What New Parents Should Look for When Buying Their First Crib

Instead of going crazy baby-proofing the whole house when a newborn is on the way, parents should take a deep breath, relax, and focus. More specifically, the focus should be on choosing the best crib possible. After all, a newborn isn't going to spend that much time crawling around the kitchen. Instead, he or she is going to be sleeping, napping, and resting a lot in the bedroom or nursery.

As tempting as it might be to give into nostalgia and save a little bit of money, a crib should be new, no earlier than the'90s. Older cribs simply aren't up to safety standards, even if they are beautiful, and many of them were painted with lead paint, which you definitely don't want a newborn chewing on. Invest in a new crib with a classic design for the ultimate baby safety.

It is important to remember that most children spend at least two, and as many as three years sleeping in a crib. Therefore, your purchase should be well-made as well as safe, and built to last at least that long. For parents planning on raising more children, consider that the crib might need to last even longer.

Clueless about where to begin when looking for cribs? You can relax a little bit. Most stores know the current safety standards, and if they're selling new equipment, you can be assured that it's going to be up to snuff. However, be sure to pay attention to the moving parts, whether or not the railings look well-secured, and above all else, make sure the entire crib itself is well-built and looks sturdy enough to hold a child.

Circular crib designs have been growing in popularity, and those usually only lower on one side. There are a number of different designs, depending on the parent's aesthetic, from regal canopies that look more old-fashioned to contemporary and chic takes. Finding something to fit your taste shouldn't be a problem.

In addition to the standard crib described above, there are also convertible cribs, with can be converted from a crib into a toddler bed, with some even then converting into a full-size bed, too. This is a more expensive option, but will be a one-time purchase, as it can be used as your child grows up.

But buying a crib isn't the only part of providing a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your new child. The crib mattress is also an important purchase. Crib mattresses usually are either innerspring mattresses or foam mattresses, much in the same style as regular beds. Usually, a foam mattress is less expensive.

No matter the type of crib being purchased, there are a few things to look out for. For one, make sure that the mattress fits snugly into the crib, with no more than a finger's width between the side of the crib and the mattress itself. The best possible choice of mattress will actually attach to the crib somehow, so there isn't any accidental jostling or room for injury.

When it comes to checking the actual crib, the number one concern is making sure that the slats aren't far enough apart to allow for a child to somehow wedge his or her head between them. Make sure that they conform to general crib safety standards, and you should be fine.

Another extra crib-related accessory to think about for when your child gets a little bit older is a teething rail. This makes it so that your child won't accidentally be eating paint or wood when teething time comes around, and it's easy to remove and clean a teething rail, too, to keep things sanitary.

The most important crib accessory, though, is a good arsenal of educational and interactive toys. More than just comforting a child when his or her parents aren't in the room, good toys provide entertainment and mental stimulation. Mobiles, toys that play music, and toys with safe, movable parts are the best choices. It's never too early to think about your child's mental growth, and early toy exposure is also proven to improve coordination later on. Stock that crib with toys for more than just entertainment purposes.

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