Choosing the Right Crib

Having a new addition to the family is an exciting, sometimes overwhelming, time filled with so many new decisions. Getting everything ready for the new baby can seem like it’s never ending! With all the clothing, planning, and baby-proofing, sometimes it feels like it’ll never be done. To make your life little easier in a hectic time, we’ll give you some tips on one of the most important pieces to welcome your new baby home – the crib.

Safety First

Babies are precious, and ever so delicate. Choosing a crib starts by taking a look at the safest options available. Let’s look at the most important safety precautions when shopping for a crib.

As a rule of thumb, crib bars or slats should never be wider than 2 ⅜ inches apart. This is roughly the size of a can of soda and is less than you think. So, if you can fit a soda can through the slats, they’re too far apart. It’s a quick field test, and using measuring tape is more accurate, but you can always try this test on the fly if one isn’t available.

After 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission put a ban on all drop-side cribs – so these are out of the question. Avoid these at all costs and opt for a safer design instead. Also, make sure the crib’s top rail is 26 inches above the mattress. As your child grows, keep track of this and lower the mattress when needed.

If the crib has wheels, check to see if they can lock. Being able to lock the crib’s wheels to ensure its stability is crucial. Also, cutouts purely for decoration are not recommended. They create extra openings that may result in dangerous situations for small children.

Make sure any extras, like embellishments, have rounded edges to avoid clothing getting caught. Hard edges can also carry the risk of splinters or bruises. As a rule, it’s better if cribs are simple. Having simple, sturdy cribs is the best way to go for safety.

Picking Designs

Now that you have the guidelines for crib safety, you can focus on style and functionality. Getting a crib that is the right fit for you and your family is one of the first steps to baby prep! Once you find the perfect crib, you can really get to work on the rest of the nursery, so let’s take a look!

Keeping it simple doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Elements like the color, slats, feet, and material can go a long way towards making a truly unique piece. For example, some cribs have ornate elements that make them stand out, like rounded sides and slanting feet.

The options for color are also a significant factor in tying the nursery together. For a modern look, darker stains can be used, and for a traditional look, lighter more natural wood can be used.

For longevity, buying conversion cribs can be incredibly useful. Just as safe, these marvelous designs make it so you only need to invest in a child’s bed once for years of use. All the cribs available at Kings Impressions are conversion cribs and can be transformed into a toddler bed, day bed, and a full-sized bed.  

At Kings Impressions, we provide cribs that are conscientiously crafted for your baby’s safety. All the cribs meet federal standards and are built to last a lifetime. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call or contact us for more information.