After the joy of finding out they are pregnant, many new parents really have no idea what they will need to purchase prior to the arrival of their baby. Some things are obvious, such as cribs, but there are so many cribs for babies on the market that choosing the safest one for your baby can often be overwhelming. The following are some tips to help you choose the best baby crib for your newborn.
All baby cribs on the market are supposed to meet the minimum government requirements for safety. With that in mind, even cribs that are less expensive should be safe for your baby. Make sure you follow the directions provided by the manufacturer carefully when assembling and using the crib. Also make sure none of the parts or hardware are missing or broken.
A safe baby crib will not have slats that are more than 2 3/8" apart. A soda can is about 2 3/8" in diameter so if it fits in the spaces between the slats, then the slats are too far apart and the crib is unsafe and should not be used.
Design cutouts in the headboard or foot-board of the crib can be no wider than 2 3/8". As with the width between the slats, the reason for keeping design cutouts on the crib under 2 3/8" is because of the danger of a baby lodging himself in spaces wider than 2 3/8". In all honesty, it is better to simply forgo the cutouts and look for a crib with a solid headboard and foot-board
Corner posts on a baby crib are a strangulation hazard and should be no higher than 1/16". The only exception would be posts that are used to support a canopy and those should be at least 16" or higher.
The baby crib mattress should be firm and tight-fitting. One way to determine whether or not the mattress is too small for the crib is to try to fit two side-by-side fingers between the mattress and the crib wall. If your fingers fit, then the mattress is too small and poses a safety hazard. The standard size for crib mattresses is 61 5/8" by 27 ¼" and if you purchase a standard size baby crib, then it should take a standard size mattress.
If you are thinking about a used crib or a hand-me-down, make sure the crib meets all the safety standards of a new crib. You should have all the hardware that originally came with the crib and it should be in good condition. The slats must be in good condition as well and must not be chipped or splintering or loose. If you plan to repaint or refinish the crib, use high-quality paint that is lead free and make sure the crib is made of material that is safe to repaint or refinish.
Buying a new crib that meets the set safety standards is the best way to ensure that you will keep your baby safe. With the choices on the market today and the ability to buy a good, safe baby crib without going way over budget, it makes good sense to buy new.
by : Kristen Tyler
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