One of the most exciting things to do when you’re having a new baby is designing the nursery. From the cuddly stuffed animals to the cute little rugs, a lot of parents spend hours getting the nursery to look just right, but in addition to looking great, it’s also important to ensure that the things that our babies are going to be using every day are healthy and safe for them.
None of the things in the nursery are more important when ensuring non-toxicity than the crib because that is where babies will be spending most of their time so you need to ensure that you pick from the best non-toxic baby cribs on the market.
In addition to watching out for the well known toxic chemicals, when it comes to nursery furniture you need to look even closer to ensure that no harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) don’t sneak their way past you.
Table of Contents
- Our Pick: DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib
- Budget: Delta Children Heartland 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
- Also Great: Graco Benton Convertible Crib
- Top of the Line: Stork Craft Tuscany 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
- The Winner
- Why You Need To Buy a Non-Toxic Crib
- What to Consider When Buying A Non-Toxic Baby Crib
Our Pick: DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib
This crib from DaVinci is a safe, non-toxic and eco-friendly option if you’re in the market for a new crib for your little one. It comes in a range of colors including white, Honey-Oak, Chestnut, Espresso, Ebony, and Cherry.
It has many distinct advantages which include the fact that it’s GreenGuard Certified. Personally, I don’t like to buy anything that isn’t certified by GreenGuard because then I don’t know if the product truly is as safe as the makers say it is.
This crib also meets all the standards from US CPSC and International ASTM as well as being JPMA certified. Knowing that is sure to give a lot of mothers the peace of mind of not having to worry about toxins in their baby’s crib
It’s made with solid New Zealand Pinewood and is beautifully designed which makes it aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
This crib has a sturdy construction which means that it will comfortably support even the heaviest of babies with ease. It has 4 adjustable mattress height settings (convenient for short moms) and can be easily converted to a toddler bed, daybed, and even a full-size bed which is something I know that most parents will appreciate.
No one wants to have to buy a new bed each time their baby outgrows the crib and this option will save you a lot of money over the years.
In my opinion, this is a great investment that will not only keep your baby totally safe from harmful toxins in the crib but will also give you amazing value for money.
It comes with straightforward instructions on how to assemble it and if you choose this as your baby’s crib, you won’t have to struggle with the frustration of trying to fit jigsaw-puzzle-like pieces together to set up the crib.
- Beautiful design
- Non-toxic and eco-friendly
- Comes with toddler rail included
- Very easy to assemble
- Mattress springs are sturdy and durable
- GreenGuard Certified
- The railing can get scratched with rough handling
- 3rd rail for the toddler bed is the only 1/3rd of the whole length which may be small for some parents
- Color variations due to use of natural wood
Budget: Delta Children Heartland 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
This Delta crib is available in white or dark chocolate and comes with an easy to follow instruction manual that makes setting it up a breeze. The crib is made from non-toxic materials and contains absolutely no harmful chemicals.
It’s certified by JPMA and meets all the usual CPSC and ASTM safety standards.
Its solid wood construction makes this crib very sturdy and durable. It has a 3-position mattress level or height adjustment and is capable of converting to a daybed, toddler bed, and even a full-size bed which means that it will grow as your child grows and comfortably support their weight as they move from childhood into adolescence and beyond.
Personally, I find it thrilling to know that I can buy one bed when my baby is born and never have to think about doing that again for years to come.
It’s not only great for saving money but also good for the planet as you’re using less wood over the years.
If green living is important to you, then this Delta Children Heartland 4-in-1 Convertible Crib will help you feel better about the size of the footprint you leave on the environment.
- Stylish, great quality
- Reasonably priced
- Solid wood construction
- Converts into a daybed, toddler bed, and full-size bed
- ASTM and CPSC certified for safety
- Toddler rail sold separately
- Slight color variations as compared to online pictures
- Doesn’t come with tools for setup
Also Great: Graco Benton Convertible Crib
If bang for the buck is what you want, the Graco Benton Convertible Crib is an ideal choice. Parents looking to get a crib that has all the features at an extremely affordable price will find that this option provides all that and more.
This crib is highly versatile, with great quality, and made of solid pine wood from the safe forests of New Zealand.
The manufacture of this crib does include some veneer but there are no unsafe chemicals or toxins used during the creation of the crib.
It meets several of the highest government safety standards including CPSC, ASTM, and it’s also JPMA certified. Assembling this crib takes only a few minutes and requires minimal use of tools.
The mattress fits very nicely into the corners, which is something I know a lot of parents (and babies) will appreciate as a lot of toys tend to get ‘lost’ in those corners. The mattress level makes reaching in and out of the crib super easy even for mommies who are shorter than average due to the 3-position adjustment.
