Instead of going crazy baby-proofing the whole house when a newborn is on the way, parents should take a deep breath, relax, and focus. More specifically, the focus should be on choosing the best crib possible. After all, a newborn isn't going to spend that much time crawling around the kitchen. Instead, he or she is going to be sleeping, napping, and resting a lot in the bedroom or nursery.
The cornerstone to a safe and healthy baby is a new crib that's up to the contemporary safety standards. It might be quaint or lovely to use a hand-me-down crib from your own youth, but with splinters and lead paint, not to mention years of aging, the best bet is to buy something new. After all, safety is the most important concern here, and it is possible to get a brand-new crib with a classic design and feel.
Most children will sleep in their crib until two or three years of age, so invest wisely and make sure that the crib you choose is going to last. This is also especially important if there are plans for more children in the future, as the crib might be housing more than one baby throughout the course of its time in your home.
Clueless about where to begin when looking for cribs? You can relax a little bit. Most stores know the current safety standards, and if they're selling new equipment, you can be assured that it's going to be up to snuff. However, be sure to pay attention to the moving parts, whether or not the railings look well-secured, and above all else, make sure the entire crib itself is well-built and looks sturdy enough to hold a child.
Most cribs have one or both railings that lower. Circular cribs, one of the more chic and contemporary designs that are supposed to promote a good night's sleep because of the cozy nature, usually only have a railing that lowers on one side. Whether you go with something more classic or more contemporary is largely a matter of taste, since safety standards are the same for both.
If your family is more interested in a device that can grow with the child, or is only planning on having one child, there are convertible cribs that will serve as a bed from the time you bring your child home until the time he or she moves out. These convertible cribs start out as cribs, convert to toddler beds, and then some even convert to day-beds after that. It's a good investment for the long-term.
Most of the time, parents have to buy the crib mattress separate from the crib. Just like regular mattresses, there are foam and spring options. Just like cribs, crib mattresses have their own safety standards, so a reputable store should provide only the best models.
Making sure that your child cannot wedge his or her hand under the mattress is the most important part of checking the safety of a crib mattress. Sometimes baby bumpers help to diminish this problem.
As for the crib itself, be sure to double-check that there isn't enough room between the crib's slats for a child to fit his or her head and get stuck. Also make sure that the railing mechanism is secure, and that a child hoisting himself onto his feet isn't going to pull the railing down.
As your child grows, it might be important to add a teething rail, so that when your child begins teething, he or she won't be chewing on the actual wood of the crib. Bumper guards are also a good bet, as they line the crib and make it so your child won't hit his or her head when rolling around during sleep.
A really nice and important thing to not forget after all of that technical safety information and concerns is that the crib is your child's first bed, and that some nice and thoughtful touches are important. Musical mobiles and toys, as well as stuffed animals and other items are an important comforting device, but more than that, it is a child's first education. Stimulation and entertainment are both important, but most toys go a step further and are the first chance for your newborn to develop his or her coordination. Just make sure that toys are safely secured and age-appropriate to avoid any hazards or accidents.
The cornerstone to a safe and healthy baby is a new crib that's up to the contemporary safety standards. It might be quaint or lovely to use a hand-me-down crib from your own youth, but with splinters and lead paint, not to mention years of aging, the best bet is to buy something new. After all, safety is the most important concern here, and it is possible to get a brand-new crib with a classic design and feel.
Most children will sleep in their crib until two or three years of age, so invest wisely and make sure that the crib you choose is going to last. This is also especially important if there are plans for more children in the future, as the crib might be housing more than one baby throughout the course of its time in your home.
Clueless about where to begin when looking for cribs? You can relax a little bit. Most stores know the current safety standards, and if they're selling new equipment, you can be assured that it's going to be up to snuff. However, be sure to pay attention to the moving parts, whether or not the railings look well-secured, and above all else, make sure the entire crib itself is well-built and looks sturdy enough to hold a child.
Most cribs have one or both railings that lower. Circular cribs, one of the more chic and contemporary designs that are supposed to promote a good night's sleep because of the cozy nature, usually only have a railing that lowers on one side. Whether you go with something more classic or more contemporary is largely a matter of taste, since safety standards are the same for both.
If your family is more interested in a device that can grow with the child, or is only planning on having one child, there are convertible cribs that will serve as a bed from the time you bring your child home until the time he or she moves out. These convertible cribs start out as cribs, convert to toddler beds, and then some even convert to day-beds after that. It's a good investment for the long-term.
Most of the time, parents have to buy the crib mattress separate from the crib. Just like regular mattresses, there are foam and spring options. Just like cribs, crib mattresses have their own safety standards, so a reputable store should provide only the best models.
Making sure that your child cannot wedge his or her hand under the mattress is the most important part of checking the safety of a crib mattress. Sometimes baby bumpers help to diminish this problem.
As for the crib itself, be sure to double-check that there isn't enough room between the crib's slats for a child to fit his or her head and get stuck. Also make sure that the railing mechanism is secure, and that a child hoisting himself onto his feet isn't going to pull the railing down.
As your child grows, it might be important to add a teething rail, so that when your child begins teething, he or she won't be chewing on the actual wood of the crib. Bumper guards are also a good bet, as they line the crib and make it so your child won't hit his or her head when rolling around during sleep.
A really nice and important thing to not forget after all of that technical safety information and concerns is that the crib is your child's first bed, and that some nice and thoughtful touches are important. Musical mobiles and toys, as well as stuffed animals and other items are an important comforting device, but more than that, it is a child's first education. Stimulation and entertainment are both important, but most toys go a step further and are the first chance for your newborn to develop his or her coordination. Just make sure that toys are safely secured and age-appropriate to avoid any hazards or accidents.
About the Author:
When buying Prams and Pushchairs, Byron Jonas trusts none other than Go Bubba Go. They simply stock the ultimate prams for growing families
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