The 10 Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

The crib is an extremely essential piece of furniture for your baby's nursery. However, picking a suitable one can feel overwhelming especially when you consider the many various styles and safety concerns.

Find a crib that meets the highest safety standards, with no chewable or dangling parts. We also suggest a chic crib with a range of mattress sizes and an elegant, modern design.

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 your baby's crib that could cause harm or injury such as blankets, pillows, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and bumper pads (see our complete guide to safe sleep for more details). Teddy bears, dolls, and stuffed animals larger than 15 inches should not be allowed to be placed in the crib of your baby. These items can easily fall into or be stuck between your baby and the crib bars, or they could be engulfed by the mattress.

The best infant cribs are made of safe materials that are free from VOCs and other toxic chemicals. They also adhere to strict federal and state standards for structural safety. They're also tested by third parties to ensure quality and safety. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certs!) And they are designed to be sustainable and adaptable, so they can grow with your child.

Whether you're buying new or used, it's important to choose cribs that meet today's rigorous safety standards. Secondhand cribs can be damaged in their structural integrity due to humidity, age and heavy use, posing serious risks to your infant.

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

It's also wise to avoid using cribs that were used by children or pets, as their security could be compromised. Finally, don't purchase or buy a secondhand crib that has an incline side rail, which was banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2012 for security reasons.

Style

While all cribs have to meet strict safety standards, you'll find a lot of design differences. Some of the differences are cosmetic, like whether the slats all have the same length, or are spaced closer apart, while others can impact the ease to use and clean the crib. Some features like drop sides and finials aren't safe and should not be used. Other features, like adjustable mattress height and wheels, are sought-after by many parents.

A crib isn't intended to be used as a place for toys or clothes. It's only intended to be a place where babies can sleep. You can also include a crib in your registry to seek help from friends and family in the event that you require one.

Cribs come in a variety of shapes and sizes However, the ones we prefer are those that combine style and function. For instance, the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1 is minimalist and looks sharp. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified, which is an essential feature for any toxic-free baby product, and it can convert into a toddler cheap cot bed as well as a daybed (toddler conversion kit sold separately).

Some cribs sport an older-style look like the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a classy crib that is a good fit for big nursery spaces, but it takes up more space than smaller, minimalist alternatives and comes with exposed hardware that some may find distracting. It only has three mattress levels, which is half the number offered by competitors. It's also not as durable as our other picks.

The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern look. The Babyletto Hudson's mesh all-around and hidden hardware enhance the flow of air, and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that a lot of new parents will find important. It can be raised higher to alleviate colic and reflux. This is suitable for babies between 6 months and birth. It's also GREENGUARD certified GOLD and comes with a mattress that is also a match. It's important to know that this bed is more expensive than the other top ranked cribs choices and requires an additional conversion kit to accommodate toddler beds.

Adjustable Mattress Height

It is crucial that the crib mattress of your baby is the right height. This ensures that your child isn't able to climb out, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A higher mattress also helps protect your baby from overheating or becoming suffocated.

A good crib will have adjustable slats or railings that allow you to raise or lower the mattress as your baby grows. A conversion kit comes with most good cribs to allow you to convert it into an adult daybed or a toddler bed once your child outgrows the crib. It's also recommended to select a crib that has been tested and approved by a third-party organization for safety. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification that means it has been tested to ensure that there are minimal chemicals or finishes present in your baby's sleep space.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib has an easy design and has no complicated parts. It is one of the most highly-rated cribs. The crib's sides are shorter than those of other cribs. However, one tester said that her baby slept well and that the crib was still in good shape when she gave it to a friend as her second child.

Another option that is worth considering is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which is a unique oval-shaped design that gives it a contemporary look. It's a little more expensive than other cribs beds, however its durability and features are worth 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 an atmosphere more like a womb for your baby. This adds a stylish design to any nursery.

The only drawback to this crib is that it doesn't include an additional mattress, which you'll need to purchase separately. But it's a safe and comfortable crib that will be adapted to your child's needs from a newborn to a toddler.

No dangling or chewable components.

The safest cribs are those that do not have chewable or dangling components. If something is hanging over or below the crib, this could cause the rails to be pulled or cause strangulation. Babies can be very grabbing. If parents decorate their crib with toys or decorative objects, they should ensure that the items are secured tightly and aren't within reach of Baby.

We also consider how easy it is to put together our top cribs for infants. Ideally, the crib should be easy enough to be able to build it yourself and doesn't require specialized tools or long assembly time. Most parents report that the process of assembling a modern crib can take less than an hour, and the included instructions are usually clear and easy to follow.

A crib will be an important purchase for many new parents, and it is essential to choose one that will last for years to come. For longevity, opt for a convertible crib that can be used from the time of infancy all the way to an adult bed and then a full-size bed.

Our favorite 4-in-1 convertible crib is the Ikea Nestig Cloud Crib, that can be used to replace a bassinet for those early months, and then be converted to a toddler bed daybed, or Cheap baby cots - 113.105.183.190 - a full-size bed. It's designed for the long haul and is available in a variety of colors, making it easy to match your nursery's theme.

Stork Craft Equinox is another great alternative. This beautiful, minimal-style crib is low-profile to ensure that small parents can reach their child and calm them. It also has a stellar reputation for quality and is available in cherry, white espresso, natural pine colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified, which means it is made 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 the toddler rail. You can buy it separately. This is a good option for those who want an inexpensive, high-quality crib that will last for a long time.