What Kind Of Features Should I Look For In My New Crib?

It is only normal for new parents to want to provide their newborn with the finest goods available.

They may be looking for advice on everything from the best first foods for their infant to the top baby toys.

Considering how susceptible infants are, there are many things that should be avoided. Some cribs have enhanced features that make them considerably more useful and secure than others.

What characteristics should parents seek out when shopping for a crib?

The Most Useful Features To Seek In Baby Cribs

Buying a baby crib is a significant financial outlay, so parents naturally want to make the most secure purchase they can. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind while looking for a baby bed.

Bars Need To Be Closed

Having bars that aren't too far apart is a great feature to look for in a crib. Crib bar spacing shouldn't exceed 2.3/8 inches, as recommended by fatherly.com. Parents looking for a crib should take along a measuring device to ensure that the space between the crib's bars meets their needs. If they don't have anything useful like that, a drink can will suffice in a pinch. There is far too much room between the bars if something can fit in there.

Nice To Have Adjustable Mattresses

A crib can include a wide variety of practical accessories. As a parent, this is something you should be on the watch for when browsing cribs for your baby.

In addition, they must ensure that the top of the crib rail is at least 26 inches above the crib mattress. Parents should also be aware that the crib's mattress height will need to be changed as the child develops.

When shopping for a crib, this is one stepparent should take.

Bumpers Are Not Required.

While crib bumpers are often used, parents would be better served by avoiding them altogether. Many may not see an issue with their use, but older infants may be harmed by them.

Having a bumper makes it easier for older children to climb up and out of the crib they are in. The safest option is a crib without a bumper.

Wheels Should Be Locked

Parents may or may not be able to purchase a portable crib for their infant. If a crib has wheels, that's a nice touch, but parents shouldn't rely on them.

Parents looking for a crib with wheels should select one that features lockable casters. It's crucial to do so if the crib will be placed on a hard surface like hardwood or tile. Because of the potential risk to the infant if they do not have this function.

Get A Strong Headboard

The headboard on some cribs is designed with openings. Making the cot more attractive is not a good idea, as it could endanger the baby. Parents looking to purchase a crib should ensure that it has a sturdy headboard.

An infant's head could become trapped in a cutout in the headboard, which is quite dangerous, as stated on webmd.com. For this reason, a sturdy headboard should be one of the criteria parents use to select the best crib.

Corner Posts Should Not Be Too High.

Parents should be prepared to do a lot of measurement while looking for a great, secure crib for their child.

If they're looking for a good crib, low corner posts should be on their list of priorities.

This is crucial because a child's clothing can get trapped on a corner post if it is too high. These items' height should be no more than a sixteenth of an inch at most.

They should also spend considerable time inspecting the various cribs currently available. The broken edges can be highly dangerous for infants; therefore they should be sure to purchase one without any.

Side Rails Should Not Move.

Parents in the market for a crib may consider accepting a gently used one that is being given to them by a relative or friend. Although that's a wonderful thought, and saving money is always a plus, they shouldn't actually go through with it.

Since falling crib side rails pose a serious hazard to infants, kidshealth.org recommends parents search for a crib without them. No swaying of the side rails is permitted. These days, it's rare to come across a crib with adjustable side rails, so it's probably better to shop for a brand-new one.

One of the numerous features to consider when shopping for a crib is whether or not the side rails can be locked in place.

Selecting A Crib

Baby's safety should be your top priority while selecting a crib. As an example, you may see if it complies with the most recent regulations concerning safety. This is of utmost significance when making use of inherited or previously owned furniture, artwork, etc.

While antique cribs may have a certain allure, they are not compliant with the latest standards for crib safety, which dictate that there be no more than 2 3/8 inches between each slat.

The paint used in the finish may also contain lead if it is quite old. If a new piece of furniture has the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association's safety certification label, you can feel confident buying it for your child.

Other Advice To Remember When Choosing And Setup Your Baby's Crib:

• Baby's crib's bar spacing should be 2 3/8 inches.
• No matter how heavy your baby is, the mattress shouldn't give. The mattress shouldn't have any room between it and the crib's sides. Babies shouldn't sleep on soft surfaces like water beds, sheepskins, pillows, sofas, or armchairs.
• The minimum height for a crib's raised side to be above a flat surface when supporting a mattress is 26 inches. As your child grows taller, you should periodically lower the bed's mattress.
• There should be no cuts or embellishments in the headboards and footboards. Safety-hazardous corner posts that could catch on clothing or cause damage must be eliminated.
• Drop-rail cribs should not be used. These should be avoided.
• Your baby's room should be kept free of any flammable materials, including clothing, bedding, and window coverings.
• Despite their widespread use, crib bumpers are not safe for use in cribs. Bumper pads have not been shown to reduce the severity of injuries and actually increase the danger of asphyxia, strangling, and entrapment. As the baby gets bigger, they can use them to help them get out of the crib.
• If you don't want your baby to use a toy or stuffed animal to climb out of the crib, don't put it in there. Babies should never sleep with pillows, comforters, or heavy blankets in a crib, since they pose a suffocation risk if they are forced against the material or if they roll under it.
• Babies do not require any more help from adults or commercial products to sleep on their backs. These bulky items are not necessary and could be dangerous for a baby's safety in the crib.
• Don't put the crib near a window, where the infant could be bothered by the light and the draught. An overly close proximity between a cot and a radiator might cause overheating and discomfort for the baby.
• Make sure there are no drapery or blind cords hanging nearby that could choke the baby.
• Be sure that all of the bedding, clothing, and window coverings in your child's room are flame resistant.
• When a youngster reaches about 3 feet in height, it is time for them to transition to a bed. To reduce the risk of injury to your infant from rolling out of bed, you may want to try placing the mattress on the floor at first.

