The Ultimate Guide To Best Crib Newborn
Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look beautiful in a Scandi nursery. It's also extremely flexible, as it has three different mattress support heights and can be transformed into the bed of a toddler.
Bassinets are a better choice if you have a small home. Cribs can take up more space. Many parents prefer a crib for security reasons.
Safety
The health and well-being of your baby's child is contingent on the crib you choose. You should ensure that it is in line with current safety standards and is free from any hazards that could cause harm during sleep. It should be constructed well and sturdy, without loose pieces that may catch on clothing or create danger of choking. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's directions for assembly and use and regularly inspect the crib for indications of wear or damage.
Examine the distance between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to avoid your baby being able to get their head or limbs caught between them. You should be in a position to be able to see and reach your child's crib. If you cannot, the slats should be wider and not as close together.
Another aspect of the crib to consider is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable so you can lower the mattress of your crib as your child grows. This will reduce the risk that your baby will fall out of the crib once they begin to crawl.
Other safety features to consider include a fitted sheet that fits the mattress securely as well as a stable and sturdy construction. Pick a crib with fixed sides rather than one that has drop sides. Drop sides could be hazardous for your child. It is also advisable to sleep in the same room as your baby for the first six months or so, and then move them to their own room when they are old enough to be watched when they are sleeping on their own.
The last thing to do is ensure that the crib is placed away from radiators and windows, and that hanging items such as blind cords or curtains are kept out of reach. You should also remove any items that could present a choking risk like pillows or blankets. You should also be wary of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, as they may not be in compliance with the current safety standards or been recalled for different reasons.
Design
While cribs may look all similar, it's important to remember that each must comply with strict safety standards. Most of the cribs that we reviewed are designed in a similar manner to ensure the structural integrity. For instance, many have circular bars that do not have any gaps or rough areas that could catch or pinch babies. We also tested each crib and rated it for its ease of use and assembly. More parts can mean more confusion, so we recommend choosing one that has a few easy-to-follow directions to reduce frustration.
The Evolur Sprout crib is one of our favorites. It features a chic modern design and comes in a range of colors, including two-toned. It also comes with an all-purpose mattress fitting and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having the lowest amount of volatile organic compound (VOCs).
Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. The crib is sleek, modern and minimalist in design. It's perfect for modern nursery designs. The crib is available in various finishes and has four different mattress sizes, so your baby can use it from newborn to toddler. We tried the crib and found it to be very solid and stable, with no flexing or creaking when a child weighed a lot of weight inside.
If you're thinking of having more children, you might think about a convertible crib. They can be transformed into a bed for a toddler and then a full-size mattress, giving you the best value for price. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is a prime example of a convertible crib that earned excellent marks from our test parents. Several of them commented that the side rails that drop down made nighttime feedings easier and safer and that the crib was big enough for a baby who was sleeping with the parents to feel comfortable while mom and dad were asleep.
The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is an excellent choice if you like the traditional style. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft, and it has a timeless style that is compatible with most nursery decors. It comes with three mattress heights, however it may be a bit too small for toddlers and petite parents.
Mattress
A crib mattress that can be cleaned will be useful for infants. Spitting up from diapers, baby spills and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and dirty that can cause mildew and other bacteria that can be harmful to infants. Find a mattress cover that can be wiped down with a cloth or cleaned with mild cleaner. Also, select a mattress cover that is waterproof to stop fluids from seeping into the mattress and causing health issues.
Choose a mattress that has been that is rated 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 old enough to be their own bed.
A firm mattress for the crib is ideal because it supports their spines as they are developing. A mattress that is extremely firm reduces the chance of SIDS which is more likely to happen when a child's head is lowered into a mattress that is soft.
Check the label of a firm mattress to ensure it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC mandates that mattresses are tested for flammability and waterproofing as well as lead and other chemicals that could pose a risk to babies. You'll also find certifications like Greenguard, GOTS and CertiPUR-US which are a good sign that the mattress has been examined for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can harm infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
Another factor to consider is the weight of a crib mattress. Sheet changes at night require you to lift and move the mattress. If you have difficulty lifting heavy objects or don't want carry a heavy item, consider choosing a mattress that is lighter for your crib. For instance the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 lbs, while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress Dual Firmness weighs 20 pounds, which makes it one of the heaviest in this review. It is also constructed of foam instead of woven core inners. This makes it easier to move around compared to a traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
A crib that's simple to put together is great for parents who are new. You want to find a crib with firmly-secured hardware, and no sharp edges or rough patches that could rub the skin of your baby. Also, avoid any cribs with drop-sides, or headboard/footboard cutouts -- these features aren't in line with current safety standards.
When looking for a crib, keep in mind that you'll probably require a toddler bed conversion kit (if you opt for a convertible crib). These kits are offered separately by most manufacturers. They're typically inexpensive, and they'll help your child transition into a larger bed more smoothly.
Many new parents appreciate the longevity that can be found in a convertible crib, and they're a good option for families with multiple children. The cribs are made to last and can be converted into toddler beds, daybeds or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib a solid-wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold-certified and comes with four mattress heights. most recommended cribs in slate grey or white to match the decor of any nursery. The crib has locking wheels that allow you to easily move it from room to room and can fit most standard twin mattresses. The crib took our testers just 23 minutes to assemble.
Another crib that has been rated highly is the Sprout Crib is made with a sustainably harvested Baltic birch and meets all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It has a minimalist, stylish design that will go with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is one of 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 using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has received numerous prizes from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium profile and can be converted from an infant crib into a toddler bed, with or without a rail. It's easy to set up and has plenty of appeal. However, the thin finish is susceptible to scratches when used regularly.