Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed is a minimalist crib that will look stunning in a Scandi-design nursery. It also offers a great amount of flexibility by offering three different mattress support heights and the possibility of transforming into the bed of a toddler.
Cribs take up a lot of room, so bassinets might be a better choice in case your home is small. Many parents choose a crib for security reasons.
Safety
The health and well-being of your baby's child is contingent on the crib you choose. You want to make sure that the crib meets current safety standards, and is free of dangers that could cause harm during sleep. It should be well-constructed and sturdy, with no loose pieces that could catch on clothing or pose a choking risk. It is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer to set up and use the crib and to inspect the crib on a regular basis.
Check the distance between the slats. It should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep your baby's head or limbs getting trapped in between them. You should also be able easily reach and observe your baby in the crib. If you cannot reach your baby, the slats must be wider and not so close to each other.
Another aspect of the crib to be considered is the mattress support system. It must be adjustable to various levels so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. This will decrease the chance that your child will climb out of the crib when they begin to crawl.
Other safety features to consider include a fitted sheet that fits the mattress with ease and solid and stable construction. You should also select a crib that has fixed sides rather than one with drop sides, which could be hazardous for your baby. You should also share the same room with your baby until they are old enough for them to be able to sleep on their own.
In the end, you must make sure that the crib is positioned away from windows and radiators and that any hanging objects like curtains or blind cords are out of their reach. You should also remove items that might pose a choking hazard like pillows or blankets. Be cautious when buying used cribs as they may not be in compliance with the current safety standards or have been recalled.
Design
Although cribs may appear the same, it is crucial to remember that every crib must meet strict safety guidelines. For this reason, most of the cribs we reviewed are of a similar design to ensure uniformity of structural quality. For instance, many have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could catch or snag a baby. We also evaluated each crib and rated it for its simplicity of use and assembly. We recommend choosing a crib with fewer parts to avoid confusion.
The Evolur Sprout crib is among our top picks. It is stylish, contemporary design and comes in a variety of colors, including two-tone options. Additionally, it features a universal mattress fit and is Greenguard Gold certified to have minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas into the nursery.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is a different alternative. The crib is sleek and modern with minimal details that make it perfect for modern nursery. The crib comes in various finishes and has four different mattress heights, meaning your baby can use it from birth to toddler. The crib was sturdy and stable. It didn't flex or creak when a heavy child climbed into it.
If you're planning to have more children, you might want to consider a convertible crib. Many of these options can transform into a toddler bed, and then a full-size bed providing a long-lasting product for your money. The Sweet2Sleep Crib is a prime example of a convertible crib that earned praise from our test parents. The side rail that can be removed was highly praised by parents for making feeding their children at night more secure and easy. They also noted that the crib was spacious enough room for the baby to rest comfortably while mom and dad were asleep.
If you are looking for a classic style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 is a solid option. It is less expensive than the Stork Craft and is a classic design that is compatible with most nursery decors. It has three different heights for the mattress, but certain parents and toddlers may feel it is a bit low.
Mattress
A crib mattress that is washable can be useful for infants. Diaper leaks, baby spit up and other accidents can make mattresses damp and filthy that can cause mildew and other bacteria that can affect infants. Select a mattress that can be easily cleaned using mild cleaner or cloth. Also, consider an waterproof cover to prevent fluids from leaking into the mattress.
Look for a mattress that is rated for up to 10 years, so that it can be used for toddlers. A majority of the mattresses reviewed here are reversible, with infant and toddler side. This allows you to use them from the time of birth until your child is ready for their own bed size.
A firm mattress for the crib is ideal because it can support their spines as they are developing. A firm sleeping surface will also lower the risk of SIDS. This is because mattresses that are soft increase the chance that a baby's head will sink into it.
If you are in search of a mattress for your crib that is firm, check the label to make sure that it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for flammability and waterproofing as well as lead and other chemicals that could pose a threat for infants. There are also certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which prove that the mattress has been tested for volatile organic compounds that could cause harm to infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
Another thing to consider is the weight of the mattress. If you're unable to lift heavy objects, or don't want to move a heavy item, you may want a mattress that is lighter. 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, not inners with woven-core that makes it more maneuverable compared with traditional coil mattresses that weigh more.
Assembly
A crib that is easy to assemble is great for parents who are new. You should look for a crib with firmly-secured hardware, and no sharp edges or rough patches that could rub the skin of your baby. Avoid cribs that have drop-sides and headboard/footboard cuts -- these features aren't up to today's safety standards.
If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you'll require a separate kit for converting it into an adult bed. These kits are offered separately by the majority of manufacturers. These kits are typically affordable and can aid your child in making the transition to a larger bed more smoothly.
online cots are a great option for families with multiple children. These cribs are built to last and are typically able to be transformed into an infant bed, daybed or a full-size bed.
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 available in white or slate grey to match the decor of any nursery. The crib is easily moved around and features locking wheels. It is suitable for most twin mattresses. Our test participants found that the crib to be very simple to put together - it took 23 minutes to complete.
The Sprout Crib, another top-rated crib, is made of sustainably harvested Baltic birch. It is in compliance with all U.S. safety standards, in addition to those of Canada, Australia and Europe. It has a minimalist elegant design that can go with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is among the tiniest cribs we've test at 6kg, which makes it easy to move around and has an ideal travel bag.
The runner-up of our tests The Oeuf Modern Crib is built with sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine. It has won numerous awards from parenting publications like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a moderate-height profile and can be converted from an infant crib to an adult bed with a rail or into a daybed that doesn't have rail. It is simple to put together and also is aesthetically pleasing. appeal. However the slick finish could be scratched in normal use.