How To Buy A Crib
For a natural nursery, look for cribs that are either unfinished or finished with non-toxic paint with zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemicals, like phthalates and formaldehyde, which can off-gas and cause respiratory issues like asthma. We recommend looking at cribs that are Greenguard Gold certified. What that means is they have low to no chemical emissions.
how to buy a crib
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Typically made from wood such as maple, oak, cherry, ash, mahogany, birch, and beech, standard cribs tend to be long-lasting and are a great choice for growing families that may anticipate having more than one child, as they will have the durability to last for years. Do know, however, that in more recent years there has been a trend for cribs to be made of pine. Pine is a softer wood and will not only knick easily, it will likely turn your crib into a large-scale teether for your baby.
These tiny space-saving solutions are great for families in tighter living spaces. While small, these portable cribs still have many of the same features as a standard-sized crib and, with their adjustable-height mattresses, they can be a smart alternative to a bassinet.
What mini cribs also tend to have that not all full-sized cribs have are gliders that make these cribs mobile enough to move from room to room. These can be great for families that need more mobility, however, that also means caregivers need to be diligent about locking the breaks when the baby is in it.
The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) suggests that you do not use crib bumpers, blankets, or any loose materials or toys that may be of suffocation or strangulation hazard. Side note: this does not include a pacifier, which is suggested to be used and may prevent SIDS.1 Read the Newly Updated Safe Sleep Guidelines from the AAP.
While foam mattresses are typically made of polyurethane, which is light, flame retardant, and amongst the cheapest mattresses, many parents opt for foam crib mattresses made of organic materials. These materials may include soy, organic cotton, bamboo, and natural latex, among others. The choice is yours.
And remember that crib mattresses often come double-sided with a firm infant side and a softer toddler side. While the price may be slightly higher for a double-sided mattress, it will save you money in the long run.
Nook Sleep Crib Mattresses are some of the most organic crib mattresses on the market. Every inch of their mattresses is organic, responsibly sourced, and supremely breathable from core to cover. The cover is removable and machine washable making it easy to clean.
Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams Mattress is a favorite lightweight and cheap mattress at a little over 7 lbs and only $88.20. It has a waterproof surface to protect your baby from mold and mildew. This mattress is GREENGUARD certified and fits standard crib sizes.
Some cribs are, as the last item in this list suggests, able to be adjusted or converted as your baby grows. These are often referred to as 3-in-1 or even 4-in-1 cribs, which means that the crib may function as a bassinet, crib, toddler bed, and big kid bed, given a little adjustment and some extra parts.
The quality of materials and construction not only affects the portability, potential toxicity, and safety of a crib, it also affects its durability. As I mentioned earlier, your baby is likely to use a crib for two or three years before transitioning to a big kid bed. If your crib can be converted to a bed, they might use it for several more years on top of that. And, once your baby is a big kid in a bigger bed, ideally, you would be able to either use the crib for another child or pass on the crib to a family member, friend, colleague, charity or shelter.
Durability is a key part of what makes a crib eco-friendly. A strong, sturdy crib could be used for several infants in succession without any concerns about structural integrity, safety, or aesthetics. Unfortunately, many cribs are made with soft wood or composite wood that acquires dings, dents, and more serious damage quite easily. These may only present an aesthetic concern, but they could also result in safety issues, such as when a plywood mattress base starts splitting and sagging, which could leave your baby in a very precarious situation.
All cribs sold in the US have to adhere to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements. These requirements lay out safety standards for construction and have been refined over the years based on reports of accidents and injuries.
Ensuring that your second-hand crib is safe to use is very important before you put your baby in it to sleep. Visibly broken cribs or cribs that are missing pieces or screws should never be used. Cribs that appear to be older than 10 years old should also be skipped over, as they likely don't comply with the most recent US crib safety regulations. Here are a few things to look out for when second-hand crib-hunting!
