Buying your first baby crib can be a very daunting process.  We all want the best for our babies, and the crib is the first big purchase we make for them.  There are so many places with various types of Baby Cribs On Sale that it can be hard to know what to focus on first.  As a mother my primary concern was safety.  I wanted to make sure that the crib had the right features that will ensure safety and comfort for my baby.  All newly purchased cribs are supposed to meet minimum government requirements, so even a tight budget will not affect the basic safety for your baby.  However there are a few specific things that you should keep an eye out for.  Make sure the slats on the crib aren’t too far apart because the baby’s head could get trapped in between them; no more than a couple of inches apart.  The design of the crib should have no rough corners, points, or edges that could harm the baby as it moves around.  The mattress should be firm and steady, and adjustable in height.  Rolling casters will help when changing sheets; and a teething rail is very helpful in preventing harmful chewing on the wood.  In addition dropsides should also be the proper length above the mattress support when they are lowered and raised; they should also have a secure locking mechanism.  One last piece about safety; although there is nothing wrong with second-hand cribs; make sure the crib isn’t too old.  This is because many cribs which were manufactured before 1974 do not have the same minimum safety requirements as the new cribs.  Some could contain lead paint, shoddy craftsmanship, rough or pointed corners, wide slats, and numerous other things that could potentially be harmful to your baby.

So which kind of crib is the best to start out with?  I chose to buy convertible cribs for my children.  A crib is a big purchase, and a convertible crib offers a great return on your investment.  Convertibles are popular because they can be converted from a standard crib to a toddler bed, and eventually to a regular bed.  It grows with your child, and means that you won’t have to buy another bed later.  In addition to saving money, your child will be familiar with the furniture as they make the transition to a new bed.  It is truly a long-term investment.  Unlike many standard cribs, convertibles can be placed in a variety of rooms and used for different circumstances.  It can be placed in any room of the house and handed from an older child to a newborn with a few adjustments.  The Davinci Kalani 4-in-1 convertible crib nursery set is a great example of their convenience.  This crib is not only versatile, but built to endure; constructed of solid pine and metal hardware.  It includes a headboard and footboard set that you could eventually use with any full-size bed rails.  In keeping with the theme of safety this crib doesn’t rely on a drop side for access to your baby; using low elevation instead.  There are no moving parts that can pinch and cause harm.  The search can be both daunting, as well as extremely fun, but these are some of the basics.