How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs
The crib is an essential piece of furniture for the nursery of your baby. It can be difficult to choose the best crib, given numerous styles and safety concerns.
Find a crib that meets the highest safety standards and has no chewable or dangling parts. We also recommend a stylish crib with a variety of mattress heights and modern, sleek design.
Safety
Follow the safe sleeping guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when assembling and positioning your baby's crib. Avoid placing any objects that could cause injury or harm in the nursery of your baby. This includes pillows, blankets 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 can easily get caught between the crib bars or get trapped in them. They could also be taken up by the mattress.
The best cribs for babies are made of materials that are free of VOCs, harmful chemicals, and other substances. They also adhere to strict federal and state regulations regarding structural safety. Furthermore, they're tested by a third-party for safety and quality (think GREENGAURD gold or ASTM, JMPA, or CPSIA certifications!). They're also designed to be sustainable and convertible so they can grow with your child.
It's crucial to choose a crib that meets current safety standards, no matter if you're purchasing a brand-new or used crib. Secondhand cribs may be damaged in their structural integrity due to aging, humidity and heavy use, posing serious risks to your infant.
The slats on your crib should not be longer than 3/8 inch (6 centimeters), and the hardware should be secured. It's an excellent idea to examine the slats and the rims of the mattress support for any broken or loose parts.
It's best to avoid cribs that were used by pets or children in the past, since their safety may have been compromised. Don't purchase or buy the crib that has a drop-side rail. This feature was banned in 2012 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for safety reasons.
Style
There are a lot of design differences between cribs, even though they all have to meet safety standards. Some are purely aesthetic, like whether the slats are the same length or placed closer together, while others have an impact on the ease of the crib to maintain and use. Certain features, like finials and drop sides aren't safe and should not be used. Other features, like the adjustable mattress height and wheels, are desirable by many parents.
One thing to be aware of is that a crib should be used solely for sleep for infants It's not an area to store toys or clothing. It's also a good idea to put the crib on your list so that friends and family can pitch in to help you purchase one when the time comes.
Cribs are available in many different styles We prefer those that combine design and function. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalistic crib that looks gorgeous. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified, which we consider an essential feature for any product that is free of toxics and it's able to convert into a toddler bed and daybed (toddler conversion kit sold separately).
Some cribs are more traditional, like the DaVinci Jayden 4 in 1. It's a stylish choice that can fit in large nursery. However, it occupies more floor space when compared to smaller minimalist options. It has only three mattress levels which is a fraction of the number offered by competitors. It's also not as sturdy as our other picks.
Another option with modern design is the Babyletto Hudson. The Babyletto Hudson's all-round mesh and hidden hardware improve airflow and Dr. Casares believes that this is an attribute that new parents appreciate. It can also be elevated to a higher position to help reduce colic and reflux which makes it suitable for babies from birth to 6 months. It's also GREENGUARD GOLD certified and comes with a free matching mattress. It's important to note, however, that it's more expensive than our other top selections and requires a toddler bed conversion kit.
Adjustable Mattress Height
It is crucial that your baby's crib mattress is at the correct height. This ensures that your child doesn't fall out, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher will also protect your baby from heat exhaustion or suffocation.
A quality crib should have slats or railings that are adjustable that allow you to raise or lower the mattress as your child grows. A conversion kit comes with the majority of cribs so that you can convert it into an adult daybed or a toddler bed when your child is no longer in the crib. Finally, it's a good idea to choose a crib that has been tested and inspected by a third party organisation to ensure safety. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification, which means it has been tested to make sure there aren't any chemicals or finishes in the crib where your baby sleeps.
The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib one of the most highly-rated cribs on the market, and it's simple to put together, with a straightforward design that doesn't include any confusing parts or pieces. The sides of the crib are shorter than many other models however, one user stated that her baby did well sleeping in it and was still in good shape when she passed it on to a friend following the birth of her second child.
Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which is a unique oval-shaped design that gives it a modern look. It's a bit more expensive than most cribs, but it's durable and comes with many features that make up the price. It can, for instance, be transformed into a bassinet, or a toddler bed, and it is able to be moved on wheels, making it easy to move from room to room. It also has a canopy that can be used to create a space that resembles a womb for your baby. This is a chic accent to any nursery.
The only drawback to this crib is that it doesn't come with an additional mattress, which you'll have to purchase separately. But it's a safe and comfortable crib that will expand with your child from newborn to toddler.
No Chewable or Dangling Parts
The safest cribs have no chewable or dangling parts. If something is hung over or below the crib, it could cause the rails to be pulled or cause strangulation. Babies are extremely grabbing. If parents decorate their crib with toys or decorative items, they must ensure that they secure the items and aren't in the reach of Baby.
We also look at how it is easy to build our top cribs for infants. Ideally, the crib should be simple enough to be able to build it yourself, and doesn't require any special tools or long assembly time. Most parents report that it takes less than one hour to assemble a modern crib, and the directions are generally easy to follow.
A crib will be an important purchase for many new parents, and it's crucial to find one that will last for a long time to be. For long-lasting use, choose an adjustable crib that will start at the beginning of your child's life all the way to an adult bed and then a larger bed.
The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top pick for convertible cribs that can be used as a bassinet for the early years and later converted into an infant bed, a daybed, or a large bed. It's designed for the long haul and comes in a range of colors, making it easy to match your nursery design theme.
Another great option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1 crib. This gorgeous, minimalist-style crib is low-profile to ensure that small parents can touch their child to calm them. It is renowned for quality and comes in cherry, white and espresso colors.
This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means that it is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine and is free from toxins such as lead and phthalates. It also exceeds the standards of government agencies like ASTM, CPSC and JPMA. The only thing that's missing is a toddler rail, which you can buy separately. This is a great option for those who are looking for an inexpensive, high-quality crib that will last for a long time.