If you are an expectant parent, a baby crib would certainly be at the top of your 'must-buy' list. Here is a rough guide on what to look out for when you are buying a baby crib:
Safety
Cribs have to be certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). Although a crib may have a JPMA seal, it is also prudent that you check it out physically to ensure that it is not too flimsy. The slats should also not be too far apart to avoid your baby' head from being caught in between them.
Sturdiness
Bear in mind that your baby will grow over time and it would not be long before he or she would be bouncing in the crib. Therefore, pick one that is firm and sturdy that is able to withstand the weight of a bouncing baby. Bear in mind that most cribs have to be assembled after purchase. So, if you are not good at putting things together, buy one that is easy to assemble and yet stable.
Casters
If you want to buy a crib with casters, ensure that it comes with a lockable mechanism. Cribs with casters are practical as you can easily push it to a different location when needed. For instance, if your baby is sick, you might like the crib to be in your room instead of the nursery and this is where the casters come in handy.
Drop Sides
If you are worried about safety, there are cribs in the market that have no drop sides. However, most parents would not be tall enough for such cribs. If you need to buy one that has at least one drop side, check the latches. Make sure that they can't be easily released by a child. Remember that your baby will grow to be a toddler and if you are still using the crib by then, it makes sense to have hard-to-release drop sides. There are one-handed and two-handed drop side releases for different cribs. Test it out yourself to see what works best for you.
Adjustable Mattress Base
It only makes sense to be able to adjust the mattress base of the crib to accommodate your baby as he or she grows. Most cribs have three-level mattress height adjustments although a few have up to five. The important consideration is how far down the mattress base can go. Generally, the lower it can go, the longer you would be able to keep your baby in the crib before the toddler bed transition.
Style
Different people have different preferences when it comes to style. But just bear in mind that there are cribs with a clear head and foot board that enables you to see your baby from all angles. Some cribs have slats instead for both ends while others have solid wood panels. While those with solid wood panels for the head and foot board certainly look classy and nice, your view of your baby would be partially blocked. So, apart from color and style, do take into consideration the practicality of the designs as well.
Convertibility
Some cribs can be converted to a toddler bed and even a full-sized bed. While this will lengthen the use of the crib, do take note that some of these convertible cribs require you to purchase the conversion kit separately. Hence, you would need to work out the total cost by adding in the parts required for the conversion.
Store
Apart from physical stores, there are also many online stores now that can give you a good bargain for baby cribs. Because a crib is heavy, check out the shop's shipping policy and delivery charges before ordering. Other important considerations are the store's return policy and customer service. Parts may be defective or damaged during delivery and you would want a store that has excellent customer service to get replacement parts or handle returns. Do weigh all these factors apart from the price before you buy.
The above are just some of the factors to consider when you choose a baby crib. One last piece of advice is always consider your needs and the practicality aspect as well rather than just style and color.
