The Best Natural Wood Cribs for Your Baby’s Nursery
A crib is a place where your baby is going to sleep for the first few years of their life, which is why it is important to do your research before you purchase one. It needs to be spacious and comfortable enough to allow your baby to sleep soundly. Despite what many people think, a crib can be used for your newborn — it isn’t necessary to invest in a bassinet or a cradle, because your newborn will be completely safe in a crib. Just make sure that the crib you are purchasing is compliant with the current safety standards.
The number of brands manufacturing natural wood cribs seems to be endless, which can make the decision process overwhelming, especially if you are a first-time parent. Fret no more, though, because we are here to help. Our list of the top-rated natural wood cribs of 2024 will make choosing a great one easier. Let’s take a look!
Buying Guide: Natural Wood Cribs
What Makes a Natural Wood Crib Safe?
You’ll need to be careful while browsing in order to make sure that the natural wood crib you purchase is safe for your baby. The most obvious way to ensure a crib’s safety is to look at the certifications.
There are a few organizations like JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) and Greenguard Gold, which are renowned, and their certification should surely increase your confidence in a crib’s safety. Also, look for safety standards regulated by the federal government, and make sure that the crib complies with them. With time, safety standards change as well, so keep an eye out for them.
Screws, nuts, and bolts are dangerous for babies and toddlers, so you want to make sure that your natural wood crib comes with covers or that its hardware is concealed properly to avoid accidents. For the same reason, it’s a good idea to get one with normal railings that have no sharp edges. Additionally, avoid cribs with detailed work like finials or scrollwork as your baby’s clothing can easily get tangled or stuck between them, causing accidents.
We also recommend avoiding drop-side cribs because they are not considered safe anymore. Similarly, avoid purchasing old or used cribs as they may not comply with the current standards.
What Features Should a Natural Wood Crib Come With?
Mattress height adjustability
A crib with at least three or four mattress height options is always useful to make sure your baby stays comfortable and safe. For a newborn, you will need to adjust it at the highest setting to make it easier for you to both lift the baby and put them down.
As the baby starts sitting up, you will need to lower the height to prevent them from falling over. Make sure that converting between different heights is easy and does not require any tools to avoid any extra hassle. With a single-height setting, it will become difficult for you to adjust the crib according to the growing size of your baby.
Convertibility
In our opinion, a natural wood crib that can be converted into a bed is extremely convenient. Having one of these means that you will not need to purchase a new bed as your child grows older. A lot of manufacturers allow you to convert your crib into a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-sized bed.
To make the transition, you will need additional parts like railings and adaptors. Some manufacturers include this in the original packaging, while others require you to purchase them separately. Also, it should be kept in mind that you will need to purchase a larger mattress if you’re planning on eventually converting the crib into a bed.
Materials and finish
In our opinion, natural pine wood is the ideal material for a crib because it is both durable and sustainable. The natural finish makes it ideal for different types of decors, including both modern and contemporary, but the good news is that most companies provide several color options. This means that, regardless of the room’s aesthetic, you’re likely to find a good match that’ll fit right in. Just make sure that the paint used is non-toxic and free from harmful materials like lead and phthalates. Also, it should not chip easily.
Comparing Our Favorite Natural Wood Cribs for 2024
Dream On Me Natural Wood Crib – Best Overall
The Dream On Me Natural Wood Crib meets all the safety standards set by the CPSC and ASTM, and is also certified by the JPMA. This means that you shouldn’t have any doubt about its safety. It is a functional piece and can be converted into three-sized beds as your child grows, so it’ll stay with you for several years.
Even better, the minimalist, modern design and natural finish will complement almost all kinds of decor that you have planned for your child’s nursery. Meanwhile, the pinewood construction makes it extremely durable, and the timeless look of natural wood will never go out of style. The mattress is sold separately, though, so you’ll need to ensure that you purchase the right size. Due to its durable construction and modern design, we picked this natural wood crib as our top choice.