Select A High-Quality Crib For Your Newborn.

Given that the wife is expecting our first child this summer, this is a topic that is very close to my heart. We can't wait to meet our kid, and we both want the best for her.

Newborns spend nearly all of their time sleeping, which may come as a surprise to parents who have just been hit with yet another laundry and diaper mountain. A non-toxic cot, bassinet, or co-sleeper is an essential part of a baby's green bedroom.

Even though these choices may initially seem uncomplicated, they can rapidly become fraught with emotion due to the abundance of options for infant supplies. Knowing the basics of crib construction will help you avoid falling for greenwashing and other deceptive marketing tactics.

Then you'll have a better chance of picking out a crib and other nursery necessities that are actually safe for your baby and the environment.

This Leaf Score series investigates potential issues with harmful substances in cribs and analyses the most important US safety rules and certifications for cribs. In addition, we enquire as to the imminence of your crib's necessity and the specifics of your prefered style of crib.

Important Factors To Consider When Purchasing A Crib

While it would be nice if cribs and other baby nursery necessities could be truly non-toxic, the reality is that this is rarely the case. Businesses frequently use this word but continue to market goods that contain harmful substances like formaldehyde and lead.

We don't see how they can get away with this. For starters, "non-toxic" isn't a legally binding word, and the sole federal safety criteria for cribs are concerned primarily with the crib's structural soundness and the absence of lead and phthalates. What are the telltale signs that a crib is not just non-toxic but also environmentally friendly?

There are some essential factors to think about before making the crib purchase:

• What is the crib composed of, and what stains and finishes, if any, are used?
• Does the crib have any certificates, and does it adhere to safety standards?
• What conditions and where were there when the crib was made?
• Will a normal mattress fit in the crib?

#1. The Best Hardwood Cribs Are Sustainably Sourced.

The best types of cribs are those crafted from kiln-dried, sustainably sourced hardwood that has either been left unfinished or finished with a non-toxic oil like linseed oil, beeswax, or another natural vegetable oil.

It can be costly to ensure that these requirements are met, and not everyone lives near a business that produces such cribs. The price and environmental impact of transporting a hefty oak crib are both significant considerations.

#2. Think About Crib Mobility

Some parents may have trouble, too, if they have to frequently move the crib from one room to another, and the weight of the crib is one of the reasons why. Walnut is a strong hardwood that is slightly lighter in weight than ash, maple, oak, cherry, or mahogany, making it a reasonable compromise while being more expensive.

Cribs with wheels make it much simpler to relocate if ever necessitated and are included on some but not all crib designs.

#3. Second Best Are Softwood Cribs

Cribs constructed from unfinished pine or poplar are a close second. Once a baby begins biting on its crib (which they do! ), these softwoods are more likely to show signs of wear and tear, including tooth marks.

In contrast, softwood cribs are easily moved about and often cost significantly less. Don't trust cribs that look like they're made of hardwood but are actually made of softwood. Because of the glues used to bind the wood components together, so-called "composite" woods nearly usually contain VOCs like formaldehyde.

#4. Don't Use Engineered Or Composite Wood

Cribs made of engineered or composite wood should be avoided. Particleboard, plywood, fibreboard, and medium-density fibreboard are all examples of manmade boards that frequently contain formaldehyde.

The mattress supports and other structural components of many cribs, despite the manufacturer's assurances that they are made entirely of pine, turn out to be fibreboard instead. Check the contents of the crib carefully before making a purchase.

#5. Check For Cribs That Are Free Of Lead And Phthalate

Again, a lead and phthalate-free crib is preferable to one that only complies with government safety rules for maximum permitted levels of these toxins; the words "lead safe" and "phthalate safe" are synonymous with "lead-safe" and "phthalate-safe," respectively.

For the most part, you can assume that a crib won't contain any harmful substances if it's manufactured entirely of hardwood or softwood that's either untreated or finished with linseed oil.

Check for a label that says the crib is lead-, phthalate-, formaldehyde-, and VOC-free whether it has been painted or stained or has composite wood, plastic teething guards, or any other component.

#6. Recalls And Regulations For Crib Safety

If you're considering purchasing a used crib, it's important to verify the crib's manufacturing date and inspect each part for damage.

