When it comes to baby furniture, the crib is likely the most important item you need for your nursery. Your baby is going to spend a significant amount of time in the crib over his or her first couple years of life (and many more if you select a convertible crib). While there are many considerations that come into play when selecting a crib, such as the color, design and style, the most important thing—of course—is safety. By investing in a quality crib that is sturdy and meets all the latest standards, you can rest assured that your baby is not only resting soundly (hopefully!), but also securely.

Along with meeting rigid safety standards and providing a safe place for your baby to rest, it’s important to invest in a quality crib because you can get more use out of it. Whether you plan on having multiple children and having each child take its turn in the crib, or purchasing a convertible crib and the supporting conversion kits so the crib can literally grow with your child, you are looking at a purchase that you can keep looking at for many years to come. So choose wisely, keeping in mind a variety of factors.

Considerations for buying a crib:

• Safety: Ensure that basic standards and regulations are met
• Quality: Buy a high-quality crib that will last for years
• Versatility: Choose a convertible crib for the most flexibility
• Color: Pick a neutral color that you won’t get tired of
• Style: Select from traditional to modern styles
• Mattress: Complete your purchase with a high-quality mattress

Safety First

There’s perhaps nothing sweeter than vintage nursery accessories, with cute designs and loving histories to boot. However, vintage is not the way to go when it comes to your baby’s crib. It’s not just the security of the crib itself (even the best quality cribs will show wear over time), but there are also new standards that have been developed to help provide a safer environment for babies and young toddlers. If you are using a crib that you’ve had for some time or buying a used crib, it’s important to look at the date that is was manufactured. All baby cribs manufactured after 2011 are required to meet certain standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If your crib was manufactured after 2011, you can be confident that the standards have been met. However, it’s still important to check and make sure there were no recalls for your specific model.

What are the standards that all current cribs are required to meet? There are a lot of requirements for today’s cribs, including:

• Slat width can be no wider than 2 3/8 inches apart.
• Drop sides are no longer available
• Crib’s mattress support, slats and hardware are required to be more durable and tested to more stringent compliance requirements.

By choosing a modern crib, you have the assurance that these basic standards have been met. Additionally, you can look to see that the crib you selected is built to the highest standards of safety and comfort. For instance, read the materials from the manufacturer to see if the crib has been tested for lead and other toxic elements to meet or exceed government and ASTM safety standards, set by the CPSC and ASTM, as well as JPMA certified.

Quality Concerns

Even when a crib meets the required standards for sale and resale, there are obvious differences in quality. When you are shopping for a crib, you should look for one that appears steady. Don’t be afraid to give it a shake. If the crib wobbles, it may not feature the best construction that you want for your baby. (If it wobbles at home, you’ll want to make sure it was put together correctly and no pieces are missing.) A solid wood conversion crib built with quality construction can last through your sweet baby, bouncing toddler and growing child—with the appropriate conversion kits.

After you’ve set up your crib—either new or used—you should also make sure there are no pointy objects, such as nails sticking out that could be dangerous for the baby, and there also should be no chipping paint or obvious wear that could affect the baby’s safety.

Convertible Cribs for Versatility

After crib safety and security, one of the most important considerations in selecting a crib is the versatility that it offers. Choose a crib that is built to accommodate your growing child, and you’ll get more use out of your investment. One way to get more versatility and easy use from your crib is to consider the height and to select a crib that offers adjustable mattress height positions. Cribs are available in different heights, and the right one for you depends on your height. You want to be able to easily set baby in the crib and pick your baby up as needed. You may also want to consider a crib that features multiple adjustable mattress height positions. These cribs let you start out at the highest height for easily placing a sleeping infant in the crib and picking them up, and lower the height to several safe settings as baby develops to sitting and standing. Once that baby’s climbing, it’s time to move to a toddler bed—but, that doesn’t necessarily mean going shopping for a whole new piece of furniture.

