Bringing a baby into this world is a beautiful thing; filled with joy and wonderment. Before you give birth to your bundle of joy, there are a few things that you will need. In addition to baby clothes, diapers and blankets, you will need a quality crib to hold your baby. Your baby will spend the majority of his time in the crib so it’s important to purchase one that is safe and comfortable. When buying a crib it is best to do your research to ensure that it is safe for your child and there aren’t any recalls on the brand you have chosen. Safety trumps style when buying a crib.

Research

The first step in buying a crib is research. It is very important to research various crib brands before deciding on one. Every crib should have Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association certification. This Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association certification ensures that the crib has been tested extensively for safety and quality. The certification should be on the crib’s packaging or on the brand’s website. If you cannot find this certification anywhere, do not purchase the crib. Also it is best to conduct a general online search to determine if the crib has been recalled. The internet will give you the most accurate information on crib recalls.

The Anatomy of a Safe Crib

There are many variables that make up a safe and reliable crib. Most cribs have corner posts. The corner posts on a crib should be 1/6 of an inch. They should never be higher. If the corner posts are higher it can pose a safety threat by potentially choking a baby if his clothes catch on the posts. The crib you purchase should have slats that are close together. Ideally, they should be 2 3/8 inches apart. Slats that are close together prevents your baby’s head from slipping into it. They also prevents the baby’s head from getting stuck.

In addition to corner posts and slats, you should take into account the mattress and the stability of the crib. A reliable crib should allow you to adjust the height of the mattress. As your baby grows, you will need to adjust the crib so he or she doesn’t fall out. A crib should also be incredibly stable. A good rule of thumb is to rigorously shake the crib to determine whether or not it’s sturdy. If the crib rattles or wobbles back and forth, it is not a stable crib. At this point you will need to look for a more stable crib.

Placement 

Placement is very important when setting up a crib in the nursery. Cribs should be kept away from windows, curtains, blinds and all draperies. This prevents the cords from the curtains and blinds from strangling the baby. Cribs should also be away from radiators or space heaters. There is the potential for a baby to extend their arm through one of the slots and causing a burn or another injury.

Drop-Side Cribs

The United States Product Safety Commission placed a ban on all drop-side cribs in 2011. The ban was due to numerous baby deaths, caused by drop-side cribs. This type of crib allows the parent to push down one side and attend to their child. With drop-side cribs, babies were falling into the drop-side portion and suffocating. With this ban, all retailers are forbidden from selling drop-side cribs.

Finding the perfect crib may take time but it is better to be careful. Your baby depends on you to keep him safe and you can start with purchasing the safest crib.