Vernell Longwell

Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

The Westport Cot Bed will look gorgeous in a Scandi nursery. It is also very flexible with three different mattress support heights. Additionally, it can be converted into the bed of a toddler.

Cribs take up a lot of space, so bassinets may be a better choice for homes with small spaces. However, many parents prefer a crib due to security reasons.

Safety

Choosing the best crib newborn is essential to your baby's health and well-being. You should ensure that the crib meets the current safety standards, and is free from any dangers that could harm your child during sleep. It should be strong and well-constructed, with no loose parts that might catch on clothing or create a choking hazard. It is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer to set up and use the crib and to check the crib regularly.

The first thing you need to check is the spacing between slats. It shouldn't be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to avoid your baby falling over or getting their limbs trapped between them. You should also be able easily see and reach your baby's crib. If you aren't reach your baby, the slats may be too close together and should be more spacious.

The mattress support system is another aspect to think about when choosing the crib. It should be adjustable so you can lower the crib mattress as your child grows. This will reduce the risk that your child will climb out of the crib once they begin to crawl.

Other safety features to consider include an upholstered sheet that fits the mattress in a secure way as well as an enduring and solid construction. Choose a crib with fixed sides rather than one that has drop sides. Drop sides can be dangerous for your child. It is also advisable to share a room with your baby for the first six months or so, and then move them to their own bedroom when they are old enough to be watched while sleeping alone.

Also, ensure that the crib is positioned away from windows and radiators, and that any dangling objects such as blind cords or curtains are kept out of reach. It is also recommended to remove any items that could be a choking hazard like blankets or pillows. Be careful when purchasing used cribs, as they may not be in compliance with the current safety standards or have been removed from the market.

Design

It is crucial to remember that cribs may appear identical, but they must meet the strict safety standards. To this end, the majority cribs we examined have a similar layout to ensure uniformity of structural solidity. The majority of cribs have circular bars without gaps or rough surfaces that could entangle babies or pinch them. We also tested and rated each crib on the ease of put together and use. More components can cause confusion, so we recommend selecting a crib with clear instructions that are easy to follow to reduce frustration.

One of our favorite cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which has an elegant, modern design and comes in a variety of colors, including two-toned. It also has a universal mattress fit and is Greenguard Gold certified to have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas into the nursery.

Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another option. The crib is sleek, modern and minimal in appearance. It's ideal for modern nurseries. The crib is available in a variety of designs and four mattress heights so that your baby can use it as a toddler or a newborn. The crib was stable and cots and Tots sturdy. It didn't flex or squeak when a big child climbed into it.

If you're thinking of having more children, you may think about a convertible crib. A lot of these cribs can be converted into a toddler bed and then a full-size bed offering excellent longevity for your money. Our test parents have given the Sweet2Sleep Crib high marks as an example of convertible beds. Many of them said that the side rails with a drop-down feature made nighttime feedings easier and safer, and that the crib was spacious enough for the co-sleeping baby to feel at ease while dad and mom were asleep.

The Carter's Colby 4-in-1 by DaVinci is a great choice if you like traditional design. This crib is less expensive than the Stork Craft and comes with a classic design that will complement most every nursery. It comes with three different heights for the mattress however, some parents and cots And tots toddlers might feel it is a bit low.

Mattress

A crib mattress that can be cleaned will come in handy for newborns. Spitting up from diapers, baby spit up and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and dirty which can lead to mildew and other bacteria that can affect infants. Find a mattress cover that can be wiped down with a cloth or cleaned with mild cleaner. You should also choose a waterproof mattress cover to stop fluids from leaking into the mattress and causing health problems.

Choose mattresses that are top rated cots to last for 10 years, meaning it will be ready for toddlers and beyond. Many of the mattresses featured in this review are reversible with infant and toddler sides, that allows you to use them from birth until your child is old enough to be a full-size bed.

A firm mattress for the crib is ideal because it can support their spines as they are developing. A mattress that is extremely firm helps reduce the risk of SIDS, which is more likely to occur when a child's head is lowered into a mattress that is soft.

If you are in search of a mattress for your crib that is firm, check the label to make sure that it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC mandates that mattresses are tested for waterproofing and flammability as well as lead and other chemicals which could pose a threat to babies. You can also find certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which show that the mattress has been tested for volatile organic compounds that may affect infants' nervous and respiratory systems.

Another consideration is the weight of a crib mattress. The regular changes to sheets at night require that you move and lift the mattress. If you have difficulty lifting heavy objects or don't want handle a heavy product then consider getting a crib mattress that is lighter. For instance the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds, while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 pounds, which makes it the largest in this review. It is also made of foam, not woven-core inners, which makes it more maneuverable in comparison to traditional coil mattresses that weigh more.

Assembly

A crib that is easy to put together is ideal for parents who are new. Find one with hardware that's firmly secured, no sharp edges or rough spots that could rub your baby's skin. Avoid cribs with drop-sides or headboard/footboard cuts -- these features aren't up to the safety standards of today.

If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you will need to purchase a separate kit for converting it into an adult bed. The majority of manufacturers offer these kits on their own. These kits are often affordable and can aid your child in making the transition from a smaller bed more easily.

Many new parents appreciate the longevity that can be found in the convertible crib and are a great option for families with multiple children. These cribs are built to last, and are typically able to be transformed into a daybed, toddler bed or a full-size bed.

The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib solid wood crib that is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It is available in white or slate grey to match any nursery decor. The crib is easily moved around and comes with locking wheels. It can be used with most twin beds. Our test participants found that the crib was very easy to put together, taking 23 minutes to complete.

Another crib that is highly rated, the Sprout Crib is made with an environmentally-friendly harvest of Baltic birch and meets all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It is a minimalist and stylish design that will be a perfect fit with any bedroom décor. The Sprout crib is among the lighter cribs that we tried, weighing just 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a handy bag for travel.

The runner-up of our tests, the Oeuf Modern Crib is built using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from parenting publications such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height design, and it converts from an infant crib to a toddler bed with a rail or into a daybed with no rail. It's simple to put together and has plenty of aesthetic appeal, but the slender finish is susceptible to scratches in normal use.