Buying a crib is one of the biggest purchases new parents or parents to be will make.  Therefore, this is an excellent baby shower gift idea!  Some people pool money together in order to buy a large baby shower gift; cribs are at the top of the list.  However, if you are thinking of purchasing a crib for a baby shower gift you should consider a number of safety tips.

#1. Make sure that the crib meets your National Safety Standards. 

#2.  The crib mattress should be snug against the crib bars, or slats.  If the crib mattress is not fitted tightly against the slats there is a potential for the baby to roll or fall into this space and suffocating. 

#3.  The crib mattress should be firm.  A soft mattress that allows the baby to sink into poses the risk of suffocation, especially for newborn babies.  Always keep in mind that newborns are rather helpless for the firs 6 to 12 weeks until they have the strength to hold their head on their own.

#4.  Look for a crib that has high side rails.  When the crib rails are raised they should measure at least 26 inches higher than the mattress top.  This is to prevent a 6 to 9 month old baby from pulling him or herself up and over the railings. 

#5.  Make sure that the crib bars, or slats, are close enough together so that there is no possible way the baby could slide his or her head through and get stuck.  A standard measurement to go by is to make sure the crib bars are at least 2 3/8 inches together, closer is better. 

#6.  Do not purchase a crib with a decorative cut out in the headboard or footboard.  An older baby who has developed the ability to move could get his or her head or other body parts stuck in the cut out.

#7.  Make sure that the headboard and crib frame are strong and secure.

#8.  Check to make sure that there are no missing screws or pieces.

#9.  Make sure that the paint used on the crib is not lead based.  Today this isn’t a huge problem with newer cribs, however if you are thinking of purchasing an antique crib you must make sure that it wasn’t restored with lead paint. 

#10.  If you are planning on buying an antique baby crib than make sure it was not made before 1991.  Cribs older than those made in 1991 will likely not meet the safety standards.

MiniTOTS offers a wide variety of baby cribs including canopy baby cribs, convertible baby cribs, hand painted baby cribs, iron baby cribs, round baby cribs , sleigh baby cribs, standard baby cribs and unique baby cribs!

Some popular crib bands and styles include:

·         Deborah Stages Crib – converts to a double bed

·         Fun Time Designs Cascade 3-in-1 Crib – converts to a day bed

·         Jolly Jumper

·         Maxi Crib – converts to a day bed

·         Ellis 4-in-1 Convertible Crib – converts to either a day bed or a full sized bed

·         Stork Craft Kirsten Convertible – converts to a day bed or a full sized toddler bed

·         Stork Craft Rebecca Crib

·         Romano 5-in-1 Crib – converts to a full sized bed