The Definitive Guide to Crib Buying

In this article:
Options, Options: Finding What You Want in a Crib
Adding Personality: Crib Furniture Styles and Finishes
Safe in Bed
Save Money on Your Crib
Deliveries and Warranties
Twelve Quick Questions to Help You Choose a Crib
Still Want to Do More Research?

Looking for the perfect crib? We've done the research for you! Learn about everything from double drop-side releases to safety concerns when choosing a crib for your little one.

Next to cuddling in your arms, your new baby will spend most of his time tucked in his crib—and with luck, he'll be sleeping soundly! Finding the right crib is a matter of matching your personal style with your options and your checkbook. This guide will help you find the right crib to meet your needs and your baby's.

Options, Options: Finding What You Want in a Crib

When it comes to shopping for a crib, a smart start is to review crib options. Consider this review a crib anatomy lesson! Just as on a bed, the crib's taller "front" and "back" sides are the headboard and the footboard. Usually, they are the same height and design. The sides of the cribs are referred to as just that—the sides, with the top part being the "sidebar." You place your baby in the crib from the side, and if one or both of these sides come down they are referred to as "drop-sides." The bars on the cribs are also called "slats."

Consider what would make you most comfortable with a crib. Chances are you will be carrying a sleeping baby into the nursery, sometimes in the dark. How are you going to put her into the crib? Do you want one crib side to come down, or do you want the option of both sides coming down? For those thinking beyond the baby years, you can choose cribs that convert into toddler beds and even form a headboard and footboard for a bed. Keep in mind, the more options you choose, the greater expense and the more hardware you'll have to put together, sometimes making the crib less stable.

Single Drop-Side
With this option, three sides of the crib are stationary, and the fourth side can be raised or lowered—a good choice if the crib will be against a wall, with the drop-side facing out for easy access. These cribs are generally very sturdy.

Double Drop-Side
Both sides of the crib can be raised and lowered in this option, while the headboard and footboard remain stationary. If your crib will be in the middle of the room, or if you will need to put the baby in the crib from both sides, consider a double drop-side crib.

Shin Drop-Side Release
Worried about balancing your baby while placing her in the crib? Try the shin drop-side release. Instead of using your hands to lower the sidebar, you push in with your shin and use minimal pull with your hand. Getting the hang of this release may take practice, but it may be easier for you than a standard drop release.

Kickbar Drop-Side Release
As the name implies, you use your foot to release the sidebar on this style of crib. Again, the goal is to minimize disturbing your baby while putting her in the crib. You lift slightly on the sidebar while using your foot to push against the drop-side release. This method takes a little coordination, but it keeps your hands free.

Regardless of which options interest you, it's key to try them out before you buy. You may think you absolutely need a certain kind of release only to find that another kind better suits your height or even where you'll place the crib in baby's nursery. Keep in mind that you will not always be putting a sleeping baby into the crib—and once your child can pull himself to stand he'll give those sidebars a rigorous workout!

Multiple Position Mattress Springs
As your baby grows, you will need to lower the mattress from the higher position designed for a newborn to lower levels for your toddler. Most cribs have at least two positions, and some have up to four. Make sure that you understand how to adjust the various levels. You may also be given the choice between metal springs and wooden slats.

Convertible Cribs
Convertible cribs are billed as "more bang for your buck." These are the Mercedes of the crib world. Not only are they cribs, but toddler beds too. Some can go through more transformations from cribs to daybeds to double beds. If you're planning on investing a lot of money into a crib, this option might make sense for you since your crib can last from newborn stage and indefinitely into childhood.

Keep in mind that if you plan on having more children, you may need to keep the crib as a crib, not a double bed—though your youngest could take advantage of the bed option after the crib isn't needed for a baby. In addition, the crib style you may have been in love with while pregnant might get boring after a few years, so choose carefully. You will need to keep track of the various parts required for the transformations, so mark them and bundle them together before storing them. Lastly, consider exactly how you want to use your crib and if the added expense and hardware is worth the option.

Crib Drawers
Want to create more storage area in your nursery? Think about adding a drawer under the crib. That empty space can easily be turned into a spot to store a favorite quilt or hide an extra supply of diapers.

Casters
Plan on moving the crib around in the baby's room? Casters are the metal or plastic wheels at the bottom of the crib's four posts that can make changing baby's bedding a breeze.