The Best Crib

What to Look For

Prior to the advent of the convertible crib, many parents bought a bassinet, a crib, a toddler bed, and a full-size bed. Not only was this expensive, but it was also wasteful.

These days, many cribs have the ability to expand or contract to service many different sleeping needs. In 2011, the CPSC approved updated regulations for cribs that ensured that newly-produced cribs would be safer. The regulations outlined several changes to the old requirements for cribs. The old-standard drop-side cribs are now banned, as are immobilizers and repair kits for older models. Another change requires that wood slats and mattress supports be made of stronger materials to withstand additional weight and force 

Nychelle Fleming, a representative from the CPSC, explained to us what the new regulations meant for parents and shared an easy to digest poster that outlines some of the new major requirements. Fleming said, “The manufacture date is required to be printed on the crib, so consumers should only purchase cribs that have been manufactured after July 28, 2011.”

Many parents worry about the materials used in their child’s crib. (As they should!) This includes the stain, the wood, and the process in which it is manufactured. Dagmar Ebaugh, a spokesperson for GREENGUARD, a group that awards private certifications to companies and products that have a minimal impact on indoor air quality, warned of VOCs.

”VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals which like to be a gaseous state,” Ebaugh explained, “and which are used in the manufacture of products. VOCs are what can cause that “new building” smell. Certain types of VOCs can be dangerous to our health.”

When we look at nefarious chemicals or products we often hear about formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a byproduct of the manufacturing process of many pressed wood products. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, according to both the EPA and the World Health Organization. We like that the Oeuf Rhea crib is made of solid birch and baltic birch plywood and that the company uses water-based stains that are free of any VOC health hazards. Due to the fact that they’re manufactured in Europe, their products meet their strict standards, in addition to ours here in the States.

Every crib—from those that cost as little as $100 to those that are custom-made in the $4,000 price range must meet these new rules.

Now that we’re a few years beyond these new requirements, manufacturers have begun producing new models that change the way we look at cribs. We now see models that feature clear acrylic sides, or slats like the Ubabub Pod or the Nurseryworks Vetro. If you can’t justify their higher price points, you can still get many of their features in more budget-friendly cribs. What you should be looking for is a crib that meets or exceeds all standards, while being able to convert into something beyond a basic crib.

On the topic of convertibility: don’t feel that you have to buy the most feature-laden and complex system out there. You’ll want to evaluate your lifestyle, and space, when determining the right crib for you. Many parents will have a second child soon after their first. For those parents, the crib goes to the newborn, and a new toddler bed is purchased, so you won’t always end up using the higher degrees of convertibility. When we interviewed Eli Gurock of the Boston- and Connecticut-area baby store Magic Beans, he echoed that sentiment.

“Parents who are looking for a crib for the first time, no matter who they are, want to get the most efficient thing possible, and they see a crib that lasts from zero to teen and think that’s perfect. But they don’t actually think about the fact they may not use three-quarters of the features that that product has.”

If you’re assembling this crib on your own, be careful when placing non-wood objects like a mattress support into the crib. A metal mattress support can easily scratch your crib, and leave indentations on the frame.

While researching online, it’s a good idea to look for a crib’s overall weight. A heavier crib tends to be sturdier than a lighter one (although design and materials are a factor in sturdiness, as well).

The cribs we tested range in cost between $120, with the Ikea Sundvik, up to $4,500 with the Nurseryworks Vetro crib. A base model crib that meets everything we consider mandatory is going to start at around $200. While the Graco Lauren crib and Ikea Sundvik were less money and very popular, they don’t feel sturdy; both models felt flimsy in our hands-on testing. Past the $700 threshold, you add features that you may not need, like systems that expand and contract into different shapes.

I’ve seen my fair share of cribs; what separates a good crib from the bad is the wood. Most inexpensive—and even some moderately priced cribs—opt to use what is essentially plywood, sawdust and glue, with pieces of solid wood to achieve their look. These models look good in the store, but they won’t hold up in the long run. A toddler is going to jump up and down, maybe even chew on the side of the crib, and you’ll probably bump into or scratch the crib once or twice. Look for models that use birch, beech, or poplar woods, as they’re much harder and more durable than their plywood counterparts.