars without gaps or rough surfaces that could entangle the baby or squeeze them. We also evaluated and rated each crib for how easily it was to use and to assemble. We suggest selecting the crib with less parts to avoid confusion.
One of our favorite cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which is designed with an elegant, modern design and comes in a variety of color options, including some two-toned. It also has 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 is available in various finishes and comes with four different mattress sizes, so your baby can use it from the time of birth to toddler. We tried the crib and found it to be very sturdy and stable, with no flexing or creaking when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
Convertible cribs are an excellent option if you plan to have more children. best infant cribs can be converted into a bed for toddlers and then a full-size mattress, giving you excellent value for money. Our test parents have given the Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib excellent marks as an example of a convertible bed. The side rails that slide down were praised by many parents for making feeding their children at night more secure and less stressful. They also said that the crib had enough space for their baby to rest comfortably while mom and dad were asleep.
The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is a fantastic option for those who prefer the traditional style. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft and has a timeless style that can be incorporated into most nursery decors. It comes with three different mattress heights however some parents and toddlers may consider it too shallow.
Mattress
A washable crib mattress will be a great option for babies. Diaper leaks and baby spit-up 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 cloths or cleaned with mild cleaner. You should also select a mattress cover that is waterproof to help prevent fluids from leaking into the mattress and causing health problems.
Find a mattress that is rated to last 10 years, which means it's prepared for toddlers and beyond. Many of the products in this review are reversible with toddler and infant sides that allows you to use them from the time of birth until your child is ready for an adult-sized bed.
A mattress that is firm is best for infants, since it will provide the greatest support for their developing spines. A super-firm sleep surface also helps to reduce the chance of SIDS, which is more likely to happen when an infant's head sinks into a mattress that is soft.
If you are looking for a firm crib mattress be sure to examine the label to make sure it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for flammability, waterproofing lead, and other chemicals that could be risk to infants. There are also certifications such as Greenguard, GOTS and CertiPUR-US, which are a good sign that the mattress has been examined for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can harm infants their nervous and respiratory systems.
Another consideration is the weight of a mattress for a crib. Sheet changes at night require that you move and lift the mattress. If you struggle lifting heavy objects or don't want to handle a heavy product then consider getting a lighter crib mattress. For example the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 pounds, which makes it the heaviest in this review. It is also made of foam instead of woven-core inners. This makes it much easier to move around in comparison to a traditional coil bed.
Assembly
A crib that is easy to put together is ideal for new parents. You want to find the crib that has hardware that is securely secured and without sharp edges or rough patches that could pinch the skin of your baby. Avoid cribs with drop-sides and headboard/footboard cuts -- these items aren't in compliance with the current safety standards.
If you're looking for a crib, bear in mind that you'll probably require a toddler bed conversion kit (if you opt for a convertible crib). These kits are offered separately by the majority of manufacturers. They're often affordable, and will help your child transition into larger beds more easily.
Many new parents appreciate the long-lasting quality that is offered by a convertible crib and are a great investment for families with multiple children. These cribs have been built to last and can be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib is solid-wood crib which is GREENGUARD Gold-certified and comes with four mattress heights. It is available in white or slate grey to complement any nursery decor. The crib has locking wheels that allow you to easily move it from room to room. It accommodates the majority of twin mattresses. Our test participants found that the crib was very easy to put together, taking 23 minutes to put together.
The Sprout Crib, another top-rated crib is made from sustainably harvested Baltic birch. It is in compliance with all U.S. safety standards, in addition to the standards of Australia, Canada and Europe. It also has a sleek minimalist design that will not be a problem with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is among the tiniest cribs we've tested at 6kg, making it easy to move around. It also comes with a handy travel bag.
The runner-up of our tests the Oeuf Modern Crib is built with sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine. It has received several prizes from parenting magazines like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium profile and can be transformed from an infant crib into 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 when used regularly.