CRIB BUYING GUIDE: HOW TO SELECT THE BEST CRIB FOR YOUR BABY?

Purchasing a cribis an exciting time for new parents. Some expectant mothers prefer to set it up a few months before their baby’s due date. This kind of preparation is essential as it gives you time to research and shop around for cribs that suit your requirements. You can expect your baby to spend a majority of his or her time in the crib, especially in the first year of life. Since the transition to a bed won’t occur until around age 3, you will want to invest in a crib that is sturdy and equipped with safety features. 



The following guide will help you select the best crib for your baby:

Space-Saving Features

If you live in a home with limited square footage, it helps to invest in a mini-crib or portable crib. Both options require less than a typical, full-sized crib. Some cribs can be easily collapsed and folded, enabling you to store it away. A few cribs have wheels, making it easier for you to move it around in the house. 

Stability

Most baby care and furniture shops that sell cribs put sample cribs on display. If you find one that suits your needs, test the crib for stability by giving it a good shake. If it rattles, wobbles or makes too many creaking noises, look for something sturdier. It could also mean that the crib was put together incorrectly, in which case it would help to bring this to the sales associate’s attention. 

Mattress

There are two options in crib mattresses: foam and innerspring. Both types are available in thicknesses ranging from 3 inches to 6 inches. When examining mattresses, check for density. A high density is a good indication. 

Frame Size

The interior of the crib must snugly fit a regular crib mattress which typically measures 51 ¾ inches in length and 27 3/8 inches in width. Ensure there isn’t any space on the sides of the mattress or the crib walls. A baby can get trapped in there which is a big safety concern.

Versatile Use

Most cribs can be converted into a daybed or a toddler bed and sometimes even a full bed. Ensure you are able to easily make these transformations and that the appearance of the furniture suits your tastes. Investing in a versatile use crib can save you a lot of money.

Modifiable Mattress Height

Many cribs enable you to adjust the height of the mattress by lowering or raising the mattress support. When your baby has learned to sit up, this is the time to start lowering your mattress. When a child has mastered the ability to sit, they quickly transition to pulling up and standing. This puts them in danger of climbing up and fall out of the crib. 

Along with the features of your child’s crib, there are some safety aspects that you should consider. These are:

Read Safety Guidelines

Before selecting any crib, read the Australian Cot Safety Standard Guidelines. It includes important information, covering both voluntary and mandatory safety standards regarding crib assembly, crib structure, and crib placement. For example, when setting up the crib, place it away from windows, blinds, and drapes. If you are going to place a baby monitor in the crib, keep it at least 3 feet away from the crib. 

Avoid purchasing a crib with the following features:

Drop Sides

Moveable railings were a common feature on most cribs, but they are a serious safety hazard for babies. The drop sides can easily loosen or get detached. A baby may get entrapped, strangled or suffocated in the space between the mattress and the drop side. 

Bumpers

These are cushioned paddings that are attached to the railings within the crib. However, they pose a SIDS risk for babies and are therefore discouraged. 

Old Cribs

Cribs manufactured prior to 1974 are more likely to have several safety concerns than newer models. In addition, second-hand cribs may be coated in lead paint, have lost parts, protruding metal bits, sharp edges, wood splinters or slats that are too widely spaced. Even some cribs built in the 90s can be unsafe. 

Safety Limits

Most crib manufacturers recommend transitioning your baby from a crib to a bed when your child is at a particular height, developmental stage or weight. 

When purchasing a crib for the first time, carefully read the product manual and try to follow the installation recommendations.

For more tips on how to select the best crib for your baby, contact The World Boutique. 
Location: Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Should An Online Baby Boutique Cater For?

Image
In present times, Online Shopping is the trendiest and the most convenient way to shop for any of   your essentials. It gives you the freedom from making endless visits to different stores and in the end feeling tired, frustrated and disappointed sometimes. On the other hand, online shopping can be done any time of the day and things that you wish to buy are just a click away. In this competitive world, it is easier to compare the prices of the online stores and buy at the best bargain.  Online baby boutique is also based on the same concept but the only difference is that with a baby, you never want to take a chance with any online store as sub-standard baby products can cause great harm to your little delicate darling. It becomes mandatory that one goes for such an online baby boutique which has earned the reputation of catering only those baby products which are approved by some state set standards. An online store which has not been set up only with the aim of e...
Read more

5 Baby Bathing Essentials That Make Bathtime Fun

Image
One of the most memorable (and sometimes nerve wrecking) experiences of being a first-time parent is bath time. While the thought of bathing your child may be exciting, you may also be nervous and even scared to do it incorrectly or use the wrong product. Bath time is special because it also helps father bond with their baby. With the baby bathing essentials, you can have bath time fun, safe and comforting for your little one. 1) HOODED TOWEL A hooded towel, especially made of organic cotton is an absolute must. Your little one will be wet from head to toe so after a bathhe/she will likely start to feel cold. Wrapping up in a hooded towel will cover head, ears and entire body (except the adorable face). This will also help to bring your baby’s body temperature back to where it should be. When shopping for a hooded towel, look for ones made from pure cotton. Avoid synthetic fibres as much as possible. 2) BABY CARE PRODUCTS Bath time is incomplete without the right baby products. While...
Read more

Why Every Nursery Should Have A Rocking Chair?

Image
Bringing your new baby home is a wonderful, life-changing experience. You’ve likely been preparing for his or her arrival since the day you confirmed your pregnancy. Apart from purchasing a crib, diaper pail, changing table and other nursery accessories, there is one type of furniture you must consider; it is the rocking chair. Apart from providing oodles and oodles of comfort, there are many benefits to having this piece of furniture in your nursery.  Some of these benefits are: Soothes Crying Infants In the first few weeks of the infant’s life, you can expect to be awakened every two to three hours. This means you will be upin the wee hours of the night. Although you’re perfectly capable of walking around while soothing your baby, it’s too tiring to do this at 3 AM in the morning. This is where a rocking chair comes in handy. A rocking chair enables you to be seated while feeding your infant and helping him or her take a burp. It also enables you to gently rock back and forth. ...
Read more