How to Choose a Crib for Your Baby

When my wife and I started shopping for baby items, one of the first things we shopped for was a crib. But as first time parents, we had no idea what to look for. There were so many types and styles. How do you choose which crib to buy? Can we save money by purchasing a used crib? We had a lot of questions.

Aside from the typical things to think about when buying any piece of furniture (such as color, style, quality of construction, etc.) there is one thing you absolutely must consider when purchasing a crib for your baby...and that is SAFETY!

We've all heard the horrible stories of babies who have died in crib accidents. What makes these stories even worse is that most of the time the accidents could have been avoided by following some simple guidelines. But first time parents have no experience, and it takes some time to get into the mindset of always thinking of safety issues when it comes to your baby. But safety IS the number one thing to consider when it comes to your baby. So here are some guidelines to consider when purchasing your baby's crib. (This is by no means an exhaustive list, so do your research and find out as much as you can.)

Use a crib made after 1992. This is because cribs made prior to that time won't meet the safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM).

Make sure the crib mattress fits snuggly. A rule of thumb is that you should be able to slide only one finger between the side rails and the mattress. This goes for the headboard too. If the space is wider than that, your baby can get trapped between the crib and the mattress.

Don't use a crib that has raised corner posts above 1/16 of an inch. Baby's clothing can get caught on high corner posts and potentially strangle the baby.

Don't use a crib that has decorative cutouts in the headboard because your baby's head could get trapped there.

Make sure that the slats on the crib are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Again, your baby's head could get trapped in between the slats.

Be sure to tighten all screws, bolts, and other hardware so that the crib is secure and not at risk of collapsing. Loose screws or other hardware could also snag clothing, increasing the risk of strangulation.

Do not put pillows, comforters, blankets, or stuffed animals in a crib. Don't use pillow-like bumper pads either. All these items can increase the risk of suffocation.

Don't purchase a used crib, and don't accept cribs that are offered to you by well meaning relatives or friends. Sure, you can check the used crib for all these safety issues and even research if it was manufactured before 1992, but why even take that risk? Get a new crib and make sure yourself that all parts are securely in place. Save your money on other discount items that don't have safety issues.

Have any other recommendations? Please share your comments.