Choosing That Perfect Baby Crib

Choosing a crib is one of the most exciting things to buy for your coming baby. The baby will spend most of her time inside the crib, which is why it must be special. There are so many brands to choose from, you don’t know where to start.

First and foremost, you must consider several safety standards to ensure the safety of your child. A crib is not merely an adornment inside your baby’s nursery. It is where your baby will sleep and eventually play, so look at each crib’s features carefully. To help narrow down your search, look for brands certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMS). If a product is certified by the JPMS, their label is marked as so.

CRIB SAFETY STANDARDS

Slates or vertical bars – the distances must be at least 2 3/8″ wide. They would be wide enough to let a small hand through, but narrow enough to prevent your baby’s head from getting stuck in between. If you can pass a soda can through the slates very easily, consider another crib.

Cutouts design on headboards and foot boards – the holes should also have at least the same measurement as those of the slates or vertical bars.

Corner posts – heights of corner posts should be no higher than 1/16″ to prevent your child’s clothing from getting caught. This may result to strangulation injuries. An exception would be poles as high 16″ high if they are used as canopy attachments.

Mattress – the mattress should fit snugly in the crib. Standard size is from 61 5/8? by 27 1/4″. If you can fit two fingers between the edge of the crib to the mattress, you’re baby is at risk for suffocation.

These standards must be closely observed. About 26 infants die in substandard cribs, while 11,500 are reported hospitalized due to crib-related injuries. If you’re going to use hand-me-down cribs, make sure they meet those requirements and have not been manufactured before 1972 when lead-based paints were used.

THE BEST REVIEWED BABY CRIBS UNDER $250

Baby Mod Cadence 4-in-1 Crib ($225) – The non-toxic water-based finish is perfect for teething tots who always bite their cribs whenever they get the chance. Elegance is mixed with functionality with its 4 adjustable mattress levels as well as its ability to be converted to a day bed and a full-sized bed. It has no moving parts so you can be assured of your child’s safety.

Graco – Eco Friendly Dakota Classic Crib ($156.54) – this crib can be used from birth to 2 1/2 years. This crib has no moving parts and requires no guard rail for conversion. 4 rollers (2 lockers) help you move the crib anywhere in the house easily. You can adjust the level of the mattress in three levels for ease of use. Mattress is sold separately

DwellStudio(r) for Target(r)Silver Lake Convertible Crib ($212) has 3 mattress height positions and can accommodate toddlers up to 50lbs in weight. It has drawers with heavy-duty metal slides underneath to store important baby items.