Before you agree to purchase a second-hand crib, you will want to ask the seller if you can visit it in its assembled state. Buying a disassembled crib is not recommended, as you won't know if pieces are missing or if there are any warning signs that the crib is not in peak condition. If the buyer resists or declines this request, it's a fairly telling sign that they are trying to pass off a product that isn't in great condition.
When it comes to infant safety, it's certainly not worth taking this risk. So make sure the seller shows you the product before you agree to buy, and if all is well, you can disassemble the crib together. This is also a good way to understand the crib's mechanism and ask any questions.
If a second-hand crib is missing screws, bolts, or crib bars, it is not safe for an infant to sleep in. With IKEA and other build-it-yourself crib models, sometimes a screw goes astray, and the crib safety remains uncompromised. If, however, you are not assembling from the box, do not take the risk with missing screws.
You'll also want to give the crib a firm shake, just to see if there are any signs that it is not firmly secured. A crib should never be shaky or wobbly. It's not usually advised that parents reinforce cribs with their own hardware since anything that isn't an original part can actually pose a risk to your infant.
Before purchasing a second-hand crib, it's important that you check the list of recalled crib models so that you know you aren't buying a style that has already been identified as having safety issues. You can find the comprehensive list of crib model recalls online, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission also has a very good online document that walks you through the steps to ensure that your crib is optimally safe. More often than not, safety recalls are issued for cribs that have a removable side, or cribs that can later convert into toddler beds. A quick search will confirm whether or not the model you are looking at has been recalled.
While there's no guarantee that the seller will give you an honest answer on this, it's still a good idea to ask how many times the crib has been assembled and disassembled. If a crib has spent several seasons in a garage and has been assembled and disassembled and used by several children, you might want to take a pass on the sale. While some very good quality cribs can withstand being assembled many times, screws, nuts, and bolts can wear down over time, and will certainly not have the same security factor as they did on the first build. Be especially aware of IKEA cribs, which might have been assembled many times.
Even if you are buying a second-hand crib, you should consider buying a new mattress for your baby. Mattresses easily lose their firmness over time and can harbor a lot of germs (and in the worst cases, bed bugs, yikes!). The only exception would be if the seller used a mattress cover and the mattress appears to be in very good condition.
Safety is a huge factor when picking out a crib mattress. If you are purchasing your crib mattress in the US, it must meet safety standards set by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials.
No matter which crib mattress you choose for your baby, it is essential that you follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for safe sleep. This includes putting your baby to sleep on his/her back and removing all toys, blankets, pillows or other things that could potentially suffocate your baby during the night.
The Wave Crib, inspired by the movement of the ocean, converts from a mini crib, to full crib, to toddler bed. Its lockable wheels make it a breeze to move from room to room without compromising safety. All of this in an organically shaped, modern design that will fit in (or more likely stand out) wherever it goes.
New orders for the Wave in Natural Wood will ship May 1st. New orders for the Wave in White will ship April 17th. To see when your crib will ship based on your order date see the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
The mini-crib can be used from ages 0 up to 6 months depending on the length of the baby- some will outgrow the mini faster than others. The full crib can also be used from birth until the child reaches 35 inches or begins trying to climb out of the crib. The toddler bed can be used until a child reaches 50 pounds.
Proceed with caution. Be especially wary of cribs made before 1974, when federal crib-safety standards outlawed designs that could allow a child to fall or get stuck between the slats or against the mattress. Older cribs are also more likely to have lead paint or decorations that pose strangling or choking hazards.
Also avoid cribs with drop sides (which have been illegal to sell since 2011, but are still in circulation), mattresses that don't fit snugly, crib bumpers, and crib slats that are wide enough to pass a can of soda through.
Be sure to carefully evaluate any used bassinets and cradles, too. Only use rocking models, including heirloom cradles, while your child is supervised, and check any vintage bassinet or cradle for the same hazards as cribs. 041b061a72