Chicco Baby Hug 4 in 1 Baby Cot from Birth to 3 Years (15 kg), Cot, Recliner Chair, Baby High Chair and First Chair, with Toy Bar, Adjustable Height and Backrest, Convertible Baby Cot and Chair, Grey

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Sounds great, right? With just one crib, you’re getting a bed that will change to fit your child from infancy through childhood (or beyond). The best cribs should be safe and sturdy, free of toxic chemicals, sharp edges, and choking hazards. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

We used this crib until my younger son was about 1 year old. We lived in a small two-bedroom apartment and were room-sharing with my younger son throughout his first year (while his brother slept in the second bedroom), so a mini crib felt like a good investment: We wanted a more permanent option than a travel crib or playard, but also didn’t have space in our bedroom for a full-size crib. And the Babyletto Lolly really delivered: It looked nice in our space, felt solid and well-made, and my son was able to sleep comfortably in it for longer than I expected. 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.You also want chemical-free mattress construction, including any mattress supports. Watch out for use of MDF (medium-density fiberboard) boards, which contain a low level of formaldehyde. There is a permissible amount of formaldehyde that is considered safe, but if you want your nursery to be 100% nontoxic, this is one area where you should pay close attention. 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: Do you travel a lot? If you plan to move baby's crib from room to room — or take it to Grandma’s often — portability is important. A portable crib is lightweight and folds up easily, and is still sturdy enough for everyday use. A playard is another great portable option, and perfect for hang outs in the living room or on trips. Look for fine mesh netting, a baby-proof collapsing mechanism and removable fitted sheets for easy cleanup. Adjustable features: Adjustable mattress height enables the mattress to be lowered as your baby grows, so she can’t climb right out of the crib. Many parents also appreciate casters, wheels make it easy to move the crib as needed. This is a popular feature on many mini and portable crib models. We prioritized cribs with features like these that let parents easily adapt the crib to the space and their child's age. Crib safety

Another nice thing about convertible cribs is that they’re usually higher quality because they are built to last longer than just a few years. As a nice bonus, this also has a lower height than many other cribs on the market, which makes it a good option for shorter parents. A 4-in-1 crib is a type of convertible crib, which may sound like a joyride with your baby’s hair blowing in the wind. As fun as that sounds, a convertible crib is something rather different.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.

If a crib is ten years old or older, don’t use it. The same goes for broken cribs. Modern cribs have safety features older versions do not, so keep your baby safer by using newer and undamaged cribs.Make sure the crib is placed in a safe spot. You don't want it to be near any windows that have blinds with cords suspended from them or dangling drapes that could pose a strangulation hazard for your child.