The 10 Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

The crib is an essential piece of furniture for the nursery of your baby. It isn't easy to pick the right crib, with so many styles and safety concerns.

Choose cribs that meet the most stringent safety standards and has no chewable or dangling parts. We also recommend a stylish crib that has a variety of mattress sizes and a sleek, modern 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 the nursery of your baby. This includes blankets, pillows and sheepskins. Also, avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys and blankets. Teddy bears, dolls and stuffed animals larger than 15 inches shouldn't be allowed to sleep in your baby's crib. These items can easily fall into or get trapped between your baby and the crib bars, or they could be swallowed by the mattress.

The best rated cribs cribs for babies are made of safe materials that are free from VOCs and other toxic chemicals. They also meet strict federal and state standards for structural safety. Additionally, they're third-party tested for safety and quality (think GREENGAURD gold or ASTM, JMPA, or CPSIA certs!). They are also designed to be tough and convertible, meaning they'll grow with your child.

No matter if you're buying new or used, it's important to select cribs that meet the current stringent safety standards. Secondhand cribs may be weakened in the course of time due to age, humidity and use. This can pose serious risks to your baby.

The slats of your crib should not be more than 2-3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent children from being wedged between them and the hardware that is on the crib should be secured. Check the slats, mattress support rims and hardware for any broken or loose components.

It's best rated cribs to avoid cribs that were used by children or pets in the past, as their safety could have been compromised. Don't buy or accept cribs with a drop-side rail. This feature was banned in 2012 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for safety reasons.

Style

While all cribs have to comply with strict safety standards, you'll find a lot of design differences. Some are just cosmetic, such as the slats have the same length, or are spaced closer apart, while others could make it difficult to clean and use the crib. Some features like drop sides and finials aren't safe and should be avoided. Other features, like adjustable mattress heights and wheels, are desirable by many parents.

One important thing to remember is that a crib is meant exclusively for sleeping infants and is not an ideal place to store toys or clothing. You can also put a crib in your registry to seek help from family and friends when you need one.

Cribs come in all shapes and sizes However, the ones we like best are those that combine style and function. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalist crib that looks gorgeous. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified, which is an essential feature for any product that is free of toxics, and it can convert into a toddler cheap cot bed as well as a daybed (toddler conversion kit available separately).

Some cribs sport more traditional designs like the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a stately choice that can be incorporated into big nursery spaces, but it takes up more space than smaller minimalist options and has exposed hardware that some might find distracting. It only has three mattress levels which is a fraction of the competition's number. It's also not as sturdy as our other picks.

Another option that has modern design is the Babyletto Hudson. The Babyletto Hudson's mesh all-around and hidden hardware help to improve airflow, and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that new parents find important. It can also be raised to a higher height to ease colic and reflux which makes it suitable for babies ranging from birth to 6 months. It's GREENGUARD GOLD certified and comes with a free matching mattress. It's important to note that this bed is more expensive than other top options, and it requires an additional conversion kit for toddler beds.

Adjustable Mattress Height

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

A quality crib should include adjustable rails or slats which allow you to raise or lower it as your child grows. A conversion kit is provided in the majority of cribs, so that you can convert it into a daybed or toddler bed when your child is no longer in the crib. It is also a good idea to select a crib which has been certified and tested by a third-party institution. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal and GREENGUARD Gold Certification are two examples. These certifications guarantee that the crib of your baby is free of finishes or chemicals.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep crib has a simple design and no complicated parts. It is one of the most highly-rated cribs. The sides of the crib are smaller than the other models. However, one test subject said that their child was sleeping well and the crib was in good shape when she gave it to a relative for her second baby.

Stokke Sleepi Crib is another excellent alternative. It features an oval shape which creates a modern appearance. It's a bit more expensive than other cribs, however its durability and features make up for it. For example, it can be transformed into a bassinet, or toddler bed. It also is able to be moved on wheels, making it easy to move from room to room. It comes with a canopy that can be used to create a space more akin to a womb your baby. This adds a stylish design to any nursery.

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

No Dangling or Chewable Parts

The safest cribs are those that are free of chewable or dangling components. Babies love to grasp things, and if a piece of furniture is hanging from their crib or above them it could snag off the rails or become an entanglement hazard. If parents decide to decorate their crib with decorative items or toys, they should be sure that the items are securely secured and out of baby's reach.

We also look at how easy it is to build our top cribs for infants. The ideal crib will be simple enough to be able to do it yourself and doesn't require specialized tools or extensive assembly time. The majority of parents say that assembling a modern crib takes less than an hour, and the included instructions are usually simple and easy to follow.

It is crucial to choose a crib that lasts for many years. For longevity, opt for a convertible crib that can start at the beginning of your child's life until the toddler bed, and then a larger bed.

The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top choice for a convertible crib that can be used as a bassinet during the early months and then transformed into a toddler bed, a daybed, or a large bed. It's made for long-term use and comes in a variety of colors, making it easy to match your nursery design theme.

Another option that is a great choice is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1 crib. This beautiful, minimal-style crib is low-profile to ensure that petite parents can touch their child to soothe them. It is renowned for its quality, and is available in cherry, white and espresso colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means that it is constructed from sustainable New Zealand pine and is free of toxins like lead and phthalates. It also surpasses all safety standards set by the government, such as ASTM, CPSC, and JPMA. The only thing that is missing is a toddler rail which you can buy separately. This is a great choice for those looking for a quality, affordable crib that will last.