How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs
The crib is an extremely crucial piece for your baby’s nursery. It isn’t easy to select the right crib, with so many styles and safety concerns.
Choose cribs that meet the highest safety standards and includes no chewable or dangling components. We also suggest a chic crib with a range of mattress sizes and a sleek, modern design.
Safety
When assembling and positioning your baby’s crib, be sure to follow safe sleep guidelines set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Avoid placing any items that could cause injury or harm to your baby’s nursery. This includes blankets, pillows, and sheepskins. Also avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys, and blankets. Teddy bears, dolls, and stuffed animals bigger than 15 inches should not be allowed to sleep in your baby’s crib. These items can easily fall into or become trapped between your baby cheap cot beds online [Full Write-up] and the crib bars or be swallowed by the mattress.
The best rated cribs cribs for babies are made of safe materials that are free of VOCs and other toxic chemicals. They also meet strict federal and state regulations regarding structural safety. They’re also third-party tested to ensure quality and safety. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certifications!) They’re also designed to be durable and reversible, which means they’ll continue to grow with your child.
If you’re buying a new crib or used, it’s important to choose cribs that meet the current stringent safety standards. Secondhand cribs could be weakened in the course of time due to humidity, age and heavy use. This can pose serious risks to your baby.
The slats of your crib should be spaced no more than 3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent babies from getting trapped between them, and the hardware on the crib must be secured. Check the slats, mattress support rims and the hardware for any loose or damaged components.
It’s also recommended to stay clear of cribs that were used by children or pets, as their security may be at risk. Also, don’t purchase or accept a second-hand crib with the drop side rail which was deemed unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 for reasons of safety.
Style
Although all cribs must meet strict safety standards, you’ll find a lot of design differences. Some are just aesthetic, such as whether the slats all have the same length, or are spaced closer apart, while others can impact the ease to use and clean the crib. Some features, like finials and drop sides, aren’t safe and should not be used, while others–like adjustable mattress height and casters/wheels–are highly sought-after by many parents.
One important thing to remember is that a crib is meant solely for sleep for infants It’s not a place to store toys or clothing. You can also put the crib on your registry to seek help from family and friends in the event you need help.
Cribs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes However, the ones we love best baby cots have a mix of style and functionality. For example, the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1 crib is simple and stylish. It is also GREENGUARD gold certified which we believe is a must for any product that is free of toxics. It can be transformed into a toddler and daybed with a separate conversion kit.
Some cribs sport more traditional designs, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It is a stylish option that will fit into large nurseries. However, it occupies more floor space compared to smaller minimalist options. Moreover, it only has three mattress height levels, which is less than half of the alternatives and isn’t as sturdy as our other options.
The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern look. Its hidden hardware and all-round mesh improve airflow and make it easier to see baby, which Dr. Casares says is an important feature for many new parents. It can also be elevated to a higher height to ease colic and reflux which makes it suitable for babies aged from birth to 6 months. It’s GREENGUARD GOLD-certified and comes with a free matching mattress. It’s important to note, cots 4 tots however it’s more costly than our other top picks and requires a separate toddler bed conversion kit.
Adjustable Mattress Height
If your baby is sleeping in their crib, it’s vital that the mattress is the right level. This will ensure that your child can’t climb out and fall, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher will also protect your child from heat exhaustion or suffocation.
A good crib should have adjustable rails or slats which allow you to raise the mattress or lower it as your child grows. A conversion kit is included with the majority of cribs so that you can convert it into an adult daybed or a toddler bed after your child has outgrown the crib. It is also a good idea to select the crib that has been certified and tested by a third-party institution. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal and GREENGUARD Gold Certification are two examples. These certifications guarantee your baby’s crib is free of finishes or chemicals.
The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib features a simple design and no confusing parts. It is among the top cribs. The crib’s sides are shorter than those of other cribs. However, one tester reported that her child slept well and the crib was in good shape when she gave it to a friend as her second baby.
Stokke Sleepi Crib is another great option. It features an oval shape that creates a modern appearance. It’s a little more expensive than other cribs, but its durability and features make up for it. For example, it can be transformed into a bassinet, or toddler bed. It also comes with wheels that make it easy to move from room to room. It also has a canopy that can be used to create a space more akin to a womb your baby. This is a chic accent to any nursery.
The crib doesn’t come with mattresses. You will need to purchase one separately. But it’s a safe and comfortable crib that will grow with your child from infant to toddler.
There are no dangling or chewable ingredients.
The safest cribs are those that have no dangling or chewable components. If something is hung over or below the crib, it could cause the rails to pull or create a strangulation risk. Babies are very grabby. If parents decorate their crib with toys or other decorative items, they must make sure the items are secured tightly and aren’t in the reach of Baby.
We also examine how easy it is to build our top infant cribs. Ideally, the crib should be easy enough to build it yourself and doesn’t require specialized tools or a long time to assemble. Most parents report that it takes less than an hour to put together the modern crib, and the instructions are generally simple to follow.
A crib is an important purchase for many new parents, which is why it’s important to find one that will last for years to be. Select a crib that is able to be transformed from a crib to an adult bed, and then a full-size mattress.
The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top pick for a convertible crib that can be used as a bassinet during the early months and then transformed into a toddler bed, a daybed, or a large bed. It’s made for long-term use and comes in a range of colors which makes it easy to match your nursery’s theme.
Another great option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1 crib. This beautiful, minimal-style crib is low-profile so that petite parents can touch their child to comfort them. It is renowned for its quality, and is available in white, cherry and espresso colors.
This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental safety, and it’s made from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of toxins like lead and phthalates (BPA). It also exceeds the safety standards of the government, including ASTM, CPSC, and JPMA. The only thing that is lacking is the toddler rail. It is available separately. This is an excellent option for those who are looking for a high-quality, affordable crib that will last for a long time.