Having a newborn baby is so exciting, and truly one of the best things you will ever experience. If you are like me, you will want to prepare early for the baby’s arrival, including everything from finding the right crib to buying the clothes he or she will be wearing those first several months. While many parents often overlook this, the right crib ensures the babies have a comfortable place to sleep once they arrive.
But how do you find the right crib? In the past, parents had very limited choices on what to find for their babies. Fast forward to today and the possibilities seem almost endless! That’s why I wanted to discuss several things to think about in order to choose the ideal crib for your baby. So here you have it:
1) Start Searching Early
Your journey of finding the right crib for your baby should start early. It is essential to take your time when getting the necessities for your baby. Other than the crib itself, you will also need to choose the bedding and other accessories for your newborn’s room, including a changing table, dresser, rocker, etc. Early preparations will help ensure that you will not only have time to find the perfect finishes but that if they are on back-order, you will still receive them on time – trust me, I’ve been there!
The team at visionbedding.com/custom/baby-bedding, for example, recommends customizing your baby’s beddings and their crib to look more comfortable and inviting for your newest addition. You can customize their blankets, bedsheets, and even the bedroom walls with pictures they may love. Early preparations will ensure all these things are ready on time. It also prevents the struggle of running to find the crib and bedding once the baby comes and you have a million other things to think about.
2) Consider the Size of the Room
The size of the room where the crib will fit significantly determines its design and measurements. If the baby’s nursery is small, you will need a simple crib with fewer to no extensions. These extensions can include the drawers, curvy legs, and more. You may also need to consider between a pack-and-play or bassinet.
It is essential to take the rough sketch of the room and its measurements with you when finding the right bed. Taking these details prevents you from buying the wrong crib that won’t fit or getting something huge that will create inconveniences. You can visit the store, make a shortlist of the items you might need, and then go home to take the measurements. Once you are sure of everything, you can go ahead and make your purchases.
3) Fixed or Convertible Bed?
Will you need a fixed crib that you will replace once the baby gets older or a convertible crib to adapt to your child’s growth? Newborn babies require a very small amount of space, more or less like a baby cot. Many of these cribs come with conversion materials that can convert from a simple cot to a toddler’s bed. Children grow up very fast, and soon, they will need to leave their infant cot for an actual bed.
You can also buy a convertible crib that your child can grow with. This idea reduces the struggle of incurring more expenses, as well as in finding a new crib a few months down the line. You can also buy a standard cot (or pack-and-play) and resell it later when finding a bed. Some parents will store the cot and purchase a crib if expecting another baby or simply give it away.
4) Fixed Side or Drop Rails
How do you prefer the sides? Babies’ crib comes with two finishings on the side. You can opt for the fixed side or have one with dropping rails. All these have the same uses, and the choice entirely depends on individual considerations. If you don’t like the drop rails, usually because of safety concerns, you can choose a one-handed fixed side operation. As mentioned, the dropping rails beds have had issues with many parents opting for the fixed side ones. This is because the dropping handle might malfunction, injuring the baby.
5) Beds on Wheels
You can decide to choose a fixed crib or one that has wheels for your baby. This idea will entirely depend if you want the crib to remain in a permanent position or you need to move it from one place to another. With wheels, you can move the cot easily around. This movement can be from their room to yours or from the bedroom to the family room, and other places. If you plan to use the crib in a fixed location, you don’t need the wheeled option. Sometimes the crib on wheels turns can be dangerous to toddlers who may want to move it from one place to another.
You will also need to consider other factors when finding your baby’s bed, including the type of mattress you will want, as well as teething rails, and the bed’s weight. This guide is only for parents looking for a newborn baby crib. When buying a second-hand crib, you have to follow the right procedures to ensure you get the safest – and cleanest – bed for your baby. You should also ensure that you have a reasonable budget to cater to all the bedding needs, as well as clothes and diapers – because those all add up too!
6) Non-Toxic Cribs
One more important factor is to choose a non-toxic bed for your baby. Many cribs are made using toxic materials containing many harmful chemicals. Buying a non-toxic bed will reduce your baby’s exposure to toxins and also give you peace of mind.
