Choosing the Best Crib Newborn

The Westport Cot Bed is an elegant crib that will look gorgeous in a Scandi-style nursery. It's also very adaptable, as it has three different mattress support heights. Additionally, it can be transformed into the bed of a toddler.

Cribs take up a lot of space, so bassinets may be a better option for homes with small spaces. Many parents prefer a crib due to safety reasons.

Safety

Choosing the best baby cots crib newborn is essential to your baby's health and well-being. You should ensure that it is in compliance with current safety standards and is free from dangers that could cause harm to your child as they sleep. It should be well-constructed and sturdy, with no loose pieces that could get caught on clothing or pose the risk of choking. It is essential to follow the directions of the manufacturer for assembly and use and to check the crib regularly.

Examine the distance between slats. It should not be more than 2 and 3/8 inches, to keep your baby's head or limbs getting caught between them. You should be in a position to be able to see and reach your baby's crib. If not reach your baby, the slats must be wider and not as close together.

The mattress support system is another aspect to think about when choosing a crib. It should be adjustable to different heights so that you can lower the mattress as your child grows. This will reduce the risk that your child will climb out of the crib once they begin to crawl.

A fitted sheet that is secure enough to fit over the bed and solid and sturdy construction are additional security features you should look for. Choose a crib with fixed sides instead of one with drop sides. Drop sides could be dangerous for your child. It is also advisable to sleep in the same room with your baby for six months or so, and then move them into their own bedroom once they are old enough to be supervised when they are sleeping on their own.

In the end, you must ensure that the crib is away from windows and radiators and that any hanging objects like curtains or blind cords are not within reach. You should also take away any items that could present the risk of choking like pillows or blankets. Be cautious when buying used cribs since they may not be in compliance with the current safety standards or have been recalled.

Design

Although cribs may appear the same, it is important to remember that each must meet strict safety guidelines. This is why the majority of the cribs we reviewed are of a similar design to ensure uniformity of structural solidity. For instance, the majority of cribs have circular bars that don't have any gaps or rough areas that could trap or squeeze a baby. We also evaluated each crib and best rated cribs it based on its ease of use and assembly. We suggest choosing a crib with fewer parts to avoid confusion.

One of our top cribs is the Evolur Sprout Crib, which is designed with an elegant, modern design and comes in several color options, including some two-toned. It also comes with a mattress that is universal and is Greenguard Gold certified to have minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could release gas into the nursery.

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

Convertible cribs are an excellent option if you plan to have more children. They can be transformed into a bed for toddlers and then into a full-size mattress, giving you the best cots for newborns value for price. The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib is an example of a convertible crib which received excellent marks from our test parents. The side rail that can be removed was praised by many parents for making feeding at night more secure and less stressful. They also stated that the crib offered enough room for the baby to sleep comfortably while mom and dad were asleep.

If you prefer a traditional style, the Carter's by DaVinci Colby 4-in-1 is a solid option. It is less expensive than the Stork Craft and features an elegant style that is perfect for all nursery. It has three different mattress heights, but it might be a little too small for toddlers and petite parents.

Mattress

Newborns are messy creatures, and a crib mattress that is washable is essential. Baby spit up and other accidents can make mattresses damp and filthy which can lead to mildew and bacteria that may be harmful to infants. Find a mattress cover that can be cleaned with a cloth or scrubbed with mild cleaner, and choose a waterproof mattress cover to prevent fluids from seeping into the mattress and causing health issues.

Choose a mattress that has been rated for up to 10 years so that it is suitable for toddlers. Many of the products in this review are reversible with toddler and infant sides, which allows you to use them right from birth until your child is ready to move on to an adult-sized bed.

A firm mattress for the crib is ideal because it can support their spines as they are developing. A super-firm sleep surface also reduces the chance of SIDS, which is more likely to happen when a baby's head sinks into a mattress that is soft.

Look over the label of the mattress to make sure it complies with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The CPSC requires that mattresses be tested for the possibility of flammability, waterproofing lead, and other chemicals that could be a hazard to babies. You can also find certifications like Greenguard, CertiPUR and GOTS, which indicate that the mattress was tested for volatile organic compounds that can harm infants' nervous and respiratory systems.

Another consideration is the weight of the mattress. The regular changes to sheets at night require that you lift and move the mattress, so if you have difficulty lifting heavy objects or don't want to handle a heavy product, consider choosing a lighter crib mattress. Newton Wovenaire, for example weighs only 8 pounds, while Naturepedic Organic Crib Mattress – Dual Firmness weighs 20 lbs. This makes it one of the heavier mattresses featured in this review. It is also constructed of foam, not woven-core inners. This makes it much easier to move around as compared to a traditional coil bed.

Assembly

A crib that is easy to put together is great for parents who are new. Look for one equipped with hardware that is securely held and has no sharp edges or rough spots that could rub your baby's skin. Also, stay clear of cribs with drop-sides or cutouts for headboards and footboards These features aren't compatible with the current safety standards.

If you decide to purchase a convertible crib, you will require an additional kit to convert it into an adult bed. These kits are sold separately by the majority of manufacturers. These kits are usually affordable and can help your child make the transition to a larger bed more easily.

Convertible cribs are an excellent option for families with multiple children. These cribs are built to last, and they generally can be converted into an infant cot bed bed, daybed or a full-size bed.

The DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Crib solid wood crib that's GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has four mattress-level heights. It's a classic design and is available in slate or white grey to match any nursery decor. The crib has locks that let you easily move it from room to place and can fit the majority of twin mattresses. The crib took our testers just 23 minutes to assemble.

Another crib that has been rated highly, the Sprout Crib is made with a sustainably harvested Baltic birch and meets all U.S., Canadian, Australian and European safety standards. It is a minimalist, stylish design that will be a perfect fit with any bedroom décor. The Sprout is among the lightest cribs we tested, weighing just 6kg, making it easy to move around and has an ideal travel bag.

A runner-up in our testing The Oeuf Modern Crib is built using sustainably harvested New Zealand pine. It has received numerous awards from various parenting magazines like BabyCenter and Babble. It has a medium-height profile and can be transformed from an infant crib to a toddler bed, with or without a rail. It is simple to put together and also has a lot of aesthetic appeal. However the surface can be scratched by normal use.