If all the items on your baby-shopping list, you'll probably find a crib among the most challenging to select. That's because there's a vast array of cribs on the market, ranging from economy and midpriced models to high-end custom cribs that up the style ante. Manufacturers also offer cribs that convert to a toddler bed and even to a full-size one (after you purchase a few additional items like bed rails).
Whether you have your baby sleep in a crib from the get-go or start with a bassinet, cradle, or the like (an alternative for your baby's first four months or so), you'll want a crib that's durable and safe and matches your own taste and budget. You'll also need to buy a mattress, which is usually sold separately.
Despite the dizzying array of cribs you'll find at mass merchandisers, in baby boutiques, and online, all cribs are basically a rectangular box with a mattress support on legs with wheels. The sides and sometimes the end boards are made of bars or slats so you can see inside—and baby can see out. Cribs usually have one or two drop sides—sides you lower with a lift-and-press action, a foot release, or a two-hand-operated latch mechanism, which makes it easier to reach in and tend to your baby.
Over the past few years, however, a new crib design has emerged—a crib without a drop side. All sides are stationary so there are no moving parts that could loosen and entrap baby or hinges to potentially pinch little fingers. On a no-drop-side crib, one side is set at waist level so you can reach in without straining. As with drop-side models, you lower the mattress as your baby grows to prevent him or her from climbing out, although tending to your baby can become decidedly challenging if you happen to be short in stature.
Most cribs meet the latest voluntary safety standard (and efforts are under way to further strengthen the current one). So you can be reasonably assured that a crib bought new today is as safe as it can be.
Most cribs are constructed of wood, which can range from porous and easily dented pine in lower-priced cribs to strong and durable hardwoods such as ash, beech, oak, and hard maple in top-of-the-line models. As a rule, a crib made from harder wood is heavier and more costly. Cribs may also be constructed of other materials such as steel, brass, or molded plastic. Some manufacturers are experimenting with "engineered wood" such as medium-density fiberboard, which can be difficult to distinguish from natural wood.
Some cribs offer a drawer that fits underneath, which is handy for storage. However, it can also present a hazard if, for example, an inquisitive toddler decides to use it as a step for climbing.
Shopping Secrets
Don't buy a "pre-owned" crib at a yard sale, thrift shop, or online. Older cribs may not meet current safety standards. Buying new helps you know you're creating the safest and most secure sleep environment for your baby. The date of manufacture is always stated somewhere on the crib.
Decide first whether you want a crib with one, two, or no drop sides. That will narrow the selection considerably and make your crib shopping easier.
If you're considering a crib with no drop sides, be sure to test display models in the store. Use the mattress's lowest setting to see how easy it is for you to bend in to retrieve your baby. In our tests we found no-drop-side cribs nearly as easy to use as drop-side models for accessing a child when the mattress was in the highest or infant position. After that, with either type, you'll need to reach deeper and deeper into the crib, which may not be comfortable, especially if you're on the short side.
If you're shopping for a crib with drop sides, operate them in the store to make sure they raise and lower smoothly and quietly. Models that open with a lift-and-leg-press action or those with a lift-and-foot-release mechanism can usually be opened with one hand—an advantage when you've got a baby in the other. Still, most parents raise and lower the side of the crib only during the first few months. Once babies get bigger and stand up in the crib, many parents pick them up without lowering the side. So, a crib that doesn't have the best drop-side mechanism but is satisfactory in other ways can still be a good option.
Consider buying a crib that converts to a toddler bed only if you don't plan on having more children any time soon. Otherwise, you'll need the crib for your next baby (and so on) and never get the chance to convert it. Also, consider buying a convertible crib if you don't mind that the toddler bed you'll end up with may look very criblike. Many convertible cribs make the switch simply by having one drop side removed, and the basic look of the crib remains. Some parents, on the other hand, report that since the conversion to a toddler bed is so minimal, it's less taxing for toddlers to make the transition to a "big girl" or "big boy" bed.
