Best Baby Cribs Buying Guide – Choosing a Safe Crib

One of the exciting moments for 1^st time parents is putting together a nursery. Remember "Less is better". Please don't over decorate your baby's room. After reading our buying guide you will have enough knowledge as to what the best baby crib to buy.

As much as possible the nursery should be close to the parent’s bedroom. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infant sleeps in the parent's room, close to the parents bed, but on it's crib or bassinet, ideally for the first year of life, but at least for the first 6 months. The first 6 months are particularly critical to the baby's life, because the rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, particularly those occurring in bed-sharing situations, are highest in the first 6 months.

Crib should be close to the parents bed to easily monitor the infant and within reach for feeding and comforting. Your baby's crib should be extra safe with no loose blankets, no pillows and no bumper guards on the crib. To keep your newborn warm it is safer to use a wearable sleepsack instead of a loose blanket a baby can kick and accidentally cover the baby's face and interfere with breathing.

Make sure baby’s room is free of clutter so when he or she starts crawling and exploring, his path is clear and no hazards in the baby's surroundings.

Another thing to consider are the baby's furniture. They should comply to safety requirements.

How to Buy the Best Baby Cribs

• As much as possible buy a new crib. Avoid buying used cribs or hand me down cribs since older cribs might not conform to the safety regulations imposed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. With wear and tear, it is possible it is no longer sturdy and durable. Also when buying a crib, by law the production date should be displayed on the crib and on the shipping carton.

• Pick a simple crib for your child’s safety. Choose a crib with clean lines to avoid your child’s clothes getting caught on any woodwork design.

• Spacing between the slats or bars should conform to the current standard of 2 3/8 inches or less so it is impossible for the baby's head to be caught between bars.

• Make sure that the crib was assembled properly and all the parts were correctly installed. While assembling the new crib look for splinters, cracks, sharp edges on the wood or anything that could posed safety hazards. Call the manufacturer if you have questions regarding assembly.

• No drop sides. This is one reason why an older crib is not recommended. Newer cribs don't have drop sides. It is safer if no sides of the crib slides up and down. When the baby starts climbing the crib it is not safe if the railing slides up and down.

• Adjusting the Mattress to the Right Height. With newborn the mattress is usually set to the higher position so it is easier to take your baby from the crib. If you notice that your child is trying to pull herself up, it is time to adjust the mattress height. Most cribs comes with 3 levels or more. Before your child is able to stand inside the crib move it to the lowest level.

• Make sure there are no clutter inside the crib like toys that the child can use to climb the crib. Also, it is advisable not to have a bumper guard in your crib since the child will use it to climb the crib. Once your child is climbing the crib it is time to transition to a toddler bed.

• Never put the crib near a window with blind, curtain cords or baby monitor cords; babies can strangle on cords.

• Buying the best baby cribs doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive crib.

Things to consider once you have the Crib

• Only mattress designed for the specific crib should be used. Mattress should be firm with a snug fitting cover. Click this link for the Safest Crib Mattress on the market.

• Mattress should snugly fit the crib with gaps no larger than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress.

• When buying crib sheets make sure it fits tightly to the mattress. A baby can pull a loose sheet and get entangled with it or sheet could end up on the baby’s face and suffocate. Elastic corners should be strong when pulled it doesn’t pop off. Better yet buy sheets with elastic all around it.

• Avoid using soft objects such as pillows and pillow-like toys, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and loose bedding, such as blankets and non-fitted sheets, that can obstruct an infant’s nose and mouth. An obstructed airway can pose a risk of suffocation, entrapment, or SIDS. Bare is Best per CPSC.

• Make sure your baby's furniture conforms to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).