With all the different features of baby cribs, it can be a little overwhelming to sort it all out. This article reviews some of the most comon baby crib features and reviews the pros and cons of each feature.
Is the Baby Crib Made of Quality Materials and Construction? Wooden Baby Cribs/Iron Baby Cribs
You don't often think of the material that the baby crib is made of as an actual feature to consider. But, picking a baby crib that is made from quality materials can make the difference between a baby crib that is used for years and one that you wish you had never bought. Wooden baby cribs should be stained or painted hardwoods like maple, ash, beech, or oak. The overall stability of the baby crib could be threatened by the use of inferior woods in the manufacturing process. This is due to the baby crib slates becoming weakened and/or warped with use. Baby Cribs can also be made from metal such as iron. While Iron Baby Cribs can be beautiful, the styling can be limited over time. If you plan on keeping the baby crib for years, be sure that you think you will like the metal styling in the future.
Issues to Consider with the Baby Crib Side Bar: To Drop or Not to Drop
Baby cribs are made either with fixed, single-drop or double-drop sides. If you are tall, fixed sides are fine for you. I am 5' 8" tall and never lower the sides of my baby's crib. Higher end models will have side rails that lower on both sides of the baby crib. Depending on how you position the baby crib, this could be a nice feature. If you plan on putting your baby crib up against a wall, this feature won't add any benefit to the baby crib.
There are three basic types of drop sides:
* Knee Push-Leaning your knee against the baby crib side to lower it. This is typically a simple and quiet type of drop side.
* Foot Bar-Balancing on one foot, you push a lever to lower the baby crib side. This ma be a bit tricky depending on how you are standing on one foot.
* Double Trigger-You have to use two hands to lower the side. This style is ok as long as you are not holding the baby. But, it is not very convenient since you will most likely have your baby in your arms before you lower the baby crib side.
Ideally, you should be able to lower and raise the side rail with ease. Keep in mind that you will often have your baby in your arms when you are trying to lower the bar. When trying out a model in the store, try lowering the bar yourself while imaging that you have your baby in your arms. This will give you an idea of how easy it will be when you are trying to put your baby down to sleep. Also, be sure that the rails have locking mechanisms to prevent accidental release. You may want to consider how quietly the side rail raises and lowers. You would not want it to wake your sleeping baby.
Does the Baby Crib Allow you to Lower the Mattress?
Make sure your baby crib lets you adjust the height of the mattress. Unless you are tall, a higher mattress will make it easier for you to get your baby in and out of the baby crib. Once your baby starts to move around, you will need to lower the mattress. The baby crib you buy should have at least 2 height positions for the mattress. Some higher end models will have 3 height levels which is a nice bonus feature.
Baby Cribs with Drawers
Some higher end models have drawers in the bottom of the baby crib. If space is an issue for you, this may be a good feature to have. You may be able to put off buying a dresser for your little one. Just beon the bottoms of the drawers (if htere is space for your little one to crawl under the crib.
Baby Cribs with Wheels
Some baby cribs come with wheels. This is a very nice feature if you plan on moving the baby crib around. It can make it easier to change the linens and to clean under the baby crib. Being able to roll a baby crib into another room is also a nice flexibility to have. Metal wheels are better than plastic. Keep in mind that this could be a potential danger as well, especially if you have other children in the home. They could push the baby crib themselves (i.e. down the stairs, up against a window or furniture). Make sure that the wheels have a good, solid locking mechanism. If the baby crib that you want does not come with wheels, you can always buy high quality wheels and install them yourself or have someone install them for you.
Convertible Crib: Baby Cribs that Convert into Other Things
Many baby cribs are designed to convert to a toddler bed, a bench, or even an adult daybed for later use. While this is a very nice feature to have with your baby crib, make sure that you like what it converts to. If it converts to a toddler bed, consider how long your toddler will be able to sleep in it. You may end up having to buy a regular size twin bed in a few years if you child outgrows the toddler bed. Also, most baby cribs with this feature require an additional kit to make the conversion. Be sure to check on how much this kit will cost you before making your decision.
