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 both stylish and safe. Find cribs that meet the latest safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Avoid cribs that have slats too close together, or drop-side cribs. They can pose dangerous for strangulation to infants. Find cribs with simple hardware, so that it won't catch your baby's hair or clothes.
Safety
It is crucial that a crib be safe for your baby. It is their place of residence when they are away from home. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific guidelines for cribs, such as robust wood and sturdy mattress supports. Many cribs are additionally certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to ensure additional security measures.
Choose a crib that is made from solid wood, instead of particle board. Select a crib that is sturdy and does not have rough edges that could irritate your child. Lastly, be sure to ensure that the device is securely secured and won't loosen in the course of time due to the elements or prolonged use.
Many cribs offer multiple mattress support levels, which means you can adjust them as your baby grows. The lowest level is ideal for newborns and you should keep it at this level until your child can begin to stand up typically around the age of nine months. Some cribs include a conversion kit to convert the crib into a bed for adults when your child is ready.
Look for cribs without ornamental features or cutouts. They can be an choking risk to your baby. Avoid decorative items like mobiles as they can pose an issue for infants.
Swivel cribs allow you to monitor your baby from any place in the room. This is particularly useful for babies recovering from C-sections as well as other births in hospitals. The Sweet2Sleep crib from Graco is a popular option. It has 360-degree swivel that one parent found "was the perfect way to reach into and soothe the child without getting up from their bed," especially helpful during the recovery process following a c-section. This crib also offers a lowering side panel for the most complete closeness and accessibility. The lockable casters make it easy to move from one room to the next.
Style
The crib is the most crucial piece of furniture for your baby's nursery. The crib will occupy most of the space in your nursery, therefore it must be stylish and match the style of the nursery.
A majority of cribs have a minimalist, modern look that will fit in with any style. Some cribs come with flat panels or different arrangement of slats on the ends. Some have finials or drop sides that give them a more the traditional appearance. Whichever one you choose be sure that it is in compliance with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Most cribs have a metal or wood-slat mattress support that can be a solid one-piece board or a grid of wood-slats or spring-wire grid frames. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter because it offers more stability and is a stronger structure to support your baby's body weight.
It must have a non-toxic and smooth finish that is easy to clean. Avoid putting things in the crib that your baby could pull or grab, such as blankets, toys, or pillows. Decorate your crib with care. Babies may be clingy and they can bite or pull at ornaments. cot sets could hurt or even detach them.
Some parents decide to use a bassinet for their newborn until they are ready to transition to a crib. The bassinet is able to last up to six months, depending on how active your child is. This crib is a combination of both a bassinet as well as a large bed. This crib has the ability to swivel side-to-side which makes it easy to get into and out of the crib. It also comes with a patent-pending reflux incline to help with colic.
This eco-conscious crib has over 2500 rave reviews from real moms, and a premium rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon. This crib is made of sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a drab nursery into an appealing space for magazines. It has four different mattress heights that can be helpful as your child grows.
Convenience
Cribs are an essential baby product that helps promote safe sleep by reducing the chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as entrapment and suffocation. Cribs are required to meet safety standards. However cribs are available with a variety of features that fit your style and budget.
For a crib that fits in with modern nursery designs, consider the Ikea Gulliver, which has sleek, well-rounded frames and simple lines that can be incorporated into any décor. It's also relatively compact, so it fits through most interior doorways without disassembly and can be easily moved from room to room. It has two height settings for the mattress which makes it a great option for babies however it's not as flexible as other models with three or four different options.
If you like an older-fashioned look, the Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib features frames that resemble sleighs and are built with a solid construction. It's GreenGuard certified which means it meets environmental standards, and its many options allow you to match it with any decor. It is also one of the most expensive options, but it can last for many children. It is able to be transformed into a toddler bed, and then into an adult daybed.
Another option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1, with a unique design that's perfect for modern nurseries and has a lot of features including one of the lowest the heights of a sitting mattress. It might be easier for parents with smaller heights to reach their children, but it's also a bit taller than the other cribs reviewed, which can pose problems for adults who are shorter.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a more traditional option, and it's certified by GreenGuard. It can be turned into a toddler bed and later into a daybed through the purchase of separate conversion parts, so it's an investment that will last your family for years to come. It's not as fancy as the Evolur or the Sloane however, it is a classic design.
Budget
A high-quality crib is a good investment whether you want to sleep in a cosleep or use the crib that your parents have in their basement. Modern safety standards allow you to find sturdy cribs with an attractive design. The best cribs for newborns have simple, intuitive assembly and a design that doesn't quickly look old-fashioned or outdated by the new trends in fashion.
Considering a crib is the most important purchase you'll make for your child. You may feel compelled to spend large sums of money to purchase the "perfect" crib. There are many cribs with high quality that are priced reasonably and provide a safe and comfortable environment for your child to sleep in.
When shopping for a crib, check whether it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and meets all applicable safety standards. It's also important to avoid buying secondhand cribs, since they could have worn-out or missing hardware that could pose a security danger to your child. If you choose to buy a used crib, have it thoroughly inspected by a trained professional prior to using it.
Apart from the essential safety features, a quality crib must be stable, solid and easy to assemble. Thistel advises you to read the instructions thoroughly and make sure all parts are included. If you encounter any issues you're having trouble, you should contact the manufacturer to get replacement bolts or screws.
If you're a new parent seeking a stylish and affordable crib that will grow with their baby, the Cradlewise will meet your needs. It's a heavy box, with simple instructions and a sturdy construction. It comes with an organic CoconutCoir mattress (VOC & PU foam free) that is suitable for toddlers and infants and is Greenguard GOLD-certified.
If you're squeezing an infant's crib into a tiny space the Babyletto Hudson makes it work with its compact footprint and sleek, minimalist style. It's made of environmentally-friendly sustainable New Zealand pine wood and comes in a wide range of modern colors that instantly transform dull nursery spaces into spaces worthy of magazines. Additionally, it comes with four adjustable mattress heights to save your back and prevent your baby from getting out before they're ready.