Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look gorgeous in a Scandi nursery. It is also very flexible with three different mattress support heights and can be converted into the bed of a toddler.
Bassinets are a good option when you live in a smaller home. Cribs can take up more space. Many parents choose a crib because of safety concerns.
Safety
The health and well-being of your baby's child is contingent on the crib you choose. You want to make sure that it meets current safety standards and is free of hazards that could cause harm during sleep. It should be well-constructed and strong, with no loose pieces that may catch on clothing or pose a choking risk. It is also crucial to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for assembly and use and check the crib regularly for signs of wear or damage.
The first thing you need to check is the space between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/4 inches to avoid your baby falling over or getting their legs trapped between them. You should also be able easily see and reach your baby's crib. If you're not then the slats are close to each other and should be wider.
The mattress support system is an additional aspect to think about when choosing the crib. It should be adjustable, so that you can lower the crib mattress as your child grows. This will decrease the chance that your baby will fall out of the crib once they begin to crawl.
online cots to consider include a fitted sheet that fits the mattress in a secure way, and a stable and sturdy construction. You should also select a crib that has fixed sides instead of ones with drop sides, which can be hazardous for your baby. It's also better to sleep in the same room as your baby for the first six months or so, and only move them into their own bedroom once they are old enough to be watched when they are sleeping on their own.
Finally, you should make sure that the crib is away from windows and radiators and that any hanging objects such as curtains or blind cords are kept out of reach. Also, you should remove any items that could be danger to your child's health like pillows or blankets. You should also be wary of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, because they may not be in compliance with current safety standards or have been recalled for other reasons.
Design
It is important to keep in mind that cribs can look the same but must still adhere to strict safety standards. The majority of cribs we reviewed are designed in a similar manner to ensure the structural stability. The majority of cribs have circular bars that do not have gaps or rough surfaces that could catch the baby or squeeze them. We also tested each crib and rated it based on its simplicity of use and assembly. More parts can mean more confusion, so we recommend selecting a crib with clear instructions that are easy to follow to reduce frustration.
One of our favorite cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which has an elegant, modern design and comes in a variety of color options, including some two-toned. It also comes with a universal mattress fitting, and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having the lowest amount of volatile organic compound (VOCs).
Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. This crib is sleek, modern and minimalist in design. It's perfect for modern nurseries. The crib comes in different designs and four mattress sizes so that your baby can use it as a newborn or toddler. We tested this crib and found it to be very solid and stable, without flexing or creaking when a toddler was seated inside.
Convertible cribs are an excellent option if you plan to have more children. A lot of these cribs can be converted into a toddler bed and later a full-size bed offering excellent longevity for the money. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is a prime example of a convertible crib that earned high marks from our test parents. The side rails that slide down were praised by many parents for making feeding their children at night safer and easier. They also stated that the crib offered enough space for their baby to rest comfortably while mom and dad were asleep.
The Carter's Colby 4-in-1 crib by DaVinci is a great choice if you like traditional design. It is less expensive than the Stork Craft and has an elegant design that will complement most any nursery. It comes with three mattress heights, but it might be a little too small for toddlers and petite parents.
Mattress
A washable crib mattress will be a great option for babies. Diaper leaks, baby spit up and other accidents can make mattresses damp and filthy, leading to mildew and bacteria that may be harmful to infants. Select a mattress that can be easily cleaned using an mild cleaner or cloth. Also, select a waterproof cover to prevent fluids from entering the mattress.
Choose a mattress that has been rated for up to 10 years, so that it is suitable for toddlers. A lot of the mattresses in this review can be reversible, with toddler and infant sides which allows you to use them from birth until your child is old enough to be an adult-sized bed.
A firm mattress for the crib is ideal because it supports their spines while they are developing. A mattress that is extremely firm helps reduce the chance of SIDS which is more likely to happen when a baby's head sinks into a mattress that is soft.
Check the label of the mattress to confirm that it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for the possibility of flammability, waterproofing lead, and other chemicals that might pose danger to infants. You can also find certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS, which indicate that the mattress has been tested for volatile organic compounds that may cause harm to infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
The weight of the mattress is another thing to take into consideration. The regular changes to sheets at night require you to move and lift the mattress, so if you are unable to lift heavy objects or don't want to carry a heavy item then consider getting a mattress that is lighter for your crib. Newton Wovenaire, for example, is only 8 pounds, while Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness weighs 20 pounds. This makes it one of the heavier mattresses featured in this review. It is also constructed of foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it more comfortable to move around in comparison to a heavier traditional coil bed.
Assembly
A crib that is easy to assemble is great for new parents. Choose a crib with hardware that's firmly secured, no sharp edges or rough spots that could irritate your baby's skin. Avoid cribs with drop-sides or headboard/footboard cuts -- these items aren't in compliance with the safety standards of today.
When cots offers searching for a crib, keep in mind that you'll likely need to buy a separate toddler bed conversion kit (if you decide to purchase a convertible crib). Most manufacturers offer these kits separately. These kits are usually inexpensive and will aid your child in making the transition to a larger bed more easily.
Many new parents appreciate the durability that comes with the convertible crib, and they're a good option for families with multiple children. These cribs have been made to last and can be transformed into toddler beds, daybeds, or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib is a solid-wood crib that is GREENGUARD Certified Gold and has four mattress heights. It has a traditional style and is available in slate or white grey to match almost every nursery decor. The crib comes with locking wheels so you can easily move it from room to place and accommodates the majority of twin mattresses. Our testers found this crib to be very simple to put together - it took 23 minutes to put together.
Another crib that is highly rated, 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 features a chic minimalist design that doesn't interfere with any decor in the bedroom. The Sprout crib is among the lightest cribs we tried, weighing just 6kg. It's easy to move and comes with a convenient bag for travel.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was runner-up in our tests, is made from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has won numerous awards from parenting magazines like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height design and can be converted from an infant crib into a toddler bed with rail or a daybed that doesn't have rail. It is easy to assemble and also has a lot of aesthetic appeal. However the surface can be scratched by normal use.