The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
It's a good idea pick a crib that's elegant and safe for your child. Look for cribs that meet modern safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Avoid cribs with slats too close together, as well as drop-side cribs, which could cause strangulation issues for infants. Look for cribs with simple hardware so that it doesn't snag your baby's hair or clothes.
Safety
It is essential that the crib you choose to use is safe for your child. It is their place of residence when they are away from home. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific requirements for cribs, such as durable wood and strong mattress supports. Many cribs are additionally certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) for added safety measures.
Find cribs constructed of solid wood rather than particle board. Also, choose one that is sturdily built and doesn't have rough edges or areas that could irritate your baby. Finally, make sure that the hardware is securely secured and won't come loose as time passes due to humidity or heavy use.
Many cribs have multiple mattress support heights and can be adjusted as your baby grows. You should keep the crib at its lowest position until your child is able to stand up independently and walk around, which is usually around nine months. Some cribs come with an infant bed conversion kit that lets you convert the crib into a toddler bed when your child is old enough to leave your room.
Some cribs have decorative elements or cutouts that could pose a choking risk for your baby So, look for cribs that are free of these kinds of decorations. Also, avoid decorative items such as mobiles in the crib, as they could also pose a risk to infants.
Swivel cribs allow you monitor your baby from any place within the room. This is especially beneficial for those recovering from C-sections or other births that are hospital-based. The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib is a favorite. It has 360-degree swivel that one parent test participant found "was the perfect solution to reach out and comfort the child without getting up from the bed," especially helpful during recovery after a c section. The crib also has the option of lowering the side panel to provide ultimate closeness and accessibility. The locking casters allow you to easily move from one room to the next.
Style
The crib is the most important piece of furniture in the nursery of your baby. The crib will occupy the majority of the floor space in your nursery, so it should be elegant and fit with the aesthetic.
Many cribs are modern and minimalist in style that is compatible with any design. Certain cribs have different slat layouts or flat panels at the ends. Some have finials or drop sides which give them a more traditional look. Whatever you decide to go with, make sure it meets the safety standards set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics or Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Most cribs have the option of a wood-slat or metal mattress support that can be a solid one-piece board or a wood-slat grid or spring-wire grid frames. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter as it provides more stability and is a better structure to support your baby's weight.
It should also have a smooth, non-toxic finish and be easy to clean. Be careful not to place things in the crib that your baby might pull or grab like blankets, toys, or pillows. Decorate your crib with care. Babies may be clingy and they might bite or pull at ornaments. This can hurt or detach them.
Some parents choose to use a bassinet their infant until they are ready to move into cribs. Based on how active your baby is the bassinet could last six months or more. If this is your situation then you should consider this crib that is a combination of all the benefits of a bassinet and a full-size crib. This model features a side to side swivel, making it easy to get into and out of the crib. It also comes with a patent-pending reflux incline that helps with colic.
Another stylish option is this eco-conscious crib that has more than 2,000 rave reviews from real moms and a high 4.8-star rating on Amazon. Made of sustainable New Zealand pine wood, this crib is a true style statement that can transform boring nurseries into magazine-worthy spaces. It has four adjustable levels of mattress height and a feature that can help you as your baby grows.
Convenience
Cribs are an essential baby product that can help promote safe sleep by reducing the danger of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or entrapment, as well as suffocation. Cribs must adhere to specific safety standards, but you can find cribs with a wide range of features to fit your preferences and budget.
Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which features thin, nicely-rounded slats, and simple lines to match any style. It's also quite compact, so it fits through most interior doorways without disassembling and can be moved easily from room to room. It has two height settings for the mattress making it a great choice for infants but it's not as versatile as other models that offer three or four different options.
The Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib is a great choice for those who prefer a traditional design. It features a sturdy frame with the sleigh design. It's GREENGUARD certified which means it is in compliance with environmental standards, and its many finishes allow you to blend it to any style. It's also one of the more expensive options we've reviewed, but it will last through multiple children and eventually be transformed into a toddler bed, and later as a daybed.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another alternative. It has an innovative design, ideal for modern nurseries and comes with several features, including one of the lowest sitting mattress heights. This can make it easier for smaller parents to reach their child but it's also a bit taller than other cribs we've reviewed, which can be challenging for shorter adults worried about their baby falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden is a more traditional option. It's also GREENGUARD certified. It can be converted into a toddler bed, and it can be converted into a daybed by the purchase of separate conversion components, so it's an investment that will last your family for many years to come. It's not as stylish as the Sloane or the Evolur however it does have an appealing traditional design and comes in a variety of different colors that will fit any nursery.
Budget
A high-quality crib is a good investment whether you intend to sleep with a partner or use the crib that your parents have in their basement. Modern standards of safety make it simple to find durable cribs that look stylish too. The best newborn cribs are easy to put together and a design that doesn't soon appear old-fashioned or outdated by the latest fashion trends.
You might feel pressured to buy the "perfect" crib, as it is the most important purchase you'll ever make for your child. But there are plenty of affordable, high-quality cribs that can make your baby's first bed a comfortable and safe.
When you purchase a crib, ensure that it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. It should also meet all applicable safety standards. It is also essential to avoid purchasing secondhand cribs, as they can have missing or worn-out hardware that could pose a security risk for your baby. If you decide to purchase an older crib, make sure you ensure that it is thoroughly examined by a qualified professional before using it.
Aside from the critical safety features, a quality crib must be stable, solid and simple to put together. Thistel says to check the instructions thoroughly and make sure that all components are included. If you run into any issues, don't attempt to improvise--it's best to call the manufacturer for replacement bolts or screws instead.
Cradlewise is a great option for new parents who are looking for a stylish crib that will expand with their child. It comes in a single extremely heavy box (enough to make you want to call your friends for help) and comes with simple instructions as well as a solid construction. It comes with an organic CoconutCoir mattress (VOC and PU foam free) suitable for infants and toddlers and is Greenguard GOLD-certified.
If you're trying to squeeze the crib into a small space, the Babyletto Hudson can help with its compact footprint and sleek, minimalist style. It's made of environmentally-friendly sustainable New Zealand pine wood and comes in a wide range of modern colors that will instantly transform dull nursery spaces into spaces worthy of magazines. It also comes with four different mattress settings that can be adjusted to stop your baby from climbing on the bed before they're ready.