The 10 Scariest Things About Best Infant Cribs

How to Choose the Best Infant Cribs

The crib is an extremely important piece for your baby's nursery. It isn't easy to select the right crib, with so many designs and safety concerns.

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

Safety

Follow the safe sleeping guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics when placing and assembling your crib for your child. It is important to stay clear of putting anything in the crib of your child that could cause injury or harm including blankets, pillows, sheepskins, toys for stuffed animals and bumper pads (see our complete guide to safe sleeping for more information). Your baby should not sleep with any teddy bears, dolls or stuffed animals bigger than 15 inches. These items can easily fall between your baby's crib bars or become trapped in them. They may also be taken up by the mattress.

The best cribs for infants are made from safe materials that are free from VOCs and other toxic chemicals. They also adhere to strict federal, state and local standards for structural safety. Additionally, they're third-party tested for quality and safety (think GREENGAURD gold or ASTM, JMPA, or CPSIA certs!). They're also designed to be durable and flexible, allowing them to expand with your child.

It's important that you choose cribs that meet current safety standards, regardless of whether you're buying a brand new or used crib. Secondhand cribs could be weakened in the course of time due to humidity, age and use. This can cause serious dangers to your baby.

The slats of your crib should be no more than 3/8 inches (6 centimeters) apart to keep infants from getting wedged between them and the hardware on the crib should be secured. It's an excellent idea to check the mattress support rims and slats for any loose or broken components.

It is recommended to stay clear of cribs that were used by pets or children in the past, since their safety could be at risk. Don't buy or accept a crib with a drop-side rail. This feature was banned in 2012 by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for safety reasons.

Style

While all cribs must adhere to strict safety standards, there are many design differences. Some are simply aesthetic, such as whether the slats are all the same length or spaced closer together, while others have an impact on the ease of the crib to use and maintain. Some features like finials and drop sides are not safe and should be avoided. Other features, like adjustable mattress height and wheels, are desirable by many parents.

One thing to be aware of is that a crib is meant solely for great crib (www.oscommerce.Com) sleep for infants It's not a place to store toys or clothes. You can also include the crib on your registry to get assistance from family and friends when you need one.

Cribs come in all sizes and shapes However, the ones we like best combine style and functionality. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalistic crib that looks great. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified, which we consider a must-have for any product that is free of toxics, and it can convert into a toddler bed or daybed (toddler conversion kit sold separately).

Other cribs are more traditional, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4 in 1. It's a classy crib sets that can be incorporated into large nurseries, but it occupies more space than smaller and minimalist models, and also has exposed hardware that some might find distracting. Moreover, it only has three levels of mattress height, which is less than half of the alternatives and isn't as sturdy as our other choices.

Another option with contemporary design is the Babyletto Hudson. The Babyletto Hudson's all-round mesh 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 be raised higher to ease colic and reflux. This is suitable for babies between 6 months and the 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 other top picks, and it requires an additional conversion kit for toddler beds.

Adjustable Mattress Height

It is crucial that the mattress on your baby's crib is of the correct height. This will ensure that your child isn't able to climb out, which could be dangerous or even fatal. A mattress that is higher will also protect your child from overheating or suffocation.

A quality crib should have slats or railings that are adjustable that allow you to raise or lower the mattress as your child grows. A majority of cribs include a conversion kit so you can convert the crib into the toddler bed or daybed when your child is no longer using it. It's also best to choose a crib that has been tested and certified by a third party organisation for safety. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification which means that it has been tested to make sure there are minimal chemical or other finishes in the crib where your baby sleeps.

The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib features simple design and doesn't have confusing parts. It is among the most highly-rated cribs. The sides of the crib are shorter than the other models. However, one parent tester reported that her child was sleeping well and the crib was in good shape when she gave it to a friend as her second baby.

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 most cribs, but it's sturdy and comes with numerous options to make up the cost. For example, it can 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 comes with a canopy that can be utilized to create a womb-like environment for your baby. It's also an elegant touch to any nursery.

This crib is not equipped with mattresses. You'll need to buy one separately. It's a safe and comfortable crib that can expand with your child from infant to toddler.

No Dangling or Chewable Parts

The safest cribs are those that do not have chewable or dangling components. If something is hanging over or below the crib, it could cause the rails to pull or pose a strangulation risk. Babies are extremely grabbing. If parents decide to decorate their crib with ornaments or toys, they must make sure that the items are securely attached and are not within Baby's reach.

In addition to the safety features of our best cribs for babies, Cot Beds we take into consideration how easy it is to put together. The ideal crib will be easy enough that you can do it yourself and doesn't require specialized tools or long assembly time. Many parents report that assembling a modern crib takes less than an hour and the included instructions are usually simple and easy to follow.

It's important that you choose a crib that will last many years. To ensure longevity, you should choose a convertible crib that can be used from the time of infancy all the way up to a toddler bed and finally a full-size bed.

Our top choice for a 4-in-1 convertible crib is the Ikea Nestig Cloud Crib, which can replace a bassinet for those early months, and then be converted into a toddler bed, daybed, and full-size bed. It's designed to last for a long time and comes in a range of colors that make it easy to match with your nursery's theme.

Another option that is a great choice is the Stork Craft Equinox 3-in-1 crib. This stunning, minimalist-style crib is low-profile to ensure that parents with small feet can touch their child to calm them. It also has a stellar reputation for quality and is available in white, cherry and espresso colors as well as natural pine colors.

This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified for finish quality and environmental safety, and it's made from sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine that is free of harmful substances such as lead and phthalates (BPA). It also surpasses all safety standards of the government, including ASTM, CPSC, and JPMA. The only thing missing is a toddler rail, that you can purchase separately. This is an excellent option for those looking for a quality affordable crib that will last for a long time.