The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

The crib is a very important piece for the nursery of your baby. But picking out a good crib can be a daunting task particularly with the number of different designs and safety concerns.

Search for a crib with the most stringent safety standards, including no chewable or dangling parts. We also suggest a chic crib with a range of mattress heights and a sleek, modern design.

Safety

When assembling and setting up your baby's crib make sure you follow the safe sleep guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Avoid placing any items that could cause injury or harm in the nursery of your baby. This includes pillows, blankets and sheepskins. Also avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys and blankets. Teddy bears, dolls and stuffed animals that are larger than 15 inches shouldn't be allowed to sleep in your baby's crib. They could easily fall into or be stuck between your baby and the crib bars or they could be engulfed by the mattress.

The best cots cribs for babies are made of materials that are free of VOCs, harmful chemicals, and other substances. They also comply with strict federal laws, local and state regulations for structural safety. They're also tested by third parties to ensure safety and quality. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certs!) They're also designed to be sustainable and convertible so they can expand with your child.

It's important that you choose a crib which meets the current safety standards, whether you're purchasing a new or used crib. Secondhand cribs can be damaged in their structural integrity due to age, humidity and prolonged use, which can pose grave dangers to your child.

The slats on your crib should be no more than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to keep babies from getting trapped between them and the hardware on the crib should be secured. Examine the slats, mattress support rims and hardware for any damaged or loose components.

It's best cot bed to avoid cribs that were used by children or pets in the past, as their safety may be at risk. Finally, don't purchase or buy an older crib that has an incline side rail, which was deemed unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 for safety reasons.

Style

While all cribs must adhere to strict safety standards, there are many design differences. Some are just aesthetic, such as if the slats are all the same length or placed closer than others, while others have a real impact on the ease of the crib to maintain and use. Some features like drop sides and finials are not safe and should not be used. Other features, like the adjustable mattress heights and wheels, are coveted by a lot of parents.

A crib is not meant to be used for toys or clothes. It's only intended to be an area where babies can sleep. It's also recommended to put a crib on your registry so that your family and friends can lend a hand to help you purchase one when the time arrives.

Cribs are available in a variety of different styles, but we prefer those that combine design and function. For instance the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1 is minimalist and stylish. It's also GREENGUARD gold-certified and we believe that is essential for any product that is non-toxic. It can be turned into a daybed and toddler by converting it with a separate kit.

Some cribs are more traditional, like the DaVinci Jayden 4 in 1. It's a grand crib that is a good fit for large nursery spaces, however it takes up more floor space than the smaller and minimalist models, and also has exposed hardware that some find distracting. It only has three mattress levels, which is half the number offered by competitors. It's also not as sturdy as our other choices.

The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern aesthetic. The Babyletto Hudson's mesh all-around and hidden hardware help to improve the flow of air, and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that new parents consider important. It can also be elevated to a higher level to help reduce colic and reflux and colic, making it suitable for babies ranging from birth to 6 months. It is also GREENGUARD certified gold and comes with a mattress that is also a match. It's worth noting, however, that it's more expensive than our other top picks and requires a separate toddler bed conversion kit.

Adjustable Mattress Height

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

A quality crib will have slats or railings that are adjustable to allow you to raise or lower the mattress as your child grows. Most good cribs will also include a conversion kit so you can turn the crib into an adult daybed or a toddler bed once your little one outgrows it. It's also a good idea to select a crib which has been tested and certified by a third-party organization. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification that means it has been tested to make sure there are minimal chemicals or finishes present in the baby's sleeping space.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib is one of the best baby cots-rated cribs available, and it's simple to put together, with a straightforward layout that doesn't contain any complicated pieces or parts. The sides of the crib are shorter than most cribs, but one parent tester reported that her baby was comfortable in it and was still in good condition when she gave it to a friend following the birth of her second child was born.

Stokke Sleepi Crib is another fantastic alternative. It has an oval shape which gives it a contemporary look. It's a bit more costly than most recommended cribs cribs, but it is durable and has numerous features that make up the price. It is able to be converted into an infant Mini Cot Bed or a bassinet, and it has wheels that make it easy to move. It also has a canopy that can be used to create a space more like a womb for your baby. It adds a fashionable accent to any nursery.

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

No dangling or chewable parts

The safest cribs are those that do not have chewable or dangling components. Babies love to grab things, and if a piece of furniture is hanging over or above their crib it could snag off the rails or become a strangulation hazard. If parents decorate their crib with toys or decorative items, they must ensure that the items are secured tightly and not in reach of Baby.

We also examine how it is easy to build our top cribs for infants. Ideally, the crib should be simple enough to be able to do it yourself, and doesn't require any special tools or long assembly time. The majority of parents say that the assembly of a modern crib takes less than an hour and the instructions included are generally clear and easy to follow.

It is essential to select a crib that will last many years. Select a crib that is able to be converted from a crib into an infant's bed, and then to a full-size mattress.

Our top choice for a 4-in-1 convertible crib is the Ikea Nestig Cloud Crib, which can replace the bassinet in the early months, and then be converted to a toddler bed, daybed, or a full-size bed. It's designed to last and comes in a variety of colors, so you can match it with the theme of your nursery's decor.

Stork Craft Equinox is another great alternative. This gorgeous, minimalist-style crib is low-profile, so small parents can touch their child to comfort them. It also has a stellar reputation for quality and is available in cherry, white and espresso colors as well as natural pine colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means that it is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine and is free of harmful substances like lead and phthalates. It also exceeds government standards such as ASTM, CPSC and JPMA. The only thing missing is a toddler rail, which you can purchase separately. This is a great choice for those who are looking for an affordable, high-quality, and low-cost crib that will last.