The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
Your baby will spend the majority of his time in the crib It's a good idea to invest in one that's stylish and safe. Look for cribs that are kept up to current with the most recent safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Product Safety Commission and other organizations.
Avoid slats that are too close together and drop-side cribs, which could pose major strangulation hazards for infants. Look for nursery cots with simple hardware, so that it doesn't snag your baby's hair or clothing.
Safety
It is essential that a crib be safe for your child. It will be their home while they are away from home. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific standards for cribs, which include solid wood construction and strong mattress supports. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has also certified many cribs for additional safety measures.
Look for a crib constructed from solid wood instead of particle board. Select a crib that is solid and doesn't have rough edges that could irritate your child. Make sure that the hardware is firmly attached and will not come loose due to humidity or heavy usage.
There are many cribs that have various mattress support levels and can be adjusted as your baby grows. You should keep the crib at the lowest point until your child is able to stand up independently and walk around, which is usually at around nine months. Some cribs include a conversion kit to convert the crib into a bed for adults when your child is ready.
Choose cribs with no cutouts or decorative features. They could pose an choking risk to your baby. Avoid mobiles and other decorative items as they can pose a danger to young babies.
Swivel cribs allow you to monitor your baby from anywhere within the room. This is especially beneficial for those recovering after c-sections and other hospital-based births. The Graco Sweet2Sleep is a well-respected option with a 360-degree swivel that one parent tester noted "was the ideal way to reach in and comfort a baby without needing to get out of bed," particularly helpful during recovery from a c-section. The crib features a lowering side wall to allow for maximum accessibility and intimacy. The casters lockable allow you to easily move from one room to another.
Style
The crib is the most essential piece of furniture in your baby's nursery. It will take up the most space on the floor and therefore must be designed in a way that is compatible with your nursery's aesthetic.
Many cribs come with a modern, minimalist design that can be incorporated with any design. Some cribs come with flat panels or other slat arrangements at the ends. Some have finials, or drop sides which provide a more traditional look. Whichever you choose be sure that it is in compliance with the safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The majority of cribs have a wooden or metal slat mattress frame that can be a solid board, a grid of wood slats, or even a spring wire grid. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter since it provides more stability and is a more sturdy structure to support your baby's body weight.
It should also have a non-toxic, smooth finish and be easy to clean. Do not place anything in the crib that your baby could grasp and pull like toys, blankets or pillows. If you are planning to decorate your crib, bear in mind that babies can be very affectionate and may bite or pull on ornaments. This could hurt or even detach them.
Some parents prefer to use a bassinet for their baby until their baby is ready for an actual crib. The bassinet is able to last up to six months depending on how active your child is. If this is your situation look into this crib which combines all of the benefits of a bassinet and a full-size crib. This crib has a side to side swivel, making it easy to move from and into the crib. It also has an incline for reflux that is patent-pending 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. Made from sustainable New Zealand pine wood, this crib is a design statement that can transform ho-hum nurseries into magazine-worthy spaces. It has four different mattress heights that can be helpful as your child grows.
Convenience
Cribs are a must-have baby product. It can help promote sleep safety by reducing dangers of SIDS as well as entrapment and suffocation. Cribs have to conform to safety standards. However, you can choose cribs with many features that suit your style and budget.
For a crib that fits with contemporary nursery styles, check out the Ikea Gulliver, which has sleek, well-rounded lines and slats that complement any decor. It's also compact enough to pass through most doors in the interior without disassembling, and it is able to be moved from room-to-room. It has two mattress height settings making it a great option for babies however it's not as flexible as other models that offer three or four different options.
If you prefer traditional style then the Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib has frames that resemble sleighs and are built with a solid construction. It's GreenGuard certified and therefore meets the environmental standards. Additionally, best cots uk let you match it with any decor. It's also one of the more expensive options in our review however it's durable enough to last through many children and be eventually converted into a toddler bed and then as a daybed.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another alternative. It comes with unique design, which is perfect for modern nursery designs and comes with a variety of features, including one of the lowest levels of the mattress for sitting. This can help petite parents to reach their child, but it's also higher than the other cribs in the review, which can be challenging for smaller adults who are worried about their baby falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden is a popular choice. It's also GREENGUARD-certified. It can be transformed into a toddler bed and then into a daybed with the purchase of separate conversion components and is an investment that will last your family for many years to come. It's not as stylish as the Sloane or the Evolur, but it has a nice traditional look and comes in a few different colors that will fit any nursery.
Budget
A crib of high-end quality is a great investment, whether you want to sleep in a cosleep or use the crib your parents have in their basement. The modern safety standards allow you to find sturdy cribs that look great too. The best newborn cribs are easy to assemble and come with a design that is not easily out of date with the latest fashion trends.
When you think about a crib as the most important purchase you'll make for your child, and you may feel compelled to spend large sums of money to purchase the "perfect" one. There are numerous cribs of good quality that are affordable and provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for your baby to sleep in.
When shopping for a crib, ensure whether it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and conforms to all safety standards that are applicable. Avoid buying second-hand cribs because they may have worn or damaged hardware which could pose a threat to your baby's safety. If you decide to buy a crib that is used, make sure it is thoroughly inspected by an expert prior to its use.
Aside from the critical safety features, a quality crib should be stable, sturdy and simple to put together. Check the instructions carefully to ensure that all the components are included and fit correctly, says Thistel. If you run into any problems, don't try to improvise--it's best to call the manufacturer for replacement bolts or screws instead.
Cradlewise is a great choice for new parents seeking a chic and stylish crib that can expand with their child. It's a heavy box, with simple directions and a solid construction. It comes with an Greenguard GOLD-certified natural CoconutCoir Mattress (VOC and PU foam are not included).
If you're trying to squeeze a crib into a tight space the Babyletto Hudson makes it work thanks to its small footprint and sleek, minimalist style. It's made from eco-friendly sustainable New Zealand pine wood and comes in a range of modern colors that will instantly turn ho-hum nurseries into magazines-worthy spaces. It also has four different mattress settings that can be adjusted to prevent your baby from climbing on the bed before they're ready.