Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed is a minimalist crib that will look amazing in a modern Scandi nursery. It also comes with a amount of flexibility, with three different mattress support heights and the capability to convert into a toddler bed.
Bassinets are the best option for those with a small house. mini cotbed can take up more space. However, a lot of parents prefer a crib for security reasons.
Safety
The health and well-being of your baby's infant is dependent on the crib you select. You want to make sure that the crib meets the current safety standards, and is free from any dangers that could harm your child during sleep. It should be well-constructed and strong, with no loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or pose danger of choking. It is important to follow the directions of the manufacturer to set up and use the crib and to check the crib regularly.
Examine the distance between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches, to prevent your baby's head or limbs getting trapped in between them. You must also be able to easily see and reach your baby in the crib. If you aren't, the slats are too close together and need to be a bit more spacious.
The mattress support system is an additional aspect to take into consideration when selecting a crib. It should be adjustable so you can lower the crib mattress as your child grows. This will help to reduce the chance of your child climbing out of the crib which is a frequent situation as they begin to crawl.
Other safety features to consider include an upholstered sheet that fits the mattress in a secure way and an enduring and solid construction. You should also choose a crib with fixed sides rather than ones with drop sides, which can be dangerous for your baby. It is also advisable to share a room as your baby for the first six months or so, and then move them into their own room when they are old enough to be supervised while sleeping alone.
Last but not least, ensure that the crib is kept away from radiators and windows and that dangling items like curtains or blind cords are not in reach. Also, you should remove any objects that could pose the risk of choking like blankets or pillows. Be wary of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, since they may not be in compliance with the current safety standards or been recalled due to other reasons.
Design
It is crucial to keep in mind that cribs may appear the same but must still comply with strict safety standards. To this end, the majority cribs we looked at have a similar design to ensure consistency of structural quality. For instance, many have circular bars that do not have any gaps or rough areas that could entangle or pinch a baby. We also evaluated and rated each crib based on how easy it was to use and to assemble. We suggest choosing a crib with fewer parts to avoid confusion.
The Evolur Sprout crib is among our favorites. It is stylish modern design and comes in a range of colors, including two-tone options. It also has a universal mattress fitting, and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having minimal volatile organic compound (VOCs).
Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. The crib is sleek and modern, with minimal details, making it ideal for modern nurseries. The crib comes in various colors and has four different mattress sizes, so your baby can use it from the time of birth to toddler. We tested this crib and found it to be sturdy and stable, without flexing or creaking when a child weighed a lot of weight inside.
If you're planning on having more children, you may want to consider a convertible crib. Many of these options transform into a toddler bed and then a full-size bed providing a long-lasting product for your money. Our test parents gave the Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib top marks as an example of a convertible bed. Many of them said that the side rails with a drop-down feature made feeding their baby at night easier and safer, and that the crib was big enough for the co-sleeping baby to feel comfortable while mom and dad were sleeping.
If infant cot bed looking for a classic style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 is a great option. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft, and it has a timeless style that is compatible with most nursery decors. It has three different mattress heights, however it might be a little shallow for some toddlers and petite parents.
Mattress
Babies are messy and a clean crib mattress is a must. Spitting up from diapers, baby spit up and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and dirty, leading to mildew and bacteria that may affect infants. Look for a product that can be wiped down with cloths or cleaned with mild cleaner. Also, pick a mattress cover with a waterproof material to stop fluids from leaking into the mattress and causing health problems.
Find mattresses that are rated to last 10 years, meaning it's ready for toddlers and beyond. Many of the mattresses we've reviewed here are reversible, with infant and toddler side. This lets you use them from birth up until your child is ready to move on to their own bed size.
A mattress that is firm for the crib is ideal, as it will support their spines while they are developing. A firm sleeping surface will also lower the risk of SIDS. This is because mattresses that are soft increase the possibility that a child's head will sink into it.
Look over the label of a firm mattress to ensure it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for waterproofing, flammability lead, and other chemicals that could be danger to infants. You can also find certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which show that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that can affect infants' nervous and respiratory systems.
Another consideration is the weight of a mattress for a crib. If you're not able to lift heavy objects, or don't want to move an item that weighs a lot then you might want an easier mattress. Newton Wovenaire, for example, is only 8 pounds, while Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness weighs 20 pounds. This makes it one of the heavier mattresses featured in this review. It is also constructed of foam instead of woven core inners. This makes it more comfortable to move around compared to a traditional coil bed.
Assembly
A crib that's easy to assemble is great for parents with young children. You want to find an item that is securely secured, and no sharp edges or rough patches that could pinch the skin of your baby. Avoid cribs that have drop-sides and headboard/footboard cuts -- these features aren't up to the current safety standards.
If you're looking for a crib, bear in mind that you'll likely require a toddler bed conversion kit (if you decide to purchase a convertible crib). These kits are offered separately by a majority of manufacturers. These kits are typically affordable and can help your child make the transition to a larger bed more smoothly.
Convertible cribs are an excellent investment for families who have several children. The cribs are made to last, and they can be converted into toddler beds, daybeds or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib is solid wood crib that is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It has a traditional style and is available in white or slate grey to match any nursery decor. The crib is simple to move around and has locking wheels. It is suitable for the majority of twin mattresses. The crib took our testers just 23 minutes to put together.
Another crib that is highly rated one of the top cribs, the Sprout Crib is made with sustainable harvested Baltic birch and is compliant with all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a sleek, minimalist design that won't interfere with any decor in the bedroom. The Sprout crib is one of the lightest cribs we've tested, with a weight of only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a convenient travel bag.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was runner-up in our tests, is made from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has received several awards from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium height profile and can be converted from an infant crib into a toddler bed with or without rail. It's simple to put together and has plenty of appeal. However, the slender finish is susceptible to scratches during normal use.