How to Choose a Baby Crib

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.

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by moppet65535

Finding The Right Inexpensive Baby Crib

To many, determining the budget is the most important starting point in looking for baby cribs. It is always good to have a price range that you can work with so you can narrow your choices to those you can afford.

Even if you are buying a new or used baby crib, you should make sure that it meets government standards. You must be able to follow manufacturer’s instruction in order to ensure safety for the child. If you were unable to follow it, it is recommended that you seek professional help. The instruction provided by the manufacturers should enable you and your child to enjoy the crib without the risk of danger.

The crib mattress should be the first thing that should be checked. It should fit snugly into the crib without missing or broken hardware. Be sure that the crib has no missing or loose slats and the slats should not be more than 2 3/8 inches apart. The footboards and headboards should have no cutouts that can harm baby. The corner posts, if there’s any should not be more than sixteenth of an inch above the foot or head bar.

The most used feature on any crib is probably the drop sides. This makes the crib more convenient to use and great if mom and dad are tall people. But there are also cribs that are lacking this feature and have fixed sides instead.

Parents love the single drop down sided crib because it enables them to easily reach baby and lift baby out or place baby in the crib. It is especially convenient when crib is placed against the wall. Cribs that have double drop down sides are popular option especially if there is a room to place the crib, like a nursery, so that it is not placed against the wall.

The drop down side height can be adjusted in a number of ways. Some cribs has a knee push lever and this will allow you to lower the sides just but leaning your knee against the crib. It is very useful especially if you are holding baby in your arms. This maybe is the most common type available.

Another type is the foot bar. Here, you use your foot to push down a bar to lower the side. There is also another type that uses a double trigger mechanism. There are levers on both sides of the crib that needs both hands free to use them. Squeezing these triggers will drop the sides. This, however, is not very convenient to use when you are carrying baby in your arms.

The wheels on a crib are great feature since it enables anyone to easily move the crib. That makes it easier to clean under or reach for a toy that falls underneath or making it easy to change the bedding. Wheels also have locking mechanism so you can lock them when not in use. Some also may be removed and can be put aside. The adjustable mattress heights are also available on all cribs especially the convertible ones. Some cheapest models of cribs also have this feature. The three positions available is the wisest choice but some also have two height positions only. In a single height mattress, as your child grows, he could climb out of the crib or could be toppling out of the crib so it is not usually a safe choice.

Mattress support is also very important. Some cribs use vinyl straps that are easily worn out. Some cribs uses the metal bar support and appears to be a much better option. There are also some which make use of the metal spring system where the entire mattress is supported and is the best and most durable option compared with the first two.

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by ihave3kids

Baby Crib Sets

Baby crib sets can be the fun portion of the nursery.  Whether you wish to custom design your own custom baby crib sets or select mass-produced fashions, the option of colors and fabrics seems unlimited. Safety tips: when you are selecting from among baby crib sets there are a few things to remember: virtually all materials utilized in baby products are non-allergenic. Determine with your paediatrician if your child has displayed any reactions that could be indicative of allergic reactions. Choose materials suited to the seasonal climatic circumstances in the area where you live. Light cotton is great for warm summertime nights while the recent artificial fleeces and wool are warm and snuggly in the wintertime. Your new infant does not care about the color or style of his crib set. This is essentially all about pleasing the mother and making her happy. Disney or other cartoon character themes are common and plentiful. Make your childrens nursery a showpiece with appealing and functional baby crib sets.

Baby crib sets are varying so quick, that if you buy a used crib, you cannot get components any longer if something is damaged. Me and the mother of my child likewise bought a used crib because we did not have much money to spend. We had bought a very ancient baby crib from one person we found on the internet. When we were viewing the crib by this individual at home, it was appearing special and for the cost we had to buy it. When we were back at home we discussed this with some acquaintances of ours that we had bought a used baby crib that looked acceptable. Then a acquaintance of mine inquired how old the baby crib was, because he heard if the baby crib was made before 1978 there could be paint on it that is not lead-free or toxic paint free. Therefore if you have money take a look online for a new baby crib, you can compare the different online and there is usually a good crib for your money.

Planning your baby crib is most probably at the top of your list of things you will want for your new child. With all of the contrasting features and styles, it can be a frustrating project to pick the most dependable and greatest baby crib for your new family member.  Presently, every new baby crib that is made has to fulfil the industry standards set by the consumer products safety commission (CPSC). This means that all brand new baby cribs, including the least pricey baby cribs, will reach the minimal safety standards.

There are supplemental unforced safety measures arranged by the american society for testing and materials (ASTM). Baby cribs which meet these extra safety standards are certified by the juvenile products manufacture's association (JPMA). Those baby cribs that earn the JPMA certification will be clearly labelled with this info. So, rest assured that the new baby crib that you are looking at has past the basic safety standards and may have passed the additional voluntary standards set by the JPMA. The fact remains that the absolute majority of you may be considering using an secondhand or buying a "previously owned" baby crib. While there are four million infants born in the US every year, only about 1 million new baby cribs are traded annually. Numerous individuals commended that you never buy a secondhand baby crib or receive a secondhand baby crib.

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by Rob, Joyce & Alex

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Baby Crib Mattress

The choice of baby crib mattress is at least as important as the selection of the right baby crib. When researching crib mattresses, there are a few important things to look at to ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe in the crib.