Sarah Holmes, Ph.D. quit her full-time job in order to stay home with her baby girl. She created http://www.BabyCribCentral.com as a free resource to other new moms and dads. Her site compares prices on over 500+ baby cribs from more than 20 online stores allowing you to find the beset price with a click of a button. Her site also offers lots of information about the different types of cribs as well as all sorts of safety information about how to buy and use your new crib safely.
Baby clothes are one of the most popular types of... Read More
After all the baby furniture is purchased, you'll have to... Read More
Choosing to breastfeed the baby is one of the most... Read More
A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope... Read More
* A baby is born every seven seconds.* Babies are... Read More
What happen during the first month of your newborn, does... Read More
Wooden high chairs with their looks and functionality make a... Read More
It is truly amazing the development that a baby experiences... Read More
Sheepskin offers unique advantages as an underlay for babies. One... Read More
When a baby has colic, the family environment is stressful... Read More
Having a baby is exciting, but also very tough! There... Read More
More and more studies are proving that food has a... Read More
Mother's milk is the best choice for healthy baby food.... Read More
Many parents share custody of their children, which presents a... Read More
The conversation went something like this:"Hey honey, when we get... Read More
Have you been invited to a baby shower or asked... Read More
It's a fact of life that we live in an... Read More
Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of... Read More
Most shower checklists will suggest you start planning approximately four... Read More
Sounds great ? doesn't it?Or does it sound too good... Read More
To the uninitiated parent, buying a car seat for your... Read More
No?Don't let your child pee or poop every where and... Read More
As a host, you need to consider the people that... Read More
Does baby shower hostess etiquette allow for gift suggestions, if... Read More
Those little containers of baby food sure are expensive once... Read More
When most new parents are preparing for the arrival of... Read More
The experts often tell us that in order to ensure... Read More
Look for Books! The books that you pick to read... Read More
Your baby's first year is filled with many challenges and... Read More
Baby modeling isn't an exclusive art - nor is it... Read More
Reading is one of the most important things you will... Read More
A baby shower is a simple celebration of family and... Read More
Did you know the first strollers appeared during the early... Read More
No aspect of party planning is more crucial and sometimes... Read More
What your baby needs and may not need.There are so... Read More
Around 20% of newborn babies suffer from jaundice. The condition... Read More
The first week of your baby's life brings big adjustments... Read More
When one talk about shower baby gifts, it is clear... Read More
Most parents bond instantly with their babies, an intense feeling... Read More
Choosing a baby name for your new born can be... Read More
When to have a baby shower is a personal choice.... Read More
Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question:... Read More
As many as one in three babies are born with... Read More
Having carried a sizable bump around for a very long,... Read More
Your Libra Baby..September 23 - October 22Libras can be really... Read More
If you start baby travel slowly and plan wisely, both... Read More
You are expecting your first baby and are wondering what... Read More
Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep... Read More
Congratulations! You have just learned that you are having a... Read More
At least one third of households have their TV turned... Read More
The old saying "babies aren't born with instruction manuals" has... Read More
Choosing baby shower themes is the first step in planning... Read More
The addition of baby number 2, 3, or 10 is... Read More
If you're at the stage of wanting to organise a... Read More
Baby boy invitations are the first thing you'll need to... Read More
How Can We Help Children Learn about Character?Children learn about... Read More
Baby shower recipes are available on the Internet and in... Read More
Some things we take for granted. Like getting dressed. Unless... Read More
Baby Rooibos Tea is naturally good for your baby. It... Read More
Should baby sleep in her own cot or... Read More
Mobiles are well known for its effectiveness in capturing and... Read More
First of all, in case you do not know, what... Read More
It might appear to be sufficient to apply some high... Read More
Having a child is a life altering event for you... Read More
Does baby shower hostess etiquette allow for gift suggestions, if... Read More
With so many options out there for baby carriers it... Read More
Babies & Toddler |