Crib slats were made stronger, so they wouldn't break, and the hardware and mattress support were made more long-lasting as part of these safety upgrades. The elimination of drop-side cribs was the most significant alteration.

These cribs were common, but they've been phased out in favour of safer fixed-side models for babies. Due to faulty hardware and design, there was sometimes a space that infants may slip into and suffocate in between the mattress and the drop-side.

Mattresses for ordinary North American cribs are typically 28 inches wide by 52 inches long. However, not all cribs are designed to accommodate such mattresses, creating a potential safety issue. To ensure the safety of your infant, you should use a crib and mattress set up in which the mattress completely fills the space provided by the crib. There should be no space between the mattress and the crib, as this may cause serious injury to the baby if it fell through.

Conclusion

Some cribs have more advanced features than others, making them safer and more convenient for parents. According to fatherly.com, the maximum allowed crib spacing is 2.3/8 inches. It is recommended that parents who want a mobile cot to choose one with casters seek for ones that can be locked. When shopping for a safe and comfortable crib, parents should come prepared to conduct a lot of measuring. For example, a headboard with a recess large enough for a baby's head to fit inside is very risky.

For the safety of their infants, parents should look for a crib that lacks sidebars that can come loose. A crib's elevated side must be at least 26 inches above the mattress while the mattress is in place. Water beds, sheepskins, pillows, sofas, and armchairs are all unsafe places for infants to sleep. The use of bumper pads in cribs is not recommended. Leaf Score analyses the most important US safety rules and certifications for cribs and investigates potential problems with dangerous compounds in cribs.

The term "non-toxic" is not legally obligatory, and the federal safety guidelines are primarily concerned with the crib's structural soundness and the absence of lead and phthalates rather than the presence of these substances. Cribs made from kiln-dried hardwood from sustainable forests are the finest option. Walnut is a lightweight but durable hardwood that contrasts with more common species, including ash, maple, oak, cherry, and mahogany. Baby cribs that appear like hardwood but are built of softwood should be avoided at all costs. A lead, phthalate, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compound (VOC), the free label should be present on a cot that has been painted or stained, has composite wood, plastic teething guards, or any other material. Check the date of manufacture and go over the crib carefully for any signs of wear or damage.

Content Summary

• Some cribs have enhanced features that make them considerably more useful and secure than others.
• Having bars that aren't too far apart is a great feature to look for in a crib.
• Parents looking for a crib should take along a measuring device to ensure that the space between the crib's bars meets their needs.
• A crib can include a wide variety of practical accessories.
• Parents may or may not be able to purchase a portable crib for their infant.
• The headboard on some cribs is designed with openings.
• Parents looking to purchase a crib should ensure that it has a sturdy headboard.
• Since falling crib side rails pose a serious hazard to infants, kidshealth.org recommends parents search for a crib without them.
• One of the numerous features to consider when shopping for a crib is whether or not the side rails can be locked in place.
• Baby's safety should be your top priority while selecting a crib.
• If a new piece of furniture has the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association's safety certification label, you can feel confident buying it for your child.
• No matter how heavy your baby is, the mattress shouldn't give.
• Your baby's room should be free of flammable materials, including clothing, bedding, and window coverings.
• If you don't want your baby to use a toy or stuffed animal to climb out of the crib, don't put it in there.
• These bulky items are unnecessary and could be dangerous for a baby's safety in the crib.
• Keep the crib from a window where the infant could be bothered by the light and the draught.
• To reduce the risk of injury to your infant from rolling out of bed, try placing the mattress on the floor first.
• A non-toxic cot, bassinet, or co-sleeper is essential to a baby's green bedroom.
• Knowing the basics of crib construction will help you avoid falling for greenwashing and other deceptive marketing tactics.
• Then you'll have a better chance of picking out a crib and other nursery necessities that are safe for your baby and the environment.
• This Leaf Score series investigates potential issues with harmful substances in cribs and analyses the most important US safety rules and certifications.
• In addition, we enquire about the imminence of your crib's necessity and the specifics of your preferred crib style.
• Businesses frequently use this word but continue to market goods that contain harmful substances like formaldehyde and lead.
• For starters, "non-toxic" isn't a legally binding word, and the sole federal safety criteria for cribs are concerned primarily with the crib's structural soundness and the absence of lead and phthalates.
• The best cribs are those crafted from kiln-dried, sustainably sourced hardwood that has either been left unfinished or finished with a non-toxic oil like linseed oil, beeswax, or another natural vegetable oil.
• The price and environmental impact of transporting a hefty oak crib are significant considerations.
• Some parents may have trouble, too, if they have to move the crib from one room to another frequently, and the weight of the crib is one of the reasons why.
• In contrast, softwood cribs are easily moved about and often cost significantly less.
• Only trust cribs that look like they're made of hardwood but are made of softwood.
• Cribs made of engineered or composite wood should be avoided.
• If you're considering purchasing a used crib, verifying the crib's manufacturing date and inspecting each part for damage is important.
• To ensure your infant's safety, you should use a crib and mattress set up in which the mattress completely fills the space provided by the crib.