The
Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style
Your little one will spend the majority of his time in the crib, so it's a smart option to buy one that's elegant and secure. Search for cribs that are up-to current with the most up-to-date safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Product Safety Commission and other organizations.
Avoid cribs with slats too close together, as well as drop-side cribs, which can cause strangulation issues for infants. Find cribs with simple hardware to ensure that it doesn't snag your baby's hair or clothes.
Safety
The crib of a baby will be their home away from home for a long period of time, so it's vital to ensure it's safe. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has specific requirements that must be met when building a crib including strong mattress supports and sturdy wood. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has also certified a number of cribs for additional security measures.
Choose a crib that is made of solid wood rather than particleboard. Choose a crib that is solid and doesn't have any rough edges that could pinch your child. Lastly, be sure to make sure that the hardware is securely secured and won't break in the course of time due to the elements or prolonged use.
There are many cribs that offer different levels of mattress support, which means you can adjust them as your baby grows. It is recommended to keep the crib at its lowest position until your child can stand independently and walk around, which is usually at around nine months. Some cribs come with the option of converting the crib into a bed for adults when your child is ready.
Some cribs have decorative features or cutouts that may pose a choking risk for your baby So, look for cribs that do not have these kinds of ornaments. Avoid decorative items like mobiles because they could pose dangerous for babies.
Swivel cribs allow you to monitor your baby from anywhere in the room. This is particularly beneficial for babies recovering from C-sections or other births that are hospital-based. The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib is a well-regarded option that has a 360-degree swing that one tester for parents said "was the perfect way to get in touch with and comfort your baby without having to get out of bed," particularly helpful during recovering from a c-section. The crib also has the option of lowering the side panel to provide maximum comfort and access. The locking casters allow you to easily move from one room to another.
Style
The crib is the most essential piece of furniture in the nursery of your baby. The crib will take up the majority of the floor space in your nursery, so it needs to be stylish and fit with the aesthetic.
A lot of crib options come with a modern, minimalist design that can be incorporated with any style. Certain cribs have different slat layouts or flat panels at the ends. Others have finials or drop sides that give them more of the traditional appearance. Whatever you decide to go with be sure that it is in compliance with the safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The majority of cribs have a metal or wood-slat mattress support that is either a solid one-piece board or a wood-slat grid or spring-wire grid frames. The latter is suggested by What to Expect and Baby Bargains as it offers more stability and a better structure to support your baby's weight.
It should also have a non-toxic, smooth finish and be easy to clean. Do not place anything in the crib your child could pull or grab, such as blankets, toys or pillows. Decorate your crib with consideration. Babies are prone to clinging, and they can grab or bite ornaments. This could cause injury or detach them.
Some parents opt to use a bassinet for their baby until their child is ready for a crib. A bassinet can last for up to six months depending on how active your child is. If this is the case, consider this crib that offers all the advantages of a bassinet with a full-size crib. This model has a side-to-side swing that makes it easy to reach in and out of the crib. It also has a patented reflux incline that helps with colic.
Another option that is stylish is this eco-conscious crib that has received over 2000 rave reviews from actual moms and a high 4.8-star rating on Amazon. The crib is constructed of sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a dull nursery into a magazine-worthy one. It comes with four mattress heights that can be helpful as your child grows.
Convenience
A crib is a must-have baby item. It can help promote safe sleeping by reducing the risks of SIDS as well as entrapment and suffocation. Cribs have to meet certain safety standards, however there are cribs that come with a wide range of features to fit your taste and budget.
Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which is made of slats with a nice, rounded appearance, and simple lines to complement any decor. It's also small enough to pass through most interior doors without disassembly, and it is able to be moved from room to. It comes with two mattress heights, so it's a good choice for infants but it's not as versatile as other models with three or four different options.
If you like traditional style The Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib comes with frames that resemble sleighs and are built with a solid build. It's certified by GreenGuard, so you can be sure it is in line with the environmental standards. The various finishes allow you to match the crib with any style of decor. It's also among the more expensive options we've looked at in our review however it's durable enough to last through multiple children and eventually be converted into a toddler bed, and then it can be used as a daybed.
Another option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1, that has an original design that's perfect for modern nurseries and includes a number of features including one of the tiniest levels of a mattress for sitting. That might make it easier for smaller parents to reach their child, but it's also taller than other cribs we've reviewed which could be a challenge for those who are shorter and worried about their baby falling out of the crib.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 is a more traditional choice, and it's also certified by the GreenGuard. It can be transformed into a toddler bed and then into a daybed with the purchase of separate conversion components, so it's an investment that will benefit your family for many years to come. It's not as stylish as the Sloane or the Evolur, but it has an elegant look and comes in a variety of different colors to suit any nursery.
Budget
Even if you intend to share a bed with your child or you want to use the crib your parents saved for you in their basement, a high-quality, safe crib is an investment piece. Modern safety standards make it easy to find durable cribs that look stylish too. The best newborn cribs are easy to assemble and have a design that won't be obsolete by the current fashion trends.
Considering a crib is the most important purchase you make for your child, and you might feel pressured to spend large sums of money to purchase the "perfect" one. There are many cribs with high quality that are priced reasonably and will provide a safe and comfortable environment for your baby to sleep in.
When looking for a crib, make sure that it is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and is in compliance with all applicable safety standards. It's also important to avoid purchasing secondhand cribs as they may have worn-out or missing hardware that could pose a safety danger to your child. If you decide to buy a crib that is used, make sure it is thoroughly inspected by an expert prior to its using it.
