The Best Crib For Newborn Safety and Style

Your child will spend the majority of his time in the crib, so it's a smart idea to invest in one that's both elegant and secure. Look for cribs that are up to current with the most recent safety standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Product Safety Commission and other organizations.

Avoid cribs with slats that are too close together, or drop-side cribs. These can be a major strangulation hazard for babies. Also, choose a crib with a simple hardware that won't get caught on the 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 important to ensure it's secure. The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets specific standards for cribs, including durable wood and strong mattress supports. A majority of cribs are also certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) for added safety measures.

Choose a crib made from solid wood, not particleboard. Also, select a crib which is built well and doesn't have rough edges or areas that could irritate your baby. Lastly, be sure to ensure that the device is securely attached and won't loosen as time passes due to humidity or heavy use.

Many cribs have multiple mattress support levels, so you can adjust them as your baby grows. The lowest level is ideal for newborns and you should keep it at this height until your child can begin to lift themselves up typically around nine months. Some cribs come with the toddler bed conversion kit that lets you convert the crib into a toddler bed once your child is ready to move out of your room.

Look for cribs without cutouts or decorative features. They could pose the risk of choking your baby. Avoid decorative items like mobiles as they can pose dangerous for babies.

A swiveling crib allows you to monitor your baby from any position in the room, and is especially useful for those recovering from c-sections and other hospital-based deliveries. The Graco Sweet2Sleep is a well-respected option, with a 360 swivel that a parent noted "was the ideal way to reach into and soothe your baby without needing to get out of bed," particularly helpful during recovering from a c-section. This crib has a lowering side wall to allow for maximum accessibility and intimacy. The lockable casters allow you to easily move from one room to the next.

Style

The crib is the most essential piece of furniture you can put 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.

Many cribs come with a modern, minimalist design that can be incorporated with any style. Some cribs have different slat configurations or flat panels at the ends. Others have finials or drop sides that give them more of an old-fashioned style. Whatever you decide on, ensure that it meets the safety standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics or Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The majority of cribs have the option of a wood-slat or metal mattress support that can be a solid one-piece piece board or a wood-slat grid or a spring-wire grid frame. What to Expect and Baby Bargains recommend the latter as it provides more stability and is a more sturdy structure to support your baby's body weight.

It must have a non-toxic, smooth surface that is easy to clean. Be careful not to place anything in the crib that your baby might pull or grab like blankets, toys or pillows. If you're planning to decorate your crib, keep in mind that babies can be very affectionate and may bite or pull on ornaments. This could cause them to be injured or even separated.

Some parents opt to use a bassinet their baby until they are ready to transition to the crib. Depending on the level of activity your baby has the bassinet could last six months or more. If this is the case look into this crib which offers all the advantages of a bassinet along with a large-sized crib. This crib has a side to side swivel, making it easy to get into and out of the crib. It also features a patent-pending reflux incline to help with colic.

This eco-friendly crib has more than 2500 rave reviews from real moms, and a premium rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon. The crib is made from sustainable New Zealand Pine wood and can transform a boring nursery into an appealing space for magazines. It comes with four adjustable levels of mattress height, a feature that will help you as your baby grows.

Convenience

Cribs are a must-have baby item. It assists in promoting safe sleeping by reducing the dangers of SIDS, entrapment, and suffocation. Cribs are required to conform to safety standards. However cribs are available with a variety of features that fit your preferences and budget.

Try the Ikea Gulliver crib, which is made of slats with a nice, rounded appearance and simple lines to fit in with any decor. It is also compact enough to fit through most interior doors without disassembly, and can be easily moved from room to room. It comes with only two mattress height options, which makes it a great choice for babies. However, other models have three or four different settings.

If you like an older-fashioned look, the Dream On Me, Ashton 5-in-1 convertible crib comes with a sleigh-style frame and sturdy construction. It's certified by GreenGuard, so you know it is in compliance with environmental standards, and its many finishes allow you to match it with any decor. It's also among the more expensive options we've looked at in our review, but it will last through multiple children and be eventually converted into a toddler bed, and then it can be used as a daybed.

Stork Craft Equinox 3 in 1 is a different option. It has a unique design, perfect for cheap Cots modern nurseries and comes with several features, including one of the lowest the heights of a sitting mattress. It could be more convenient for parents of smaller heights to reach their children, however, it's also higher than the other cribs we've reviewed, which can pose an issue for those who are taller.

The DaVinci Jayden is a more conventional option. It's also GREENGUARD certified. It can be transformed into a toddler's cheap cot bed and later a daybed with the purchase of separate conversion components. This is an investment that your family will enjoy for many years. It's not as stylish as the Sloane or the Evolur however, it has an appealing traditional design and comes in a few different color options to fit any nursery.

Budget

Even if you plan to co-sleep with your baby or use the crib that your parents rescued for you from their basement, a top-quality crib that is safe and secure is an investment piece. Modern safety standards make it possible to find sturdy cribs that have a great design. The best newborn cribs are easy to set up and feature a style that will not be quickly out of date with the most recent fashions.

It is tempting to buy the "perfect" crib, considering that it is the biggest investment you will make for your child. But there are many affordable, high-quality cribs available that can make your cheap baby cots's first sleep environment comfortable and safe.

When purchasing a crib ensure that it's certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. It must also meet all safety standards applicable. It's also important to avoid buying secondhand cribs, since they could have missing or worn-out hardware that could pose a security risk to your child. If you decide to purchase a used crib ensure that it's thoroughly examined by an expert prior to using it.

In addition to the crucial safety features, a good crib must be stable, solid and easy to assemble. Thistel says to check the instructions thoroughly and make sure that all the components are included. If you encounter problems, don't try to come up with a solution. Contact the manufacturer for replacement bolts or screws instead.

If you're a new parent looking for a stylish and affordable crib that will grow with their child, the Cradlewise fits the bill. It comes in a very heavy box with easy-to-follow instructions and a sturdy structure. It comes with an organic CoconutCoir mattress (VOC and PU foam free) suitable for toddlers and infants and is Greenguard GOLD certified.

If you're trying to squeeze the crib into a small space The Babyletto Hudson can help thanks to its small footprint and sleek, minimalist design. It's made of environmentally-friendly sustainable New Zealand pine wood and comes in a wide range of modern colors that instantly turn ho-hum nurseries into magazine-worthy spaces. It also has four adjustable mattress heights to save your back and prevent your baby from climbing out before they're ready.