The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
Your baby will spend most of her time in the crib, so it's a smart option to buy one that's both fashionable and safe. Make sure you choose a crib that meets the latest 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. They pose an extremely strangulation risk for infants. Look for cribs with simple hardware, so that it doesn't get caught in your baby's hair or clothes.
Safety
A baby's crib will be their place of refuge for a long period of duration, so it's crucial to ensure it's secure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has specific requirements to be adhered to when making a crib, including strong mattress supports and robust wood. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has also certified many cribs for additional safety measures.
Choose a crib made from solid wood, not particleboard. Choose a crib that is solid and doesn't have rough edges that could hurt your child. Finally, make sure that the hardware is securely attached and won't loosen over time from humidity or heavy use.
There are many cribs that offer multiple mattress support levels, so you can alter them as your baby grows. The lowest level is best for newborns and you should leave the mattress at this level until your child can begin to stand up typically around the age of nine months. Some cribs come with a conversion kit to convert the crib into a bed for adults when your child is ready.
Choose cribs with no ornamental features or cutouts. They can be an choking risk to your baby. Also, avoid decorative items like mobiles in the crib since they can also be a danger for young babies.
Swivel cribs allow you monitor your baby from any place in the room. This is particularly beneficial for those recovering after C-sections or other births that are hospital-based. The Sweet2Sleep crib from Graco is a popular option. It has an swivel 360 degrees, which one parent discovered "was the ideal solution to reach and comfort the baby without having to get up from their bed," especially helpful during recovery after a c section. This crib also offers the option of lowering the side panel to provide the most complete closeness and access. It's also compact enough to be moved from room to room with ease with the help of lockable casters.
Style
The crib is the most essential piece of furniture in your baby's nursery. It will occupy the most floor space, so it should also be designed in a way that is compatible with the aesthetic of your nursery.
A lot of cribs have an elegant, modern design that will work with any style. Some cribs feature flat panels or other arrangement of slats on the ends. Others have finials or drop sides that give them a more an old-fashioned appearance. 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 come with a metal or wood-slat mattress support that can be one-piece solid board or a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire grid frame. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter as it provides more stability and is a better structure to support your baby's body weight.
It should also have a smooth, non-toxic finish and be easy to clean. Do not place things in the crib that your baby might grab and pull, such as toys, blankets or pillows. If you want to decorate your crib, bear in mind that children can be extremely clingy and may grab or bite ornaments. This can cause them to be injured or even separated.
Some parents prefer to use a baby bassinet until their baby is ready to move into an actual crib. Depending on the level of activity your baby has and how active they are, a bassinet can last six months or more. If this is the case for you, consider this crib that offers all the advantages of a bassinet with a full-size crib. This crib has a side-to-side swivel that makes it easy to reach into and out of the crib. It also comes with a patent-pending reflux incline for colic.
This eco-friendly crib has more than 2000 rave reviews from real moms, and a premium rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon. The crib is made from sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a dull nursery into a magazine-worthy one. It comes with four adjustable levels of mattress height and a feature that can come in handy as your baby grows.
Convenience
A crib is an essential baby product that helps promote safety and sleep by reducing risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), entrapment and suffocation. Cribs are required to comply with safety standards. However you can pick cribs with numerous features that match your style and budget.
Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which has slats that are thin and nicely rounded and simple lines to match any style. It's also quite compact, which means it can fit through most interior doorways without disassembly and can be easily moved from room to room. It has only two mattress height options, which makes it a great choice for babies. However, other models have four or three different settings.
If you prefer an older-fashioned look, the Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib features frames that resemble sleighs and are built with a solid construction. It's GreenGuard certified, so you know it meets environmental standards, and its many finishes allow you to blend it to any style. It's also among the more expensive options we've reviewed however it's durable enough to last through many children and eventually be transformed into a toddler bed and then a daybed.
Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1, with an original design that's perfect for modern nurseries and has a lot of features, including one of the lowest sitting mattress heights. It might be easier for parents with smaller heights to reach their children, but it is also taller than the other cribs we've reviewed, which can pose an issue for adults who are smaller.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a classic option, and it's certified by GreenGuard. It can be converted into a toddler's bed, and then a daybed by purchasing separate conversion parts. This is an investment that your family can enjoy for many years. It might not be as elegant as the Evolur or the Sloane, but it still has a classic look.
Budget
A high-quality crib is a great investment, whether you intend to sleep with a partner or use the crib your parents have in their basement. Modern safety standards allow you to find sturdy cribs that have a great design. The best newborn cribs come with a simple, easy assembly and a style that won't appear outdated or out of date with the current fashion trends.
It is tempting to purchase the "perfect" crib, since it is the most important investment you will make for your child. There are many cribs with high quality that are priced reasonably and will provide a safe and comfortable environment for your child to sleep in.
When you are looking for a crib, check whether it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and meets all safety standards applicable to it. Avoid buying second-hand cribs as they may have worn or missing hardware which could pose a threat to your baby's safety. If you decide to buy a crib that is used be sure that it has been thoroughly inspected by an expert before using it.
In addition to the crucial safety features, a quality crib should be stable, sturdy and easy to assemble. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and ensure that all components are included and fitted correctly According to Thistel. If you experience any issues, it's best to contact the manufacturer to obtain replacement screws or bolts.
For new parents seeking a stylish, budget-friendly crib that grows with their baby The Cradlewise will meet your needs. It comes in a very heavy box, with easy-to-follow instructions and a sturdy structure. It comes with an Greenguard GOLD-certified natural CoconutCoir Mattress (VOC and PU foam is not included).
The Babyletto Hudson is the perfect crib for a small space. Its compact footprint and minimalist design make it easy to fit. It's made of environmentally-friendly sustainable New Zealand pine wood and is available in a variety of modern colors that will instantly transform dull nursery spaces into spaces worthy of magazines. Plus, it has four adjustable mattress heights to save your back and prevent your baby from getting out before they're ready.