When choosing a crib to last, a convertible or 4-in-1 crib is the obvious choice. These cribs are made to grow with your child. With the proper conversion kits, 4-in-1 convertible cribs can be easily transformed from a crib to a toddler bed or daybed. Then, when your child’s ready, you can convert the same crib into a full bed that can last through the teenage years. Converting the crib is easy. You can simply purchase the appropriate accessories, sold separately.

Convertible cribs can be converted as follows:

• Crib
• Toddler bed
• Daybed
• Full-size bed

Sweet Crib Styles

After you’ve narrowed down your selection to cribs that meet safety standards and provide the versatility you need, you are free to choose a style that suits your nursery plans and preferences. While there a wide variety of cribs available, it’s important to consider the look of not only the crib—but also how the piece will look as a toddler bed and even a full bed for an older child. If you’ve picked a bed that will hold up to years of wear and transform to fit your growing child’s needs, you also need to choose a style that your new addition won’t soon outgrow. You’ll be looking at this crib, in one form or another, for a long time—so choose something that you love too!

By choosing a crib in a neutral color, you can get even more versatility from your baby’s bed. Choose a chocolate brown, grey or white crib that will suit any nursery theme; as well as the bedroom theme you pick for your toddler and eventually your older child. It’s easy to personalize the crib with sweet baby sheets, as well as pillows and bedding for older children. These cribs also offer a timeless quality that will always seem in style. So if you use the same crib for other children down the road, it won’t seem out of date.

Color isn’t the only style consideration. Cribs are available in a wide range of designs, from traditional styles with sloping curves and sweet details to modern designs with straight lines and minimalistic details. Choose a design that will suit your design aesthetic, again keeping in mind how it will look in your child’s bedroom over time.

Crib Mattress Matters

Once you’ve found the perfect crib, you’ll need a crib mattress. While there are many options available, some things are standard. For instance, the size. Standard crib mattresses and toddler mattresses are the same size.

Crib mattress size: The minimum size is 27 1/4” x 51 5/8” and the mattress cannot be thicker than 6 inches.

The crib mattress should fit securely in your crib. If you can get more than two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the crib, then it’s not a proper fit.

Like the crib, a crib mattress is an investment, and you are paying for quality. While the crib mattress won’t last through the child’s teen years, the same mattress can be used into toddler hood. (Crib and toddler beds are the same size.) Because of this, many crib mattresses are built to be perfect for both babies and toddlers. A two-sided crib mattress is clearly labeled with infant and toddler sides, with each side delivering proper support for each age range. While you may think that an extra soft mattress is best for a baby to snuggle into, you should think again. A baby needs a firm surface for safety, while the toddler side can have a little more give. You can also make sure you are choosing a safe mattress for your little one by reviewing the standards each mattress meets, such as strict standards offered by GREENGUARD, and Gold Certified.

While crib mattresses come in a standard size, they vary greatly in what they are comprised of. Your baby’s sleep is important, and crib mattresses should be made with the same attention to detail and quality materials as an adult mattress. You’ll want to look at the features you want for baby’s best rest, such as supportive foam, temperature regulating design, memory foam and various features for support. Another important feature for babies and toddlers alike? Consider a mattress that is covered with a water and stain resistant layer to keep the mattress safe and clean.

Bare is Best

You’ve done it. You’ve found the perfect crib and mattress for your sweet new addition. Wondering what’s next? While it may be tempting to load your baby’s crib up with adorable blankets and snuggly stuffies, it’s recommended to keep these items outside of the crib. A bare crib with just a mattress and fitted crib sheet is the safest for your baby. Even bumpers aren’t recommended, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. You should also make sure that your crib is in a safe location in the nursery. For instance, make sure it’s positioned away from curtains and other fabrics, objects or chords that the baby could reach.

The perfect crib for your baby is one that is not only safe and built to last for the child’s first couple of years, it’s one that is built to the highest quality and features a versatile design that will last for many years to come. By choosing a convertible crib in a neutral design, you’ll be investing in a piece that is sure to get plenty of use.