We referenced the latest safe sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as well as information on safe sleep products from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). All of the cribs on this list meet safety recommendations from these leading expert groups. The big selling point of the 4-in-1 convertible crib is that it’s the only bed your child will need for, well, a very long time! Before you start dreading putting this crib together — with IKEA’s signature screws and Allen wrenches — you should consider that it comes with an IKEA price tag, too. It’s one of the most budget-friendly cribs available and doesn’t sacrifice its durability to save you money.

Keep in mind that the extra benefit of the 5-in-1 is typically only the choice of a full bed with or without a footboard. Otherwise, the 5-in-1 doesn’t usually offer more than a 4-in-1. Keep your baby’s crib away from dangling objects like curtains or blinds. They present a strangulation risk. If you use a mobile, make sure it’s installed high enough that your baby can’t reach it.No cutouts or drop-sides: Avoid cribs with headboard and footboard cutouts or drop-sides, as well as any with decorative cutouts. These features often appear on hand-me-down cribs. What to Expect parents also appreciate GreenGuard Gold certified, which means the materials have met strict chemical and VOC emissions standards, and there’s no weight limit. Just keep in mind that because the mattress rests directly on the floor (this helps make the crib so lightweight), some taller parents find it difficult to bend down. Next, we utilized results from the 2022 What to Expect Mom Must-Have Awards and the 2023 What to Expect Sleep Awards , which combined polled more than 8,000 members of our community about their favorite baby products, including their go-to cribs. A bassinet or baby cot is a portable baby crib that comes in especially handy for parents of newborns: it ensures that baby has a dedicated and safe place to sleep close at hand, whether that is by parents’ bedside, or elsewhere in the home over the course of the day – or even on road trips. Some bassinet models have wooden or metal frames with removable baby cot beds. Others have features like storage space, vibration, or white noise – even motion-activated night lights that allow parents to observe their baby without waking them. Other twin baby cribs make great options for grandparents or caregivers: foldable cribs can be stored away when not in use; and metal cribs are often lighter-weight and easier to move than wooden cribs. Parents of twins might also choose to go the double cot or mini crib route: a pair of small cribs are more portable and take up less space than two full size wooden cribs, especially in the early days. An essential registry item We suggest that parents look for furniture that carries the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association Certification Seal, which means the crib has been third-party tested for conformance to safety guidelines. In addition, because items like finishing paint or certain manufactured woods may have VOCs, we suggest looking for Greenguard Gold Certification in a crib.

First of all, drop-side rail cribs are a no-go. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends choosing a crib that was made after June 2011, which is when safety standards that ban the making or selling of drop-side rail cribs were put in place. Height aside, though, the Storkcraft Hillcrest is a great crib. While it may not look or feel quite as high-end as some pricier options, it competes with more expensive cribs in terms of features. There are three adjustable heights and it can be converted to a toddler bed, daybed and eventually a full-sized bed. (The toddler guardrails and full-size bed conversion kit are both sold separately.) It’s also easy to assemble and switch mattress levels, parents say. The longevity of a 4-in-1 crib is exactly what’s appealing about it, but depending on your family and life situation, you may not want this to be the bed that your child will have when they’re seven or 12 or 15 years old. Even if your crib isn't the most expensive thing you buy for your baby (because a nursery glider and even a full-size stroller can cost more), a crib can feel like the most important piece of baby gear — the star of your unique nursery. When shopping, consider these points:That brings us to the very important topic of crib mattresses. Once you’ve decided what size crib you want, you’ll need a mattress to fit. That’s a plus, but don’t opt for this type of crib before thinking about exactly how long you want this bed to be around.