The crib converts to a toddler bed when you remove the front and position the mattress at its lowest level. You can then attach the toddler rail (sold separately) and you have your toddler bed ready to go. It also converts into a daybed and a full-size bed.
This high-quality crib has a simple design and the colors and curves give it a ‘farmhouse’ style which a lot of moms may find attractive, making it the ideal crib for a beautifully themed nursery.
- Very stylish, beautiful design
- Mattress fits snugly into corners of the crib
- Made from solid New Zealand pine wood
- Safety tested to meet highest standards
- Easy to set up
- Toddler rail sold separately
Top of the Line: Stork Craft Tuscany 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
The beautiful, traditional design of this crib makes it a hit among parents looking for a stylish and safe crib for their baby’s nursery.
This top of the line 4-in-1 convertible crib from Stork Craft exceeds all US and Canadian safety standards, which is great for easing a lot of parents’ fears about the safety of their babies.
It has a very sturdy construction and is made to last a lifetime. In addition to that, this crib is non-toxic and doesn’t expose your baby to any harmful toxins.
It converts from a crib to a full-size bed in four easy steps and comes with the option of matching accessories like the changing table, dresser, chest, and ottoman.
This is especially great news for those parents who like the furniture in the room to match. Now you can easily find other pieces to complement this beautiful crib that is equally safe and affordable.
- Easy to assemble, instructions permanently attached
- Choice of matching add-on accessories
- Converts into 4 different beds
- Item is eligible for free replacement parts
- Passed all safety standard tests
- No GreenGuard Certification for emissions and finish quality
- Complaints by some customers that some parts were missing upon delivery
- Only 3 height adjustment settings
The Winner
After having researched and reviewed dozens of baby cribs, a clear winner emerges when you consider all the features that a great baby crib should possess.
In my opinion, the DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 convertible crib takes the crown not only because of its beautiful design and sturdy mattress that comes included but also because it has the all-important GreenGuard seal of approval which makes all the difference when you’re searching for the best non-toxic baby cribs.
Why You Need To Buy a Non-Toxic Crib
When looking for a crib, sidebars are no longer the only consideration parents have when checking for safety. These days the biggest danger in cribs isn’t the possibility of the baby falling out, but rather the presence of toxins like lead, formaldehyde, and VOCs (to name a few) in the paint or finish of the crib.
These toxins have been found to cause major problems for your baby over time including hormone disruption, immune dysfunction, and even cancer among children.
Safe Cribs Should Have The Following Features
Made of sustainable wood and hardwood, no engineered or pressed wood like plywood or fiberboard as those typically contain formaldehyde.
They should be finished or painted with a water-based substance that is non-toxic and contains no VOC. An even better alternative would be to get a crib that isn’t finished at all. Make sure that the crib is certified lead and phthalate-free.
The Dangers of Crib Toxicity
It’s alarming just how much toxins are present in most of the things we consider ‘safe’ for our babies. Even a piece of furniture (one of the last things you’d suspect of trying to poison your little one with toxins) can be extremely dangerous.
The crib your baby sleeps in can prove to be detrimental to your baby’s health and development if it contains any of the toxins mentioned above, but luckily, crib toxicity is something that can be easily avoided by choosing a crib that is created in a non-toxic way.
The majority of cribs that are toxin-free are quite pricey, but we’ve searched and found 4 of the best non-toxic baby cribs that are not only in compliance with the strictest US safety standards but are reasonably priced too. We’ve reviewed them here to help you make your choice if you’re in the market for a new baby crib.
What to Consider When Buying A Non-Toxic Baby Crib
Solid Wood
Choose a crib that is made from solid wood because most engineered wood contains formaldehyde, veneers, and glues. When the crib is made only from real wood it ensures that it was made without the use of glues and chemicals that can potentially harm your baby.
Low-VOC Paints
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are toxic chemicals that can be given off by wood that has been painted so this is something to avoid at all costs. Look for furniture that is unfinished or search for a crib that is painted with low or no VOC finishes.
GreenGuard Gold Certified
Whenever you’re searching for safe, non-toxic baby products, this seal from GreenGuard tells you that the particular product is safe to use for your baby.
All GreenGuard certified products are tested for over 10,000 different chemicals and harmful toxins that could harm you or your baby.
Manufactured Outside of Asia
If possible try to stay away from furniture that has been made in Asia as there have been cases where furniture made there has been found to contain lead.
To be on the safe side, it might be better to go with a manufacturer that makes all of their furniture in the US, Europe, or Canada.