Important Features to Consider When Buying a Baby Crib
With all the different features of baby cribs, it can be a little overwhelming to sort it all out. This article reviews some of the most comon baby crib features and reviews the pros and cons of each feature.
Is the Baby Crib Made of Quality Materials and Construction? Wooden Baby Cribs/Iron Baby Cribs
You don't often think of the material that the baby crib is made of as an actual feature to consider. But, picking a baby crib that is made from quality materials can make the difference between a baby crib that is used for years and one that you wish you had never bought. Wooden baby cribs should be stained or painted hardwoods like maple, ash, beech, or oak. The overall stability of the baby crib could be threatened by the use of inferior woods in the manufacturing process. This is due to the baby crib slates becoming weakened and/or warped with use. Baby Cribs can also be made from metal such as iron. While Iron Baby Cribs can be beautiful, the styling can be limited over time. If you plan on keeping the baby crib for years, be sure that you think you will like the metal styling in the future.
Issues to Consider with the Baby Crib Side Bar: To Drop or Not to Drop
Baby cribs are made either with fixed, single-drop or double-drop sides. If you are tall, fixed sides are fine for you. I am 5' 8" tall and never lower the sides of my baby's crib. Higher end models will have side rails that lower on both sides of the baby crib. Depending on how you position the baby crib, this could be a nice feature. If you plan on putting your baby crib up against a wall, this feature won't add any benefit to the baby crib.
There are three basic types of drop sides:
* Knee Push-Leaning your knee against the baby crib side to lower it. This is typically a simple and quiet type of drop side.
* Foot Bar-Balancing on one foot, you push a lever to lower the baby crib side. This ma be a bit tricky depending on how you are standing on one foot.
* Double Trigger-You have to use two hands to lower the side. This style is ok as long as you are not holding the baby. But, it is not very convenient since you will most likely have your baby in your arms before you lower the baby crib side.
Ideally, you should be able to lower and raise the side rail with ease. Keep in mind that you will often have your baby in your arms when you are trying to lower the bar. When trying out a model in the store, try lowering the bar yourself while imaging that you have your baby in your arms. This will give you an idea of how easy it will be when you are trying to put your baby down to sleep. Also, be sure that the rails have locking mechanisms to prevent accidental release. You may want to consider how quietly the side rail raises and lowers. You would not want it to wake your sleeping baby.
Does the Baby Crib Allow you to Lower the Mattress?
Make sure your baby crib lets you adjust the height of the mattress. Unless you are tall, a higher mattress will make it easier for you to get your baby in and out of the baby crib. Once your baby starts to move around, you will need to lower the mattress. The baby crib you buy should have at least 2 height positions for the mattress. Some higher end models will have 3 height levels which is a nice bonus feature.
Baby Cribs with Drawers
Some higher end models have drawers in the bottom of the baby crib. If space is an issue for you, this may be a good feature to have. You may be able to put off buying a dresser for your little one. Just beon the bottoms of the drawers (if htere is space for your little one to crawl under the crib.
Baby Cribs with Wheels
Some baby cribs come with wheels. This is a very nice feature if you plan on moving the baby crib around. It can make it easier to change the linens and to clean under the baby crib. Being able to roll a baby crib into another room is also a nice flexibility to have. Metal wheels are better than plastic. Keep in mind that this could be a potential danger as well, especially if you have other children in the home. They could push the baby crib themselves (i.e. down the stairs, up against a window or furniture). Make sure that the wheels have a good, solid locking mechanism. If the baby crib that you want does not come with wheels, you can always buy high quality wheels and install them yourself or have someone install them for you.
Convertible Crib: Baby Cribs that Convert into Other Things
Many baby cribs are designed to convert to a toddler bed, a bench, or even an adult daybed for later use. While this is a very nice feature to have with your baby crib, make sure that you like what it converts to. If it converts to a toddler bed, consider how long your toddler will be able to sleep in it. You may end up having to buy a regular size twin bed in a few years if you child outgrows the toddler bed. Also, most baby cribs with this feature require an additional kit to make the conversion. Be sure to check on how much this kit will cost you before making your decision.
