Cribs Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Crib for Your Baby
Purchasing your first baby crib is exciting—until you actually start shopping. With so many choices and options, it can be difficult to choose. Start by determining your price range. The most expensive cribs are not automatically the best just because they cost more and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you buy a cheaper model. The most important thing is safety and durability. Here are some suggestions to make your crib shopping experience easier.
Safety First!
All new baby cribs available today will meet minimum government standards regardless of price. A safe crib should have tight-fitting mattress with almost no space between the mattress and the frame. Carefully check that the crib has no cracked or broken slats. Make sure all the hardware is included.
Antique or used cribs are desirable to many, but you must make sure that slats should be no more than 2 3/8″ apart (approximately the width of a soda can) and corner posts should not be higher than 1/16″. Avoid cribs with decorative cutouts on the headboard or footboard.
Convertible crib?
Convertible cribs that turn into toddler beds are very popular and seem like a great bargain but consider whether or not you will have more children—you may end up having to buy a toddler bed so a sibling can use the crib. Also, most cribs require the purchase of a special kit to be convertible which adds to the cost.
Drop sides?
Cribs are available with single side drop or double-drop sides that slide down. Recent safety concerns have caused Toys R Us to begin phasing out the sale of drop side cribs. Another option is a drop-gate crib with a fold-down side. The safest choice would be to stick with a crib with fixed sides. If you do end up with a drop side crib, make sure that it’s easy to lower the side while you’re holding baby. The knee push lowering method is the easiest. Make sure that the sides do not lower so much that baby can climb out.
Adjustable Mattress:
Adjustable crib mattress height is important so that you can easily put a sleeping newborn to bed at the highest setting and lower when the baby is older and mobile. Look for a crib with at least two or three mattress heights is nice. How is the mattress supported? Avoid vinyl straps that could wear out. Look for metal bars or a metal spring system to support the mattress.
One thing that many parents overlook is whether or not the crib can be wheeled around the room. Look for sturdy casters when you’re shopping for a crib. They make vacuuming MUCH easier!
Now that we’ve talked about the important stuff, let’s talk about the fun part: style! Do you want a big fancy cherry wood crib? How about something sleek and modern? With possibilities are endless! I recommend that you choose something fairly simple that will blend with whatever décor you choose for baby’s room. My daughter’s crib has simple lines and is black and it looks great in her pink room.
Here are some great cribs:
The Da Vinci Kalani 3-1 Crib: $307.64
The sides do not move, ensuring stability and safety.
The Oeuf Sparrow Crib ($690) meets or exceeds all safety standards and has a sleek modern design.
The Dream On Me Contemporary Crib ($114.75) is proof that you can get everything you’re looking for in a crib and stay within budget.
Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more affordable baby cribs.
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