May 21 2009
Buying the Best Baby Crib for You
One of the most fundamental pieces of baby furniture is the crib. Most people who have a child get a crib. A crib is a place to put your baby to sleep, giving yourself the peace of mind that they are safe. They can’t roll or crawl out, they are comfortable, and the crib is easy to use.
There are lots of considerations when buying a crib. What’s it made out of? How is the material treated? Does it release esters or other chemicals? Is the material on the mattress completely safe? You can get most of these answers by getting cribs that have been certified as safe by Underwriter’s Laboratories or similar certifying agencies.
Baby cribs come in many shapes and sizes, so you will be able to find the right size of crib for your nursery. One style you may want to consider if you are going to have more children in the future is a convertible crib. These can grow with your child, turning from a crib into a toddler-bed. Some even turn into a full child’s bed. The drawback to these is that to convert the crib into a lager bed, sometimes you have to buy another kit. Check into this before you buy.
Another popular style of crib is the one with droppable sides. This makes putting your child into or out of the crib a lot easier. They’re easier to clean, too, because you can get at the small spaces by dropping the sides. The drawback to this style is that babies are curious, and it’s not unheard of for them to figure out how to unlatch the sides as they get older!
A popular kind of crib is a canopy style. These have posts at the corners so you can put a canopy over the crib. These have an elegant look to them, and many parents like the extra security the partially enclosed space can prove to their baby. You do have to watch the fabric of the canopy though. It can be pulled down by the baby if they can get a hold of it.
Cribs also have safety features; indeed, as the manufacturers compete for market share, this is where and how they compete for it. For the most part, you’re paying for peace of mind more than anything else; these features are mostly designed to prey on parental insecurities. One safety feature you should check on is how tightly the mattress fits against the edges of the crib; these little gaps can be wiggled into and pinch or alarm your baby.
You can shop for anything online, and usually find steep discounts. Cribs are no exception. However, if you’re buying new (or used), be sure to check out the seller’s rating and return policy. You want to make sure that if there is an issue, you can get it fixed, fast. Also, it’s worthwhile to check out the models on your shortlist in a store before making an online purchase, just to familiarize yourself with their features.
When choosing a baby crib, look at your decorating scheme in the nursery, and your preferences. As long as you choose a safe, well-made crib, it is completely up to you what you get. Get what you think your baby will be comfortable in. They just want somewhere secure to sleep.
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