The Right Crib for Baby

The crib is where your baby will spend quite a bit of his or her life. Most babies will be in a crib after they outgrow the cradle or bassinet until the parents are comfortable placing him or her into a bed.

Safetly is important. Before accepting that hand-me-down crib, you need to be certain that it is safe. Are the slats loose? Can you slide a can of soda between them? It is generally sturdy? Is the paint or finish in good condition?

You also need to be careful with the mattress. A good mattress will be firm and fit the crib snugly. Try to slide two fingers between the mattress and the crib. If you can do that, the mattress is too small.

Always have the drop sides up and locked when baby is in the crib. The day WILL come when your baby tries to climb out of the crib. Be prepared.

Do not place soft items in the crib with your baby. This includes comforters and soft toys. A crib bumper is optional, and should be removed if baby tries to climb out of the crib.

If your baby starts climbing out of the crib, it is time to start thinking about replacing it with a bed. Some parents do this immediately (around age 2), but others will wait until the child is older. Consider the risks of your child falling from the crib when you think about whether or not you are willing to let him or her continue sleeping in the crib after the first time he or she climbs out.