Coil Innerspring or Foam Core

The preference of coil over foam is probably due to the fact the most parents sleep on coil spring mattresses.  For your choice of crib mattress, just make sure to get the best quality crib mattress that you can afford of which ever type you like.  The mattress should be firm, not soft. You do not want your baby sinking into it as this poses a risk of suffocation.

When looking for a coil crib mattress, check the number of coils it has.  This information should be readily available.  Usually, more coils usually means a firmer mattress.

In a foam crib mattresses, look for the one that feel heavier than the others as this usually means a higher quality foam was used.  You also want to see how fast the mattress regains its shape so push down on the mattress and then take your hand away. The faster it goes back to its original shape the better.

Choosing the Correct Size

Most cribs made today are a standard size and most crib mattresses are made to fit.  Older cribs may be a different size and some designer cribs also have different dimensions.  The standard size for a baby crib is 51 5/8" x 27 1/4".  Make sure you should measure the crib just to make sure.  You can look at the label on the crib mattress which should have the dimensions on it. It is a good idea to measure the mattress anyway as mistakes do happen.  It is important to measure accurately as a little error can mean a big difference to your baby's safety.

It is essential that the mattress fits snugly in the crib and not leave a gap between the edge of the mattress and the sides of the crib.  If you can fit two adult fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress then the mattress is too small. Having a crib mattress that is too small can result in your baby could possibly slipping between the mattress and the side of the crib.  This can cause injury to your child.

The Cover

The crib mattress cover should be durable and, needless to say, easily cleaned.  The majority of today's baby crib mattresses are covered in vinyl. More layers usually means a more durable mattress.  The better quality mattresses have a double layered cover while the best quality have covers made of three layers.

You can find crib mattresses that have an antimicrobial cover that can slow the growth of molds and bacteria.  These covers do NOT prevent the growth, only slow it.  You still need to make sure you clean up well after spills and leaks.

Taking the time to find out what is available online or locally before you buy can help ensure that you find the best baby crib mattress so that your baby will be comfortable and safe when sleeping.

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It's the largest crib recall in North American history. 2 million Storkcraft side-drop cribs are being recalled after four babies died. The cribs, lower on one side, to allow parents to conveniently get their babies and toddlers out. But the plastic parts that hold the drop-sides together have been known to break, bend or fall off -- leaving a potentially fatal gap between the crib and mattress where little ones can become trapped and suffocate.

Crib owners are being told to remove their children from the cribs immediately and to refrain from using them until they get free repair parts. However, customers are finding Storkcraft's toll-free line busy and its website down. Delivery of a repair kit could take several weeks. Some parents, including Richard Martin of Victoria, opted to buy a brand new baby bed today -- a fixed rail crib -- with no plastic parts.

Duration : 0:3:4

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BABYBJÖRN® shows off their latest baby carriers and their Travel Crib Light, the perfect portable crib system for parents on the go! For more great must-have products for mom and dad, check out Babytv.com/default.aspx?cid=YouTube

Duration : 0:2:35

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Tips for buying a used crib that is up to today's safety standards. Learn more in this free video on baby safety and care.

Expert: Liz Hood
Bio: Liz Hood is a mother with a baby boy named Aiden and a photography business ran out of the home.
Filmmaker: Michael Hood

Duration : 0:2:40

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StrangeSnakes Coils Around Baby in CribSnakes Coils Around Baby in CribThe Associated PressA New York family suspects a snake hidden in a new crib mattress, crawled out in the middle of the night and wrapped itself around the leg of a baby sleeping in the crib. (June 11)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] A horror story? Maybe an urban legend? No, this story is true...A Long Island couple bought a new crib and mattress for a visit from their daughter and granddaughter.And then, in the middle of the night, on their first night home, screams sent the young mother running into the room.SOT: John Abatemarco BABY'S GRANDFATHER: "she looked in the crib and said 'what is that on the baby?' and she realized it was a snake. So, she immediately reached in, grabbed the baby and pulled her up."The baby's uncle reached in and grabbed the snake by the tail...SOT: Charles Vecchiarelle BABY'S UNCLE: "the head was on that side, and it was hissing and making a noise."The family put the California king snake into a bucket until animal control officers arrived, but the baby's mom had a tough time getting past what she'd seen.SOT: Joyce Abatemarco BABY'S GRANDMOTHER: "cari held the baby all night long. She just couldn't put her down....you know, how do you get past it?" As for where the slithering intruder came from...SOT: Brian Gunn ATTORNEY: "It certainly seems plausible that the snake was inside the mattress because there's a hole about the size of the snake's width in the plastic wrapping."The family says the mattress came from this Toys R Us store. A couple of things are certain -- the California King snake is not native to the region, and it's not venomous... but it is a constrictor that had wrapped itself around the baby's leg. ___ ___, The Associated Press

Duration : 0:1:16

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Choosing a baby crib requires research to get the best features for the best price. Choose a baby crib with tips from a baby store manager in this free video on child care.

Expert: Joie Tamkin
Contact: www.babyearth.com/
Bio: Joie Tamkin is the public relations manager for Baby Earth, an online environmentally friendly baby equipment store.
Filmmaker: Drew Noah

Duration : 0:2:3

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a tired mom, decides that her daughter's crib is more comfortable than her own bed.

Duration : 0:0:34

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