Check construction and workmanship. The simplest in-store test is to give the crib a slight shaking and see if the frame seems loose rather than solid. But be aware that display models aren't always as tightly assembled as they could be. Without applying excessive pressure, try rotating each bar to see if it's well secured to the railings. You shouldn't find loose slats on a new crib.
What's Available
Major brands of cribs include, in alphabetical order: Alta Baby, Angel Line, Babi Italia, Baby's Dream, Bellini, Child Craft, Childesigns, Delta, Dorel Juvenile Group (Cosco), Evenflo, Fisher-Price (Storkcraft), Jardine, Kindercraft, and Simmons. Crib prices range from $100 for economy models to $3,000 for custom cribs with a canopy. Paying more is largely an aesthetic issue. Here's more on what you'll get at the various price points.
Economy cribs (in the $100 to $150 range). Models at the low end of the price scale can be perfectly adequate. Prices are low because manufacturers use cheaper materials and simpler finishes and designs. These models tend to be lighter in weight compared with top-of-the-line ones. White or pastel paint or shiny lacquer-like finish may be used to cover wood defects, such as knots and variations in shading. You may notice minor finishing flaws, such as poorly sanded rough spots, uneven patches of paint, and the heads of metal brads or glue residue at the base of the slats. On a low-priced model, typically only one side can be released, which is also the more stable approach.
Loosely fitting hooks may hold the metal mattress support at each corner. The springs making up the mattress support are lighter in construction than those in pricier models. When you shake the crib, it may seem rattly rather than sturdy.
Midpriced cribs ($150 to $450). At this price level, it becomes increasingly difficult to discern quality differences from brand to brand. These models are sturdier and more decorative than economy models. They come in an array of wood finishes, from Scandinavian-style natural to golden maple and oak shades, reddish-brown cherries, and deep mahoganies. End boards may be solid and smoothly finished, and many models have slats on all sides. The gentle curves of the end boards are well finished with rounded edges. Slats are thicker than those of economy models and may be round or flat with rounded edges.
The mattress supports on these models tend to be sturdy, the springs heavier. These cribs have single, double, or no drop sides. Locking wheels or casters (sometimes optional) provide stability. There may be a stabilizer bar or two running underneath for greater rigidity. The best-made cribs in this category have recessed guides for the drop side, no exposed brads or glue residue where the slats are fastened to the rails, and a uniform finish. There may be extra-high posts, canopies, or a storage drawer underneath the unit.
High-end cribs ($450 on up). These models, many of them imported from Europe, have hand-rubbed, glazed, or burnished finishes. You'll see sleigh styles with curved end boards and hand-painted details, as well as some models hand-crafted from wrought iron. These cribs may have single, double, or no drop sides. On some with drop sides, the hardware is recessed and may be so well hidden that it's difficult to tell whether the side lowers or not. Mattress supports use heavy-gauge springs and heavyweight metal frames and may adjust to four heights. These cribs may also include a drawer and convert to a daybed/toddler bed or other nursery furniture. At the highest end, a fairy-tale-like canopy may be part of the ensemble.
Features to Consider
Convertibility. If you're interested in buying a crib that converts to a toddler or full-size bed, keep in mind that some require parts that aren't typically included in your original purchase, such as bed rails, stabilizing rails, or support rails (for converting to a full-size bed). Convertibility can stretch the life of a crib into the toddler years and beyond. Some parents, however, prefer to start over when their baby is beyond the nursery stage with a completely new set of "big girl" or "big boy" furniture.
Drawers. Some models include a drawer or two under the mattress. Under-crib drawers are not usually attached to the crib frame. Some are freestanding and roll out from under the crib on casters. Before buying, pull any drawer all the way out to inspect its construction. You may find that it has a thin, cardboardlike floor that could bow and give way when loaded with linen or clothing. A drawer floor made of a harder material, such as fiberboard, is more likely to hold up over time. Other cribs have a set of drawers attached to the short end of the unit.
