Baby Stuff

Selecting the right baby crib is one of the most important buying decisions you will have to make. Your baby needs a safe, comfortable place to rest. Today baby cribs must meet safety standards that assure you of a quality product. More traditional and contemporary designs are available today than ever before.

A baby crib will serve your baby well for about 2-3 years. At that point he or she will be ready to move up to a toddler bed or a low standard bed.

You have several types of baby cribs to choose from including standard, convertible cribs and bassinettes:

• Standard cribs have a single or double drop side to let you easily reach in to pick up or lay down your baby. This type is the most common.
• Convertible cribs are really three beds in one. Start off with it in the standard crib setup. Then adjust the parts so it becomes a toddler bed when your baby gets older. Finally when the time is right, move the parts again and you have a full-size bed.
• Bassinets are a more comfortable sleeping place for your baby in his or her first months. The small portable baby bassinet can be easlity moved from room to room. This allows you to keep a close watch on your sleeping baby. A bassinet is also nice at night because you can pull it right up close to your bed. You can reach right out and touch your baby at any time during the night.
• Cradles let you gently rock your baby. The gentle motion comforts and helps calm her down.

What to look for when buying a baby crib or bassinet:

• Crib slats must not be wider than 2-3/8 inches. Try sliding a 12oz pop can through as a test. If it goes, the slats are too far apart.
• Drop sides must be at least 9 inches above the mattress when lowered, 26 inches above the mattress when raised.
• Mattress must fit snugly with no more than two finger widths between it and the sides of the crib.
• Stability - make sure a bassinet has a sturdy bottom and a wide base and can’t be knocked over.
• Locking wheels to keep the bassinet from rolling around accidently.
• Metal wheels are better than plastic.
• Avoid quilts and really soft bedding. They are for decoration only and are a potential SIDS hazard.
• Avoid old cribs made before 1973. They don’t conform to federal safety guidelines.
• Teething rail keeps baby from chewing on the wooden sidebars.

Filed under: Furniture on December 15th, 2007