5 Key Considerations When Buying Your First Baby Crib

At SimplyBabyFurniture.com, we know that when we found out we were pregnant, we had no idea where to start or what to look for in a crib. From our trial and error experiences in parenthood, we have assembled this quick crib guide in hopes of helping new parents get most of the information all in one place. Congratulations from all of us at Simply Baby Furniture!

Cribs come in tons of shapes and styles, from modern to traditional and may be bought alone or as part of a coordinated room set of nursery furniture. Some cribs are designed so that they can convert into a toddler bed and are aptly named, "Convertible cribs". We've done our research and have put together the list of 5 key considerations to select the perfect crib for you and your baby.

Here are the five steps to buying the right crib:

1. TIMING - When Should You Order Your Crib? This is by far the #1 question we get and our basic answer is that most baby furniture will get to you in 2 - 4 weeks, but we recommend that you purchase your baby furniture around the 6th month of your pregnancy because you will want to assemble it and handle any parts issues you might face. The crib is the cornerstone of your nursery and we hope that the below information will give you a solid foundation to help you choose the crib you will love.

2. CRIB SAFETY- A safe crib is most important as your baby will probably spend more time in the crib than anywhere else during the early years. Here are crib features to consider:

a. Used or Older Cribs -We are going to tell you to not use second-hand cribs, period. The crib standards changed in 2011 so most used cribs on Craigslist or eBay will be manufactured before then. Don't chance it, spend your money to buy a new crib.

b. Fixed Side Cribs -This is the new standard and means that the baby crib has no moving sides. The old drop-side cribs are obsolete and unsafe. Short moms should look for cribs with at least 3 mattress height levels to give you the option to set the mattress higher when baby is small to save you from bending over and straining your back. Many moms under 5' 2" opt for the modern cribs or mini-cribs that tend to have shorter sides.

c. Crib Slats -The Federal Government has specific standards in crib safety. The slats on any crib must not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart so that the baby's head cannot slip through.

d. Teething Rails -Once your baby can pull themselves up to a standing position, they will sometimes try out their new teeth on the top rail of the crib. Some cribs come with plastic strips along the wooden edge to protect your crib from teething damage.

e. Mattress Support -There are two types of mattress support, metal spring and wooden slat. The metal support will probably hold up better over time but most of the wood supports today are plenty strong for your child. Getting a crib with an adjustable mattress is important for extending the life of your crib. As your baby grows you will need to lower the mattress to keep your child from getting out of the crib.

f. Rolling Casters -Casters have fallen out of favor over the past few years, but if you do want to easily move your crib this is a helpful feature. Casters come in either metal or plastic and you will want to ensure they lock which is important once your toddler is moving around their crib.

g. Standards -The crib you select should always meet all current national safety standards. All new cribs sold in the USA comply with government standards, but there are additional certification programs that manufacturers can apply for. The JPMA (Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association) is probably the most well-known crib certification and has a list of certified cribs by manufacturer.

3. PRICE / BUDGET- In general, cribs cost between $200 and $600. Have your budget in mind when shopping and although the crib will be your first and most exciting purchase, there are also several other baby furniture pieces that you will want to consider.

4. STYLE and MATERIAL - Cribs come in many styles and materials, so find one what works for you and then you can whittle down your choice to find your perfect crib.

a. Style -Once you start looking around you will notice that baby cribs come in all shapes and styles. Cribs come in boutique, traditional, modern, eco-friendly, and mini. Look around to find what style you like that fits in with your home decor. We have our Style Finder, https://www.simplybabyfurniture.com/shop-cribs-by-style.html to help!

b. Shape -Most standard cribs are rectangular in shape, but you can also get round cribs, oval cribs and even small mini-cribs to fit your style. To see all your options, use our finder for "Type" on our Baby Cribs page https://www.simplybabyfurniture.com/cribs---sleeping-cribs.html.

c. Material -Cribs are made out of metal, solid wood, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), or a combination of wood and MDF. Most parents want a solid wood crib, however, MDF is a less expensive option, is extremely hard and durable, gives a smoother finish for painted cribs, and uses recycled wood which is good for the environment.

d. Color -Keep in mind that your baby furniture will be useful for quite some time so we typically recommend using basic colors, simple lines and then introducing the "magic" touches with accessories. If this is your first baby and you plan on having more kids, then consider a gender-neutral crib color the first time around so you can easily prepare for child #2.

5. CRIB FUNCTIONALITY - Here are some key crib terms that may be new to you.

a. Static Side Cribs -This is the only type you should purchase where all four sides are fixed. Drop-side cribs, where the front side used to drop down, were most popular before 2012, but have been deemed unsafe. So only use fixed side cribs for your baby.

b. Storage -You can never seem to have enough storage, so an underneath drawer comes in very handy for storing bedding or other baby accessories. Some cribs come with a matching crib drawer.

c. Mattress Height Adjustment -Most standard cribs will have 2 or 3 mattress height adjustments. This is a needed feature so that as your baby grows you can lower the mattress to keep Jr. from getting out of the crib. You start with the mattress at the highest level when they are tiny and gradually move the mattress down as they grow.

d. Convertible/Stages/Lifetime/3 in 1/4 in 1 Cribs -These cribs tend to be more expensive and heavier and we fondly refer to them as "Crib to College" beds because they will convert to a different bed each stage of your child's development.

• i. Convertible cribs will usually convert to a toddler bed by removing the front side and replacing it with a conversion safety rail, which may be included with the crib or may be an add-on. If you want to use the conversions on your crib, we recommend purchasing the conversion rails with the crib so you have the rails handy when the time comes (plus cribs do get replaced with new models and you might not find the rails two years after purchase).



• ii. Some cribs will also say they convert to a daybed which is the toddler bed without the safety rail. You can also use this as the toddler bed without the need to buy the safety rail, but if you have a restless sleeper there is also a higher chance of your toddler rolling out of bed. There are some manufacturers who tote this conversion as a couch later.



• iii. Your convertible crib will morph into a full-size double bed. The back and front of the crib become a headboard and footboard for a bed and you either buy wooden rails from the crib company or sometimes just a metal bed frame will do. This is a good choice for the budget conscious.