The 10 Most Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

A crib is among the most essential pieces of your baby’s nursery. However, picking a suitable crib can be a daunting task, especially with so many various styles and safety concerns.

Look for a crib that adheres to the highest safety standards and includes no chewable or dangling parts. We also suggest a chic crib that has a variety of mattress heights and modern, sleek design.

Safety

Follow the safe sleeping guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when assembling and positioning your baby’s crib. Avoid placing any items that could cause injury or harm to the nursery of your baby. This includes blankets, pillows and sheepskins. Also avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys, and blankets. Your baby should also not sleep with any teddy bears, dolls or stuffed animals bigger than 15 inches. These items could easily fall into or be caught between your baby and the crib bars, or they could be swallowed by the mattress.

The best cribs for infants are made from materials that are free of VOCs, harmful chemicals, and other substances. They also comply with strict federal and state regulations regarding structural safety. They’re also tested by a third party to ensure quality and safety. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certs!) They’re also designed to be durable and adaptable, so they can adapt to your child’s needs.

It’s important that you choose a crib that meets current safety standards, whether you’re purchasing a brand-new or used crib. Secondhand cribs can be damaged in their structural integrity due to aging, humidity and heavy use, posing serious risks to your infant.

The crib’s slats should not exceed 3/8 inches (6 centimeters), and the hardware should be secure. Check the slats, mattress support rims, and hardware for any broken or loose components.

It is best to stay clear of cribs that were used by children or pets in the past, since their safety may be at risk. 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 due to safety reasons.

Style

Although all cribs must meet strict safety standards, you’ll find many design differences. Some are simply aesthetic, such as whether the slats are all the same length or placed closer apart or not, while others have an impact on how easy the crib is to maintain and use. Certain features, like finials and drop sides are not safe and should be avoided. Other features, such as adjustable mattress height and wheels, are desirable by a lot of parents.

One important thing to remember is that a crib should be used only for infant sleep, so it’s not an area to store toys or clothes. It’s also an excellent idea to include the crib on your list to ensure that family and friends can pitch in to help you get one when the time comes.

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

Some cribs sport an older-style look like the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It’s a stately choice that is a good fit for big nursery spaces, but it takes up more floor space than smaller minimalist options and has exposed hardware that some might find distracting. Furthermore, it only has three mattress height levels, which is less than half the other options, and it’s not as sturdy as some of our other choices.

The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern aesthetic. The Babyletto Hudson’s mesh all-around and hidden hardware enhance airflow and Dr. Casares believes that this is a feature that many new parents will consider important. It can be raised higher to relieve reflux and colic. This makes it suitable for babies aged 6 months and the birth. It’s also GREENGUARD GOLD certified and includes a free matching mattress. It’s worth noting, however, that 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 of the correct height. This ensures that your child can’t climb out, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A higher mattress also helps to keep your child safe from overheating or becoming suffocated.

A good crib should have adjustable rails or slats that allow you to raise or lower it as your child grows. The majority of cribs 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 a good idea to choose a crib that has been tested and approved by a third party organization to ensure safety. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association seal and GREENGUARD Gold Certification are two examples. These certifications guarantee your baby’s crib is free of chemicals or finishes.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib has an easy design and has no complicated parts. It is one of the top-rated cribs. The sides of the crib are a bit shorter than other cribs however, one user said that her child did well sleeping in it and remained in good shape when she gave it to a relative after the birth of her second child.

Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which features a unique oval shape that gives it a modern style. It’s a bit more costly than other cribs, however it’s durable and comes with many features to make up for the cost. For instance, it can be transformed into a bassinet, or toddler bed and 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 like a womb for your baby. This is a chic touch in any nursery.

This crib is not equipped with mattress. You’ll have to purchase a mattress separately. It’s a safe and comfortable crib that can expand with your child as they transition from infant to toddler.

No Dangling or Chewable Components

The safest cribs are those that do not have chewable or hanging components. Babies love to grasp objects, and if something is hanging over or above their crib it could pull off the rails or become an injury to strangulation. If parents decorate their crib with toys or decorative items, they must make sure the items are secured tightly and aren’t within reach of Baby.

In addition to the security features of our top infant cribs, we also take into consideration how easy it is to put together. The crib should be easy enough to put together yourself without requiring special tools or a long amount of time. The majority of parents say it takes less than one hour to put together a modern crib, and the instructions are generally easy to follow.

A crib is the most expensive purchase for new parents, so it’s crucial to find one that will last for many years to be. For longevity, opt for an adjustable crib that will work from infancy until the toddler bed, and then an adult-sized 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 converted into a toddler bed, a daybed or a large bed. It’s designed for the long haul and comes in a range of colors, making it easy to match your nursery’s theme.

Another great option is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1 crib. This stunning, minimalist-style crib is low-profile so that small parents can reach their child and comfort 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 harmful substances such as lead and phthalates (BPA). It also far exceeds safety standards of the government, including 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 are looking for an affordable, high-quality, and low-cost crib that will last for a long time.