How to Choose the Perfect Baby Cribs, Cot Beds & Mattresses for Safe Sleep
Topics Covered in This Buying Guide
Choosing Baby Cribs & Sleeping Essentials: A Complete Buying Guide
Creating a safe & comfortable baby sleeping environment starts with choosing the right baby crib, cot bed & crib mattress. A well-designed baby cot bed or cradle for baby provides a secure, ventilated space that supports healthy sleep for newborns & growing babies.
In this buying guide, learn how to choose the right baby cots, crib mattresses and baby sleeping bed based on safety, comfort & durability.
We also cover essential sleep accessories such as baby blankets, bed protectors & pillows for baby that help keep the crib clean, breathable & cosy. Use this guide to confidently select the right baby sleep essentials and create a safe, restful sleep space for your little one.
How to Choose a Crib
Identify individual needs
Both you and your baby will sleep better when your child has a safe baby sleeping bed such as a crib or baby cot bed. A baby crib is an enclosed, yet well-ventilated, sleeping environment that your baby cannot roll out of and will not get too warm or uncomfortable in. Most infants sleep deeply and are not easily disturbed by noise, voices or music. However, they do not sleep for long periods at a time and wake up frequently. The enclosed sleeping environment of a cozy crib helps your baby feel sheltered and protected.In our selection you can find cribs with a traditional touch or cribs with modern shapes. Choose according to your style so it fits with your home.
Designed to grow with your baby
Different living situations require different solutions — but all babies grow fast. That’s why most of our cribs are designed so that one side can be removed when the baby is big enough to climb into/out of the crib, transforming it into a bed.
Crib Features Comparison
| Crib | 2-3 position crib base | Removable side | With storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| GULLIVER | ● | ● | |
| GONATT | ● | ● | ● |
| SNIGLAR | ● | ● | |
| SUNDVIK | ● | ||
| MYLLRA | ● | ● | ● |
| SMÅGÖRA | ● | ● |
How to choose crib mattress
Choose your materials
A good crib mattress is essential for your baby’s comfort and support. At IKEA, you can choose between spring crib mattresses and foam crib mattresses, both designed to provide safe and hygienic sleeping conditions. If you are unsure ask yourself: what type of mattress do you prefer to sleep on?Spring: The spring mattresses are made with pocket spring construction. The construction of spring crib mattresses allows air to flow freely, promoting good air circulation and a favourable sleeping climate.
Foam: The foam mattresses use quality polyurethane or high resilience foam, which are well cut, durable and intended for sleeping therefore making both a safe choice for crib mattresses. High resilience foam is durable, relieves pressure points, and provides comfort and support for your growing baby. Both sides may be slept on, which prolongs their use.
Identify individual needs
How many years do you think you will use your crib mattress? The longer you plan on keeping the same mattress will affect which mattress you should choose. If you want to use the same mattress into the toddler years a thicker and more durable baby mattress will provide better support for older babies and toddlers, who like to stand and bounce in their cribs.
Choose your mattress
On the following pages you will find all of our crib mattresses, along with detailed facts for each.For your child’s safety, always use the correct size of crib mattress with your crib to avoid gaps that the baby’s head could become trapped in.
Good to know
- All our crib mattresses are firm, to provide a safe sleeping environment for your baby.
- All mattresses provide some pressure relief, because they are made with materials like pocket springs or high resilience foam.
- Well ventilated cover for better air circulation.
- All children’s mattresses promote good air flow, thanks to carefully considered choices in materials and construction.
- Removable and machine-washable covers to create a hygienic sleeping environment for your baby.
Crib mattresses
Child's Safety is IKEA's top priority
Our products are designed and tested to comply with all applicable safety requirements in the countries where the products are sold. We also test all our children’s products at our own accredited test laboratory in Sweden, as well as at independent accredited test laboratories and institutes around the world. IKEA fulfils the strictest standards for cribs around the world.
How are IKEA cribs tested?
All our cribs undergo several different tests to ensure they are safe to use.
First, they are inspected for any protruding parts, loose parts or fittings, and sharp edges. Then, all gaps and openings between spindles and the slats in the crib base are measured. The baby crib is tested with impact and pressure tests for strength, stability and durability and to ensure that the spindles will not twist or rotate from their position and create potentially hazardous openings.
The crib base is also tested. For example, in a test for the European market, we subject the crib base to impact from a 10 kg weight that is dropped 1,000 times from five different positions.
The same or similar tests are made on crib bases for cribs on all markets where we are active, but the tests may differ somewhat, depending on the specific requirements of the respective country.
These strict tests help guarantee that every baby sleeping bed from IKEA provides a safe environment for your child.
List of safety points that are good to know
- No small components that can be removed, or worked loose, to eliminate the risk of choking.
- Rounded edges and corners.
- Ventilated crib base to avoid fungal growth.
- Strong crib base.
- The gap between the spindles is designed for optimum safety (children cannot get their head stuck between them).
- Stable, durable construction.
- Non-toxic materials and surface treatment.
Care & Cleaning
Cover care
Most crib mattress covers are removable and machine washable to create a hygienic sleeping environment to your baby. They are also well ventilated to allow for better air circulation. All our covers are soft against the baby’s skin.
Mattress care
To keep your baby crib mattress fresh and comfortable, air it regularly and ensure proper ventilation.
Laundry Care Guide
| Instruction | Description |
|---|---|
| Do not wash | This item should not be laundered in a machine or by hand. |
| Machine wash warm 40°C | Wash in a machine using a warm setting (maximum 40°C). |
| Machine wash warm 60°C | Wash in a machine using a hot setting (maximum 60°C). |
| Do not bleach | Do not use any bleach or whitening agents on this fabric. |
| Do not tumble dry | This item is not suitable for a clothes dryer; air dry only. |
| Tumble drying, normal | Safe to use in a dryer at a normal temperature setting. |
| Do not iron | Avoid ironing or using steam, as it may damage the material. |
Services
We offer a range of services to help you with everything from putting it together to getting it home. Of course, the more you do it yourself, the lower the price will be. And the more we do it for you, the more you can sit back and relax!
Delivery service
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DeliveryClick and Collect
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Click and CollectAssembly service
Sometimes it’s nice to have someone else put your furniture together. We’re happy to do it for you.
Assembly service