A baby crib is one of the first important investments in furniture that you will make when you are expecting. As with any other large piece of furniture, several considerations need to be made in preparation for this purchase, including researching what make, models, and special features will best suit you and your baby's needs, as well as where the crib will be located within the home. Above all, you must consider the safety of your baby, and ensure that the safety features of each crib are discussed first.

Safety features that should be considered when picking out a crib include whether or not the mattress height is adjustable. For families that expect the crib to grow with the baby, they should strongly consider choosing a crib whose mattress can be lowered as the child grows, to ensure that the bars will always be high enough to prevent accidental falls. Another way that cribs can facilitate growing toddlers is by featuring a dropside. Dropsides allow the infant to be safely contained in the crib, while facilitating lifting for the parent. This is a particularly important feature for heavier babies, or parents with back pain issues that prevent heavy lifting. Wooden cribs are a safer option than plastic models, since research is showing more frequently than ever that certain chemical components contained in plastics may be harmful to genetic and hormonal development, particularly in the developing stages of childhood. With wooden models however, it is important to consider the finish of the crib. Is it a non-toxic finish? Will the paint chip? Since babies will probably handle the bars of their cribs heavily, or even teeth them, ensure that the finish is durable, and safe, and friendly to babies' curious mouths.

Baby cribs come in countless different models and styles, and have a price point to match virtually any budget. Remember however, that your baby will be spending considerable amounts of time in their crib, either sleeping or playing, and that a comfortable, well-rested child will be happier and easier to care for. A baby's crib should be a friendly and happy environment that encourages quiet rest, as opposed to stress and discomfort. As a result, parents should consider baby furniture cribs an important investment, and a purchase for which price should not be the primary determining factor.
      When researching cribs, it is also important to determine household needs. Does the crib match the décor of the nursery? Is the design comfortable and soothing? Does it suit your lifestyle? Certain features that you may be interested in looking for include whether or not the crib is convertible. Convertible cribs come with options that allow them to be changed into either or all of the following: Toddler beds, day beds, full-size beds complete with head and footboards, and even loveseats, ideal for guestrooms. Many cribs also feature drawers beneath the mattress frame, which could hold baby accessories, diapers, or clothes, or could simply be used for general storage. Built-in drawers are an excellent option for families with limited space options. Frequently the above-listed options are featured with the higher-priced models, but will pay off in the end, since they offer so many versatile use options, and will likely be kept and used in the home for a longer period than a non-convertible crib would. One final feature to consider is casters. Will you want to move the crib to another room at certain points? Cribs with wheels will facilitate moving, and will make it easier to do cleaning in hard-to-reach areas.

Once a crib frame has been decided upon, one must consider the baby crib bedding, including the mattress, sheets, and comforter. Again, the first consideration must be the safety and comfort of your baby. The mattress size is important to consider, and for safety and comfort reasons, it should fit snuggly into the crib frame, leaving no more than one finger width between the two. Ensure that the sheets and blanket are soft and hypo allergenic, and consider options such as filtering systems built into mattresses to help eliminate airborne allergens. In addition to being soft and non-toxic, the baby crib bedding sets must be easy-to-clean. Remember that infants and young children, no matter how well trained, will likely go through a bed-wetting stage at some point. As a result, the bedding and mattress must be lightweight, easy to remove and reapply, and machine washer friendly. Also consider add-ons, such as a plastic mattress cover, to prevent the necessity for heavy-duty clean-ups or replacing of the mattress.

Although all of the considerations listed above may seem like a lot of work, it is time and energy well spent. A baby crib is one of the most important, and potentially expensive items of baby furniture that will be necessary to purchase, and once it is selected, you can rest assured that your baby can go to sleep happy and safe.