Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

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

Bassinets are a better choice for those with a small house. Cribs can take up more space. Many parents prefer a crib because of safety concerns.

Safety

The choice of the best crib for newborn crib for newborns is crucial to your baby's health and well-being. You should ensure that it is in line with current safety standards and is free of hazards that could cause harm during sleep. It should be constructed well and sturdy, without loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or pose a choking risk. It is essential to follow the instructions of the manufacturer for assembly and use, and to check the crib regularly.

Check the distance between the slats. It should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to keep your baby's head or legs from being trapped between them. You must also be able to easily reach and observe your baby's crib. If you aren't, the slats are too close together and should be wider.

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

A fitted sheet that fits the bed securely and a solid and stable structure are other security features you should look for. Select a crib that has fixed sides instead of one with drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. It is also advisable to sleep in the same room as your baby for six months or so, and then move them into their own bedroom once they are old enough to be supervised when they are sleeping on their own.

In the end, you must make sure that the crib is away from windows and radiators and that any hanging objects such as curtains or blind cords are out of their reach. It is also recommended to remove any items that could be the risk of choking, such as pillows or blankets. You should also be wary of buying second-hand cribs beds, since they may not have met the current safety standards or been recalled for other reasons.

Design

It is crucial to keep in mind that cribs may appear identical, but they must meet the strict safety standards. Most of the cribs that we reviewed are designed in a similar manner to ensure structural integrity. For instance, many have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could entangle or snag the baby. We also evaluated each crib and rated it based on its simplicity of use and assembly. We recommend choosing one with fewer components to avoid confusion.

The Evolur Sprout crib is one of our top rated cots picks. It has a stylish contemporary design and is available in a range of colors, including two-tone options. Additionally, it features an all-inclusive mattress fit and is Greenguard Gold certified to have minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can release off-gasses into the nursery.

Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another alternative. This crib is sleek and modern, with minimal features that make it ideal for modern nurseries. The crib comes in different colors and four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it as a newborn or toddler. We tested the crib and found it to be extremely sturdy and stable, with no creaking or flexing when a heavy toddler climbed inside.

If you're planning on having more children, you might be interested in a convertible crib. Many of these options be converted into a toddler bed, and later a full-size bed providing a long-lasting product for the money. Our test parents gave the Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib high marks as an example of a convertible bed. Many of them said that the drop-down side rail made feeding at night easier and safer and that the crib was spacious enough for the baby to feel at ease while dad and mom were sleeping.

The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is a great choice if you like the traditional style. It is less expensive than the Stork Craft and has an elegant design that is suitable for every nursery. It comes with three different mattress heights however certain parents and toddlers may consider it too shallow.

Mattress

A crib mattress that can be cleaned will be a great option for babies. Spitting up from diapers and baby spit can cause mattresses to become damp and dirty and result in mildew or bacteria that could affect infants. Look for a product that can be washed with a cloth or scrubbed with mild cleaner. You should also pick a mattress cover with a waterproof material to prevent fluids from seeping into the mattress and causing health issues.

Find a mattress that is rated to last for 10 years, which means it's ready for toddlers and beyond. A majority of the mattresses that we have reviewed are reversible, with toddler and infant sides. This allows you to use them from birth up until your child is ready to move on to their own bed size.

A mattress that is firm for the crib is ideal, as it will support their spines while they're developing. A firm sleeping surface will also lower the risk of SIDS. This is because mattresses that are soft increase the chance that a baby's head will sink into it.

If you are looking for a mattress that is firm for your crib, check the label to make sure it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for the ability to withstand fire and water as well as lead and other chemicals which could pose a risk to infants. You'll also see certifications such as Greenguard, GOTS and CertiPUR-US, which are a good sign that the mattress has been tested for the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can damage infants' respiratory and nervous systems.

The weight of the mattress is a further factor to consider. Sheet changes at night require you to move and lift the mattress, so if you are unable to lift heavy objects or aren't able to take on a heavy product then consider getting a lighter crib mattress. Newton Wovenaire, for example, is only 8 pounds while Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress – Dual Firmness weighs 20lbs. This makes it one of the heavier mattresses in this review. It is also constructed of foam, not inners with woven-core that makes it more maneuverable when compared to traditional coil mattresses that weigh more.

Assembly

A crib that is easy to put together is great for new parents. Choose a crib with hardware that's firmly secured and has no sharp edges or rough spots that could pinch your baby's skin. Avoid cribs that have drop-sides and headboard/footboard cuts. These items aren't in compliance with the current safety standards.

If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you will require a separate kit for converting it into a toddler bed. The majority of manufacturers sell these kits on their own. They're usually cheap, Small cot beds and they'll help your child transition into a bigger bed more seamlessly.

Convertible cribs are a great investment for families with many children. These cribs have been designed to last and can be converted into toddler beds, daybeds or full-size beds.

The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib solid wood crib that is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It's available in slate grey or white to match the decor of any nursery. The crib has locking wheels that allow you to easily move it from room to room. It can fit the majority of twin mattresses. The crib took our testers just 23 minutes to put together.

Another top-rated crib is the Sprout Crib is made with a sustainably harvested Baltic birch and is compliant with all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a sleek, minimalist design that won't clash with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is one of the lightest cribs we tested at 6kg, making it easy to move around. It also comes with an excellent travel bag.

The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was a runner-up in our tests, is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from different parenting publications such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height profile, and it converts from an infant crib into an adult bed with rail, or to a daybed without the rail. It's simple to put together and has a lot of appeal. However, the thin finish is susceptible to scratches during normal use.