The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
Your little one will spend most of her time in the crib So it's a good idea to choose one that's stylish and safe. Find cribs that are kept up to current with the most recent safety standards set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Product Safety Commission and other organizations.
Avoid cribs with slats too close together, as well as drop-side cribs that could create strangulation risks for infants. Find cribs with simple hardware so that it doesn't snag your baby's hair or clothing.
Safety
A baby's crib will be their place of refuge for a very long time, so it's important to ensure that it's safe. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific standards for cribs, which include solid wood construction and sturdy mattress supports. Many cribs are also certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) for added security measures.
Select a crib made from solid wood, not particleboard. Pick a crib that's sturdy and does not have rough edges that could pinch your child. Verify that the hardware is firmly secured and won't come loose over time due to humidity or heavy usage.
Many cribs offer different levels of mattress support, so you can alter them as your baby grows. It is recommended to keep the crib at its lowest level until your child can stand independently, which usually happens around nine months. Some cribs include the option of converting the crib into an adult bed when your child is ready.
Certain cribs come with decorative elements or cutouts that could pose a choking risk for your baby Therefore, you should choose a crib that don't have these types of embellishments. Also, avoid putting decorative objects such as mobiles in the crib since they can also pose a risk to infants.
A crib that swivels allows you to keep an eye on your baby from any position in the room. It is particularly useful for parents recovering from c-sections or other hospital-based deliveries. The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib is a well-respected option, with a 360 swing that one tester for parents observed "was the perfect way to reach in and comfort the baby without needing to get out of bed," particularly helpful during recovery from a csection. The crib features a lowering side wall for maximum accessibility and closeness. It's also small enough that it can be moved from room to room with ease due to locking wheels.
Style
The crib is most likely the most significant piece of furniture in the nursery of your baby. It will take up the most space on the floor and therefore must have a style that fits the aesthetic of your nursery.
Many cribs come with a modern, minimalist look that will fit in with any design. Some cribs feature flat panels or slat arrangements at the ends. Others have finials or drop sides that give them a more a traditional look. Whatever you decide on, ensure that it meets the safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics or Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Most cribs come with an slat made of wood or metal mattress frame that can be a solid board or a grid of wooden slats, or even a spring wire grid. nursery cots is recommended by What to Expect and Baby Bargains since it provides greater stability and a stronger structure to support your baby's weight.
It must have a non-toxic and smooth finish that is easy to clean. Avoid placing anything in the crib your baby can grab and pull. This includes blankets, toys and pillows. Decorate your crib with care. Babies can be clingy, and they may pull or bite at the ornaments. This could cause injury or cause them to fall off.
Some parents decide to use a bassinet their infant until they are ready to transition to cribs. Based on how active your baby is, a bassinet may only last for six months or more. If this is your situation then you should consider this crib that combines all of the benefits of a bassinet and a large-sized crib. This model has an swivel that is side-to-side, making it easy to get in and out of crib. It also has a patented reflux incline to help with colic.
This eco-friendly crib has more than 2,000 rave reviews by real moms, and a premium rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon. Made of sustainable New Zealand pine wood, this crib is the ultimate style statement that can transform boring nursery spaces into magazine-worthy spaces. It comes with four adjustable mattress height levels and a feature that can help you as your baby grows.
Convenience
A crib is a crucial baby product that can help promote secure sleep by reducing the danger of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as entrapment and suffocation. Cribs must meet safety standards. However cribs are available with many features that suit your preferences and budget.
Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which is made of slats with a nice, rounded appearance and clean lines that fit in with any decor. It's also compact enough to fit through the majority of interior doors without disassembly, and can be easily moved from room to. It has two height settings for the mattress making it a great choice for infants but it's not as versatile as other models that offer three or four different options.
The Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib is a great choice for those who prefer a more traditional design. It has a sturdy frame with an sleigh-like design. It's GREENGUARD certified and therefore meets the environmental standards. Additionally, its numerous options let you match it to any style. It's also among the most expensive options, however it can last for many children. It is able to be transformed into an infant bed, and then the daybed.
Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another alternative. It has an innovative design, ideal for modern nursery designs and comes with a variety of features, including one of the smallest levels of the mattress for sitting. It may be easier for parents with smaller statures to reach their children but it's also a bit taller than the other cribs reviewed which could be a problem for adults who are smaller.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a more conventional option, and it's GREENGUARD certified. It can be transformed into a toddler bed, and later into a daybed through the purchase of separate conversion parts, so it's an investment that will benefit your family for years to come. It might not be as fancy as the Evolur or the Sloane however, it has a classic look.
Budget
Even if you intend to sleep with your baby or you want to use the crib that your parents rescued from their basement, a high-quality, safe crib is an investment piece. The modern safety standards make it easy to find durable cribs that look great too. The best newborn cribs are simple to put together and come with a design that is not easily out of date with the current fashion trends.
Considering a crib is the most important purchase you make for your child, you might feel pressured to spend large sums of money to purchase the "perfect" one. However, there are a variety of affordable, high-quality cribs available that will make your baby's first bed a comfortable and safe.
When buying a crib, ensure it's endorsed by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. It should also meet all applicable safety standards. It is also essential to avoid buying secondhand cribs, since they could have missing or worn-out hardware which could pose a safety risk to your child. If you decide to buy a crib that is used, make sure it is thoroughly examined by a professional prior to its using it.
Apart from the essential safety features, a great crib should be stable, sturdy and simple to put together. Check the instructions carefully to ensure that all components are included and fit correctly, says Thistel. If you run into any issues, don't attempt to improvise--it's best to call the manufacturer to request replacement screws or bolts instead.
Cradlewise is a great choice for new parents looking for a stylish crib that will expand with their child. It arrives in one large, heavy box (enough to make you want to call your friends for help), and has easy-to-follow instructions as well as a solid construction. It comes with an organic CoconutCoir mattress (VOC & PU foam free) that's suitable for toddlers and infants and is Greenguard GOLD certified.
If you're trying to squeeze a crib into a tight space The Babyletto Hudson can help thanks to its small footprint and sleek, minimalist design. It's made from environmentally-friendly, sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and is available in a variety of contemporary colors that instantly transform a dull nursery into an appealing space for magazines. It also has four different mattress settings that can be adjusted to prevent your child from climbing on the bed before they are ready.