Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

The Westport Cot Bed will look stunning in the Scandi nursery. It also comes with a amount of flexibility with three mattress support levels and the ability to transform into an infant bed.

Bassinets are a good option for those with a small home. Cribs can take up more space. However, a lot of parents prefer a crib due to security reasons.

Safety

Selecting the best crib for Cots4tots your newborn is crucial to your baby's health and wellbeing. You must ensure that it meets current safety standards, and is free from any hazards that could cause harm during sleep. It should be strong and well-constructed, with no loose parts that might catch on clothing or pose a choking hazard. It is also essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for assembly and use, and to regularly check 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 apart to prevent your baby's head or limbs getting trapped in between them. You should also be able to easily reach and see your baby's crib. If you can't reach your baby, the slats may be too close together and need to be a bit more spacious.

The mattress support system is a different aspect to consider when choosing the crib. It is important to adjust the heights so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will decrease the chance that your child will climb out of the crib when they begin to crawl.

A fitted sheet that is secure enough to fit over the bed and solid and sturdy construction are other security features to look for. Pick a crib with fixed sides rather than one with drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. You should also share the same room with your baby until they are old enough to be able to go off on their own.

Last but not least, make sure the crib is removed from radiators and windows, and that hanging items such as curtains or blind cords are out of reach. You should also take away any items that could present the risk of choking like blankets or pillows. You should also be wary of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, since they may not meet the safety standards of today or been recalled for different reasons.

Design

While cribs may look all similar, it's important to keep in mind that all must adhere to strict safety standards. To this end, the majority cribs we examined are of a similar design to ensure consistency of structural integrity. For instance, many have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could catch or snag babies. We also assessed and rated each crib for how easily it was to use and assemble. More parts can mean more confusion, so we recommend selecting a crib with clear instructions that are easy to follow to avoid frustration.

The Evolur Sprout crib is one of our favorites. It features a chic, contemporary design and comes in a range of colors, including two-toned. It also comes with a universal mattress fit and is Greenguard Gold certified to have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can release off-gasses into the nursery.

Another option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. The crib is sleek and modern, with minimal details that make it ideal for modern nurseries. The crib is available in various colors and has four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it from birth to toddler. This crib was very stable and sturdy. It didn't flex or creak when a large child climbed into it.

Convertible cribs are a fantastic option if you are planning to have more children. They can be transformed into a toddler's bed and then into a larger mattress, offering an excellent value for your price. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is a prime example of a convertible crib which received high marks from our test parents. A few of them mentioned that the drop-down side rail made feeding their baby at night more secure and easier, and the crib was roomy enough for a baby who was sleeping with the parents to be at ease while dad and mom were sleeping.

If you prefer a traditional style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 is a solid option. This crib is less expensive than the Stork Craft and features a timeless design that is suitable for any nursery. It comes with three different heights for the mattress, but some parents and toddlers may feel it is a bit low.

Mattress

Babies are messy and a crib mattress that is washable is an essential. Spitting up from diapers and baby spit can cause mattresses to become dirty and damp which can lead to mildew or other bacteria that can affect infants. Choose a mattress that can be cleaned with cloths or cleaned with mild cleaner, and pick a mattress cover with a waterproof material to stop liquids from getting into the mattress and causing health issues.

Find a mattress that is rated for up to 10 years, so it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the products in this review can be reversible, with toddler and infant sides that allows you to use them right from birth until your child is old enough to be the full-size bed.

A mattress that is firm is ideal for infants, because it provides the greatest support for their developing spines. A mattress that is firm and sturdy can also reduce the risk of SIDS. This is due to the fact that a soft mattress increases the chance that a baby's head will sink into it.

Examine the label on the mattress to confirm that it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for the possibility of flammability, waterproofing lead, as well as other chemicals that could pose a hazard to babies. You'll also see certifications such as Greenguard, GOTS and CertiPUR-US, which are a good indicator that the mattress has been examined for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can harm infants' respiratory and nervous systems.

Another thing to consider is the weight of the mattress. Sheet changes at night require you to move and lift the mattress. If you are unable to lift heavy objects or don't want to take on a heavy product, consider choosing 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 weighs 20 lbs, making it one of the heaviest in this review. It is also made of foam instead of woven-core inners, which makes it easier to maneuver compared with a heavier traditional coil mattress.

Assembly

A crib that's easy to put together is great for parents with young children. You should choose the crib that has hardware that is securely secured, and no sharp edges or rough patches that could rub the skin of your baby. Also, stay clear of cribs with drop-sides or headboard/footboard cutouts -- these features aren't in line with current safety standards.

If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you'll have to purchase a separate kit for converting it into a toddler bed. These kits are sold separately by the majority of manufacturers. They're often inexpensive, and they'll aid your child's transition to a bigger bed more seamlessly.

Convertible cribs are an excellent option for families with many children. They've been built to last and can be converted into daybeds, toddler beds, or full-size beds.

The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib is a solid-wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold-certified and comes with four mattress heights. It's a classic design and is available in slate or white grey to fit with almost any nursery decor. The crib has locking wheels that allow you to easily move it from room to room. It accommodates the majority of standard twin mattresses. The crib took our test subjects only 23 minutes to assemble.

Another top-rated crib one of the top cribs, the Sprout Crib is made with sustainable harvested Baltic birch, and it conforms to all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also features a chic minimalist design that will not clash with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is among the lightest cribs we tested at 6kg, making it easy to move around and has an excellent travel bag.

A runner-up in our tests, the Oeuf Modern Crib is built with sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine. It has won numerous prizes from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height design and can be converted from an infant crib into an adult bed with rail or a daybed without the rail. It is easy to assemble and also has a lot of visual appeal. However the slick finish could be scratched during normal use.