Drop sides. Many cribs have a single side that lowers, which is the more stable approach. Some claim "one-hand operation," which can be helpful, but check the store model to be sure it delivers on this benefit. Some cribs, including expensive heavyweight models, have double drop sides, which is something to consider if you'll be approaching your baby's crib from either side. (Many parents have no need for a second drop side.) The newer designs have relatively quiet releases that require you to lift the rail while you push the release with your leg. The older design requires you to lift the side while pressing a metal lever or tab under the railing with your foot. The foot maneuver is awkward since you have to stand on one leg to do it. Metal components often rattle and squeak. A third, though rare, type of release mechanism uses latches at each end of the top rail that must be pulled out at the same time. Federal regulations require that lowering mechanisms be built to prevent accidental release by a baby or sibling.
Finish. The look of dark wood stains is currently gaining popularity, although you'll also see lighter stains such as maples and cherries. White, however, remains the most common crib color. Other painted colors include off-whites, washed whites (revealing the wood's grain), and green, blue, or yellow pastels. A little roughness in the finish isn't a problem as long as there are no serious defects such as splintering or peeling paint.
Mattress height. All full-size cribs offer at least two mattress height positions; more expensive models have three to four. To prevent your baby from falling out of the crib, adjust the mattress support to its lowest height position when he or she is able to sit or pull up, usually between 6 and 8 months. Many models don't require tools for adjusting mattress height positions, though some do. Accessing the screws or bolts can be difficult in some models.
Mattress supports. Most mattress supports consist of a metal frame with springs. With some cribs the mattress support is a one-piece board; with others it's a grid with wood slats. The mattress supports are adjustable so the mattress can be raised or lowered depending on the size of the child. Mattress supports need to be held securely in place so they aren't dislodged when you're changing a crib sheet or when another child or large pet pushes up from underneath.
Sides and railings. Crib sides are constructed by fitting bars (or spindles or slats) into mortised holes in the top and bottom rails, then securing each bar with glue and one or two metal brads. The small holes made by the brads or pins are usually filled and covered with a finish so they're invisible. As per the mandatory safety standard, crib slats should be no more than 23/8 inches apart, so slat width shouldn't be an issue.
Structural integrity. Sturdiness is a sign of construction quality. One or more stabilizer bars—metal rods fastened to both end boards beneath the crib—can help make the frame more rigid. Teething rails. These are smooth, plastic coverings for the top of the side rails to protect the crib and a gnawing baby's gums. The voluntary industry standard says teething rails should be built to stay in place and not crack or break.
Wheels/casters. Made of plastic or metal, a crib's wheels can be standard rollers or round, multidirectional, ball-shaped casters, which swivel and make it easier to haul a crib from one room to another. Not all cribs come with them, which isn't an issue if your crib won't be venturing out of the nursery. If your baby's crib will be on bare wood or tile floors and you choose a crib with wheels, make sure they lock to prevent the crib from "walking" across the room or tempting other children to take baby on a joy ride when your back is turned.
Recommendations
Buy a crib that's unused, made after 1999, and Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certified or certified to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) voluntary standards (ASTM F-1169 and ASTM F-996). Certification can assure you that your crib conforms to the latest federal and voluntary safety standards. Buying new will help protect your baby from hidden dangers such as drop sides, slats, or hardware that may have been weakened as a result of previous rough use, or excessive dampness or heat during storage. By law, the production date of the crib has to be displayed both on the crib itself and on its shipping carton.
Cribs are shipped unassembled, so if you're not certain about your ability to put a crib together correctly (typically a two-person job that requires a full hour—from unpacking to complete assembly), ask to have the retailer send a qualified assembly crew to your home. This can mean an extra $70 or more unless the cost is built into the retail price, but it can give you valuable peace of mind for your baby's safety. Besides saving tempers and fingers, having the store assemble the crib allows you to inspect it on the spot—and reject it if you discover flaws. If you do choose to assemble the crib, do it in the baby's room. Once put together, the crib may not fit through a small door.
