When buying a crib, there are a lot of things to consider. You have various types of baby cribs such as traditional cribs, convertible cribs, portable cribs, and pack-n-play models. Regardless of what type of crib you decide on, crib safety is the first priority.
Sara Adam Slywka, the co-founder of Nestig, advised what to look for in a crib. “When it comes to safety, the first step is to ensure that the crib has been safety tested by an independent third party to comply with ASTM and CPSC regulations — a certification like JPMA verifies all of this firsthand so you can rest easy!” Slywka told Mom.com.
ASTM is the American Society for Testing Material and CPSC is the Consumer Product Safety Commission — both have rigorous standards for crib safety. JPMA is the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association that gives the stamp of approval for children’s products.
How to choose a crib: Economy cribs you can count on
Other crib designs (portable, pack-n-play, mini crib, etc.)
Some families need a little more than what a classic crib design offers. You may need mobility or transport, or be keen on saving space. Here are some of our top choices for other crib designs:
- Origami Mini Crib: Both a mini crib and a portable crib packed into one sleek design. The wheels on the bottom allow mobility to keep your baby close without taking up too much space. Also folds for easy storage when not in use. This crib is Greenguard Gold Certified made with New Zealand pine wood. You can purchase this for $269.
- Nuna Sena Aire Mini: For $199, you can have a pack-n-play crib that is convenient to fold with a travel cot that serves as a bedside crib. Keep your baby cool with the side-mesh ventilation. Works in any room or days when you want to be outdoors without interrupting your baby’s sleep schedule.
- Lotus Ultimate Set: The Lotus travel crib retails for $537 and is compact and convenient. Users love the simplicity to assemble or disassemble the unit making it ready-to-use on demand. The bassinet conversion kit allows this travel crib to become a rocking bassinet to lull baby to sleep.
Your crib needs may change as your family grows. “For my children, I chose two very different cribs: a convertible crib for my first, and a more traditional crib for my second,” mom of two Siobhan Alvarez told Mom.com. Her biggest desired feature, other than safety, was the ease of putting them together.
When shopping, practice raising the rails and reaching in. Try to mimic as many things that you’ll do as possible to make sure you get the crib that meets your needs.
