Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

The Westport sale cot Bed is a minimalist crib that can look gorgeous in a Scandi-style nursery. It also provides a good variety of versatility with three mattress support height levels and the capability to convert into a toddler bed.

Cribs take up a lot of space, so bassinets could be a better option for homes with small spaces. Many parents choose a crib because of security concerns.

Safety

Choosing the best crib newborn is crucial to your baby's health and well-being. You want to make sure that it meets current safety standards, and is free of hazards that could cause harm during sleep. It should be well-constructed and sturdy, with no loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or pose danger of choking. It is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer for assembly and use and to inspect the crib on a regular basis.

The first thing you need to check is the spacing between slats. It should be no more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart to keep your baby's head or limbs getting trapped in between them. You must also be able to easily see and reach your baby's crib. If you aren't reach your baby, the slats must be wider and not so close to each other.

The mattress support system is an additional aspect to consider when choosing a crib. It should be adjustable, so that you can lower the mattress of your crib as your child grows. This will help to reduce the chance of your child leaving the crib as is a common situation as they begin to crawl.

Other safety features to look for include the fitted sheet that is able to fit the mattress in a secure way, and an enduring and solid construction. It is also recommended to choose a crib that has fixed sides rather than ones with drop sides, which can be dangerous for your baby. You should also share the same room with your baby until they are old enough to be able to go off on their own.

The last thing to do is ensure that the crib is removed from radiators and windows and that any hanging objects such as blind cords or curtains are out of reach. You should also take away any items that could present the risk of choking like pillows or blankets. Be cautious of purchasing cribs that are secondhand, because they may not have met current safety standards or have been recalled for different reasons.

Design

While cribs may look all similar, it's important to keep in mind that all must adhere to strict safety standards. The majority of cribs we looked at were designed in a similar way to ensure structural stability. Most cribs feature circular bars that do not have gaps or rough surfaces that could trap the baby or squeeze them. We also evaluated and rated each crib based on how easy it was to put together and use. More parts can mean more confusion, so we suggest choosing a crib that comes with clear instructions that are easy to follow to minimize frustration.

One of our favorites is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which has an elegant, modern design and comes in a variety of color options, including some two-toned. It also has a mattress that is universal and is Greenguard Gold certified to have the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can release off-gasses into the nursery.

Another alternative is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1. The crib is sleek, modern and minimalist in appearance. It's perfect for modern nurseries. The crib is available in a variety of designs and four mattress heights so that your baby can use it as a toddler or a newborn. We tested this crib and found it to be solid and stable, with no creaking or flexing when a toddler was seated inside.

Convertible cribs are a great option if you're planning to have more children. These options can be transformed into a toddler's bed and then into a full-size mattress, giving you the best value for price. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is a prime example of a convertible crib which received praise from our test parents. The side rails that slide down were loved by a lot of parents for making feeding at night more secure and less stressful. They also stated that the crib was spacious enough space for their cheap baby cots for sale to sleep comfortably while dad and mom were asleep.

The Colby 4-in-1 from the Carter's by DaVinci is a great option if you prefer a more traditional style. It is less expensive than the Stork Craft and comes with a classic design that will complement most every nursery. It comes with three different mattress heights, however it may be a bit small for some toddlers and petite parents.

Mattress

A crib mattress that can be cleaned will be a great option for babies. Baby Cot Bed spills and other accidents can leave mattresses damp and dirty which can lead to mildew and bacteria that may be harmful to infants. Find a mattress cover that can be washed with a cloth or cleaned with mild cleaner, and choose a waterproof mattress cover to help prevent fluids from seeping into the mattress and causing health issues.

Find mattresses that are rated to last 10 years, so it will be ready for toddlers and beyond. A majority of the mattresses that we have reviewed are reversible, with infant and toddler side. This allows you to use them from the time of birth until your child is old enough to be their full-size bed.

A mattress that is firm is the best choice for infants since it will provide the most support to their growing spines. A super-firm sleep surface also helps to reduce the chance of SIDS which is more likely to occur when an infant's head sinks into a soft mattress.

Look over the label on a firm mattress to ensure it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC demands that mattresses be tested for waterproofing and flammability as well as lead and other chemicals that could pose a threat to infants. You can also find certifications like Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS, which indicate that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that may harm infants' respiratory and nervous systems.

The weight of the mattress is another thing to take into consideration. Sheet changes at night require that you lift and move the mattress. If you are unable to lift heavy objects or aren't able to carry a heavy item then consider getting a lighter crib mattress. For instance, the Newton Wovenaire is incredibly light at just 8 pounds while the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress - Dual Firmness is 20 pounds, which makes it the largest in this review. It is also constructed of foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it more comfortable to move around as compared to a traditional coil mattress.

Assembly

New parents will appreciate a crib that is easy to put together. You want to find the crib that has hardware that is securely secured and with no sharp edges or rough patches that could rub the skin of your baby. Also, stay clear of cribs that have drop-sides or headboard/footboard cutouts -- these features aren't compatible with the current safety standards.

If you decide to buy a convertible crib, you will need to purchase an additional kit to convert it into a toddler bed. Most manufacturers offer these kits on their own. These kits are often affordable and can help your child make the transition to a larger bed more easily.

Many new parents appreciate the long-lasting quality that can be found in the convertible crib and they're a great option for families with multiple children. The cribs are built to last and can be converted into toddler beds, daybeds or full-size beds.

The DaVinci Jaden cots 4 tots-in-1 crib is a solid-wood crib that's GREENGUARD Certified Gold and has four mattress heights. It's available in slate grey or white to match the decor of any nursery. The crib comes with locking wheels that allow you to easily move it from room to room and accommodates most standard twin mattresses. The crib took our testers just 23 minutes to put together.

Another crib that is highly rated one of the top ranked cribs cribs, the Sprout Crib is made with a sustainably harvested Baltic birch, and it meets all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It also has a sleek minimalist design that will not clash with any bedroom decor. The Sprout is one of the lightest cribs we tested, weighing just 6kg, making it easy to move around. It also comes with a handy travel bag.

The Oeuf Modern Crib, which was runner-up in our tests, is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from different parenting publications like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height design, and it converts from an infant crib to an adult bed with a rail or into a daybed that doesn't have rail. It's simple to put together and has lots of appeal. However, the thin finish is prone to scratches during normal use.