The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the best cot newborn infant cribs (Read the Full Post)

The crib is an important piece for your baby's nursery. It isn't easy to select the ideal crib, due to so many designs and safety concerns.

Search for a crib with the most stringent safety standards, including no chewable or dangling components. We also suggest a chic crib with a variety of mattress heights and a sleek, modern design.

Safety

Follow the safe sleeping guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when assembling and positioning your crib for your child. It is crucial to stay clear of putting anything in the crib of your child that could cause injury or harm, including pillows, blankets, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and bumper pads (see our complete guide to safe sleep for more details). Also, your baby should not sleep with any teddy bears, dolls, or stuffed animals that are larger than 15 inches. They could easily fall into or be trapped between your baby and the crib bars, or they could be engulfed by the mattress.

The best cribs for babies are made of safe materials that are free of VOCs and other harmful chemicals. They also adhere to strict federal and state regulations regarding structural safety. Additionally, they're third-party tested for quality and safety (think GREENGAURD gold or ASTM, JMPA, or CPSIA certificates!). They're designed to be durable and adaptable, so they can adapt to your child's needs.

If you're buying a new crib or used, it's important to select cribs that meet the current stringent safety standards. Secondhand cribs may be weakened in the course of time due to age, humidity and frequent use. This can pose serious risks to your baby.

The crib's slats should not exceed 2-3/8 inch (6 centimeters) and the hardware must be secured. Check the slats, mattress support rims and hardware for any broken or loose components.

It is recommended to stay clear of cribs that were used by children or pets in the past, since their safety may be at risk. Also, don't purchase or buy a second-hand crib with a drop side rail, which was deemed unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 for safety reasons.

Style

While all cribs have to comply with strict safety standards, you'll find a lot of design differences. Some are simply aesthetic, such as whether the slats are all the same length or spaced closer than others or not, while others have an impact on the ease of the crib to maintain and use. Certain features such as finials and drop sides aren't safe and should be avoided. Other features, like the adjustable mattress height and wheels, are coveted by many parents.

One important thing to remember is that a crib is meant only for infant sleep, so it's not an area to store toys or clothes. You can also include the crib on your registry to get assistance from family and friends when you need one.

Cribs come in all shapes and sizes, but the ones we like best cots for newborns combine style and functionality. For example, the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1 crib is simple and looks sharp. It's also GREENGUARD Gold certified, which we believe is an essential feature for any toxic-free baby product, and it can convert into a toddler bed as well as a daybed (toddler conversion kit available separately).

Some cribs sport an older-style look like the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a chic option that can fit in large nursery. However, it occupies more floor space when compared to smaller, minimalist alternatives. It has only three mattress levels which is a fraction of the number of competitors. It's not as sturdy as our other choices.

The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern aesthetic. The Babyletto Hudson's all-round mesh and hidden hardware improve airflow, and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that many new parents will consider important. 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 complimentary mattress that is also a match. It's important to remember that this bed is more expensive than other top options and requires an additional conversion kit to accommodate toddler beds.

Adjustable Mattress Height

It is crucial that the crib mattress of your baby is the right height. This ensures that your child can't climb out which could be hazardous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher can protect your child from heat exhaustion or suffocation.

A quality crib should include slats that can be adjusted or railings that allow you to raise or lower the mattress as your child grows. A conversion kit is included with most good cribs so that you can turn it into a toddler bed or daybed when your child is no longer in the crib. It's also best cot beds to choose a crib that has been tested and approved by a third party organization for safety. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal and GREENGUARD Gold Certification are two examples. These certifications guarantee your baby's crib is not contaminated of any chemicals or finishes.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib one of the best-rated cribs on the market, and it's easy to put together and has a simple design that doesn't have any complicated pieces or parts. The sides of the crib are shorter than the other models. However, one parent tester reported that her child slept well and the crib was in good condition when she gave it to a relative for her second child.

Stokke Sleepi Crib is another fantastic option. It has an oval shape that gives it a contemporary look. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs, however its quality and features make up for it. It can easily be transformed into a bassinet or toddler bed, and it has wheels that make it easy to move. It has a canopy which can be used to create a space more akin to a womb your baby. It adds a fashionable accent to any nursery.

This crib does not come with mattress. You'll need to buy one separately. However, it's a secure and comfortable crib that can expand with your child from a newborn to a toddler.

No Chewable or Dangling Parts

The safest cribs are those that are free of chewable or dangling components. Babies love to grab objects, and if something is hanging from their crib or above them, it could tug against the rails or create an entanglement hazard. If parents decorate their crib with toys or other decorative items, they must make sure the items are securely secured and not in reach of Baby.

We also consider how easy it is to build our top cribs for infants. Ideally, the crib should be easy enough to build it yourself and doesn't require special tools or extensive assembly time. Many parents report that assembling a modern crib takes less than a half hour, and the instructions included are usually clear and easy to follow.

It is crucial to choose the right crib that will last for many years. Select a crib that is able to be converted from a crib to an infant's bed, and then to a full-size mattress.

Our top choice for a 4-in-1 convertible crib is the Ikea Nestig Cloud Crib which can replace a bassinet for those early months, and then be converted into a toddler bed, daybed, and a full-size bed. It's built to last and comes in a variety of colors, so you can match it with your nursery's design theme.

Stork Craft Equinox is another great option. This beautiful, minimal-style crib is low-profile, so petite parents can touch their child to comfort them. It has a good reputation for its quality, and is available in cherry, white and espresso colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means it is made of sustainable New Zealand pine and is free from toxins such as lead and phthalates. It also exceeds the standards of government agencies such as ASTM, CPSC and JPMA. The only thing that is missing is the toddler rail. It is available separately. This is a great option for those who want an affordable, high-quality, and low-cost crib that will last for a long time.