Crib buying guide

The safest cribs have simple lines and no scrollwork or finials. Infants can strangle if their clothing gets caught in such detail work. Following this advice will get you a safer crib and save you money. New Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for full-sized and portable cribs require the elimination of drop-side models, which have been connected to at least 32 deaths during the past few years. (Drop-side cribs let parents raise and lower one side to get the baby out. They are no longer considered safe.) The standards also include rigorous new durability testing and require improved warnings and labeling. Consumer Reports' tests, which are based on the new mandatory safety standards, address such issues as mattress support, slat strength, and structural integrity.

If possible, avoid buying or accepting a used crib. Older models might not meet current safety standards or might be in disrepair. By law, the production date of a crib must be displayed on it and on its shipping carton.

Still, be on the lookout for safety hazards. Even when you're buying a new one, bring a ruler with you when you shop to check the spaces between the slats and other places on the crib. If they're greater than 2 3/8 inches wide, they're too far apart. If you buy a crib online, measure any openings immediately when it arrives at your home.

Check for sharp edges and protruding screws, nuts, corner posts, decorative knobs, and other pieces that could catch your baby's clothing at the neck. Buying a new crib could protect your baby from such hidden dangers as drop sides, slats, or hardware that might have been weakened by rough use, as well as loose hardware or glue joints caused by changes in humidity during storage.

One or more stabilizer bars--metal rods fastened to both end boards beneath the crib--can help to make the frame more rigid. The simplest in-store test is to shake the crib slightly to see if the frame seems loose. But be aware that display models aren't always tightly assembled. Without applying excessive pressure, try rotating each slat to see if it's well secured to the railings. You shouldn't find loose slats or spindles on a new crib, or any cracking if they're made of wood.

Pair the mattress and crib you plan to buy to make sure they're a good fit. (Mattresses are typically sold separately.) By law, a mattress used in a full-sized crib must be at least 27 1/4 inches wide by 51 5/8 inches long and no more than 6 inches thick. Still, do a quick check. If you can place more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib frame, the fit isn't snug enough.

Make sure to check all the hardware carefully when your crib is assembled, and periodically tighten or replace anything that's missing or loose. Missing and loose parts are a leading cause of accidents and death, because they can create gaps where a baby can wedge his head and neck and suffocate or strangle. Tighten all nuts, bolts, and screws. Check mattress support attachments regularly to make sure none of them are bent or broken. If you move a crib, double-check that all support hangers (which hold the mattress up) are secure.

When buying a mattress, make sure you also buy crib sheets designed to fit tightly. If a sheet isn't the correct fit, your baby might pull it up and become entangled. Hand-me-down sheets can be great, but make sure the elastic at the corners is still strong. Test the sheet, whether new or used, by pulling up on each corner to make sure it doesn't pop off the mattress corner. You can buy sheets separately, but you'll find that many bedding sets come with bumper pads. If you get a bumper, toss it right in the trash because they can be a suffocation hazard for your baby. Resist the urge to put those adorable stuffed animals in the crib for the same reason.

Cribs are shipped unassembled, so if you're not sure you can put one together correctly (it's usually a two-person job that requires up to an hour from unpacking to complete assembly), ask a handy friend or relative for help or see if the retailer can send people to assemble it in your home. The latter can cost an extra $70 or more, but it can give you peace of mind. Besides saving tempers and fingers, having people sent by the store to set up your crib allows you to inspect it on the spot and reject it if you discover flaws. Assemble the crib or have it assembled where your baby will be sleeping initially. (We think it's safest for babies to sleep in the same room as their parents for the first 6 months.) Once the crib is put together, it might not fit through a small doorway, and you might need to disassemble and reassemble it in your baby's nursery 6 months later. That's inconvenient, but you'll have the reassurance that your baby is sleeping in the safest possible place.

Most cribs let you adjust the mattress height; some have three levels, some have more. The higher levels make it easier to take your infant out of the crib, but they're dangerous when your child is able to pull herself to a standing position. Before your child reaches that stage--about 6 months--the mattress should be at its lowest setting. Bumper pads and large toys can help your little escape artist climb out, which is another reason they don't belong in the crib.

Place your baby's crib away from windows, window blinds, wall hangings, curtains, toys, and furniture so that he can't get to anything dangerous. Make sure any baby monitors (and cords) are also out of reach.

For safety's sake, watch your child's development closely and stop using a crib as soon as he can climb out. At that point, consider a toddler bed with child railings or put the mattress on the floor. Don't put your child back into the crib after the first "escape," regardless of his age. A child attempting to climb out of a crib can fall and be seriously injured.

Manufacturers might use less-expensive materials and hardware, and simpler finishes and designs, but these models can be adequate. They tend to be lighter in weight than more expensive cribs. Paint or a lacquer-like finish might cover cosmetic wood defects, such as knots and variations in shading.

You might notice minor finishing flaws, such as poorly sanded spots, uneven patches of paint, and nail heads or glue residue at the base of the slats. The important thing is that when you shake the crib, it should be sturdy and not rattle.

The Delta Sedona Classic Crib (pictured) retails for $130 and has three positions for the mattress. It can also be converted into a toddler bed. The Athena Jeanie Crib by AFG International Furniture retails for about $160 and has four mattress-level settings. It also has a shallow storage drawer that slides out under it.

You'll find a lot of choices in this price range. These models are sturdier and more decorative than the economy models. They come in an array of wood finishes, such as Scandinavian-style natural, golden maple, or deep mahogany. End boards are usually solid with a smooth finish, and many models have slats on all sides. Slats are thicker than those of economy models and can be round or flat with rounded edges. The mattress supports on these models tend to be sturdy and the springs heavier.

