The baby’s crib is a key item to have in place ready for the newborn baby’s homecoming, along with other essentials. But with all of the many varieties on the market today and with most people attempting to stick to some type of budget, how is one to know what to look for, which brand or model is better than another, or how cheap is “too cheap?”
Your baby is so precious and vulnerable, so when first considering buying a baby crib, ensure safety standards are met. In the United States, baby crib standards includes things like the width of the crib’s slats or bars, and the distance between each one. When choosing a crib, safety should be high in your thoughts, and the distance from the mattress to the top of the rails is critical.
Also, never buy or borrow a crib that was made before the year 1978 as there’s a high likelihood that it will contain lead in the finish.
The Advantages of Buying Cheap Baby Cribs
If you’re on a budget, cheap baby cribs can be a real lifesaver, provided of course, that they meet all of the necessary safety requirements and are well constructed. Inexpensive cribs will also allow for more monies to be spent on other much needed items, such as the crib’s bedding, bumper pads if you choose to use them, blankets, and the ever essential mattress pads, not to mention all of the other things baby will need like a stroller, or a walker, a high chair, and a playpen.
Buying cheap baby cribs should be fine from a safety point of view, as the same standards apply, but they may just not last as long or have the design features of a more expensive crib. There’s no way to be sure that an older, used model will meet the safety standards of today, or that it wasn’t subject to a recall in years past unbeknownst even to the seller.
DaVinci, Great Beginnings and Jerry Lind are good examples of well manufactured but inexpensive baby cribs.
The Disadvantages of Buying Cheap Baby Cribs
Low cost cribs are rarely made from “real” wood, which makes them not quite as strong and durable as their authentic counterparts. At a minimum, it is wise to buy a sturdy crib which will withstand a lot of shaking and jumping up and down, which will come much sooner than you think.
The difference between cheap baby cribs and their more expensive counterparts is likely to be in longevity, styling, quality and features. One vital safety feature to watch for is an easy to use but effective safety lock on the side rails, so the baby cannot find an easy way out as they become active later.
Some other possible risks of purchasing Inexpensive cribs are manufacturing defects, such as sharp edges or points, creases and cracks, or holes or splinters in the wood. While we all want to get a good bargain and save money whenever we can, sacrificing our baby’s safety or well being certainly isn’t worth saving a few dollars.
