Babies usually spend the majority of their time in the crib, so while it’s important to consider comfort, it’s absolutely necessary to keep safety as a top priority. Most babies stay in a crib until they are around the age of two of three, when it’s time to move to a real bed, so also keep in mind that the crib should be sturdy to hold varying weight as the baby ages.

When buying a crib, it’s important to look for numerous things such as:

Safety standards:

When buying a crib, it’s important to look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association certification. This ensures that the product was tested for quality as well as safety. It’s also important to check BabyCenter’s Product Recall Finder to see whether the crib you are going to purchase has been recalled.

Slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart:

The crib that you purchase should have slats that are close enough to prevent the baby’s head from slipping through and getting stuck. The distance should be no larger than 2 3/8 inches, about the size of a soda can.

Adjustable mattress height:

Cribs usually allow for mattress heights to be adjusted by either raising or lowering the mattress support. When the baby begins to sit up, it’s time to lower the mattress; this is necessary for the next steps of standing so that the child doesn’t fall out of the crib.

Stability:

After the crib is put together, it should be given a good shake to make sure that it’s sturdy, if it is, then another one should be purchased, or it should be taken apart and put back together.

Frame size:

The interior of the crib should be able to accommodate a crib mattress relatively snugly and be at least 51 ¾ inches long by 27 ¾ inches wide. If you can take two fingers and fit them between the side of the mattress and the crib, then it’s too small. It’s important to make sure that the mattress fits in the frame because the baby could get stuck in the space.

Versatility:

There are many cribs that are designed to convert to a toddler bed, a children’s bench, or even a headboard and footboard for a full-size bed. You should keep in mind how this might look after it is transformed and also whether or not it is easy to perform and worth the time/cost.