Sarah Holmes, Ph.D. quit her full-time job in order to stay home with her baby girl. She created http://www.BabyCribCentral.com as a free resource to other new moms and dads. Her site compares prices on over 500+ baby cribs from more than 20 online stores allowing you to find the beset price with a click of a button. Her site also offers lots of information about the different types of cribs as well as all sorts of safety information about how to buy and use your new crib safely.
MORE RESOURCES:
Baby, toddler store opens in downtown Dickinson Dickinson Press The store offers a variety of baby, toddler and mom products from booties to nursing supplies. “People really love the children's shoes,” she said. Karen Feininger, a customer of the store, likes the blankets. “I love the store and I love all she has ... |
Patent of the week: Baby, toddler sunglasses Long Island Business News by LIBN Staff Parents try everything to protect their babies and children from the effects of the sun. They are always putting sunscreen on their children, but how do you protect your child's eyes? Babies and toddlers do not want to wear sunglasses, ... |
5 Things You Should Know Today: February 3 Patch.com The Fiske Public Library will hold two Baby/Toddler Playgroups today. Birth to pre-walkers with Mom, Dad or caregiver will meet at 9:30am. Toddlers (walkers) to ages 2½ with Mom, Dad or caregiver will meet at 10:30am. Playgroups are held in the Sweatt ... |
I Got You, Babe: Relief, sadness over nocturnal independence Brandon Sun I have had a baby/toddler/kid who just doesn't sleep. I mean, she sleeps when it's convenient for her, but not so much for me and if she's awake, so am I. I didn't mind so much when I was on maternity leave. After all she was just an infant and I was ... |
Easton Public Library calendar: Jan. 24-26 Easton Courier The following comes from the library: 10:30 — Baby/Toddler Be-Bop. Ages 6-36 months. This 25-minute music and movement class incorporates popular children's songs, finger plays, and simple stories while utilizing props such as puppets, ... |
Programming for kids begins Fergus Falls Daily Journal To start off the new year we have a few of our favorite standbys such as Baby/Toddler and Preschool Storytime, Book Bunch, 2nd Saturday Storytime, and Youth Chess. We will also be continuing with some of our programs that started at the beginning of ... |
WebMD Launches WebMD Baby App for iPhone and iPod touch MarketWatch (press release) The majority of parents (55 percent) find themselves researching information almost daily regarding the health, development or sleep for their baby/toddler. The majority of parents (54 percent) believe the length of time between doctor's visits leaves ... |
 Babble (blog) | 16 High-End Designers Making Baby Clothing for the Spawn of the 1% (Photos) Babble (blog) Well, don't tell these 16 high-end design houses, they have a whole lot of super expensive baby, toddler and kids clothes to sell. But perhaps Gucci, Fendi and Dior are just marketing their clothing to a very select group of parents – the deep pocketed ... |
Wardle Village Church Rochdale Online Come along to our well established Mother and Baby/Toddler Group which meets every Monday and Wednesday between 9.30am and Noon. £1 for adults and 50p for children. Surestart are invited to come each Wednesday. |
Rancho Bernardo/4S Ranch Digest – Issue of Feb. 2, 2012 Pomerado Newspaper Group Soroptimists of Rancho Bernardo are collecting new and gently used baby, toddler and young children's clothing to size 7 to distribute to needy families through North County Interfaith in Escondido. Recipients will be encouraged to bring in clean ... |
|
RELATED SITES Apply Online for Credit Card. Bad Credit, No Credit, No Problem.
Planning a wedding day soon? Everything you need for a beautiful and memorable wedding day
|
When to Have a Baby Shower
When to have a baby shower is a personal choice. It can be held anytime 4-6 weeks before or after the birth.
Backpacking With Children: My Own Adventures
When I had my firstborn I thought I new everything there was to know about raising children. I had read all the books, interviewed all my friends, come from a family full of 'wise' people? you get my meaning.
How to Choose a Baby Gate
Once your baby is out of their crib and playpen, you're going to need some way of ensuring their safety. That's why learning how to choose a baby gate can be one of the most important things you'll do while baby-proofing the house.
Types of Baby Showers
There are different types of baby showers to cover just about any ocassion. Baby Showers have been traditionally for Ladies only.
