Buying Guide to Baby Cribs

Among the myriad of necessary purchases that need to be made when a little one is on the way, a crib might just be the most important one. Most cribs are basically the same and serve the same purpose, but there is a little more to it than that.
A crib is a pretty big purchase, so spend your money wisely. Check out cribs that will last you awhile, such as ones that convert to toddler beds. A lot of conversion crib will go from crib to toddler bed, to day bed, to full size bed, growing with your child. These conversion cribs cost a little more, but in the long-run, you'll be saving a lot of money on beds and mattresses.

A crib that's rail arches high in the back might be of more value than asthetic pleasure. When your child reaches the age where they start crawling out of their crib at night (and they all do at some point), you would simply turn the crib around, putting the lower railing side against the wall, effectively keeping them inside their crib. It's a handy little trick that can really only be utilized with this type of crib. Peace of mind is worth it.

Another thing to take into account is the actual size of the crib. A round crib or an overly large one may not be the best choice for a small room. Measure the space where you plan to have the crib BEFORE heading out to the stores. Compare those measurements with that of those you're interested in.

Many cribs come equipped with a bottom storage drawer which slides on metal rails. Instead of just stuffing things under the crib, you could use this feature to store sheets and blankets and not have to head off to the hallway closet for them.

Make sure that the crib has adjustable mattress positions. As your child grows older, you will need to lower mattress down further to keep them from climbing out. This is a pretty standard feature on most cribs, but make sure before you come home with a crib and discover you cannot lower the mattress.