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Crib Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best One
The only place Baby will be spending more time than your arms is their crib. So it’s important to choose a great one! There are some critical safety features to look out for when purchasing your baby’s new sleeping arrangements, and there are a lot of fun design options too. Keep reading to learn how to choose a crib for your little one.
When Should You Buy a Crib?
Like most parenting decisions, this is ultimately up to you. Some parents choose to wait until after their baby is born, favoring a bassinet for the first months of their little one’s life. Other parents start shopping around the second trimester of pregnancy, which allows several months to compare and find the best crib for their family
How Long Will Your Child Use a Crib?
Most children outgrow their cribs and are ready for a toddler bed between 1.5 and 3.5 years of age. There’s no hard and fast rule for when to transition your child out of their crib, but it’s a good idea to do it before they can crawl out of the crib on their own.
What Safety Features Should You Look for in a Crib?
While a cute crib for Baby’s nursery is important, a safe crib is absolutely essential. Keep an eye out for the following safety features when selecting a crib.
1. Make Sure the Crib Has No Pullable Components
Anyone who’s sported earrings or long hair while holding a baby knows that babies love to grab and pull. If something is dangling from or above their crib, this could result in an injury or worse for your baby. Ensure that the crib you buy doesn’t have any dangling features or ornaments, and avoid decorating with anything Baby can grab. Similarly, choose a crib that doesn’t have any chewable components.
2. Ensure a Proper Mattress Fit
The easiest way to choose a crib mattress is to purchase one that’s made to go in the crib you’re buying. Regardless of which mattress you choose, make sure it fits tightly within the crib. If you can fit more than two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the crib, you’ll need to purchase a larger mattress. Visit our crib mattress guide to learn more about the perfect fit.
3. Choose Eco-Friendly Material
If you can, choose a crib and mattress that are organic and environmentally friendly. This will ensure your baby is sleeping in a non-toxic (and sustainable) environment. We recommend choosing a crib that is Greenguard Certified to protect your baby from more than 10,000 harmful chemicals and VOCs found in some other cribs.
4. Check for Sturdiness
Choose a stable crib made of solid wood. If it’s wobbly, it may have been constructed poorly or improperly and could be dangerous for your child.
Opt for a Crib Without Decorative Features
Cute as decorations may be, the crib you choose should be free of any decorative embellishments or cut outs, which all pose injury risk to your little ones if they grab them or get their hands or feet stuck in them.
Choose a Crib Without Drop Sides
Modern regulations no longer allow for drop sides on cribs as the sliding feature has injured and even killed some infants. If you purchase a new crib, it should come without drop sides. However, if you’re buying a secondhand crib, this is something to be aware of.
A Note on Buying Secondhand Cribs:
We’re all about reducing, reusing and recycling, but cribs are a product with which you should use extreme caution when buying secondhand. New cribs are required to meet rigorous and up-to-date safety regulations before you can purchase them, and secondhand cribs likely won’t meet these standards. While it’s possible to use a thrifted or hand-me-down crib safely, you will need to do a lot more research to ensure that it’s not dangerous for your child.
What Other Features Should You Look for in a Crib?
Style
The good news is that cribs can be both safe and stylish. Browse around to find one that suits the style of your nursery, whether it’s modern or traditional.
Adjustable Mattress Height
Any new crib you purchase should come with an adjustable mattress support, which allows you to vary the height of your crib mattress as your baby grows. When your baby is a newborn, you’ll want to leave the mattress on its highest setting, which makes it easier to lift Baby out of the crib. As your child grows, lower the mattress so your child is less able to crawl or climb out of the crib.
What Are the Different Types of Cribs?
You can find a crib to suit almost any sleeping situation, but here are some of the most common choices you’ll find:
Compact or Miniature Cribs
Your tiny baby will always be the cutest, but a tiny crib is a close second. Miniature cribs are great for small spaces and typically come with all the same features as full-size cribs. They’re great for cramped living quarters, but keep in mind that your baby will outgrow them more quickly than a regular crib.
Traditional or Standard Cribs
Standard cribs are the large, slatted-side cribs you find in most nurseries. These types of cribs typically stay stationary and last for years, which means you can use them for your baby now, and for your next baby too. These cribs are best for everyday sleeping and not for traveling.
Convertible Cribs
Convertible cribs allow you to convert your child’s crib into a toddler bed, and in some cases into a full-size bed, too. Though these types of cribs may be more of an investment up front, you’re investing in longevity; You’ll never need to purchase another bed as your child grows from an infant to a teenager.
Travel Cribs
Like their name implies, travel cribs are designed to be packed up and brought with you on your family’s adventures. Usually, travel cribs are composed of a soft material like mesh, which makes them easier to transport. You’ll want to use these only when you’re traveling, since they’re not durable enough for everyday use.
Bassinets
Bassinets are small and easily-movable cribs that are perfect for a brand new baby. Many parents prefer these early on because it’s easy to pull a bassinet right up next to your bed. Keep in mind, though, that once Baby can roll over on their own, you’ll need to transfer them to a bigger crib.
The Perfect Crib for Your Family
Every baby and every family are unique, so we designed our cribs that way too. Learn more about the best fit for your family.
Kendall Crib
Searching for something timeless? The craftsman-inspired details on the Kendall are the ideal solution. It comes in several soothing colors, but we’re especially partial to the chocolate. And just like the Rory, it converts into a toddler bed when your child is old enough.
Larkin Crib
Are you buying a crib for the final addition to your family? The Larkin is perfect for parents who won’t need to use the crib for another child down the road, since it will grow with your baby into a toddler bed and then a full sized bed.
Rory Crib
If you’re designing a vintage-chic nursery, the Rory is the perfect fit. Its weathered wood fits in perfectly with all things antique and rustic. Plus you can convert it into a toddler bed as Baby grows.
Blythe Crib
A new baby is the perfect opportunity to indulge in all things soft and sweet, which is why we love the Blythe. Its upholstered details make it look as cozy as it feels, and it’ll convert into a charming toddler bed when the time comes, too.
Emerson Crib
The Emerson is another classic that will stand the test of time. Its solid pine construction and simple white finish help it look at home in nearly any type of nursery. The Emerson is a 4 in 1 bed, too.
West Elm x PBK Mid-Century Convertible Crib
Our mid-century crib is a timeless style made of sustainably-sourced wood. Because it has three platform options, it can grow with your baby into a chic toddler bed. We love this one for its simple, modern design that fits almost any nursery theme.
Choosing a crib should be more exciting than stressful, so we recommend buying one new to ensure all of its safety features are up to date. We hope you have fun choosing which one will look best in your nursery, and if you’ve already chosen a crib, check out our guide to the best bedding. Wishing you plenty of peaceful nights with your new bundle of joy!