Things Every Parent Should Know About Buying a Crib
As you prepare to welcome a new child into your home, you want ensure you have everything ready for them. And every new parent needs to know information about buying a crib since it’s an essential piece of furniture for babies. Here are some things every parent should know about buying a crib.
Always Check the Production Date
Just as you’d check the production date on canned goods, you want to check the production date of a crib. If the crib’s more than 10 years old, there’s a good chance that the model’s no longer available and parts are scarce. To ensure parents get the most updated technology, companies must post the production date on a visible part of the crib.
Measure Your Baby’s Room First
For the crib to properly fit into the bedroom, it’s essential to measure the area so that you know how much room you have. If you have a small space to work with, you should purchase a mini crib, as it can fit into any small corner of a room.
Set a Budget
The main thing to know is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on a crib. Since you only use the crib for the first three years of your child’s life, you’ll want to check that the cradle fits your budget and comes with an optional conversion kit. A conversion kit allows you to change the crib into a toddler-sized bed, meaning that it can grow with your child.
Look Over Safety Features
Every manufactured crib—whether custom-made or not—must have safety features. The best cradle to buy is one that fits a mattress firmly and doesn’t have cutouts at the head or footboards. Additionally, the slats shouldn’t be any bigger than 2⅜ inches so that your child can’t slip through them or get stuck in them. The crib should have stationary sides that aren’t drop-downs, as they can cause accidents.
Set a Timeline for Crib Buying
Aside from budgeting and measuring the size of your home, you need to set a timeline for crib buying. The best time to buy a crib is the second trimester, as this is after the initial stages of pregnancy but before your baby’s birth. You can take time customizing an order with a manufacturer to get what you want if you purchase the crib at this time.
When you start searching for a crib, ensure you go over what you need to know before buying a crib. That way, you can be ready for the baby. Through this guide, you’ll be able to buy a perfect crib for your child.