How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

A crib is one of the most important pieces for your baby's nursery. However, choosing a suitable crib can be overwhelming particularly with the number of various styles and safety concerns.

Choose a crib that adheres to the most stringent safety standards and has no dangling or chewable components. We recommend a crib with a wide selection of mattress heights and a stylish design that is in line with your style.

Safety

Follow the safe sleeping guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when setting up and arranging your baby's crib. It is crucial to not place any items in the crib of your baby that could cause harm or injury such as blankets, pillows and sheepskins, toys for stuffed animals and bumper pads (see our complete guide to safe sleeping for more details). Teddy bears, dolls and other stuffed animals that are larger than 15 inches should not be allowed to sleep in your baby's crib. These items could easily fall into or become stuck between your baby and the crib bars, or they could be swallowed by the mattress.

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

No matter if you're buying new or used, it's crucial to choose cribs that meet the current stringent safety standards. Secondhand cribs can lose their structural integrity due to age, humidity and prolonged use, which can pose serious risks to your infant.

The slats of your crib should not be more than 3/8 inch (6 centimeters), and the hardware must be secure. It's also a good idea to inspect the slats and the rims of the mattress support for any broken or loose components.

It's Best cot for newborn to avoid cribs that were used by pets or children in the past, since their safety may have been compromised. Don't buy or accept a secondhand crib that has a drop side rail, which was deemed unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 due to safety reasons.

Style

There are many variations in the design of cribs, despite the fact that they all must meet safety standards. Some are purely aesthetic, such as if the slats are all identical in length or are spaced closer apart or not, while others have a significant impact on the ease of the crib to use and maintain. Certain features, such as drop sides and finials, aren't safe and should be avoided as well. Other features, such as adjustable mattress heights and wheels/casters are popular with parents.

One important thing to remember is that a crib should be used exclusively for sleeping infants and is not an ideal place to store toys or clothing. You can also include a crib in your registry to receive help from friends and family in the event that you require one.

Cribs come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but the ones we love best have a mix of style and functionality. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalistic crib that looks stunning. It's also GREENGUARD gold certified which we believe is a must for any product that is free of toxics. It can be transformed into a daybed and toddler by converting it with a separate kit.

Other cribs are more traditional, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4 in 1. It's a stylish choice that will fit into large nursery. However, it takes up more floor space compared to smaller minimalist options. Additionally, it has only three levels of mattress height, which is less than half the alternatives and isn't as durable as our other options.

Another option with 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 an attribute that a lot of new parents will consider important. It can also be raised to a higher height to help reduce colic and reflux and colic, making it suitable for babies from birth to 6 months. It's also GREENGUARD certified GOLD and comes with a complimentary matching mattress. It's important to note, however it's more expensive than our other top choices and requires a separate toddler bed conversion kit.

Adjustable Mattress Height

It is essential that the crib mattress of your baby is at the correct height. This ensures that your child can't climb out which could be hazardous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher can protect your baby from heat exhaustion or suffocation.

A good crib will have adjustable slats or railings to allow you to raise or lower the mattress as your baby grows. A conversion kit is included with most good cribs so that you can convert it into a daybed or toddler bed after your child has outgrown the crib. It's also best to choose a crib that has been tested and inspected by a third party organization to ensure safety. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification that means it has been tested to ensure there aren't any chemical or other finishes in the baby's sleeping space.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib one of the best-rated cribs on the market, and it's easy to assemble and has a simple design that doesn't have any jarring pieces or parts. The sides of the crib are smaller than the other models. However, one test subject said that their child slept well and the crib was in good shape when she gave it to a friend as her second baby.

Stokke Sleepi Crib is another great option. It features an oval shape that creates a modern appearance. It's a bit more expensive than most cribs, but it's sturdy and comes with a number of features to make up for the price. It can, for instance, be transformed into a bassinet or a toddler bed, and it has wheels so it's easy to move from room to room. It also has a canopy that can be used to create a womb-like environment for your baby. It's also an elegant look to any nursery.

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

No dangling or chewable components.

The most secure cribs do not have chewable or dangling components. If something is hung above or below their crib, this could cause the rails to pull or create a strangulation risk. Babies are extremely grabbing. If a parent decides to decorate their crib with decorative items or Cot Bed sales toys, they must ensure that the items are securely secured and out of baby's reach.

We also look at how it is easy to put together our top infant cribs. Ideally, the crib should be easy enough to build it yourself, and doesn't require any special tools or a long time to assemble. The majority of parents say 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 the right crib that will last for many years. Choose a crib that can be converted from a crib into an adult bed, and then to a full-size mattress.

The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top pick for convertible cribs that can be used as a bassinet during the early years and later transformed into an infant bed, a daybed, or a larger bed. It's built to last and is available in a variety of colors, so you can match it with the theme of your nursery's decor.

Another option that is a great choice is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1 crib. This stunning, minimalist-style crib is low-profile that makes it easier for petite parents to reach their child and calm them. It also has a great reputation for quality and comes in white, cherry and espresso colors as well as natural pine colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental protection, and it's made from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of toxins such as lead and phthalates (BPA). It also exceeds government standards such as ASTM, CPSC and JPMA. The only thing that is lacking is the toddler rail. You can purchase it separately. This is a good option for those who are looking for an affordable, high-quality crib that will last cot beds for sale a long time.