Baby Cribs

Most parents can get away with keeping their newborn in a bassinet for the first few weeks of life; eventually however, all parents will have to invest in some type of baby crib to ensure their newborns safety during the early years.

The number of different crib types available can often be overwhelming. There is sleigh, convertible, mini, wooden and rocking cribs to name a few. Some of the most popular baby cribs are those that convert into a toddler bed.

Other types of convertible baby cribs allow the crib to be attached next to the parents bedside for co-sleeping arrangements. This style of crib is often a popular choice among attachment parenting supporters, who believe that baby is better off sleeping with mom and dad for the first few months of life.


Some of the newest version baby cribs have the capability of rocking your newborn to sleep. This can be an exceptional plus when trying to get a colicky baby to sleep. Keep in mind however, when considering this style of crib that eventually baby will outgrow the rocking crib and have to move to an ordinary bed. The transition might be a little disconcerting at first. Babies develop habits early on, and a baby who learns how to fall asleep with rocking will likely require some type of soothing mechanism in order to fall asleep in the years to come.No matter the type of baby crib you decide on, there are certain important safety factors you should take into consideration before purchasing. These include the following:

One should never buy a "used" crib unless you are certain that it is in quality shape and has all the parts. If you are missing a part, you might be able to order spare parts from the manufacturer. NEVER, EVER try to force a crib so that it works without the spare parts. Your babies life can be in danger. Many an infant has been critically injured or suffocated because of a collapsed crib. Most manufacturers and organizations recommend purchase of a new crib to ensure the safety of your newborn infant.

Make sure that all slats are placed no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Ensure that the mattress fits snugly into the crib, so that there is no more than a two finger width space differential between the edge of the mattress and the side of the crib
Corner posts should be no higher than 1/16 of an inch to prevent entanglement or suffocation. Screws and bolts should all be secure.