Pros
- Can be converted into a full-sized bed
- Durably built with New Zealand Pine wood
- Modern and timeless design
Cons
- Screws do not come with covers
- Pieces aren’t labeled
DaVinci Union Natural Wood Crib – Most Environment-friendly
The DaVinci Union Natural Wood Crib is another one of our favorites because it is completely non-toxic and contributes to a cleaner, healthier indoor environment for your baby. The Greenguard Gold certification will improve your confidence even more about its safety. Even more, it can easily be converted into a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-sized bed as your baby grows, meaning the crib will last for years.
Also, it has been constructed using solid and sustainable pine wood, and it is free from harmful chemicals like phthalates and lead. You can choose from four colors other than the natural finish, letting you choose one that matches the decor of your baby’s room. Meanwhile, the side rails are fixed to ensure that your baby stays safe, so you can put your newborn down without worrying.
Pros
- Non-toxic, lead and phthalates-free wood construction
- Contributes to a cleaner indoor environment
- Fixed side rails for added safety
Cons
- Mattress level is lower than alternatives
Graco Benton 5-in-1 Natural Wood Crib – Most Certifications
What makes the Graco Benton 5-in-1 Natural Wood Crib stand out from the rest is that it is both JPMA and Greenguard Gold certified, so you can purchase this crib with confidence. It’s free from any chemicals that pollute indoor air and has been tested by experts to meet all necessary safety standards. While the crib can be converted into different-sized beds, you will need to purchase the guardrails and conversion kits separately. Additionally, the mattress is sold separately, so make sure you are purchasing the right size.
Because it is constructed using pine wood, engineered wood, and wood composites, this natural wood crib is extremely durable. Best of all, though, is that you can use this crib until your child is old enough to climb out of it. And, just in case you face any issues, the company provides a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Expert-tested to meet safety standards
- Durable construction will last a long time
- 1-year limited warranty
- Available in five colors
Cons
- Assembly is difficult
Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Natural Wood Crib – Cleanest Design
What makes the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Natural Wood Crib stand out from the others is its concealed design, which ensures that all the screws and bolts are hidden for a neat look. This also means that there’s no possibility your baby or toddler will get hurt by any screws. It has a rounded spindle design, which makes it versatile enough to be used in both modern and classic decors.
You can easily convert this natural wood crib into a toddler bed, daybed or a full-sized bed because the conversion kit is included in the packaging. The low profile design is ideal for newborns, and you can adjust the height by choosing from four settings. Meanwhile, for safety’s sake, the painting and staining process is lead and phthalate-free to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals.
Pros
- Concealed design for added safety
- Comes in eight different colors
- Conversion kit included
- Durable, sustainable pine wood construction
Cons
- Expensive compared to alternatives
- May arrive damaged
Delta Children Essex Natural Wood Crib – Unique Design
Last but not least, the Delta Children Essex Natural Wood Crib comes in a two-toned design that sets it apart from others. You can easily convert it into different kinds of beds as your child grows because the guardrails are included in the packaging. The legs are angled for a more stylish look, all while helping provide adequate support.
The height of the mattress, in the meantime, can be adjusted into three positions, depending on your height and the height of the baby. Most conveniently, the natural wood crib is pretty easy to assemble and can be put together in a few minutes. And, so you can be sure about its quality, it’s been sustainably built out of sturdy, durable pine wood.
Pros
- Unique two-toned design
- Different-sized guardrails included
- Angled legs for maximum support
Cons
- Strong, unpleasant odor
People Also Asked
A:
Make sure that you remove the bedding before cleaning your natural wood crib. Use a mixture of soap and water and wipe it down with a clean cloth. Then, let it air dry completely before using it again.
A: Natural wood is generally considered safe for babies. The real danger arises with the paint and staining that’s been applied to the wood, so you need to make sure that these aspects are free from harmful chemicals.
A: There are a few factors that can impact the age at which the baby transitions from a crib to a bed. If your crib is convertible, you can use it for much longer, but the average transition age ranges between 18 to 36 months.
