Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

The Westport Cot Bed will look stunning in a Scandi nursery. It's also very adaptable with three different mattress support heights. Additionally, it can be converted into an infant's bed.

Cribs consume a lot of space, so bassinets could be a better choice if your house is small. Many parents prefer a crib because of safety concerns.

Safety

The choice of the best crib for newborns is crucial for your baby's health and well-being. You should ensure that it is in compliance with current safety standards and is free of dangers that could cause harm to your child during their sleep. It should be constructed well and strong, with no loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or pose the risk of choking. It is important to follow the directions of the manufacturer to set up and use the crib and to check the crib regularly.

Examine the distance between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/4 inches apart to avoid your baby being able to get their head or limbs caught between them. You should also be able easily see and reach your baby in the crib. If you aren't, the slats should be wider and not as close together.

Another aspect of the crib that you should be aware of is the mattress support system. It should be adjustable to different heights, so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will reduce the risk that your baby will climb out of the crib once they begin to crawl.

A fitted sheet that fits the bed securely and a solid and stable structure are other security features you should be looking for. Pick a crib with fixed sides rather than one that has drop sides. Drop sides could be dangerous for your child. You should also sleep in the same room with your baby until they are old enough to sleep alone.

Last but not least, make sure the crib is placed away from windows and radiators, and that hanging items such as curtains or blind cords are not in reach. You should also remove items that could be danger to your child's health, such as pillows or blankets. Be cautious of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, because they may not have met the current safety standards or been recalled due to other reasons.

Design

It is important to keep in mind that cribs can look identical, but they must comply with strict safety standards. Most of the cribs that we examined are constructed in a similar way to ensure structural stability. For example, most have circular bars that do not have any gaps or rough areas that could trap or squeeze a baby. We also tested and rated each crib on how easy it was to use and to assemble. More components can cause confusion, so we suggest choosing one that has clear instructions that are easy to follow to minimize frustration.

The Evolur Sprout crib is one of our top picks. It features a chic modern design and comes in a variety of colors, including two-toned options. It also comes with a universal mattress fit and is Greenguard Gold certified to have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could release gas into the nursery.

Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. This crib is sleek, modern and minimalist in appearance. It's perfect for modern nursery designs. The crib is available in a variety of colors and four different mattress heights, so your baby can use it as a toddler or a newborn. The crib was stable and sturdy. It did not flex or creak when a heavy child climbed into it.

If you're thinking of having more children, you might want to consider a convertible crib. They can be transformed into a bed for a toddler and then a full-size mattress, online Cots giving you the best value for price. Our test parents loved the Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib high marks as an example of convertible beds. The side rail that can be removed was praised by many parents for making feeding their children at night more secure and easy. They also stated that the crib was spacious enough room for the baby to sleep comfortably while mom and dad were asleep.

If you prefer a traditional style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 is a great choice. This crib is cheaper than the Stork Craft, and it has a timeless style that will fit in with the majority of nursery decors. It has three different mattress heights, however it might be a little shallow for some toddlers and petite parents.

Mattress

Newborns are messy creatures, and a washable crib mattress is an essential. Spit-up from babies and diaper leaks can cause mattresses to become damp and dirty and result in mildew or other bacteria that can affect infants. Find a mattress cover that can be wiped down with a cloth or scrubbed with mild cleaner. Also, select a mattress cover that is waterproof to prevent liquids from getting into the mattress and causing health issues.

Look for a mattress rated for up to 10 years so it is suitable for toddlers. A lot of the mattresses in this review are reversible and have toddler and infant sides, which will let you use them from the time of birth until your child is old enough to be a full-size bed.

A firm crib mattress is the best Crib for Newborn choice for infants since it will provide the greatest support for their growing spines. A firm sleeping surface 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 make sure it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for waterproofing, flammability lead, and other chemicals that could be risk to infants. There are also certifications such as Greenguard CertiPUR-US, GOTS, and CertiPUR-US, which are a good indication that the mattress has been examined for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can harm infants their nervous and respiratory systems.

Another factor to consider is the weight of a mattress for a crib. If you're not able to lift heavy objects, or you don't wish to move an item that weighs a lot, you may want a lighter mattress. Newton Wovenaire, for example weighs only 8 pounds while Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress – Dual Firmness weighs 20 lbs. This makes it one of the heavier mattresses in this review. It is also constructed of foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it more comfortable to move around as compared to a heavier traditional coil bed.

Assembly

A crib that's simple to assemble is great for parents who are new. You should look for a crib with firmly-secured hardware, and no sharp edges or rough patches that could rub the skin of your baby. Also, avoid any cribs with drop-sides, or headboard/footboard cutouts These features aren't compatible with the current safety standards.

When looking for a crib, bear in mind that you'll likely need to buy a separate toddler bed conversion kit (if you choose a convertible crib). These kits are sold separately by a majority of manufacturers. They're usually affordable, and will aid your child's transition to a bigger bed more seamlessly.

Convertible cribs can be a great crib investment for families with several children. They've been made to last and can be transformed into toddler beds, daybeds or full-size beds.

The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib solid-wood crib which is GREENGUARD Gold-certified and comes with four mattress heights. It is available in white or slate grey to match any nursery decor. The crib is simple to move around and has locking wheels. It fits most twin mattresses. Our test participants found that the crib very easy to put together - it took 23 minutes to complete.

Another crib that has been rated highly, the Sprout Crib is made with an environmentally-friendly harvest of Baltic birch that meets all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a sleek minimalist design that will not interfere with any decor in the bedroom. The Sprout is among the lightest cribs we test at 6kg, which makes it easy to move around. It also comes with an ideal travel bag.

The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was a runner-up during our tests, is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has received numerous prizes from parenting magazines like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height design that can be transformed from an infant crib to an adult bed with rail or a daybed with no rail. It's easy to assemble and has plenty of aesthetic appeal, but the slender finish is susceptible to scratches in normal use.