Book of Baby Names Blog

Instead of going crazy baby-proofing the whole house when a newborn is on the way, parents should take a deep breath, relax, and focus. More specifically, the focus should be on choosing the best crib possible. After all, a newborn isn’t going to spend that much time crawling around the kitchen. Instead, he or she is going to be sleeping, napping, and resting a lot in the bedroom or nursery.

The cornerstone to a safe and healthy baby is a new crib that’s up to the contemporary safety standards. It might be quaint or lovely to use a hand-me-down crib from your own youth, but with splinters and lead paint, not to mention years of aging, the best bet is to buy something new. After all, safety is the most important concern here, and it is possible to get a brand-new crib with a classic design and feel.

Most children will sleep in their crib until two or three years of age, so invest wisely and make sure that the crib you choose is going to last. This is also especially important if there are plans for more children in the future, as the crib might be housing more than one baby throughout the course of its time in your home.

All cribs sold are supposed to comply with universal safety standards, which include a sturdy and durable design and railings that lower, to make picking up your child and putting him or her down easier on your arms and back. Some cribs have railings that lower on both sides, while others only have them on one side. Depending on the layout of the room, you might only need a railing that lowers on one side.

Circular crib designs have been growing in popularity, and those usually only lower on one side. There are a number of different designs, depending on the parent’s aesthetic, from regal canopies that look more old-fashioned to contemporary and chic takes. Finding something to fit your taste shouldn’t be a problem.

Want a crib that grows with your child? They do exist. Convertible cribs convert as your child gets older, first into a toddler bed, and eventually into a full-size single bed.

But buying a crib isn’t the only part of providing a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your new child. The crib mattress is also an important purchase. Crib mattresses usually are either innerspring mattresses or foam mattresses, much in the same style as regular beds. Usually, a foam mattress is less expensive.

When buying a crib mattress, be sure to look for a couple of different things. Make sure that the mattress attaches to the crib securely in some form or another, and double-check that it’s not possible to wedge more than a finger between the mattress and the crib itself. That’s an especially important safety concern for curious newborns, who could accidentally wedge their little hands and feet, and have big trouble.

When it comes to checking the actual crib, the number one concern is making sure that the slats aren’t far enough apart to allow for a child to somehow wedge his or her head between them. Make sure that they conform to general crib safety standards, and you should be fine.

Some helpful optional touches for cribs include teething rails. This way, when your child starts teething and thus, chewing on everything in sight, he or she won’t be in ingesting wood or paint chips. The teething rail snaps onto the crib and is a simple and affordable accessory.

The most important crib accessory, though, is a good arsenal of educational and interactive toys. More than just comforting a child when his or her parents aren’t in the room, good toys provide entertainment and mental stimulation. Mobiles, toys that play music, and toys with safe, movable parts are the best choices. It’s never too early to think about your child’s mental growth, and early toy exposure is also proven to improve coordination later on. Stock that crib with toys for more than just entertainment purposes.

When it comes to Prams and Pushchairs, Byron Jonas trusts none other than Go Bubba Go. They just have the ultimate prams for growing families