Rock-A-Bye Baby: Shopping for a Safe Crib

One of the most important parts about being a new parent is the transition a house makes once there is a newborn living there! New parents often are more than just a little overwhelmed with the prospect of preparing a home for a baby, but there isn't that much need to fret. After all, the child will be spending most of its time sleeping, in the bedroom or nursery, so instead of going crazy trying to get the whole house ready, breathe a sigh of relief and focus on that one room!

Therefore, the most important piece of furniture that one can buy for a new baby is a safe and comfortable crib. The nursery is also the room where the most attention should be paid to safety concerns, because that is where your child will be spending the most of his or her time. Picking a good crib is an important investment, because it's going to be your child's bed until they move to a real bed. This change usually happens around the age of two or three, so the crib should last for at least three years.

Most children will sleep in their crib until two or three years of age, so invest wisely and make sure that the crib you choose is going to last. This is also especially important if there are plans for more children in the future, as the crib might be housing more than one baby throughout the course of its time in your home.

Thankfully, there are regulations for cribs, so parents shopping through a reputable store that only stocks new items won't have to obsess over small details. In addition to a safe and sturdy design, cribs have railings that do not lower beyond a certain amount, and are secured with durable movable parts. Depending on the layout of your child's nursery or bedroom, you might only need a crib where one railing lowers, but there are also cribs that have the capability to lower both sides, depending on which side the parent is standing on.

The crib itself comes in a myriad of different designs, from more classic and old-fashioned models that will remind you of your own youth, to contemporary and sleek designs. Depending on budget and taste, it's possible to get a crib that matches anyone's aesthetic, and that goes great in the nursery, too!

If your family is more interested in a device that can grow with the child, or is only planning on having one child, there are convertible cribs that will serve as a bed from the time you bring your child home until the time he or she moves out. These convertible cribs start out as cribs, convert to toddler beds, and then some even convert to day-beds after that. It's a good investment for the long-term.

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.

When buying a crib mattress, be sure to look for a couple of different things. Make sure that the mattress attaches to the crib securely in some form or another, and double-check that it's not possible to wedge more than a finger between the mattress and the crib itself. That's an especially important safety concern for curious newborns, who could accidentally wedge their little hands and feet, and have big trouble.

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.

But more than just an object to cause concern and worry for parents, a crib is a baby's safe haven, a place to sleep, dream, and grow. It is important to make sure there are stimulating toys around, so that your baby is growing in mind as well as in body. Choosing the right mobiles, musical toys, and other devices ensures that there is entertainment for your child, and toys that your child interacts with secured safely to the crib also do wonders to improve coordination and mind power. Don't forget the toys!

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