There are so many styles, kinds and price ranges for baby cribs that it can boggle the mind. The first question that you may ask is where do I start and what I should look for in a baby crib. The most important point to be aware of is the safety aspect for the childs sake. Next you want to consider were the cribs will be placed. This is important when looking at long term use and getting the most for your money while still meeting the childs needs. There are some general tips that you can use when looking for a baby crib or if you are a hobby woodworker and want to build one.
Always remember, safety comes first when purchasing baby cribs. All new cribs in the U.S. have to meet specific guidelines for safety but a lot of families and individuals will pass cribs down from one to another. This is why safety checks for new or used cribs are so important. In the case of a used crib be sure that you do all the repairs so that it will meet safety standards before use. Check all posts to be sure they are secure and none are missing. Head boards as well as foot boards should not have any type of cutouts that the baby can get caught in or hurt on. Be sure that you check all fasteners used to put the bed together are secure and none are missing.
Crib sides are another very important safety feature that must be looked at when getting that crib. The slats on the crib sides should be no further apart than 2-1/8 and corner post no higher than 1/16 above the head or footboard. You dont want your baby getting caught between the slats. Be sure that all posts are secure and free of any hazards. Most cribs come with either one or both sides that can be lowered to attend to baby needs and cleaning. Baby cribs have different mechanisms that are used to lower the side. These should be checked for proper working order. On used beds many times these mechanisms can have problems which can allow the sides to fall if not latched properly. The same holds true for new beds as latches can possibly be defective.
The next issue in safety for baby cribs is the mattress that will be used. Even for those cribs that come with a mattress make sure that it fits snuggly into the crib on every side. It is no surprise that babies are movers, even newborns. You dont want a baby to get caught between the sides and the mattress. Mattresses should always be kept at the lowest possible position or closest to the floor.
No matter what shape, size, color or fashion of baby crib you purchase it is important to make sure that it is both safe and sound. Little ones love to wriggle, wiggle and crawl. As such we must do our best to keep them safe and secure. This means making safety checks on all equipment that will be involved in their care.
You must log in to post a comment.