The 10 Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs
How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs
The crib is an extremely important piece for your baby's nursery. It isn't easy to select the best crib, given numerous styles and safety concerns.
Look for a crib that meets the most stringent safety standards and has no chewable or dangling parts. We also recommend a stylish crib with a variety of mattress heights and modern, sleek design.
Safety
Follow the safe sleeping guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when placing and assembling your baby's crib. Avoid placing any objects that could cause injury or harm in your baby's nursery. 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 that are larger than 15 inches. These items can easily fall into or become stuck between your baby and the crib bars, or they could be swallowed by the mattress.
The best cribs for infants are made from safe materials that are free of VOCs and other toxic chemicals. They also meet strict federal, state and local standards for structural safety. They're also tested by a third party for quality and safety (think GREENGAURD gold or ASTM, JMPA, or CPSIA certifications!). They are also designed to be tough and convertible, so they can grow along with your child.
It's important that you choose cribs that meet current safety standards, no matter if you're buying a brand new or used crib. Secondhand cribs can have their structural integrity weakened due to humidity, age and heavy use, posing serious dangers to your baby.
The slats of your crib should not be more than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent babies from getting trapped between them and the hardware that is on the crib should be secured. It's an excellent idea to check the mattress support rims and slats for broken or loose parts.
It's also recommended to stay clear of cribs that were used by other children or pets, as their security could have been compromised. Don't purchase or buy cribs with drop-side rails. This feature was removed in 2012 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for safety reasons.
Style
There are a variety of design differences between cribs, despite the fact that they all have to meet safety standards. Some differences are purely aesthetic, such as the slats have the same length or are spaced farther than others, and some can affect how easy it is to clean and use the crib. Some features, like finials and drop sides aren't safe and should be avoided as well. Other features, such as adjustable mattress heights and wheels/casters are desirable for many parents.
One thing to be aware of is that a crib is meant only for infant sleep It's not an ideal place to store toys or clothing. You can also include a crib on your registry to seek help from family and friends in the event that you require one.
Cribs come in many different styles However, we prefer ones that blend style with functionality. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalist crib that looks great. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified, which is essential for any product that is free of toxics, and it can convert into a toddler bed and daybed (toddler conversion kit sold separately).
Some cribs are more traditional, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4 in 1. It's a stately choice that fits well into large nursery spaces, however it occupies more space than smaller minimalist options and has exposed hardware that some may find distracting. Furthermore, it only has three mattress height levels, which is less than half the competition and isn't as sturdy as our other choices.
The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a modern design. The Babyletto Hudson's all-round mesh and hidden hardware help to improve the flow of air, and Dr. Casares believes that this is an attribute that many new parents will appreciate. It can also be raised to a higher position to help reduce colic and reflux which makes it suitable for babies from birth to 6 months. It's GREENGUARD GOLD certified and includes an extra mattress that can be used as a substitute. It's important to note, however it's more expensive than our other top picks and requires a separate toddler Mini Cot Bed conversion kit.
Adjustable Mattress Height
It is important that your baby's crib mattress is of the correct height. This ensures that your child isn't able to climb out which could be hazardous or even fatal. A higher mattress can also protect your baby from heat exhaustion or suffocation.
A good crib should come with adjustable rails or slats that allow you to raise the mattress or lower it as your baby grows. The majority of cribs include a conversion kit that allows you can transform the crib into the toddler bed or daybed after your baby outgrows it. In the end, it's a good cribs idea to choose a crib that has been tested and inspected by a third party organization for safety. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification which means that it has been tested to ensure that there are no harmful chemicals or finishes present in the baby's sleeping space.
The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib is one of the top-rated cribs available and it's simple to put together, with a straightforward layout that doesn't contain any confusing parts or pieces. The sides of the crib are shorter than other models. However, one tester said that her child was sleeping well and the crib was still in good shape when she gave it to a friend as her second baby.
Stokke Sleepi Crib is another fantastic option. It has an oval shape, which creates a modern appearance. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs, but its quality and features make up for 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 a space more akin to a womb your baby. This adds a stylish accent to any nursery.
The only drawback to this crib is it doesn't have mattress, which you'll need to purchase separately. It's a safe, comfortable crib that can grow with your child as they go from newborn to toddler.
No Dangling or Chewable Parts
The most secure cribs do not have chewable or dangling components. If something is hung over or below the crib, it could cause the rails to pull or create a strangulation risk. Babies are very grabby. If parents decorate their crib with toys or other items, they must ensure that the items are securely secured and aren't within reach of Baby.
We also look at how it is easy to build our top infant cribs. Ideally, the crib should be easy enough to be able to do it yourself and doesn't require special tools or extensive assembly time. most recommended cribs parents report that the process of assembling a modern crib can take less than an hour and the included instructions are usually clear and easy to follow.
It is essential to select a crib that will last many years. For long-lasting use, choose a convertible crib that can work from infancy all the way up to a toddler bed and finally a larger bed.
Our favorite 4-in-1 convertible crib is the Ikea Nestig Cloud Crib, which can be used as the bassinet in the early months, then convert into a toddler bed, daybed, or a full-size bed. It's built to last and comes in a variety of colors, so you can match it with your nursery's design theme.
Another great option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1 crib. This beautiful, minimal-style crib is low-profile, so petite parents can touch their child to comfort them. It also has a great reputation for quality and comes in cherry, white and espresso colors as well as natural pine colors.
This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental protection, and it's constructed from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of toxins such as lead and phthalates (BPA). It also surpasses all safety standards set by the government, such as ASTM, CPSC, and JPMA. The only thing missing is the toddler rail. It is available separately. This is a great option for those who are looking for an inexpensive, high-quality crib that will last.