Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

The Westport Cot Bed is a minimalist crib that will look amazing in a modern Scandi nursery. It also cots offers a great amount of flexibility with three mattress support levels and the possibility of transforming into an infant bed.

Bassinets are a better choice if you have a small house. Cribs can take up more space. However, many parents choose a crib for safety reasons.

Safety

Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial for your baby's health and wellbeing. You want to make sure that the crib meets the current safety standards, and is free of dangers that could harm your child during sleep. It should be strong and well-constructed, with no loose parts that could get caught on clothing or present dangers of choking. It is crucial to follow the directions of the manufacturer to set up and use the crib and to regularly inspect the crib.

The first thing to look at is the spacing between the slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent your baby's head or legs from being trapped between them. You should also be able easily reach and see your baby in the crib. If you aren't, the slats should be wider and not as close together.

The mattress support system is an additional aspect to consider when choosing the crib. It should be adjustable, so that you can lower the crib mattress as your child grows. This will reduce the risk of your baby climbing out of the crib, which is a common event as they begin to crawl.

Other safety features to look for include the fitted sheet that is able to fit the mattress in a secure way, and solid and stable construction. Pick a crib with fixed sides instead of one with drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. You should also sleep in the same room as your cheap baby cots for sale until they are old enough to be able to go off on their own.

Not least, make sure the crib is placed away from radiators and windows, and that any hanging objects such as curtains or blind cords are kept out of reach. Also, you should remove any items that could pose a choking risk like pillows or blankets. You should also be wary of purchasing second-hand cribs because they may not be in compliance with current safety standards or have been recalled due to other reasons.

Design

While cribs might appear similar, it's important to remember that each must meet strict safety regulations. This is why the majority cribs we examined are of a similar design to ensure consistency in terms of structural integrity. For instance, many have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could trap or snag a baby. We also assessed and rated each crib for how easy it was to use and to assemble. More parts can lead to more confusion, so we recommend choosing one that has a few easy-to-follow directions to minimize frustration.

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

Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. The crib is sleek, modern and minimalist in appearance. It's perfect for modern nurseries. The crib is available in various finishes and has four different mattress sizes, so your baby can use it from birth to toddler. The crib was solid and stable. It did not move or squeak when a big child was seated.

If you're planning to have more children, you may think about a convertible crib. Many of these options convert into a toddler bed and then a full-size bed, offering excellent longevity for the money. The Sweet2Sleep Crib is a prime example of a convertible crib that received praise from our test parents. A few of them mentioned that the side rails with a drop-down feature made feeding their baby at night more secure and easier, and the crib was big enough for the baby to feel at ease while dad and mom were asleep.

The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is a fantastic option for those who prefer a more traditional style. This crib is more affordable than the Stork Craft, and it is a classic design that can be incorporated into the majority of nursery decors. It comes with three mattress heights, but it might be a little shallow for some toddlers and petite parents.

Mattress

A crib mattress that is washable can be useful for infants. Spitting up from diapers, baby spit up and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and filthy which can lead to mildew and other bacteria that can affect infants. Choose a mattress that is easily cleaned with a mild cleaner or a cloth. Also, consider an waterproof cover to prevent fluids from entering the mattress.

Find a mattress that is rated for up to 10 years so that it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the products in this review can be reversible, with infant and toddler sides, which allows you to use them from the time of birth until your child is ready to move on to a full-size bed.

A mattress that is firm for the crib is ideal because it supports their spines while they're developing. A mattress that is extremely firm helps reduce the risk of SIDS, which is more likely to happen when a child's head is lowered into a soft mattress.

Check the label of the mattress to make sure it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC mandates that mattresses are tested for waterproofing and flammability as well as lead and other chemicals which could pose a risk to babies. There are also certifications such as Greenguard CertiPUR-US, GOTS, and CertiPUR-US which are a great indication that the mattress has been examined for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can damage infants their nervous and respiratory systems.

The weight of the mattress is another factor to take into consideration. Sheet changes at night require that you lift and move the mattress, so if you have difficulty lifting heavy objects or don't want to handle a heavy product you should consider a crib mattress that is lighter. For instance the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds, while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress Dual Firmness weighs 20 pounds, which makes it one of the heaviest in this review. It's also made of foam rather than inners with woven-core that makes it much easier to move around in comparison to traditional coil mattresses that weigh more.

Assembly

A crib that is easy to assemble is great for parents with young children. Find one equipped with hardware that is securely held and has no sharp edges or rough spots that could rub your baby's skin. Also, avoid any cribs with drop-sides or cutouts for the headboard and footboard -- these features aren't compatible with the current safety standards.

When you're searching for a crib, bear in mind that you'll probably require a toddler bed conversion kit (if you choose a convertible crib). These kits are offered separately by a majority of manufacturers. These kits are usually affordable and can help your child make the transition from a smaller bed more easily.

Convertible cribs are a great option for families with many children. These cribs are designed to last, and they are typically able to be transformed into a daybed, toddler bed or a full-size bed.

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

Another crib that is highly rated is the Sprout Crib is made with sustainable harvested Baltic birch that conforms to all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It has a simple elegant design that can go with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is among the tiniest cribs we've test at 6kg, which makes it easy to move around and has a handy travel bag.

The runner-up of our tests the Oeuf Modern Crib is built with sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine. It has received numerous prizes from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height profile and can be converted from an infant crib to a toddler bed, with or without a rail. It is simple to put together and has a lot of visual appeal. However the surface can be scratched by normal use.