If you're keeping up with the Kardashians, you certainly know that Kim and Kanye West had their baby this weekend, a girl. While we wait to hear the baby's name and whether it will start with K, other nursery news has been coming in. Turns out Kim and Kanye chose the same crib that Beyonce and Jay-Z use for their baby—the clear acrylic Nurseryworks Vetro Crib, $3,950. Consumer Reports hasn't tested the Vetro but its brand-mate, the Nurseryworks Abbey, $580, is one of our eight top crib picks for safety, durability, and ease of use.
In our crib tests, the Nurseryworks Abbey was excellent overall with sturdy construction and hardware. It excelled in safety, thanks to the strength of its slats and mattress supports, and complies with federal crib safety standards. The Nurseryworks Abbey has easy-to-understand instructions for assembly but because the pieces are heavy, requires two people to put it together. The crib can be converted to a toddler or day bed as a child grows, but that requires a kit or parts that cost extra. Like the Nurseryworks Vetro, the Abbey has solid panels, not slats, at the head and foot.
For most people, $580 is a lot to pay for a crib and $3,950 is exorbitant. But you can spend a lot less and get a crib that is still stylish and safe. The europa baby Palisades Lifetime, $350, a CR Best Buy, was excellent overall and very easy to assemble with a big-bed conversion kit that's sold separately. The modern Graco Lauren Signature, $190, scored excellent for safety, construction, and ease of assembly, and is among the least expensive of our recommended models. The Baby Mod Olivia, $300, was another very good model whose conversion kit for a toddler or day-bed is included with the crib.
The fact that the Nurseryworks Vetro is clear serves as a good reminder that cribs should be kept clear of bumpers, quilts, stuffed animals and pillows. The safest way for a baby to sleep is in a crib dressed in pajamas on a snug-fitting sheet. Make sure the crib's mattress, which is usually bought separately, fits correctly. If you can place more than two fingers between the mattress and the frame, the mattress is not the right fit for that frame.
We also heard that Beyonce and Jay-Z gave Kim and Kanye a blinged-out high chair studded with Swarovski crystals, just like the one they have for their baby, Blue Ivy. Again, you can spend a lot less and get a high chair that looks good and no doubt is easier to clean than one studded with gems. The eight models on our list of top high chair picks range in price from $85 to $250.
