Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look beautiful in the Scandi nursery. It also offers a great deal of flexibility by offering three different mattress support heights and the ability to transform into the bed of a toddler.
Bassinets are the best option if you have a small home. Cribs can take up more space. Many parents choose a crib for security reasons.
Safety
The health and wellbeing of your baby's child is contingent on the crib you choose. It is important to ensure that the crib meets the current safety standards and is free of any dangers that could harm your baby while they sleep. It should be sturdy and well-constructed, with no loose parts that might catch on clothing or create the risk of choking. It is also crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions for assembly and use and check the crib regularly for signs of wear or damage.
Check the distance between the slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches, to keep your baby's head or legs from getting caught between them. You should be in a position to be able to see and reach your child in the crib. If you aren't then the slats are close to each other and should be wider.
Another aspect of the crib that you should be aware of is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable to different levels so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will reduce the risk that your child will climb out of the crib once they begin to crawl.
Other security features to look out for include the fitted sheet that is able to fit the mattress securely, and a stable and sturdy construction. Choose a crib with fixed sides instead of one with drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. You should also be in the same room with your baby until they are old enough for them to be able to go off on their own.
Last but not least, make sure the crib is placed away from windows and radiators, and that dangling items like curtains or blind cords are not in reach. Also, you should remove any items that might pose the risk of choking, such as pillows or blankets. 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 regulations. This is why the majority cribs we looked at have a similar design to ensure consistency in terms of structural quality. The majority of cribs have circular bars without gaps or rough surfaces that could entangle babies or pinch them. We also evaluated each crib and rated it based on its simplicity of use and assembly. We recommend choosing the crib with less parts to avoid confusion.
One of our favorite cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which is designed with an elegant, contemporary design and comes in a variety of color options, including some two-toned. It also has a universal mattress fitting, and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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. cheap cot bed comes in different colors and four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it as a toddler or newborn. We tried the crib and found it to be solid and stable, with no flexing or creaking when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
Convertible cribs are a fantastic option if you are planning to have more children. 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 Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib top marks as an example of a convertible bed. A few of them mentioned that the side rails that drop down made nighttime feedings more secure and easier, and the crib was big enough for a baby who was sleeping with the parents 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 a more traditional style. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft and has a timeless design that will fit in with most nursery decors. It comes with three mattress heights, but it may be a bit shallow for some toddlers and petite parents.
Mattress
Newborns can be messy, and a washable crib mattress is a must. Spitting up from diapers, baby spit up and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and filthy, leading to mildew and bacteria that may be harmful to infants. Choose a mattress that can be cleaned 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.
Choose a mattress that has been that is rated for up to 10 years, so that it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the products discussed here are reversible with a toddler and infant side. This lets you use them from the time of birth until your child is ready to move on to their full-size bed.
A mattress that is firm is best for infants, because it provides the greatest support for their developing spines. A firm sleeping surface can also reduce the risk of SIDS. This is due to the fact that an extremely soft mattress increases the possibility that a child's head will sink into it.
If you are in search of a firm crib mattress make sure you check the label to make sure that it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for flammability, waterproofing lead, as well as other chemicals that could be a hazard to babies. There are also certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which show that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that could cause harm to infants' nervous and respiratory systems.
The weight of the crib mattress is a further factor to take into consideration. If you are unable to lift heavy objects, or you don't wish to move a heavy object, you may want a lighter 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 featured in this review. It is also made from foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it easier to move around as compared to a traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
New parents will appreciate a crib that is easy to assemble. Look for one with hardware that's firmly secured and has without sharp edges or rough spots that could rub your baby's skin. Avoid cribs that have drop-sides and headboard/footboard cuts. These features don't meet the current safety standards.
If you decide to purchase a convertible crib, you'll require an additional kit to convert it into an adult bed. These kits are sold separately by the majority of manufacturers. These kits are usually affordable and can aid your child in making the transition to a bigger bed more easily.
Many new parents appreciate the long-lasting quality that can be found in the convertible crib, and they're a good choice for families with several children. These cribs are built to last, and are typically able to be transformed into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-size bed.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib solid wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold Certified and comes with four mattress-level heights. It's available in white or slate grey to match the decor of any nursery. The crib is simple to move around and has locking wheels. It can be used with the majority of twin mattresses. The crib took our testers only 23 minutes to assemble.
Another crib that has been rated highly, the Sprout Crib is made with sustainable harvested Baltic birch that conforms to all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a sleek, minimalist design that won't interfere with any decor in the bedroom. The Sprout crib is one of the tiniest cribs we tried, weighing just 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a handy bag for travel.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was a runner-up during our tests, is made from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has won numerous prizes from parenting magazines like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium profile and can be transformed from an infant crib to a toddler bed, with or without rail. It is easy to set up, and it has a lot of aesthetic appeal. However the surface can be scratched during normal use.