Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

The Westport Cot Bed is a minimalist crib that will look amazing in a modern Scandi nursery. It's also extremely flexible because it comes with three different mattress support heights. Additionally, it can be transformed into the bed of a toddler.

Cribs can take up a lot room, so bassinets might be a better option if your house is small. Many parents prefer a crib for safety reasons.

Safety

Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial to your baby's health and wellbeing. You should ensure that it conforms to current safety standards and is free from dangers that could cause harm to your child as they sleep. It should be strong and well-constructed, without loose parts that might catch on clothing or present a choking hazard. It is essential to follow the directions of the manufacturer for assembly and use and to regularly inspect the crib.

Check the distance between the slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches, to keep your baby's head or limbs from getting trapped in between them. You should be able to see and reach your baby's crib. If you aren't, the slats are too close to each other and should be larger.

The mattress support system is a different aspect to consider when choosing a crib. It is important to adjust the levels so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will help to reduce the risk of your baby getting out of the crib which is a frequent situation as they begin to crawl.

Other safety features to consider include a fitted sheet that fits the mattress securely as well as solid and stable construction. You should also choose a crib with fixed sides rather than one with drop sides, which could be hazardous for your baby. You should also share the same room with your baby until they are old enough for them to sleep alone.

Last but not least, ensure that the crib is removed from radiators and windows and that dangling items like curtains or blind cords are out of reach. Also, you should remove any items that could present danger of choking, such as blankets or pillows. Be cautious when buying used cribs since they may not meet current safety standards, or have been removed from the market.

Design

Although cribs may appear the same, it is important to remember that each must meet strict safety guidelines. Most of the cribs that we examined are constructed in a similar way to ensure structural stability. The majority of cribs have circular bars with no gaps or rough surfaces that could entangle the baby or squeeze them. We also examined each crib and evaluated it based on its simplicity of use and assembly. More parts can mean more confusion, so we suggest choosing a crib that comes with a few easy-to-follow directions to minimize frustration.

One of our top cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which comes with an elegant, contemporary design and comes in several color options, including some two-toned. It also has a universal mattress fitting and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having minimal volatile organic compound (VOCs).

Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is another alternative. The crib is sleek, modern and minimalist in appearance. It's ideal for modern nurseries. The crib comes in different colors and four different mattress heights so that your baby can use it as a newborn or toddler. The crib was extremely stable and sturdy. It didn't flex or creak when a large child was seated.

If you're planning to have more children, you may want to consider a convertible crib. These cribs can be converted into a bed for a toddler and then a full-size mattress, offering the best value for price. Our test parents have given the Sweet2Sleep Crib high marks as an example of a convertible bed. The side rails that slide down were praised by many parents for making feeding at night more secure and less stressful. They also stated that the crib offered enough room for the baby to be comfortable while mom and dad slept.

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

Mattress

A crib mattress that can be cleaned will be useful for infants. Diaper leaks, baby spills and other accidents can make mattresses damp and dirty which can lead to mildew and bacteria that may be harmful to infants. Choose a mattress that can be wiped down with a cloth or scrubbed with mild cleaner, and choose a waterproof mattress cover to help prevent fluids from leaking into the mattress and causing health problems.

Find mattresses that are designed to last 10 years, so it's ready for toddlers and beyond. A majority of the mattresses reviewed here are reversible, with infant and toddler side. This lets you use them from the moment of birth until your child is old enough to be their own bed size.

A firm mattress for the crib is best, as it will support their spines while they're developing. A firm sleeping surface reduces the risk of SIDS, which is more likely to happen when a baby's head sinks into a soft mattress.

If you are looking for a mattress for your crib that is firm, look over the label to be sure it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC demands that mattresses be tested for the ability to withstand fire and water as well as lead and other chemicals which could pose a risk to infants. There are also certifications like Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS, which indicate that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that could affect infants' respiratory and nervous systems.

The weight of the mattress is another factor to consider. Regular nighttime sheet changes require that you lift and move the mattress, so if you have difficulty lifting heavy objects or don't want to carry a heavy item you should consider a mattress that is lighter for your crib. For instance the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 pounds, making it the heaviest in this review. It is also made of foam rather than woven-core inners, which makes it much easier to move around in comparison to a heavier traditional coil mattress.

Assembly

New parents will be happy with a crib that's easy to put together. Find one equipped with hardware that is securely held and has without sharp edges or rough spots that could irritate your baby's skin. Avoid cribs that have drop-sides and headboard/footboard cuts -- these features don't meet today's safety standards.

If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you will have to purchase a separate kit for converting it into a toddler bed. The majority of manufacturers sell these kits separately. These kits are typically cheap and can assist your child to make the transition to a larger bed more easily.

Convertible cribs are a great option for families with many children. These cribs are built to last, and they generally can be transformed into an infant bed, daybed or a full-size bed.

The DaVinci Jaden 4-in-1 crib a solid-wood crib that is GREENGUARD Gold-certified and comes with four mattress heights. It's traditional in design and is available in slate or white grey to match every nursery decor. The crib is simple to move around and has locking wheels. It is suitable for the majority of twin mattresses. Our test subjects found that this crib was very easy to assemble - it took 23 minutes to complete.

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

A runner-up in our tests the Oeuf Modern Crib is built using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height profile and can be transformed from an infant crib into a toddler bed with or without a rail. It is easy to set up and has a lot of visual appeal. However, the thin finish can be scratched in normal use.