A high-quality baby crib is the most important item in your baby’s nursery. Depending on your child’s development rate, he’ll remain in the crib until he is between 1 and 3 years of age, or until he can crawl out of it. You’ll want to do your research and make a wise investment in this area.

Safety is the most important consideration when buying a baby crib. While perusing baby crib reviews, you should look for features including a snug-fitting mattress and properly spaced slats.

Types of Baby Cribs

Cribs come in four basic styles:

• Canopy baby crib: Canopy cribs lend elegance to the nursery. Parents can hang fabric from a metal frame that attaches to four corner posts on the crib. If you purchase a canopy baby crib, make sure that the fabric is completely out of the baby’s reach.
• Convertible baby crib: A convertible baby crib can eventually be converted into a toddler bed, and possibly into a full-size bed. A convertible baby crib is more expensive than most other models, but purchasing these crib sets means parents won’t have to buy beds as their children get older.
• Round baby crib: Round cribs are a relatively new trend. They usually have a single drop side.
• Standard baby crib: Standard cribs come with a single drop side or a double drop side, which makes it easier to take your baby in and out of the baby crib.

What to Look for in a Baby Crib

Safety is the primary concern when shopping for a baby crib. When looking at crib sets, make sure the space between the crib slats (or bars) is no more than 2 3/8 inches wide, so that your baby’s head won’t get stuck between the slats.

The mattress height should be adjustable, and the mechanism that does this should be secure. The crib frame should be stable–if you shake it and it feels wobbly, choose another model. Finally, make sure the mattress fits snugly against the crib frame. You should not be able to fit two fingers between the side of the mattress and the crib.

Be cautious of used cribs, as they may not meet current safety standards. In addition, used cribs could have:

• Lead paint
• Slats that are too far apart
• Splinters.

Many cribs come with extra features, such as casters (metal or plastic wheels that make it easy to move the crib) and drawers for extra storage. Explore these features, check baby crib reviews and peruse crib sets that best fit your lifestyle.

Baby Crib Recalls

Sometimes, manufacturers will announce a baby crib recall. For this reason, you should be careful about buying a used crib, as it can be difficult to determine if it has been subject to a crib recall.

You can check for a crib recall by visiting the websites of Consumer Reports or the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It’s also important to send in your product registration card after you buy a baby crib, so you’ll be notified if your crib model is recalled.