Choosing the Best Crib Newborn
The Westport Cot Bed will look beautiful in a Scandi nursery. It also provides a good amount of flexibility, with three mattress support height levels and the capability to convert into an infant bed.
Cribs consume a lot of space, so bassinets could be a better choice for homes with small spaces. Many parents prefer a crib because of safety concerns.
Safety
The health and well-being of your baby's child is contingent on the crib you select. It is important to ensure that the crib meets the current safety standards and is free of any hazards that may harm your baby as they sleep. It should be strong and well-constructed, with no loose parts that might catch on clothing or pose a choking hazard. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's directions regarding assembly and use, and check the crib regularly for indications of wear or damage.
Check the distance between the slats. It should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart, to prevent your baby's head or limbs from getting caught between them. You should be capable of seeing and reaching your child's crib. If you aren't see, the slats need to be wider and not as close to each other.
The mattress support system is an additional aspect to consider when choosing the crib. It is important to adjust the heights, so that you can lower the mattress as your baby grows. This will decrease the chance that your baby will climb out of the crib once they begin to crawl.
Other security features to look out for include an upholstered sheet that fits the mattress in a secure way and a stable and sturdy construction. Pick a crib with fixed sides rather than one that has drop sides. Drop sides can be hazardous for your child. You should also share the same bedroom as your baby until they are old enough to sleep alone.
Last but not least, ensure that the crib is kept away from windows and radiators, and that hanging items such as curtains or blind cords are kept out of reach. You should also take away anything that could create the risk of choking like pillows or blankets. You should also be wary of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, as they may not be in compliance with the current safety standards or been recalled for different reasons.
Design
It is important to keep in mind that cribs can look identical, but they must meet the strict safety standards. Most of the cribs that we examined are constructed in a similar manner to ensure structural stability. For instance, many have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could trap or squeeze babies. We also evaluated and rated each crib based on the ease of put together and use. More components can cause confusion, so we recommend selecting a crib with a few easy-to-follow directions to reduce frustration.
One of our favorite cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which has an elegant, modern design and comes in several colors, including 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 and modern with minimal details that make it ideal for modern nurseries. The crib comes in different colors and four different mattress heights so that your baby can use it as a toddler or a newborn. We tested the crib and found it to be very sturdy and stable, without flexing or creaking when a heavy toddler climbed inside.
Convertible cribs are a great option if you're planning to have more children. Many of these options can transform into a toddler bed and later a full-size bed providing a long-lasting product for your money. Our test parents loved the Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib top marks as an example of a convertible bed. Many of them said that the drop-down side rail made nighttime feedings easier and safer, and that the crib was spacious enough for the baby to be at ease while dad and mom were asleep.
The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is an excellent choice if you like traditional design. It is less expensive than the Stork Craft and features a classic design that will complement most any nursery. It has three different heights for the mattress however some parents and toddlers might feel it is a bit low.
Mattress
A washable crib mattress will be a great option for babies. Spitting up from diapers and baby spit can cause mattresses to become dirty and damp and result in mildew or bacteria that could be harmful to infants. Find a mattress cover that can be washed with a cloth or cleaned with mild cleaner. You should also pick a mattress cover with a waterproof material to stop fluids from leaking into the mattress and causing health issues.
Choose a mattress that has been rated for up to 10 years, so that it can be used for toddlers. A majority of the mattresses discussed here are reversible with a toddler and infant side. This allows you to use them from the time of birth until your child is old enough to be their own bed.
A mattress that is firm is best for infants, because it will provide the most support to their developing spines. A firm sleeping surface will also lower the risk of SIDS. This is because mattresses that are soft increase the possibility that a child's head will sink into it.
If you are in search of a firm crib mattress be sure to check the label to make sure that it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. The CPSC demands that mattresses be tested for flammability and waterproofing as well as lead and other chemicals that could pose a threat to babies. There are also certifications such as Greenguard CertiPUR, GOTS and CertiPURUS which are a great indication that the mattress has been examined for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can harm infants' respiratory and nervous systems.
The weight of the mattress is another thing to consider. Baby Cot Bed Cots For Tots UK to sheets at night require you to move and lift the mattress, so if you struggle lifting heavy objects or don't want take on a heavy product then consider getting a lighter crib mattress. For example, the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress Dual Firmness weighs 20 pounds, making it the heaviest in this review. It is also made from foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it easier to move around in comparison to a traditional coil mattress.
Assembly
New parents will be happy with a crib that's easy to assemble. You want to find the crib that has hardware that is securely secured and without sharp edges or rough patches that could irritate the skin of your baby. Beware of cribs that have drop-sides or headboard/footboard cutouts These features aren't in line with current safety standards.
If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you will have to purchase a separate kit for converting it into a toddler bed. Most manufacturers offer these kits separately. They're usually affordable, and will help your child transition into larger beds more easily.
Many new parents appreciate the durability that can be found in convertible cribs and are a great investment for families with multiple children. They've been designed to last, and they can be converted into toddler beds, daybeds or full-size beds.
The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib is solid wood crib that is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It's available in white or slate grey to match the decor of any nursery. The crib comes with locks that let you easily move it from room to place and fits the majority of standard twin mattresses. Our test subjects found that this crib was very easy to assemble - it took 23 minutes to put together.
The Sprout Crib, another top-rated crib, is made from sustainably harvested Baltic birch. It is compliant with all U.S. safety standards, in addition to the standards of Australia, Canada and Europe. It also features a chic, minimalist design that won't be a problem with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is among the most lightweight cribs we've tested at 6kg, making it easy to move around and has an ideal travel bag.
The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was runner-up in our tests, is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has won numerous awards from parenting magazines such as BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height profile that can be transformed from an infant crib into a toddler bed with a rail or into a daybed with no rail. It's easy to set up and has plenty of aesthetic appeal, but the thin finish is susceptible to scratches during normal use.