How to Choose a Crib and its Features

Posted on: June 15th, 2017\""by Ivana Stamenkovic

Most of their time newborns spend in their crib, so it's important to choose a crib that meets all safety rules. You should also pay attention when choosing all of the crib's features such as a mattress and bedding.

Before buying a crib, some parents use a cradle or a bassinet. They are smaller and have lower weight limits, so your baby will outgrow them quickly.

How to Choose a Crib

The most important thing when buying a crib is that it meets all safety rules. Always check if there have been any recalls on that brand. Be particularly careful when using a second-hand crib. All safety guidelines change over the time, so older products, even if they are in good condition, may not meet current safety standards. Don't forget to look if there are any missing pieces.

Safety and stability should go hand in hand, but that's not always the case. Since most of the children sleep in their crib until the age of 2 or even 3, choose a sturdy crib that won't move along with your child. This crib could last for more than one child.

Before buying a crib, you should think about for how many children and how long are you planning to use it. If you're planning to use the same crib for more than one child - choose a gender neutral crib. But if you don't, you might consider buying a crib that can later convert to a toddler bed or even a full-size bed.

On most of the cribs, you can adjust the height of the crib mattress by simply raising or lowering the mattress support. You should place the mattress to its lowest position as soon as your child begins to push up on his hands and knees.

If you plan to move the crib along with you all around the house - look for the one that has wheels (it's a plus if you can lock the wheels).

Some cribs come with storage underneath, so look for those if there's not enough space in your or your baby's room. There are also cribs with a changing table attached.

How to Choose a Travel or Portable Crib

There's not much difference between a travel and a portable crib. They can both be used instead of a regular crib, but are designed to be more space efficient, lighter in weight and easier to fold for storage or transportation. The main difference is that the portable cribs are usually bigger and they often come with extras (a bassinet, a changing pad, a storage placeā€¦), and travel cribs focus on being small and lightweight when not in use so you could easily carry them around like luggage.

It is important to consider the age range of a travel crib before buying it. Some are suitable for newborns, and some are not.

The other important thing is how easy is for you to assemble the crib.

How to Choose a Mattress

Babies don't need a soft place to place - they need a safe place. The two most common types sold are innerspring and foam mattress.
Innerspring are heavier and more expensive, but also firmer and more durable.

Choose a firm flat mattress (the firmer, the better) that fits snugly (the mattress is too small if you can fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib). Even though the size of both crib and mattress is standardized, not every mattress will fit perfectly in every crib, due to slight variations in each.

It's important how fast the mattress regains its shape when you push your hand down into the middle of it and remove it (the faster, the better). For newborns is hard to change position if the mattress retains its shape. Some foam mattresses have a firm side for infants and a softer side for toddlers.

How to Choose Bedding

Bedding is an important part of your baby's crib since newborns can't regulate their own body temperature. It's important to carefully choose bedding that will keep your baby safe and warm (but not too warm). Newborns shouldn't have any loose bedding or any other soft objects such as pillows, bumper pads, stuffed animals... in their cribs.

Mattress Cover - Choose a waterproof cover. Never use a plastic wrapping as a mattress cover.
Sheet - Choose a simple fitted sheet.
Sleep Sack - Sleep sack is a zipped sleeping bag. It will keep your baby warm and safe during the night. Choose a sleep sack without the hood and try not to buy a sleep sack that's too big since your baby could slide down into it.

Make sure that whatever you buy is machine-washable. And buy a few extra of each, so you don't have to do laundry every day.

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Parenting Baby Caring How To Guide Beginners Guide Baby Safety
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