The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
It's a good idea pick a crib that's stylish and safe for your child. Find cribs that meet the latest safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Avoid slats that are too close together and drop-side cribs, which can cause strangulation issues for infants. Find cribs with 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 long period of duration, so it's crucial to ensure it's safe. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has specific standards that must be met when making a crib, including sturdy mattress supports and robust wood. Many cribs are also certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to ensure additional security measures.
Choose cribs made from solid wood, instead of particle board. Also, choose one that is sturdy and doesn't have rough edges or areas that could irritate your baby. Check that the hardware is securely fixed and won't become loose with time due to humidity or heavy usage.
Many cribs offer various levels of mattress support which means you can adjust them as your baby grows. It is recommended to keep the crib at the lowest point until your child can stand independently typically around nine months. Some cribs come with a conversion kit to convert the crib into an adult bed when your child is ready.
Find cribs that do not have cutouts or decorative features. These can pose the risk of choking your baby. Avoid items with decorative features such as mobiles as they can pose an issue for infants.
A swiveling crib allows you to monitor your baby from any place in the room, and is especially useful for those recovering from c-sections or other deliveries in hospitals. The Graco Sweet2Sleep is a highly regarded choice with a 360-degree swivel that a parent observed "was the ideal method to get in touch with and comfort a baby without having to get out of bed," particularly helpful during recovery from a c-section. This crib also offers an adjustable side panel that can be lowered for maximum comfort and accessibility. The lockable casters allow you to easily move from one room to the next.
Style
The crib is the most important piece of furniture in your baby's nursery. The crib will occupy most of the floor space in your nursery, therefore it must be stylish and fit with the aesthetic.
A lot of crib options are modern and minimalist in look that will fit in with any design. Some cribs feature flat panels or arrangement of slats on the ends. Some have finials or drop sides, which provide a more traditional look. Whatever you decide on, ensure that it meets the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics or Consumer Product Safety Commission.
cribs beds come with a metal or wood-slat mattress support that can be one-piece solid board or a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire grid frame. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter since it offers more stability and is a more sturdy structure to support the weight of your baby's body.
It should also have a smooth, non-toxic finish and be easy to clean. Be careful not to place anything in the crib your baby might grab and pull like toys, blankets or pillows. Decorate your crib with consideration. Babies are prone to clinging, and they might bite or pull at ornaments. This could cause them be injured, or even to fall off.
Some parents prefer to use a baby bassinet until they are ready for the crib. Based on the level of activity your baby has, a bassinet may only last six months or more. This crib combines the best of both a bassinet and a large bed. This crib features a side-toside pivot that makes it simple to reach into and out of the crib. It also has a patented reflux incline for colic.
Another option that is stylish is this eco-friendly crib that has received over 2500 rave reviews from real moms as well as a top 4.8-star rating on Amazon. This crib is made of sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a boring nursery into a magazine-worthy space. It comes with four adjustable levels of mattress height, a feature that will help you as your baby grows.
Convenience
Cribs are an essential baby product that can help promote safe sleep by reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or entrapment, as well as suffocation. Cribs have to meet certain safety standards, but there are cribs that come with a variety of features that will fit your style 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 quite compact, so it will fit through most interior doorways without disassembling and can be easily moved from room to room. It has two height settings for the mattress making it a great choice for infants, but not as flexible as other models that offer three or four different options.
If you prefer an older-fashioned look then the Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib has an sleigh-style frame with a sturdy construction. It's GREENGUARD certified, so you know it meets environmental standards, and its many options allow you to blend it to any style. It is also one of the most expensive options, but it can last for many children. It can be converted to an infant bed, and then an adult daybed.
Another option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1, that has a unique design that's perfect for modern nurseries and comes with a variety of features that include one of the lowest levels of a mattress for sitting. That might 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 those who are shorter and concerned about their child falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a classic choice, and it's also GREENGUARD certified. It can be turned into a toddler's bed, and later a daybed with the purchase of separate conversion components. It's an investment that your family will appreciate for a long time. It may not be as stylish as the Evolur or the Sloane, but it still has a traditional look.
Budget
Even if you plan to sleep with your baby or use the crib that your parents saved for you in their basement, a quality crib that is safe and secure is an investment piece. Modern safety standards allow you to find sturdy cribs with a great design. The best cribs for babies have simple, intuitive assembly and a design that doesn't quickly look outdated or out of date with the current fashion trends.
If you are considering a crib as the most important purchase you make for your child. You might be tempted to shell out huge sums of money for the "perfect" one. There are numerous cribs of good quality that are priced reasonably and will provide a safe and comfortable environment for your baby to rest in.
When shopping for a crib, ensure whether it's endorsed by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and meets all applicable safety standards. It's also important to stay clear of buying second-hand cribs, since they could have worn-out or missing hardware that could pose a security danger to your child. If you choose to purchase a secondhand crib ensure that it's thoroughly examined by an expert prior to its use.
Apart from the essential safety features, a quality crib should be stable, sturdy and simple to put together. Thistel says to check the instructions thoroughly and make sure that all the components are included. If you encounter problems, don't improvise--it's best to call the manufacturer for replacement bolts or screws instead.
Cradlewise is a great option for parents looking for a chic crib that will expand with their child. It arrives in a single, very heavy box (enough to be a reason to ask your friends for assistance), and has easy-to-follow instructions as well as a solid construction. It comes with a natural CoconutCoir mattress (VOC and PU foam-free) that's suitable for toddlers and infants and is Greenguard GOLD-certified.
The Babyletto Hudson is the perfect crib for a small space. Its small footprint and minimalist design makes it easy to fit. It's made from environmentally-friendly sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and comes in an array of contemporary colors that instantly transform a dull nursery into a magazine-worthy space. It also has four different mattress settings that can be adjusted to stop your baby from climbing up before they are ready.