In the market today there are so many styles and designs of baby cribs available, this make buying the right baby crib a tough task. The best way to determine your choice of what to get is to evaluate your price range and make a decision of which baby crib features that appeals to you. Bear in mind that most of the more costly cribs can convert into toddler beds or even a full-size bed. For example, a 4-in-1 crib can convert from a baby crib into a toddler bed, daybed, and full-size bed.
Industrial Safety Standards Of Baby Cribs.
It is quite expedient that any baby crib you buy meets the minimum government requirements. Once that is achieved, even the cheapest baby crib should be safe for you baby if you arrange it as prescribed by the manufacturer and use it accordingly. At some instances, an unfit baby crib slips through and this could be dangerous for your baby. A good and safe baby crib should meet all basic requirements stated below;
1. It should be firm and stand well without shaking.
2. There should be no missing or broken slate or part.
3. The mattress should be tightly fitted.
4. The head-boards and foot boards should be perfect.
5. There should be no decorative cutouts in the headboard or footboard of your crib that can trap your baby’s head or body.
6. The corner posts should not be higher than 1/16 inches.
7. The Slate shouldn’t be more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
To ensure your baby’s safety, always keep your crib at least 3 inches away from drapes, ribbons, blind cords, and decorative wall hangings. Never use string, rope, or cord to hang toys, a diaper stacker, or other items near or on the crib. The crib is the one place your baby will be left unattended. You want to keep your baby far away from anything they can pull down on themselves or climb onto while they are in their crib.
Cribs today have many standard features and many more bells and whistles. Think about what you really need to make these early years as easy as possible and still fit your pocket book. At the very least, you will want:
- A solid hardwood construction with a nontoxic finish to ensure a sturdy and solid crib frame.
- A one hand lift and drop side or foot release drop side for ease of use and a smooth, quiet transition when lowering or raising the side of the crib.
- A 4 position mattress support height adjustment to accommodate your growing baby.
- Metal ball-shaped swivel casters to move the crib easily around the nursery and locking brakes to prevent unexpected movement.
- A non-toxic plastic teething rail for your baby to chew on.
- Metal hardware and springs to ensure the crib is safe and comfortable.
Keep these features in mind, but regardless of the price, always buy with safety in mind.