Choosing the best crib for newborn, click here!, Crib Newborn

The Westport cot beds Bed is a minimalist crib that will look amazing in a modern Scandi nursery. It also comes with a variety of versatility with three mattress support height levels and the capability to convert into an infant bed.

Bassinets are a better choice for those with a small home. Cribs can take up more space. However, many parents choose a crib for safety reasons.

Safety

The choice of the best crib for newborns is essential to your baby's health and wellbeing. It is important to ensure that the crib meets the current safety standards and is free from dangers that could cause harm to your baby while they sleep. It should be constructed well and sturdy, without loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or create danger of choking. It is important to follow the directions of the manufacturer for assembly and use, and to check the crib regularly.

The first thing to look at is the spacing between the slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/4 inches to avoid your baby falling over or getting their limbs trapped between them. You should be in a position to be able to see and reach your child in the crib. If you aren't, the slats should be wider and not so close to each other.

Another aspect of the crib to be considered is the mattress support system. It must be adjustable to various heights so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will decrease the risk of your baby leaving the crib, which is a common situation as they begin to crawl.

Other safety features to look for include a fitted sheet that fits the mattress securely as well as an enduring and solid construction. It is also recommended to choose a crib with fixed sides, rather than one with drop sides, which can be dangerous for your baby. You should also sleep in the same room as your baby until they are old enough for them to sleep alone.

Last but not least, ensure that the crib is placed away from radiators and windows and that dangling items like curtains or blind cords are kept out of reach. You should also remove items that could be the risk of choking, such as blankets or pillows. Be cautious when buying used cribs as they may not meet the current safety standards or have been recalls.

Design

While cribs may look all similar, it's important to keep in mind that all must meet strict safety standards. For this reason, most of the cribs we reviewed have a similar layout to ensure consistency in terms of structural integrity. For instance, many have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could catch or pinch babies. We also evaluated each crib and rated it for its ease of use and assembly. We suggest selecting the crib with less parts to avoid confusion.

The Evolur Sprout crib is among our top picks. It is stylish, contemporary design and comes in a variety of colors, including two-tone options. It also has a universal mattress fitting, and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having the lowest amount of volatile organic compound (VOCs).

Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another option. This crib is sleek, modern and minimal in design. It's ideal for modern nurseries. The crib is available in a variety of finishes and comes with four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it from birth to toddler. We tested this crib and found it to be solid and stable, with no flexing or creaking when a toddler was seated inside.

If you're planning to have more children, you may think about a convertible crib. Many of these options transform into a toddler bed and then a full-size bed, giving you a long-lasting investment for your money. Our test parents loved the Sweet2Sleep Crib high marks as an example of a convertible bed. The drop-down side rail was loved by a lot of parents for making feeding at night safer tots and cots easier. They also noted that the crib offered enough room for the baby to sleep comfortably 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. It is less expensive than the Stork Craft and features a classic design that will complement most every nursery cots. It has three different mattress heights, but some parents and toddlers might feel it is a bit low.

Mattress

A washable crib mattress will be useful for infants. Spitting up from diapers and baby spit can cause mattresses to become damp and dirty which can lead to mildew or bacterial growth that could be harmful to infants. Find a mattress cover that can be cleaned with a cloth or cleaned with mild cleaner. Also, select a mattress cover that is waterproof to help prevent liquids from getting into the mattress and causing health issues.

Find a mattress that is that is rated up to 10 years so it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the mattresses featured in this review are reversible with infant and toddler sides, which will let you use them right from birth until your child is ready to move on to the full-size bed.

A mattress that is firm is the best choice for infants because it provides the greatest support for their growing spines. A firm sleeping surface reduces the risk of SIDS which is more likely to occur when a baby's head sinks into a mattress that is soft.

Check the label of the mattress to make sure it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC demands that mattresses be tested for flammability and waterproofing as well as lead and other chemicals which could pose a threat to infants. You'll also see certifications such as Greenguard CertiPUR, GOTS and CertiPURUS which are a great indication that the mattress has been tested for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can damage infants their nervous and respiratory systems.

The weight of the crib mattress is another thing to take into consideration. If you're not able to lift heavy objects or you don't wish to move a heavy object, you may want an easier mattress. For example, the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 pounds, making it the heaviest in this review. It's also made of foam rather than woven-core inners, which makes it more maneuverable compared with a heavier traditional coil mattress.

Assembly

New parents will appreciate a crib that is easy to put together. You should look for an item that is securely secured and without sharp edges or rough patches that could irritate the skin of your baby. Also, avoid any cribs with drop-sides or cutouts for headboards and footboards -- these features aren't compatible with the current safety standards.

If you decide to purchase a convertible crib, you will require a separate kit for converting it into an adult bed. Most manufacturers offer these kits separately. They're often affordable, and will assist your child in transitioning to a bigger bed more seamlessly.

Convertible cribs are an excellent option for families with multiple children. They are designed to last and typically can be converted into an infant bed, daybed, or full-size bed.

The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib solid-wood crib which is GREENGUARD Gold certified and has four mattress heights. It's traditional in design and is available in slate or white grey to fit with almost any nursery decor. The crib is easy to move around and features locking wheels. It is suitable for most twin beds. The crib took our test subjects just 23 minutes to put together.

Another crib that is highly rated one of the top cribs, the Sprout Crib is made with an environmentally-friendly harvest of Baltic birch, and it is compliant with all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It has a minimalist and stylish design that will go with any bedroom decor. The Sprout crib is among the lighter cribs that we've tested, with a weight of only 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a convenient bag for travel.

A runner-up in our testing the Oeuf Modern Crib is built using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from different parenting publications like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a moderate-height profile, and it converts from an infant crib to a toddler bed with rail, or to a daybed that doesn't have rail. It's easy to assemble and has a lot of appeal. However, the thin finish is susceptible to scratches in normal use.