Baby Car Seat Glossary Guide
To the uninitiated parent, buying a car seat for your child can seem technical at best. There are a dozen terms designers and retail stores use to describe car seats, their various accessories and features.
Make Your Own Baby Food
Those little containers of baby food sure are expensive once you start totaling up how much you use in a day. And now you are probably wondering how you could possibly save money on baby food (besides those $.
Wooden High Chairs Offer Simplicity, Beauty, and Practicality for Todays Busy Families
Wooden high chairs with their looks and functionality make a great addition to any kitchen or dining room, no more plastic, teddy bears or bright colors, so no more hiding your high chair.Wooden High Chairs are simple and elegant and a welcome addition to your home, with designs ranging from contemporary to country and finishes like cherry, oak, natural wood and maple, you are bound to find the wooden high chair that will complement your home as well as your budget.
Baby Shower Food Items
Baby shower food items are one of the most important features of the baby shower. When guests arrive at a baby shower they are expecting food that includes desserts, appetizers, and baby shower finger food.
When To Start Teaching Your Baby (1)
When is it that I should start teaching my baby? That is a question that may come to mind for many first time parents; other parents may never consider the question at all, and just leave things to evolve naturally.In a way, that is an unnecessary question as, whether you like it or not and whether you mean to or not, you begin teaching your baby while it is still in the womb, and then continue through its early years, teenage years, and even into adulthood.
Solving Baby Sleep Problems - Its Time to Sleep
If you're a parent with a young child then here's a question that may make you yawn - what were you doing this morning at 1am, 3am or 5am. Were you sleeping like a baby or were you in fact cuddling and rocking your little cherub in an attempt to get them back to sleep? After all that's what being a parent is all about - isn't it?!A lucky few will have been asleep in bed throughout the night, but a large percentage of the parenting population will have been up feeding or pacing the floor with the little bundles of joy.
A Baby Is Born With Certain Reflexes
A Baby's Reflexes..
Beyond Flash Card : How To Do The Infant Visual Stimulation In Fun And Creative Ways
Babies learn about the environment surrounding them through five senses: vision, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting. Of those five senses, vision is the least developed sense a baby has at birth.
Baby Cribs - Safety Is Key
You have just learned that you are expecting a baby. Even if you have other children, you must take a look at cribs.
Baby Monitor Technology - A Buyers Guide
What is a baby monitor & why do I need one?It might seem like an obvious question these days, but baby monitors are a relatively new innovation. At the most basic level they give the parent freedom from keeping a constant vigil at their baby's bedside (cot-side or Moses basket-side!).
Baby Shower for Mom and the Ladies
Baby Shower for Moms who just wanna have fun! This type of baby shower is not the only type of shower given today. Traditionally, baby showers have been thrown for mommy-to-be and the guest list was strictly women.
Potty Training Facts
Potty training, toilet training, toilet teaching or toilet learning are names frequently used to describe how kids learn to use the bathroom independently.Children who are potty training or ready to potty train will: Walk to the potty and undress Consistently keep underwear clean and dry during the day and/or night Recognise the need to go to the potty and let you know or goes by self Use the potty-chair or toilet by himself or herself.
Unusual Baby Boy Names - Finding Exotic and Unique Baby Names
Unusual baby boy names and finding exotic and unique baby names can be loads of fun! Rather than giving your baby boy a name like Jacob, John or Harry -- you'd prefer him have one of the more exotic and unique baby names.There are several ways to find unusual baby boy names.
Feng Shui Fertility: Six Ways to Create More Baby Chi
Today, feng shui is used for everything from arranging office cubicles to gaining more recognition at work to helping aspiring writers become more prolific. But what if what you want is a baby? When you are trying to conceive, feng shui can be another tool in your fertility arsenal.
Hints And Tips On Scrapbooking Baby's "Firsts"
It is true to say that a lot of people begin to get the scrappin' bug after their child/children are born and usually their first attempt at scrapbooking is making a baby album.Having a child is one of the most important events in our lives and baby's first year is a busy, lively, ever changing journey of discovery.
Baby Shower Favors to Spice up Your Baby Shower
Baby Shower Favors should be at every baby shower for its guests. Cute little items, items that are easily available, are perfect for your baby shower.