baby standing in crib while mum holds her

How To Choose The Best Crib For Your Baby

How To Choose The Best Crib For Your Baby

More than just a space for your baby to sleep in, a crib is a dedicated space that keeps your child secure and comfortable while promoting independent sleep. It also provides a familiar and safe haven in the beginning stages of their lives. 

Considering these factors will help you in your search for the best crib or cot for your baby: Safety and durability, functionality, and how well it fits into your lifestyle.


1. Meeting key safety standards


Safety should be your topmost priority for any item you get for your precious bundle of joy. When shopping for cribs, be sure to assess their safety features and the materials used. Don’t hesitate to ask the sales staff if you need any help.


Avoid drop-side cribs due to safety risks as any loose mechanism or panels can cause potential accidents that may be fatal. 

Look for cribs with necessary safety certifications, including non-toxic paint or finishes, solid wood, etc. Some stringent safety labels to look out for include GREENGUARD Gold Certified and ASTM International to ensure it’s safe for your baby.


2. Balance in form and function


While you may want a crib that can serve as the centrepiece in your nursery, remember that form is just as important as function when it comes to cribs.A beautifully designed crib is not functional if it’s made from non-durable or unsafe materials. Hence, it won’t even last your baby past 1-2 years old. Instead, it’s more practical to pick a functional piece that grows with your child. 


A good place to start looking is Hatchery Cribs - a dedicated baby furniture store that carries a wide range of stylish and convertible cribs that last your child’s first 4-5 years. Its 3-in-1 convertible feature allows you to convert it from a crib to a toddler bed, and subsequently a daybed.


3. Lifestyle & preference


With such a wide variety of baby cribs or cots available in the market, take some time to find the one that’ll best suit your style and needs.

toddler smiling at crib mobile while lying in his crib

Standard Baby Cot


These traditional cribs are typically made of solid wood and are rectangular with standard-sized bars. While they are durable enough to withstand time, they are not convertible to other configurations to accommodate your child’s growing age.


Convertible Crib


Convertible cribs are a wise investment for practical parents as they are incredibly versatile and can last your child till approximately 4-5 years of age. They are perfect for growing with your baby from infanthood to toddlerhood as it is convertible from a baby crib to a toddler bed, and finally a daybed. 


A classic favourite among parents is the Scoot 3-in-1 Convertible Crib (White/Washed) with its beautiful 2-toned colours and functional configurations. Not to mention, the toddler conversion panel is already included in the set!

Babyletto Scoot 3-in-1 convertible crib in baby cot, toddler bed and day bed configurations

Bassinet or Bedside cots


These easily fit your bedside so you can keep a closer eye on your child. They take up less space but generally can’t be used for long, as your child will outgrow them within 6-9 months. It’s advisable to stop usage when your baby can turn themselves over. Its compact size also allows portability around the house, including the living room for daytime use.

A good option would be the Face To Me Bedside Cot, and special features include adjustable heights, a zip-down panel, and an anti-reflux position.

Mini Crib


Mini cribs are smaller than the standard full-sized cribs. They can go a long way if you’ve got limited space in your house for your baby to have a crib of his own! With a lifespan shorter than cribs and longer than bassinet/bedside cots, it’s typically usable till your baby is 2+ years old, where they can subsequently transition to a toddler bed. 

Get yourself a portable mini crib, like the Babyletto Yuzu Crib. It is a 8-in-1 Convertible All-Stages Crib seamlessly switches from bassinet to our transitional midi size and then to a standard full-size crib and junior bed, with all conversion kits included.


4. Getting the right size


Assess how much space you have available in your nursery or master bedroom before you start shopping for your crib. Make sure all your furniture fits comfortably, with adequate space for walking.


Take some time to plan out the respective dimensions and orientations for the furniture before making your big purchase. The dimensions of the furniture are usually available online, or you could visit the physical store to check out the sizes for yourself.

Washed wood colour baby cot in nursery room

Find your baby crib at Hatchery Cribs


If you’re still searching, jump onto Hatchery’s online website where you can browse the top baby crib brands in Singapore, including our range of convertible cribs.

Contact us if you have any questions, or visit our virtual showroom to find out more!

Mum carrying smiling baby in nursery