The 10 Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

The crib is an extremely crucial piece for the nursery of your baby. However, choosing a suitable one can feel overwhelming, especially with so many various styles and safety concerns.

Find a crib that meets the highest safety standards, with no chewable or dangling parts. We recommend a crib with a broad choice of mattress heights and a sleek design that complements your style.

Safety

Follow the safe sleeping guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when placing and assembling your baby's crib. Avoid placing any items that could cause injury or harm in the nursery of your baby. This includes blankets, pillows, and sheepskins. Also avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys, and blankets. Your baby should also not sleep with any teddy bears dolls or stuffed animals larger than 15 inches. These items could easily get caught between the crib bars or become stuck in them. They could also be taken up by the mattress.

The best most recommended cribs for infants are made from safe materials that are free of VOCs and other toxic chemicals. They also meet strict federal and state regulations regarding structural safety. They're also tested by a third party to ensure safety and quality. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certifications!) They are also designed to be tough and reversible, which means they can grow along with your child.

If you're buying a new crib or used, it's essential to select a crib that meets the current stringent safety standards. Used cribs may be damaged in their structural integrity due to aging, humidity cots and tots prolonged use, which can pose serious dangers to your baby.

The crib's slats should not be more than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent children from being wedged between them and the hardware on the crib must be secured. It's an excellent idea to examine the slats and the rims of the mattress support for any loose or broken parts.

It's best to avoid cribs that were used by pets or children in the past, as their safety could be at risk. Don't buy or accept cribs with a drop-side rail. This feature was banned in 2012 by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for safety reasons.

Style

While all cribs have to adhere to strict safety standards, you'll find many design differences. Some are purely aesthetic, like whether the slats are of the same length or spaced closer apart or not, while others have a real impact on the ease of the crib to maintain and use. Certain features, such as drop sides and finials, aren't safe and should not be used as well. Other features, such as adjustable mattress height and wheels/casters desirable for many parents.

One thing to keep in mind is that a crib should be used solely for sleep for infants and is not an ideal place to store toys or clothing. It's also a good idea to put a crib on your registry so that your family and friends can pitch in to help you get one when the time comes.

Cribs come in all shapes and sizes however, the ones we prefer combine style and functionality. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalist crib that looks gorgeous. It's also GREENGUARD Gold certified, which is an essential feature for any toxic-free baby product, and it can convert into a toddler bed and daybed (toddler conversion kit sold separately).

Some cribs feature an older-style look, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a grand crib that fits well into large nurseries, but it takes up more floor space than smaller, minimalist alternatives and comes with exposed hardware that some may find distracting. It has only three mattress levels, which is half the number of competitors. It's also not as durable as our other picks.

Another option with a modern aesthetic is the Babyletto Hudson. Its concealed hardware and all-round mesh increase airflow and allow you to see your baby which Dr. Casares says is an important feature for many new parents. It can also be raised to a higher position to ease colic and reflux which makes it suitable for babies from birth to 6 months. It's also GREENGUARD GOLD certified and includes an additional mattress. It's important to know that this bed is more expensive than other top options, and it requires an additional conversion kit for toddler cot beds for sale.

Adjustable Mattress Height

It is essential that the crib mattress of your baby is the right height. This ensures that your child can't climb out, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A higher mattress can also protect your baby from suffocation or overheating.

A good crib should have adjustable rails or slats that permit you to raise or lower it as your Baby Cot Bed grows. A conversion kit comes in the majority of cribs, to allow you to convert it into a daybed or toddler bed after your child has outgrown the crib. It is also a good idea for you to choose a crib that has been certified and tested by a third-party organisation. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification that means it has been tested to make sure there are minimal chemical or other finishes in the baby's sleeping space.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is one of the top-rated cribs available, and it's easy to assemble, with a straightforward layout that doesn't contain any confusing parts or pieces. The sides of the crib are shorter than other cribs, but one parent tester reported that her baby did well sleeping in it and remained in good condition when she gave it to a friend following the birth of her second child.

Another option that is worth considering is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which has a unique oval shape that gives it a contemporary style. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs but its quality and features are worth it. It can, for instance, be transformed into a bassinet or toddler bed. It also comes with wheels that make it easy to move from room to room. It has a canopy which can be used to create an environment more akin to a womb your baby. This adds a stylish design to any nursery.

The crib doesn't come with mattress. You will need to buy one separately. But it's a safe and comfortable crib that can grow with your child from a newborn to a toddler.

No Chewable or Dangling Parts

The safest cribs are those that have no dangling or chewable components. If something is hung above or below their crib, it could cause the rails to be pulled or create a strangulation risk. Babies can be very grabbing. If parents decide to decorate their crib with ornaments or toys, they should make sure that the items are securely attached and out of baby's reach.

In addition to the security features of our top infant cribs, we also take into consideration how easy it is to set up. The crib should be easy enough to assemble by yourself, without requiring special tools or a long amount of time. Many parents report that the process of assembling a modern crib can take less than an hour and the instructions included are generally clear and easy to follow.

It's important that you choose a crib that lasts for many years. Select a crib that is able to be converted from a crib to a toddler's bed, and then a full-size mattress.

The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top pick cot beds for sale convertible cribs that can be used as a bassinet during the early years and later converted into a toddler bed, a daybed or a large bed. It's designed for the long haul and is available in a variety of colors which makes it easy to match with your nursery's theme.

Stork Craft Equinox is another fantastic option. This beautiful, minimal-style crib is low-profile to ensure that small parents can touch their child to soothe them. It also has a good reputation for quality and is available in cherry, white, espresso, and natural pine colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means it is made from sustainable New Zealand pine and is free from toxins such as lead and phthalates. It also exceeds government standards like ASTM, CPSC and JPMA. The only thing that is missing is a toddler rail, that you can purchase separately. This is a great option for those who are seeking a top-quality, affordable crib that will last for a long time.