Easy to assemble and convert: We ideally wanted a crib that has clear assembly instructions and is easy to put together.We considered the base, real-world price for the crib, looked at the extra cost of buying a toddler rail (if it wasn’t included), and calculated any shipping fees to determine the total spent. We found that many people who spent over that amount-myself included when I bought my first crib-ended up feeling like the value wasn’t there, and that they didn’t get more for that extra money. Affordable: Most parents we polled seemed okay with spending up to $200 for a crib.We don’t know what impact, if any, VOCs have on kids’ health, and there’s no health data to back up the need for this certification on cribs, but some parents may find it offers peace of mind. VOCs are emitted from products like the pressed wood in some cribs and dresser drawers, crib mattresses, laminate vinyl flooring, and plastic toys. This means that an independent third-party organization has tested a product used around children or the elderly and guaranteed that it emits a low level of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. While it wasn’t part of our selection criteria, we also noted when a crib was Greenguard Gold certified (formerly called Children and Schools certification).

In considering sturdiness, we looked at what type of wood and/or industrial wood products (like fiberboard) were used when constructing the individual parts. Made of quality materials: We wanted a crib that would last a minimum of four years for one child, and possibly much longer as a crib may be passed down to other family members or converted to a full-size bed.Safe: To be safe for an infant or toddler to sleep in, a crib should comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements, which all cribs sold in the United States do.

Ikea crib board