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 transformed into the bed of a toddler.

Cribs can take up a lot space, so bassinets may be a better option if your house is small. However, a lot of parents prefer a crib for safety reasons.

Safety

Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial to your baby's health cots and tots well-being. It is important to ensure that the crib meets the current safety standards and is free of any hazards that may harm your baby during their sleep. It should be well-constructed and sturdy, without loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or pose danger of choking. It is important to follow the directions of the manufacturer for assembly and use and to check the crib regularly.

Examine the distance between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches, to keep your baby's head or legs from getting trapped in between them. You must also be able to easily reach and see your baby's crib. If not, the slats should be wider and not as close together.

The mattress support system is a different aspect to take into consideration when selecting the crib. It should be adjustable so you can lower the mattress of your crib as your child grows. This will decrease the possibility of your baby climbing out of the crib which is a frequent situation as they begin to crawl.

A fitted sheet that is secure enough to fit over the bed and a sturdy and stable construction are other security features you should look for. Choose a crib with fixed sides instead of one that has drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. It is also recommended to share a room with your baby for six months or so, and then move them to their own bedroom when they are old enough to be monitored when they are sleeping on their own.

Finally, you should ensure that the crib is away from windows and radiators and that any hanging objects like blind cords or curtains are out of their reach. You should also take away anything that could create danger of choking, such as pillows or blankets. Be cautious when buying used cribs, as they may not meet the current safety standards or have been removed from the market.

Design

While cribs may look all identical, it is important to remember that each must adhere to strict safety guidelines. The majority of cribs we reviewed are designed in a similar fashion to ensure structural solidity. For instance, the majority of cribs have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could entangle or pinch a baby. We also tested each crib and rated it based on its user-friendliness and assembly. More parts can lead to more confusion, so we suggest choosing a crib that comes with simple instructions to reduce frustration.

One of our favorites is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which is designed with an elegant, modern design and comes in a variety of color options, including some two-toned. It also has an all-purpose mattress fitting and is Greenguard Gold Certified for having low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is a different alternative. This crib is sleek and modern, with minimal features that make it ideal for modern nurseries. 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. We tested this crib and found it to be extremely solid and stable, without creaking or flexing when a heavy toddler climbed inside.

If you're planning on having more children, you may think about a convertible crib. These options can be transformed into a bed for a toddler and then into a full-size mattress, providing the best value for money. Our test parents gave the Sweet2Sleep Crib top marks as an example of a convertible bed. A few of them mentioned that the side rails that drop down made feeding at night easier and safer and that the crib was big enough for a baby who was sleeping with the parents to be at ease while dad and mom were asleep.

If you're looking for a classic style DaVinci's Carter's Colby 4-in-1 is a great option. This crib is less expensive than the Stork Craft and features a timeless design that is suitable for all nursery. It comes with three mattress heights, but it might be a little too small for toddlers and petite parents.

Mattress

Newborns are messy creatures, and a crib mattress that is washable is an essential. Spit-up from babies and diaper leaks can cause mattresses to become damp and dirty which can lead to mildew or bacteria that could affect infants. Find a mattress cover that can be washed with a cloth or top ranked cribs scrubbed with mild cleaner. Also, pick a mattress cover with a waterproof material to prevent fluids from leaking into the mattress and causing health issues.

Look for mattresses that are designed to last 10 years, so it will be ready for toddlers and beyond. Many of the mattresses featured in this review are reversible and have infant and toddler sides, that allows you to use them from the time of birth until your child is ready for the full-size bed.

A mattress that is firm is best cots uk for infants, because it provides the greatest support for their developing spines. A mattress that is extremely firm helps to reduce the risk of SIDS, which is more likely to occur when a child's head is lowered into a mattress that is soft.

Look over the label on the mattress to make sure it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for flammability, waterproofing lead, and other chemicals that could pose danger to infants. You can also find certifications such as Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS which show that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that could affect infants' nervous and respiratory systems.

Another consideration is the weight of a mattress for a crib. If you're unable to lift heavy objects or you don't wish to move an item that weighs a lot then you might want a mattress that is lighter. 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 in this review. It is also constructed of foam instead of woven core inners. This makes it easier to move around as compared to a heavier traditional coil bed.

Assembly

A crib that is easy to put together is great for parents who are new. You want to find an item that is securely secured and with no sharp edges or rough patches that could pinch the skin of your baby. Avoid cribs with drop-sides or headboard/footboard cuts -- these features aren't up to today's safety standards.

If you're looking for a crib, keep in mind that you'll likely require a toddler bed conversion kit (if you choose a convertible crib). These kits are sold separately by most manufacturers. These kits are often cheap and can assist your child to make the transition from a smaller bed more easily.

Many new parents appreciate the durability that comes with the convertible crib and they're a great investment for families with multiple children. They've been designed to last and can be transformed into daybeds, toddler beds, or full-size beds.

The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib solid wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It's available in white or slate grey to match any nursery decor. The crib comes with locking wheels that allow you to easily move it from room to room and fits most standard twin mattresses. The crib took our test subjects just 23 minutes to put together.

Another top-rated crib 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 won't interfere with any decor in the bedroom. The Sprout is one of the most lightweight cribs we've tested, weighing just 6kg, making it easy to move around. It also comes with an excellent travel bag.

A runner-up in our testing The Oeuf Modern Crib is built from sustainably sourced New Zealand pine. It has won numerous awards from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium height profile and can be transformed from an infant crib to a toddler bed with or without rail. It is easy to assemble, and it has a lot of aesthetic appeal. However the slick finish could be scratched in normal use.