How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

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

Find a crib that meets the highest safety standards, and no chewable or dangling parts. We also suggest a crib with a wide selection of mattress heights and a sleek design that complements your style.

Safety

When assembling and setting up your baby's crib make sure to adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Avoid placing any objects that could cause injury or harm to the nursery of your Baby beds. This includes blankets, pillows and sheepskins. Also avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys, and blankets. Your baby should not sleep with any teddy bears dolls or stuffed animals larger than 15 inches. These items could easily fall between your baby cots on sale's crib bars or be stuck within them. They may also 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 comply with strict federal, state and local regulations for structural safety. They're also tested by third parties to ensure quality and safety. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certs!) They're also designed to be durable and convertible, meaning they'll continue to grow with your child.

Whether you're buying new or used, it's crucial to choose 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 create serious risks for your baby.

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

It's also wise to stay clear of cribs that were used by other children or pets, as their security may be compromised. Don't buy or accept cribs with drop-side rails. This feature was removed in 2012 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for safety reasons.

Style

Although all cribs must meet strict safety standards, you'll find a lot of design differences. Some are purely aesthetic, like whether the slats are of identical in length or are spaced closer apart and others have an impact on the ease of the crib to operate and maintain. Some features, like drop sides and finials, aren't safe and should not be used and others, like adjustable mattress height and casters/wheels--are popular with parents.

One thing to be aware of is that the crib should be used solely for sleep for infants and is not an area to store toys or clothes. It's also a good idea to put a crib on your registry to ensure that family and friends can assist you in getting one when the time comes.

Cribs are available in many different styles, but we prefer ones that blend style with functionality. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalistic crib that looks stunning. It's also GREENGUARD Gold certified, which we believe is a must-have for any baby product that is non-toxic and it's able to convert into a toddler bed as well as a daybed (toddler conversion kit available separately).

Some cribs sport an older-style look, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It is a stylish option that can be incorporated into larger nursery. However, it takes more floor space compared to smaller, minimalist alternatives. Moreover, it only has three levels of mattress height, which is less than half the competition, and it's not as sturdy as our other picks.

The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern aesthetic. The Babyletto Hudson's mesh all-around and hidden hardware improve airflow, and Dr. Casares believes that this is an attribute that new parents find important. It can also be raised to a higher level to ease colic and reflux, making it suitable for babies from birth to 6 months. It's also GREENGUARD GOLD certified and includes an additional mattress. It's worth noting, however it's more expensive than our other top selections and requires a toddler bed conversion kit.

Adjustable Mattress Height

It is essential that the crib mattress of your baby is the right height. This will prevent your child from climbing out of the crib, which could be fatal or dangerous. A mattress that is higher can also help keep your child from overheating or suffocating.

A good crib should come with adjustable rails or slats which allow you to raise or lower it as your baby grows. most recommended cribs good cribs will also include a conversion kit so you can transform the crib into the toddler bed or daybed after your baby outgrows it. In the end, it's best cots 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 it has been tested to make sure there are no harmful chemicals or finishes present in your baby's sleep space.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib one of the best-rated cribs available and it's easy to assemble, with a straightforward design that doesn't have any complicated pieces or parts. The sides of the crib are a bit shorter than other cribs, but one parent tester stated that her baby did well sleeping in it, and was in good condition when she passed it on to a relative after the birth of her second child.

Stokke Sleepi Crib is another fantastic alternative. It has an oval shape that gives it a modern look. It's a little more expensive than other cribs but its quality and features are worth it. For example, it can be transformed into a bassinet, or a toddler bed, and it is able to be moved on wheels, making it easy to move from room to room. It also has a canopy that can be used to create a space more akin to a womb your baby. It adds a fashionable touch in any nursery.

The only downside to this crib is that it doesn't come with an additional mattress, which you'll have to purchase separately. It's a safe, comfortable crib that will expand with your child as they transition from infant to toddler.

No Chewable or Dangling Parts

The most secure cribs have no dangling or chewable components. If something is hanging above or below their crib, this could cause the rails to pull or create a strangulation risk. Babies are very grabby. If a parent decorates their crib with toys or other decorative items, they must make sure they secure the items and not in reach of Baby.

In addition to the safety features of our best infant cribs, we also consider how simple it is to assemble. The ideal crib will be easy enough to be able to build it yourself and doesn't require specialized tools or a long time to assemble. Many parents report that the assembly of a modern crib takes less than a half hour, and the instructions included are generally clear and easy to follow.

It's important that you choose a crib that lasts for many years. Choose a crib that can be transformed from a crib into an adult bed, and then to a full-size mattress.

The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top choice for a convertible crib that can be used as a bassinet for the beginning, and later converted into an infant bed, a daybed, or a larger Mini Cot Bed. It's built to last and comes in many colors so you can match it to the theme of your nursery's decor.

Stork Craft Equinox is another great option. This beautiful, minimal-style crib is low-profile so that petite parents can reach their child to calm them. It has a good reputation for its quality, and is available in cherry, white and espresso colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means it is made from sustainable New Zealand pine and is free of harmful substances like lead and phthalates. It also surpasses all safety standards set by the government, such as ASTM, CPSC, and JPMA. The only thing not included is the toddler rail. You can buy it separately. This is a great option for those who want an inexpensive, high-quality crib that will last.