Important Features to Consider When Buying a Baby Crib

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 for Your Baby Shower Gift

Baby clothes are one of the most popular types of... Read More

Keeping Your New Baby Safe

After all the baby furniture is purchased, you'll have to... Read More

A Special Formula for Baby!

Choosing to breastfeed the baby is one of the most... Read More

A New Baby can be Expensive!

A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope... Read More

Intersting Baby Facts - Strange But True!

* A baby is born every seven seconds.* Babies are... Read More

How Often Should A One-Month Baby Go for Check Up?

What happen during the first month of your newborn, does... Read More

Wooden High Chairs Offer Simplicity, Beauty, and Practicality for Todays Busy Families

Wooden high chairs with their looks and functionality make a... Read More

Baby Development - But What Role do Parents Play?

It is truly amazing the development that a baby experiences... Read More

Advantages Of A Sheepskin Underlay For Babies

Sheepskin offers unique advantages as an underlay for babies. One... Read More

The Colic Baby

When a baby has colic, the family environment is stressful... Read More

Selecting The Right Type of Stroller For Your Lifestyle

Having a baby is exciting, but also very tough! There... Read More

How to Meet the Dietary Needs of Babies ? Health, Palate, and Lifestyle

More and more studies are proving that food has a... Read More

Healthy Baby Food - When is the Best Time to Start Consuming Juice?

Mother's milk is the best choice for healthy baby food.... Read More

Potty Training After a Divorce or Separation

Many parents share custody of their children, which presents a... Read More

Tough Time Deciding on a Name for Your Baby?

The conversation went something like this:"Hey honey, when we get... Read More

Choosing a Personalized Baby Gift

Have you been invited to a baby shower or asked... Read More

How Toddlers Can Benefit From Using Computers

It's a fact of life that we live in an... Read More

Baby Proof Your Home - Frequently Asked Questions

Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of... Read More

Baby Shower Checklist for Planning a Baby Shower

Most shower checklists will suggest you start planning approximately four... Read More

Potty Training in One Day - Can You Really Potty Train in a Day? What Does It Mean?

Sounds great ? doesn't it?Or does it sound too good... Read More

Baby Car Seat Glossary Guide

To the uninitiated parent, buying a car seat for your... Read More

Five Easy Steps to Potty Train Your Baby

No?Don't let your child pee or poop every where and... Read More

Baby Shower Gifts

As a host, you need to consider the people that... Read More

Baby Shower Hostess Etiquette

Does baby shower hostess etiquette allow for gift suggestions, if... Read More

Make Your Own Baby Food

Those little containers of baby food sure are expensive once... Read More

New Parents Rely on Other Moms & Dads to Prepare for Baby

When most new parents are preparing for the arrival of... Read More

Fussy Eaters

The experts often tell us that in order to ensure... Read More

How To Look For Baby Books

Look for Books! The books that you pick to read... Read More

Your Baby And Social Skills

Your baby's first year is filled with many challenges and... Read More

The Making of a Mini-Model

Baby modeling isn't an exclusive art - nor is it... Read More

Top 3 Must Have Books for Your Baby or Toddler

Reading is one of the most important things you will... Read More

What to Do if the Baby Shower Guests Dont Know Each Other

A baby shower is a simple celebration of family and... Read More

Stroller Facts And Tips

Did you know the first strollers appeared during the early... Read More