Looking for a baby crib is one of the most exciting and stressful things when getting ready for your little bundle of joy. There are lots of options, which is a good thing. Nevertheless, it can be nerve-wracking trying to sort through the various brands.
To this end, choosing a baby crib that suits you and your baby makes all the difference between having a good night’s sleep. That’s why we’ve gone through a long list of baby cribs, looking through the features and asking for opinions from pediatricians to bring you this list of the best and safest baby cribs available.
Safest Cribs Reviewed in 2022
The Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is a versatile, modern-design crib to fit your nursery. It will grow with your baby since it converts into a day and toddler bed. Besides, the Babyletto has four adjustable mattress options so you can lower its height as your baby grows.
This crib is also ideal for short parents as it has a height of only 35 inches. This way, it’s easy to get your baby in and out of bed without much strain. In addition, the frame is from pine from New Zealand, which is very sustainable. The crib meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Greenguard Gold Certification (GGC) standards.
Straight out of the box, this crib comes with its conversion kit to help, and it’s easy to assemble. However, it takes two people, but most couples find it straightforward. Still, you may need a heat gun or hair dryer to remove the stickers without leaving marks.
1st Runner Up
The Kendall convertible crib is a classic from poetry barn. This crib has almost all certifications from Greenguard Gold to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). Thus, it’s safe for you and your baby.
The beauty of this crib is that it will last both you and your baby. It’s made of durable poplar wood with bonuses such as a teething rail to help the baby during teething. Moreover, being convertible means that you can use it up to toddlerhood. It has three mattress heights, and the platform has a metallic construction.
However, this crib does not come cheap. All thanks to its thoughtful features, including tongue & groove joinery and mortise & tenon joints to put it together. Thus, it does not use glue, making it a robust crib.
2nd Runner Up
The DaVinci Kalani crib is a convertible model that transitions from a crib to a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-sized bed. This crib is Greenguard Gold certified for a healthy baby environment. You can adjust the mattress height in four positions, meaning it grows with your baby’s height.
The DaVinci Kalani’s body is New Zealand wood, famous for being sustainable, and its finish is non-toxic paint. While the wood is sustainable, it’s susceptible to scratches and bite marks. Still, you’ll know your baby is safe even if they lick it.
You can assemble this crib solo even with a pregnant belly. It takes under two hours for one person to put it together – it will take lesser time with extra help. Get the conversion kit sold separately, and you have a crib your baby will never outgrow.
The Bloom Mini crib is best for minimalist or urban parents starved for space. It’s also the best choice for a second home, grandparent’s place or any parent who wants mobility in their crib. The four lockable casters provide room-to-room use. As such, you can move it in and out of the nursery when necessary. Additionally, this crib folds neatly so you can store it in a small package after the baby outgrows it.
Bloom Mini has two mattress adjustments suitable for a growing baby below one year. It has a solid American Beech wood construction and is baby-safe. The crib adheres to ATSM and CSPC standards for using a low VOC finish, and it’s MDF and formaldehyde-free.
Although Bloom Mini is a favorite among parents, it’s not as versatile as other cribs. You have to chuck it away as soon as your baby outgrows it. Parents would expect more use for a crib that lands at the $500 price tag.
The IKEA Gulliver crib combines safety and affordability, making it a top pick among parents. If you’re a fan of minimalist Scandinavian IKEA furniture, this is the crib for you. Its color blends well and does not stand out or stick out in the room. The crib is also safe for babies thanks to ample ventilation, especially in hot summers.
The Gulliver is part of IKEA’s mission to use a sustainable and durable wood, adding to its firmness and safety for your child. Moreover, the crib also has two mattress height levels, and short and tall parents will find it easy to place babies. You can also remove one of the sides to use as a toddler bed, which is suitable for kids up to three years old.
A drawback of this crib is that you need to use a specific IKEA mattress since other mattresses might not fit. It’s inconvenient if you already own a mattress for a different cot.
The Graco Benton 4-in-1 is the swiss knife of cribs since it packs so many features for it to be just any crib. This model is made of a mix of safe composite, engineered wood, plus pine wood from New Zealand. The materials are safe, and a one-year warranty guarantees it.
The Graco Benton 4-in-1 crib is Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certified and Greenguard Gold certified. It’s tested for ten thousand toxins and chemicals.
