Of all the items on your baby shopping list, a crib probably will be among the most challenging to select. There's a vast array of cribs on the market, ranging from economy and midpriced models to high-end cribs with hand-painted details and European influences that up the style ante.
Whatever style you choose, you'll want a crib that's durable, safe and matches your taste and budget. Increasingly, you'll find crib styles that adapt as your child grows-from toddler bed to day bed to full-size bed. So making the right choice now means you may not have to shop for your child's bed later.
Recent recalls have raised concerns about the safety of cribs with drop sides. We recommend that you look first for a crib with stationary sides until more stringent and comprehensive safety standards are developed. CR's tests do not address the durability issues associated with recent recalls that could impact safety.
While you may consider a bassinet, cradle, or co-sleeper at first (some common alternatives for your baby's first four months or so), your child is safest in a crib. Cribs are the only beds for babies that are required to meet certain standards issued by the federal government. There are no federally mandated standards for bassinets, cradles, or co-sleepers.
comply with ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) standards for bassinets (indicated by a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association or JPMA certification logo on the package), but they are not required to do so. JPMA certification on a bassinet can offer a layer of protection that uncertified models cannot.
In the absence of any safety standards for co-sleepers, the ASTM International has recently agreed to develop co-sleeper or "bedside" sleeper standards after being lobbied by Consumers Union. In the meantime, co-sleepers on the market are not required to meet any standards, and are consequently an "unregulated" product. Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, recommends against the use and purchase of co-sleepers until a safety standard is developed.
Convertibility. Consider buying a crib that converts to a toddler bed only if you don't plan to have more children soon. Otherwise, you'll need the crib for your next baby and never get the chance to convert it. Consider buying a convertible crib if you don't mind ending up with a toddler bed that's very crib-like. Many convertible cribs can be switched to a "big girl" or "big boy" bed simply by removing one drop side; the basic look of the crib remains. On the other hand, some parents report that the change from a crib to a toddler bed is so small that toddlers have an easier time making the transition. Finally, keep in mind that some convertible beds require parts that typically aren't included in the original purchase, such as bed rails, stabilizing rails, or support rails (for converting to a full-size bed).
Some models include a drawer or two under the mattress support structure. Under-crib drawers usually are not attached to the crib frame. Some are freestanding and roll out from under the crib on casters. Some cribs have a set of drawers attached to the short end of the unit. Before buying, pull any drawer all the way out to inspect its construction. You may find that it has a thin, cardboard-like bottom that could bow and give way when loaded with linens or clothing. A drawer bottom made of a harder material, such as fiberboard, is more likely to hold up.
Recent recalls have raised concerns about the safety of cribs with drop sides. We recommend that you look first for a crib with stationary sides until more stringent and comprehensive safety standards are developed. CR's tests do not address the durability issues associated with recent recalls that could impact safety.
Cribs with dark wood finishes are available, although cribs in lighter stains such as natural wood, oaks, and maples tend to be more popular. White, however, remains the most common crib color. Other painted colors include off-whites, washed whites (revealing the wood's grain), and pastel green, blue, pink, or yellow. A little roughness in the finish isn't a problem as long as there are no serious defects such as splintering or peeling paint.
All full-size cribs have at least two mattress height positions; more expensive models have three or four. To prevent your baby from falling out of the crib, adjust the mattress support to its lowest height as soon as she can sit or pull up, usually between 6 and 8 months of age. Many models don't require tools for adjusting mattress height; in some models, screws or bolts are hard to reach.
Most mattress supports consist of a metal frame with springs. In some cribs, the mattress support is a one-piece board; in some cases, they are just hangers that support a spring wire grid frame, or a grid with wood slats. The mattress supports are adjustable so the mattress can be raised or lowered, depending on the size of the child. Mattress supports need to be held securely in place so they aren't dislodged when you're changing a crib sheet or when another child or large pet pushes up from underneath.
Crib sides are constructed by fitting bars (or spindles or slats) into holes in the top and bottom rails, then securing each bar with glue and one or two metal brads. The small holes made by the brads are usually filled and covered with a finish so they're invisible. A mandatory safety standard requires that crib slats be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, so slat spacing shouldn't be an issue. Corner posts or finials should be either less than 1/16 of an inch or more than 16 inches high, to avoid the possibility of a child's clothing catching on it.
Sturdiness is a sign of construction quality. One or more stabilizer bars-metal rods fastened to both end boards beneath the crib-help make the frame more rigid.
These are smooth, plastic coverings for the top of the side rails to protect the crib and a gnawing baby's gums. The voluntary industry standard says teething rails should be built to stay in place and not crack or break.
Plastic or metal crib wheels can be standard rollers or round, multidirectional, ball-shape casters that swivel and make it easier to haul a crib from one room to another. Not all cribs come with them, which isn't an issue if your crib won't be venturing out of the nursery. If your baby's crib will be on bare wood or tile floors and you choose a crib with wheels, make sure they lock to prevent the crib from "walking" across the room-and the other children from taking baby on a joy ride when your back is turned.
