The 10 Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

The crib is an extremely essential piece of furniture for your baby's nursery. But picking out a good crib can be overwhelming, especially with so many various styles and safety concerns.

Find a crib that meets the highest safety standards and has no chewable or dangling components. We also suggest a chic crib with a range of mattress heights as well as modern, sleek design.

Safety

When assembling and arranging your baby's crib, make sure to follow safe sleep guidelines set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is crucial to avoid putting any items in the crib of your child that could cause harm or injury including blankets, pillows and sheepskins, toys for stuffed animals and bumper pads (see our complete guide to safe sleep for more information). Teddy bears, dolls and stuffed animals bigger than 15 inches shouldn't be allowed to be placed in the crib of your baby. These items could easily fall into or get stuck between your baby and the crib bars, or they could be engulfed by the mattress.

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

If you're buying a new crib or used, it's essential to select a crib that is in line with today's strict safety standards. Secondhand cribs may be weakened in the course of time due to the effects of humidity, age and heavy use. This could cause serious dangers to your baby.

The slats on your crib should not exceed 3/8 inch (6 centimeters), and the hardware should be secured. Check the slats and mattress support rims, and hardware for any damaged or loose components.

It's best to avoid cribs that were used by pets or children in the past, since their safety may have been compromised. Also, don't purchase or accept an older crib that has an incline side rail, which was banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 for security reasons.

Style

Although all cribs must comply with strict safety standards, you'll find a lot of design differences. Some are just cosmetic, such as whether the slats all have the same length, or are spaced closer apart, while others could make it difficult to clean and use the crib. Some features, like finials and drop sides, aren't safe and should not be used as well. Other features, such as adjustable mattress height and wheels/casters highly sought-after by many parents.

One important thing to remember is that a crib should be used only for infant cot bed sleep and is not an area to store toys or clothes. You can also include a crib in your registry to seek help from family and friends in the event you need help.

Cribs are available in a variety of shapes and cot Bed sales sizes, but the ones we prefer have a mix of style and functionality. For example the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1 is minimalist and looks sharp. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified, which we believe is an essential feature for any toxic-free baby product and it's able to convert into a toddler bed as well as a daybed (toddler conversion kit sold separately).

Other cribs have more traditional designs, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a stately choice that fits well into big nursery spaces, but it takes up more floor space than smaller minimalist options and has exposed hardware that some might find distracting. It has only three levels of mattress which is a fraction of the number offered by competitors. It's not as sturdy as our other picks.

Another option with contemporary design is the Babyletto Hudson. The Babyletto Hudson's all-round mesh and hidden hardware improve the flow of air, and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that new parents find important. It can be raised higher to ease colic and reflux. This is suitable for babies aged 6 months and birth. It's also GREENGUARD certified GOLD and comes with a complimentary mattress. It's important to know that this bed is more expensive than other top picks, and it requires an additional conversion kit to accommodate toddler cot beds for sale.

Adjustable Mattress Height

When your baby is sleeping in their crib, it is important that the mattress is the correct height. This will ensure that your child isn't able to climb out, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher can protect your baby from overheating or suffocation.

A quality crib will have adjustable slats or railings that let you raise or lower the mattress as your infant grows. Most good cribs will also include a conversion kit so you can transform the crib into the toddler bed or daybed after your baby outgrows it. It's also a good idea to select a crib that has been tested and certified by a third-party institution. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal and GREENGUARD Gold Certification are two examples. These certifications guarantee your baby cots on sale's crib is free of finishes or chemicals.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib one of the top-rated cribs available and it's easy to put together and has a simple design that doesn't include any jarring pieces or parts. The sides of the crib are a bit shorter than most cribs however, one user said that her child slept well in it and remained in good shape when she passed it on to a friend following the birth of her second child.

Another option that is worth considering is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which features a unique oval shape that gives it a contemporary style. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs, however its durability and features make up for it. It can easily be transformed into an infant bed or a bassinet and comes with wheels that make it easy to move around. It also comes with a canopy that can be utilized to create a womb-like environment for your baby and adds a stylish touch to any nursery.

The only drawback to this crib is that it doesn't come with a mattress, which you'll need to purchase separately. It's a safe, comfortable crib that will adapt to your child's needs as they go from newborn to toddler.

No Dangling or Chewable Parts

The most secure cribs do not have chewable or dangling components. Babies love to grasp objects, and if something is hanging from or above their crib, it could pull off the rails or become an injury to strangulation. If a parent decorates their crib with toys or decorative items, they must ensure that the items are secured tightly and aren't in the reach of Baby.

In addition to the security features of our top infant cribs, we also look at how easy it is to put together. Ideally, the crib should be easy enough that you can do it yourself and doesn't require specialized tools or extensive assembly time. The majority of parents say that the process of assembling a modern crib can take less than an hour and the included instructions are usually simple and easy to follow.

A crib is an important purchase for many new parents, which is why it's important to find one that will last for many years to be. Choose a crib that can be transformed from a crib to an adult bed, and then a full-size mattress.

Our favorite 4-in-1 convertible crib is the Ikea Nestig Cloud Crib which can be used as a bassinet for those early months, and later convert into a toddler bed, daybed, or a full-size bed. It's designed to last for a long time and comes in a variety of colors, making it easy to match your nursery's theme.

Stork Craft Equinox is another fantastic alternative. This stunning, minimalist-style crib is low-profile, so small parents can reach their child to calm them. It also has a good reputation for quality and Best Infant Cribs is available in cherry, white, espresso, and natural pine colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental safety, and it's constructed from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of toxins such as lead and phthalates (BPA). It also surpasses standards set by the government such as ASTM, CPSC and JPMA. The only thing that is lacking is the toddler rail. You can purchase it separately. This is a great option for those who are seeking a top-quality crib that is affordable and built to last.