Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed is a minimalist crib that will look stunning in a Scandi-design nursery. It is also very flexible because it comes with three different mattress support heights. It also can be transformed into an infant's bed.
Bassinets are a better choice when you live in a smaller home. Cribs can take up more space. However, many parents prefer a crib due to safety reasons.
Safety
Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial for your baby's health and well-being. You should ensure that it is in compliance with current safety standards and is free of any dangers that could cause harm to your child as they sleep. It should be constructed well and sturdy, without loose pieces that could catch on clothing or pose danger of choking. It is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer for assembly and use and to regularly inspect the crib.
Check the distance between the slats. It shouldn't be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to prevent your baby from getting their head or limbs trapped between them. You should also be able easily reach and observe your baby's crib. If you aren't reach your baby, the slats may be too close together and need to be a bit larger.
Another aspect of the crib to be considered is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable so that you can lower the crib mattress 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.
A fitted sheet that is secure enough to fit over the bed and a sturdy and stable construction are other security features you should be looking for. You should also select a crib with fixed sides rather than ones with drop sides, which could be hazardous for your baby. It's also better to sleep in the same room with your baby for six months or so, and only move them to their own room when they are old enough to be watched while sleeping alone.
The last thing to do is ensure that the crib is placed away from windows and radiators, and that any hanging objects such as blind cords or curtains are not in reach. It is also recommended to remove any items that might pose danger to your child's health like blankets or pillows. Be cautious of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, since they may not have met current safety standards or have been recalled due to other reasons.
Design
It is crucial to remember that cribs can look identical, but they must comply with strict safety standards. The majority of cribs we reviewed are designed in a similar way to ensure the structural solidity. Most cribs feature circular bars with no gaps or rough surfaces that could trap babies or pinch them. We also assessed and rated each crib on how easy it was to use and to assemble. We recommend choosing the crib with less parts to avoid confusion.
One of our top cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which has an elegant, contemporary design and comes in several color options, including some two-toned. It also has an all-purpose mattress fitting and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another option. This crib is sleek and modern, with minimal details that make it perfect for modern nursery. The crib comes in a variety of colors and has four different mattress sizes, so 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, with no creaking or flexing when a toddler was seated inside.
Convertible cribs are an excellent option if you're planning to have more children. These cribs can be converted into a bed for a toddler and then into a full-size mattress, providing the best value for price. Our test parents loved the Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib top marks as an example of a convertible bed. The drop-down side rail was praised by many parents for making feeding at night more secure and easy. They also noted that the crib was spacious enough room for the baby to be comfortable while dad and mom slept.
The Carter's Colby 4-in-1 crib by DaVinci is an excellent option if you prefer traditional design. This crib is more affordable than the Stork Craft and has a timeless design that can be incorporated into most nursery decors. It comes with three different heights for the mattress however, some parents and toddlers might find it a bit shallow.
Mattress
Babies are messy and a washable crib mattress is a must. Diaper leaks and baby spit-up can cause mattresses to become damp and dirty, resulting in mildew or other bacteria that can be harmful to infants. Choose a mattress that is easily cleaned with mild cleaner or cloth. Also, choose a waterproof cover to stop fluids from leaking into the mattress.
Choose mattresses that are rated to last up to 10 years, which means it will be ready for toddlers and beyond. Many of the products in this review are reversible and have infant and toddler sides, that allows you to use them from birth until your child is ready to move on to a full-size bed.
A mattress that is firm is ideal for infants, because it will provide the greatest support for their growing spines. A mattress that is extremely firm reduces the risk of SIDS, which is more likely to occur when a baby's head sinks into a soft mattress.
If you are looking for a mattress for your crib that is firm make sure you look over the label to be sure it is in compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC mandates that mattresses are tested for waterproofing and flammability as well as lead and other chemicals which could pose a risk to babies. You'll also see certifications like Greenguard CertiPUR-US, GOTS, and CertiPUR-US which are a good indicator that the mattress has been tested for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can damage infants their nervous and respiratory systems.
Another factor to consider is the weight of a mattress for a crib. If you're unable to lift heavy objects or you don't want to move an item that weighs a lot it is possible to choose a lighter mattress. For instance, 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 largest in this review. It is also made of foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it much easier to move around compared to a heavier traditional coil bed.
Assembly
A crib that's easy to assemble is great for new parents. Choose a crib equipped with hardware that is securely held, without sharp edges or rough spots that could pinch your baby's skin. Also, stay clear of cribs with 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 have to purchase a separate kit for converting it into an adult bed. The majority of manufacturers sell these kits on their own. They're often affordable, and will aid your child's transition to a larger bed more smoothly.
Convertible cribs can be a great option for families with many children. They are designed to last, and typically can be converted into an infant bed, daybed, or full-size bed.
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 is simple to move around and has locking wheels. It is suitable for the majority of twin mattresses. Our test subjects found that this crib very easy to put together, taking 23 minutes to put together.
Another crib that has been rated highly is the Sprout Crib is made with an environmentally-friendly harvest of Baltic birch, and it conforms to all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a stylish minimalist design that doesn't clash with any bedroom decor. The Sprout crib is among the lighter cribs that we tested, weighing only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a handy bag for transport.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was runner-up in our tests, is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has won several awards from different parenting publications such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium profile and can be transformed from an infant crib to a toddler bed with or without a rail. It's simple to put together and has lots of aesthetic appeal, but the thin finish is prone to scratches during normal use.