make as a parent. Choosing a crib must be taken seriously.
Safety is the most important consideration. Cribs manufactured
in the United States have strict safety standards, which have
been in place since 1973. These standards are updated as needed.
Keep these things in mind when you buy a baby crib.
Design Safety is the number one concern with design. Be sure
that the slats of the crib are no further apart than 2+3/8
inches. The head and foot ends of the crib should not contain
cutouts. A baby can get caught in these cutouts and may be
unable to get free. The head and foot ends are best made of
either solid design or slats.
Most cribs have adjustable sides and mattress positions to make
it easier to pick up the baby. While these are helpful when the
child is tiny they can pose problems later on. The distance
between the top rail when it is raised and the mattress when it
is in its lowest position must be no more than 26 inches. Once
the child can pull himself up always put the mattress in the
lowest position possible.
The mattress must fit snugly into the crib frame for safety
reasons. A space as small as an inch can pose a possible safety
hazard for infants. Remove any plastic on the crib and mattress.
Check that the hardware is tight and that no sharp edges
protrude.
Check the display model for sturdiness. If you will be
assembling the crib at home look at the display to ensure that
you know the proper way it should work. The crib should come
with the proper hardware and complete detailed assembly
instructions.
Features
Here are some additional features to consider when looking to
buy a baby crib.
Teething Rail – These are attachable plastic covers that can
attach to the top rails of the crib sides. Teething rails can
help prevent children from chewing on the wood keeping them safe
while protecting the crib.
Bumper Guards – Bumper guards are padded and fit snugly against
the sides of the crib. The purpose of the bumper guards are to
protect the baby from hitting into the sides of the wood or
metal crib as they roll. There is much discussion about the
safety of bumper guards. Be sure to choose bumper guards that
fit tightly with no loose material that could pose a choking or
suffocation hazard. Choose Velcro fasteners to avoid loose
hanging ties.
Rolling Casters – These are often quite useful particularly if
you need to move the crib around from time to time. Be sure that
the casters are attached securely and have a locking mechanism
so that they can be locked into position to prevent rolling when
the crib is stationary.
Additional Safety Information Always register your crib with
the manufacturer by filling out and sending in the product
warranty card. Keep the crib information including model number,
manufacturer and date and place of purchase in a file along with
the instruction manual. This will allow you to more easily check
for product recalls.
About The Author: Article written by Randi Reese, she offers a
wide selection of baby cribs at
http://www.cribsand
