How to Choose Best cot for newborn is among the most essential items for your baby's nursery. However, choosing a suitable crib can be overwhelming particularly with the number of various styles and security concerns.
Choose a crib that meets the highest safety standards and includes no chewable or dangling components. We also recommend a stylish crib with a variety of mattress sizes and an elegant, modern design.
Safety
When assembling and positioning your baby's crib, be sure to adhere to the safe sleeping guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Avoid placing any objects that could cause injury or harm in your baby's nursery. This includes pillows, blankets and sheepskins. Also, avoid bumper pads, stuffed toys and blankets. Teddy bears, dolls, and stuffed animals bigger than 15 inches shouldn't be allowed to sleep in your baby's crib. 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 babies are made from safe materials that are free from VOCs and other harmful chemicals. They also adhere to strict federal and state standards for structural safety. They're also tested by a third party to ensure safety and quality. (Think GREENGAURD Gold or ASTM, JMPA or CPSIA certs!) They are also designed to be durable and reversible, which means they can grow along with your child.
It's crucial to choose a crib that meets current safety standards, no matter if you're purchasing a brand-new or used crib. Secondhand cribs could be weakened in the course of time due to age, humidity and use. This could cause serious dangers to your baby.
The crib's slats should not be more than 3/8 inch (6 centimeters) and the hardware must be secure. It's an excellent idea to examine the mattress support rims and slats for any broken or loose parts.
It's also recommended to avoid using cribs that have been used by other children and/or pets, as their security might be compromised. Finally, don't purchase or accept 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 adhere to strict safety standards, there are numerous design variations. Best cot for newborn are purely cosmetic, such as whether the slats are all the same length, or are spaced closer apart, while others could make it difficult to use and clean the crib. Certain features such as drop sides and finials are not safe and should be avoided. Other features, like adjustable mattress height and wheels, are coveted by many parents.
A crib isn't intended to be used as a place for toys or clothes. It's designed to be a place for babies to sleep. It's also a good idea to put a crib on your registry so that friends and family can lend a hand to help you get one when the time comes.
Cribs are available in a variety of different styles However, we prefer ones that blend design and function. The Storkcraft Equinox is a minimalistic crib that looks gorgeous. It's GREENGUARD Gold certified, which is essential for any toxic-free baby product and can be converted into a toddler bed and daybed (toddler conversion kit sold separately).
Some cribs feature a more traditional look, such as the DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1. It's a stately choice that is a good fit for large nurseries, but it occupies more floor space than smaller minimalist options and has exposed hardware that some may find distracting. 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 options.
The Babyletto Hudson is another option with a more modern aesthetic. Its hidden hardware and all-round mesh improve airflow and allow you to observe baby which Dr. Casares says is an important aspect for new parents. It can also be elevated to a higher position to help reduce colic and reflux which makes it suitable for babies ranging from birth to 6 months. It's GREENGUARD GOLD certified and comes with a free matching mattress. It's important to note, however it's more costly than our other top picks and requires a separate toddler bed conversion kit.
Adjustable Mattress Height
If your baby sleeps in their crib, it is important that the mattress is the correct level. This will ensure 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 suffocating.
A quality crib should include slats that can be adjusted or railings that allow you to raise or lower the mattress as your child grows. A conversion kit is provided with the majority of cribs so that you can convert it into a daybed or toddler bed once your child outgrows the crib. It's an excellent idea to pick the crib that has been certified and tested by a third-party organization. This includes the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) seal and GREENGUARD Gold certification, which means it has been tested to make sure there are minimal chemical or other finishes in the baby's sleeping space.
The Graco Sweet2Sleep Crib has an easy design and has no complicated parts. It is among the top cribs. The sides of the crib are smaller than the other models. However, one parent tester said that her child was sleeping well and the crib was in good condition when she gave it to a relative for her second child.
Another great option is the Stokke Sleepi Crib, which is a unique oval-shaped design that gives it a contemporary style. It's more expensive than other cribs, however it's durable and comes with numerous options to make up the price. It can be easily transformed into a toddler bed or bassinet and comes with wheels that make it easy to move around. It also has a canopy that can be used to create an environment more like a womb for your baby. This is a chic accent to any nursery.
The only issue with this crib is that it doesn't come with mattress, which you'll have to purchase separately. It's a safe and comfortable crib that will be adapted to your child's needs from infant to toddler.
No Dangling or Chewable Parts
The safest cribs do not have chewable or dangling components. If something is hung above or below their crib, this could cause the rails to be pulled or create a strangulation risk. Babies can be very grabbing. If a parent decides to decorate their crib with decorative items or toys, they need to make sure that the items are securely attached and are not within Baby's reach.
In addition to the security features of our top cribs for babies, we look at how easy it is to set up. The crib should be simple enough to assemble by yourself, without the need for special tools or a long amount of time. Most parents report that the process of assembling a modern crib can take less than an hour and the instructions included are usually simple and easy to follow.
A crib is an important purchase for many new parents, so it's important to find one that will last for years to come. For long-lasting use, choose a convertible crib that will be used from the time of infancy all the way to an adult bed and then an adult-sized bed.
The Ikea Nestig Cloud crib is our top pick for convertible cribs that can be used as a bassinet during the early months and then converted into an infant bed, a daybed, or a larger bed. It's built to last and is available in many colors so you can match it to your nursery's theme.
Stork Craft Equinox is another excellent alternative. This beautiful, minimal-style crib is low-profile so that small parents can reach their child to comfort them. It has a good reputation for quality and comes in white, cherry and espresso 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 set by the government, such as ASTM, CPSC, and JPMA. The only thing missing is a toddler rail, that you can purchase separately. This is a great option for those who are looking for a high-quality affordable crib that will last.