You get three mattress height settings for you and the baby. Furthermore, it can convert from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed, and full-size bed. It even has a headboard, so you wouldn’t know it was ever a crib. Nonetheless, you’ll need to buy a conversion kit and guardrail separately.
You’ll like that this crib has a water-resistant changing table with a baby safety strap. The storage drawers are a nice add-on for keeping diapers and changing clothes on hand. However, it may not fit through a standard-size door once assembled. You’ll want to assemble it in the room you’ll use it.
Delta Children Canton is a convertible crib built to serve you and your baby until their teenage years. It boasts construction from durable, sturdy, and non-toxic wood. The crib meets and exceeds JPMA, CPSC and ASTM standards, so it’s safe for your baby.
It adds versatility with three mattress heights. The most remarkable aspect of the Delta Children Canton is its stylish design. This model has a beautiful sleigh-style headboard, curved legs, and a rich finish that allows the wood’s natural beauty to shine.
When it’s time to transition to a full bed, the headboard and footboard will provide the aesthetics of a full bed. However, its full-size bed guardrail is not included. For now, enjoy the non-drop side that provides the utmost safety when your baby starts to climb out.
The Abigail 3-in-1 convertible crib pays homage to vintage American metal cribs. The practicality of a three-way adjustable crib makes it versatile. Moreover, its metal curves and joints give your nursery the right amount of vintage charm.
This crib’s design is Greenguard Gold certified and ensures cleaner indoor air. It features adjustability length-wise up to three times. Also, you can lower the mattress for when the baby begins to sit and stand
The best feature of the Abigail 3-in-1 is that you’re getting a customized and unique crib. It’s one of a kind since its finishing is by hand. The crib is also sturdy and durable, with premium steel construction and a powder-coated finish.
The Dream On Me 2-in-1 is the perfect portable solid Pine crib excellent for traveling parents. The portability is made possible by a rail system that enables converting the crib into a playpen using a single hand. No tugging, even when the other hand is holding onto the baby.
Moreover, the Dream On Me crib folds flat, perfect for placing in the trunk or storage. The stationary rail design ensures the crib is safe for the baby. This crib also has a 1″ mattress pad and all tools for easy assembly. Its hooded wheels provide ease of mobility, and they lock to ensure safety when the baby is in the crib.
You’ll like the beautiful non-toxic finish that’s environmentally friendly and safe for your baby and you. You’ll only use this crib until your kid is around three years old since it has a 35-pound weight limit.
The Wave Crib takes inspiration from ocean waves. First, it is a mini crib, great for 0 to 4-month infants. It even comes with a mini crib mattress. Second, you can convert it into a full crib. However, you will need to buy crib-size mattresses. Finally, the Wave Crib can be a toddler bed for your little crawler. You can also adjust the mattress height on three levels for your baby’s convenience.
This crib comes with lockable wheels. Thus, moving your baby to and from their room is easy and safe. We like the crib’s modern design with an organic shape as it stands out but matches any nursery décor.
The Wave Crib uses a non-toxic and sustainably-harvested Brazilian pine. It is handmade so you will find the detailing unique. The crib exceeds JPMA safety standards. Unfortunately, you cannot have this crib arrive early since it’s made by order. It goes to show the commitment to low waste by the NESTiG company, the name behind this product.
How to Tell if a Crib Is Safe
The biggest worry for most newborn parents is incidences associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Choosing the right crib will ease the worry of knowing that your baby is in a safe environment and crib.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has set a few guidelines to ensure that cribs in the US market have met all safety standards.
- There should be no cutouts on the head and footboards. This is to ensure that the baby’s head and foot are not trapped when moving about the crib.
- Elimination of drop sides as they are no longer considered safe as babies might open them and fall off or harm themselves.
- The crib should be made of strong, durable materials such as metal or strong wood.
- The screws should be fastened with anti-loosening nuts to ensure babies and toddlers don’t fall off.
- The crib’s mattress should be snug and not easily removable.
Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 has a beautiful design to stand out in any nursery. It converts without additional features, saving you money when transitioning into a toddler bed.
From safety to functionality, and a low profile, Babyletto is a must-have for every parent. Whether you raise the mattress or not, short and tall parents won’t have a hard time placing and lifting the baby from the crib. Add the simple setup, and you have a reliable crib for days.
