The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs
How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs
The crib is an essential piece of furniture for your baby's nursery. It can be difficult to choose the right crib, with so many styles and safety concerns.
Choose a crib that meets the highest safety standards and includes no dangling or chewable components. We also recommend a sleek crib with a variety of mattress heights and an elegant, modern design.
Safety
Follow the safe sleep guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when placing and assembling your crib for your child. Avoid placing any items that could cause injury or harm to the nursery of your baby. This includes blankets, pillows and sheepskins. Also avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys and blankets. Your baby should not sleep with any teddy bears, dolls, or stuffed animals that are larger than 15 inches. These items could easily fall into or get caught between your baby and the crib bars or be swallowed by the mattress.
The best crib for newborn cribs for infants are made of materials that are free of VOCs, harmful chemicals, and other substances. They also meet strict federal and state standards for structural safety. They're also tested by a third party for safety and quality (think GREENGAURD gold or ASTM, JMPA, or CPSIA certifications!). They're designed to be sustainable and convertible so they can expand with your child.
No matter if you're buying new or used, it's crucial to select a crib that is in line with today's rigorous safety standards. Secondhand cribs can be damaged in their structural integrity due to age, humidity and heavy use, posing grave dangers to your child.
The crib's slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent babies from getting trapped between them and the hardware on the crib must be secured. It's also a good idea to inspect the slats and the rims of the mattress support for any broken or loose components.
It's also recommended to stay clear of cribs that were used by other children or pets, as their safety could be compromised. Also, don't purchase or buy a secondhand crib that has a drop side rail, which was deemed unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 due to reasons of safety.
Style
Although all cribs must meet strict safety standards, you'll find a lot of design differences. Some of the differences are cosmetic, like whether the slats all have the same length or are spaced further apart, while others could impact the ease to use and clean the crib. Certain features, such as finials and drop sides aren't safe and should not be used, while others--like adjustable mattress heights and wheels/casters are highly sought-after by many parents.
A crib isn't intended to be used as a place for toys or clothes. It's only intended to be a place for babies to sleep. It's also a good idea to put a crib on your registry so that friends and family can pitch in to help you get one when the time comes.
Cribs are available in many different styles We prefer those that combine fashion and functionality. For example, the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1 is minimalist and looks sharp. It's also GREENGUARD gold certified which we believe is essential for any product that is free of toxics. It can be turned to a daybed or toddler with a separate conversion kit.
Other cribs have an older-style look, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a stately choice that fits well into big nursery spaces, but it takes up more floor space than smaller minimalist options and has exposed hardware that some may find distracting. It has only three levels of mattress, which is half the number of competitors. It's also not as durable as our other picks.
The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern aesthetic. The Babyletto Hudson's all-round mesh and hidden hardware help to improve airflow and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that new parents appreciate. It can also be elevated to a higher position to ease colic and reflux and colic, making it suitable for babies aged from birth to 6 months. It is also GREENGUARD certified gold and comes with a mattress that is also a match. It's important to note that this bed is more expensive than other top choices and requires an additional conversion kit for toddler beds.
Adjustable Mattress Height
When your baby cots online is sleeping in their crib, it's vital that the mattress is at the correct level. This ensures that your child doesn't fall out which could be hazardous or even fatal. A higher mattress can also protect your child from overheating or suffocation.
A quality crib should include slats that can be adjusted or railings that let you raise or lower the mattress as your baby grows. Most good cribs will also include a conversion kit so you can convert the crib into an adult daybed or a toddler bed when your child is no longer using it. It's also a good idea to select the crib that has been tested and certified by a third-party organisation. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification that means it has been tested to ensure that there aren't any chemicals or finishes in the crib where your baby sleeps.
The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib has a simple design and no confusing parts. It is one of the most highly-rated cribs. The sides of the crib are smaller than the other models. However, one tester said that her child was sleeping well and the crib was in good condition when she gave it to a friend as her second child.
Another option that is worth considering is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which features a unique oval shape that gives it a contemporary appearance. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs, but its quality and cots to tots features are worth it. It can be easily transformed into a bassinet or toddler bed, and it has wheels to make it easy to move. It also has a canopy that can be used to create a child-like space for your baby. It's also an elegant touch to any nursery.
The only issue with this crib is that it doesn't include an additional mattress, which you'll need to purchase separately. It's a secure, comfortable crib that will grow with your child as they grow from infant to toddler.
No Chewable or Dangling Parts
The safest cribs do not have chewable or hanging components. Babies like to grab things, and if a piece of furniture is hanging from their crib or above them, it could pull off the rails or become a strangulation hazard. If parents decorate their crib with toys or other decorative items, they must make sure the items are secured tightly and not in reach of Baby.
We also consider how easy it is to put together our top cribs for infants. Ideally, the crib should be simple enough to build it yourself, and doesn't require any special tools or extensive assembly time. Many parents report that it takes less than an hour to assemble an modern crib, and the instructions are generally easy to follow.
A crib is the most expensive purchase for new parents, and it is essential to choose one that will last for years to be. Choose a crib that can be converted from a crib to a toddler's bed, and then a full-size mattress.
Our favorite 4-in-1 convertible crib is the Ikea Nestig Cloud Crib that can be used to replace the bassinet in the early months, and later convert to a toddler bed daybed, or a full-size bed. It's designed to last for a long time and comes in a range of colors, making it easy to match your nursery design theme.
Stork Craft Equinox is another fantastic alternative. This gorgeous, minimalist-style crib is low-profile to ensure that parents with small feet can touch their child to calm them. It is well-known for its quality, and is available in cherry, white and espresso colors.
This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental safety, and it's made from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of harmful substances such as lead and phthalates (BPA). It also exceeds the safety standards set by the government, such as ASTM, CPSC, and JPMA. The only thing missing is a toddler rail which you can purchase separately. This is a great choice for those who want an affordable, high-quality, and low-cost crib that will last for a long time.