Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

The Westport Cot Bed will look gorgeous in the Scandi nursery. It also comes with a variety of versatility with three mattress support height levels and the capability to convert into a toddler bed.

Cribs can take up a lot space, so bassinets may be a better option if your house is small. Many parents prefer a crib for safety reasons.

Safety

Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial for your baby's health and wellbeing. You must ensure that it is in compliance with current safety standards and is free of any hazards that may cause harm to your child as they sleep. It should be well-constructed and strong, with no loose pieces that may catch on clothing or create a choking risk. It is important to follow the directions of the manufacturer for assembly and use and to inspect the crib on a regular basis.

Be sure to measure the distance between the 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 can't then the slats are close together and need to be a bit more spacious.

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

A fitted sheet that fits the bed securely and a sturdy and stable construction are additional safety features you should be looking for. You should also choose a crib that has fixed sides, rather than one with drop sides which can be hazardous for your baby. It is also recommended to share a room with your baby for the first six months or so, and only transfer them to their own room when they are old enough to be supervised when they are sleeping on their own.

Not least, make sure the crib is removed from radiators and windows, and that hanging items such as curtains or blind cords are kept out of reach. Also, you should remove any items that could pose a choking risk, such as pillows or blankets. Be careful when purchasing used cribs as they may not meet the current safety standards or have been removed from the market.

Design

It is crucial to keep in mind that cribs may look similar, but must adhere to strict safety standards. For this reason, most cribs we examined have a similar design to ensure consistency of structural quality. The majority of cribs have circular bars with no gaps or rough surfaces that could catch a baby or pinch them. We also tested and rated each crib based on how easily it was to put together and use. More parts can lead to more confusion, so we recommend choosing one that has a few easy-to-follow directions to reduce frustration.

The Evolur Sprout crib is among our top picks. It is stylish contemporary design and is available in a range of colors, including two-toned options. It also comes with an all-inclusive mattress fit and is Greenguard Gold certified to have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could release gas into the nursery.

Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. The crib is sleek and modern with minimal details, making it perfect for modern nursery. The crib comes in different finishes and four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it as a toddler or a newborn. The crib was extremely solid and stable. It didn't flex or squeak when a big child climbed into it.

If you're planning on having more children, you might think about a convertible crib. These options can be transformed into a bed for a toddler and then into a larger mattress, giving you the best cot beds value for money. Our test parents have given the Sweet2Sleep Crib top marks as an example of convertible beds. The side rails that slide down were highly praised by parents for making feeding their children at night more secure and less stressful. They also said that the crib was spacious enough room for the cheap baby cots to be comfortable while mom and dad slept.

If you are looking for a classic style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 is a solid choice. This crib is more affordable than the Stork Craft and has a timeless design that is compatible with the majority of nursery decors. It has three different mattress heights, but it might be a little too small for toddlers and small parents.

Mattress

A crib mattress that can be cleaned will come in handy for newborns. Diaper leaks, baby spit up and other accidents can make mattresses damp and filthy which can lead to mildew and bacteria that may be harmful to infants. Select a mattress that can be easy to clean with mild cleaner or cloth. Also, consider an waterproof cover to prevent liquids from getting into the mattress.

Choose mattresses that are designed to last 10 years, meaning it's ready for toddlers and beyond. Many of the mattresses featured in this review are reversible and have toddler and infant sides, that allows you to use them right from birth until your child is old enough to be an adult-sized bed.

A firm mattress for the crib is best baby cots, as it will support their spines while they are developing. A mattress that is firm and sturdy can also reduce the risk of SIDS. This is because an extremely soft mattress increases the likelihood that an infant's head will sink into it.

Examine the label on the mattress to make sure it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC mandates that mattresses are tested for the ability to withstand fire and water as well as lead and other chemicals that could pose a threat to babies. You can also find certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS, which indicate that the mattress has been tested for volatile organic compounds that can cause harm to infants' respiratory and nervous systems.

Another thing to consider is the weight of a crib mattress. Sheet changes at night require you to move and lift the mattress, so if you have difficulty lifting heavy objects or don't want take on a heavy product you should consider 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 lbs, making it the heaviest in this review. It is also made from foam instead of woven core inners. This makes it more comfortable to move around as compared to a traditional coil mattress.

Assembly

New parents will appreciate a crib that is easy to assemble. You want to find an item that is securely secured and with no sharp edges or rough patches that could pinch the skin of your baby. Also, avoid any cribs with drop-sides or headboard/footboard cutouts as they aren't compatible with the current safety standards.

If you're looking for a crib, keep in mind that you'll require a toddler bed conversion kit (if you opt for a convertible crib). These kits are offered separately by most manufacturers. These kits are typically inexpensive and will help your child make the transition from a smaller bed more smoothly.

Many new parents appreciate the long-lasting quality that can be found in a convertible crib, and they're a good choice for families with several children. These cribs have been built to last and can be transformed into toddler beds, daybeds or full-size beds.

The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib is solid wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It's available in white or slate grey to complement any nursery decor. The crib comes with locks that let you easily move it from room to room and accommodates most standard twin mattresses. The crib took our test subjects just 23 minutes to put together.

Another top-rated crib, the Sprout Crib is made with sustainable harvested Baltic birch and conforms to all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It is a minimalist and stylish design that will fit in with any bedroom decor. The Sprout crib is among the lighter cribs that we tested, weighing only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a handy bag for transport.

A runner-up in our testing the Oeuf Modern Crib is built using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height profile and can be transformed from an infant crib into a toddler bed, with or without a rail. It is simple to put together, and it has a lot of aesthetic appeal. However the slick finish could be scratched by normal use.