Locking wheels or casters (sometimes optional) provide stability. There also might be one or two stabilizer bars--metal rods that extend between the two end rods--running underneath for greater rigidity. The best-made cribs in this category will have no exposed nails or glue residue where the slats are fastened to the rails, and a uniform finish. Some might have storage drawers.

In this price range, you'll easily find cribs that can be converted to other types of beds. One type, often called a 3-in-1 crib, converts to a daybed and/or a full-sized bed. A typical daybed has two side panels and a back panel, and can be used as a sofa or a small bed. When converted to a full-size bed, you use the long sides of the crib as the headboard and footboard, although in some cases just the headboard piece will work.

You'll also find 4-in-1 cribs that convert to a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-sized bed. For a toddler bed, you often need to purchase a separate rail that runs along the side to keep your child from rolling off. The most versatile cribs can become a toddler bed, a full-sized bed, and a love seat. One example of this last type is the DaVinci Emily 4-in-1 Crib (pictured), which has four height levels for the mattress and can be converted into a daybed, a toddler bed with guardrail, and a full-size bed. It comes in cherry, ebony, espresso, white, or oak, and the manufacturer says it is "made with wood from sustainable forests." It retails for about $200.

The Delta Shelby, a model we haven't tested, can also be converted into a daybed, a toddler bed, and a full-size bed, and comes with a matching, detachable changing table for a total price of $320. It has three mattress-height levels and a storage drawer underneath.

Many of these models are imported from Europe (though they may have been manufactured in China or elsewhere) and have hand-rubbed, glazed, or burnished finishes. You'll see styles with curved end boards and hand-painted details, models handcrafted from wrought iron, and round cribs. (Round cribs are still very much a novelty, and they're not covered under any of the government's crib standards.)

Some manufacturers will let you order a custom-made crib to match your nursery. (Learn more about the safety concerns with protruding finials and design elements on cribs in Crib safety tips.)

Mattresses on high-end cribs are usually supported by heavier-gauge springs and metal frames. Like some mid- or low-priced cribs, these cribs might include a drawer and convert to a daybed/toddler bed or other nursery furniture.

You'll also find custom-made regular and convertible cribs sold as part of a nursery suite, and a "fairy-tale" canopy might be part of the ensemble. Don't use the canopy, because it could collapse onto the crib. (And it's a dust collector.) A simple unadorned crib is the safest for your baby.

The Westwood Design Stratton Convertible Crib retails for $600 and can be converted into a toddler bed (the price includes the guardrail you'll need), a daybed, or a full-sized bed (for which you'll need to purchase bed rails separately). It has a cherry veneer and is made of hardwood. Another crib in this category is the Child Craft Legacy Kensington Lifetime (pictured), about $600, which got high marks in our Ratings. It's available in a pecan or espresso finish and can be turned into a toddler bed and a full-sized bed.

Some models, such as the Netto Collection Louis Crib, have a more modern, streamlined design. The Netto crib, which retails for $950, is made with "sustainably harvested wood," according to the manufacturer.

There's a wide variety of custom-made cribs at the high end, but they're unlikely to be certified. The Royal Convertible Baby Crib by Villa Bella, for example, costs more than $2,500 and has such embellishments as crowns and fleurs-de-lis. You can select a custom finish and convert it into a full-sized bed later.

Some parents like to use a play yard. (See our play yard buying advice and tips for using them safely.) Others use a portable crib.

A play yard is very compact and can be a great alternative when you're traveling, since you never know whether a hotel will provide a safe crib. Choose one that is JPMA-certified, and read the owner's manual thoroughly.

Unlike a play yard, a portable crib is similar to a regular crib, just smaller. For one thing, they aren't as long as full-sized cribs. Some, such as the Delta Children's Products Portable Mini Crib (pictured), are certified by JPMA. Delta claims the Mini Crib uses 35 percent less space than a regular crib. It is 39 inches high, while the full-sized Legacy Kensington Lifetime, for example, is 51 ¾ inches high. The Mini Crib weighs only 6 pounds. Some people opt for a portable crib if they live in a small apartment, or if they need something to take along to the grandparents'. Keep in mind that you'll need to buy a mattress and sheets specifically for this smaller crib. It's always best to use sheets that are provided with the portable crib or made by the same manufacturer, or a sheet that the crib manufacturer has designated as acceptable for use with their crib.

New Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for full-sized and portable cribs require the elimination of models with "drop-sides" that can be lowered for taking your baby out. Drop sides have been linked to at least 32 deaths over the past decade. The standards also include rigorous new durability testing and require improved warnings and labeling. If you used a drop-side for a younger child and had planned to reuse it for a younger sibling, don't. Your child is safer in a crib with stationary sides.

A single drop gate, also called a single folding side, lets you lower a small portion of the crib's side instead of the entire side. This avoids the safety hazard of a full drop side, while still making it easier to get your baby out. Shown here is one example that we tested, the Ocean's Safety Gate Crib by Baby's Dream (pictured), which sells for $470.

Full-sized cribs have at least two mattress-height positions; some even have three or four. To prevent your baby from falling over the side of the crib, adjust the mattress support to its lowest height as soon as she can sit or pull up, usually between 6 and 8 months of age. Many models don't require tools for adjusting mattress height, and in some models, screws or bolts may be hard to reach. The distance between the top of the mattress in its lowest position and the top of the crib rail should be at least 26 inches. Check before using the crib.

Most mattress supports consist of a metal frame suspended by stiff springs. In some cribs, the mattress support is a one-piece board; in others, it's just metal hangers screwed into a wooden frame that support a spring-wire grid frame, or a grid of wood slats.

The mattress supports are adjustable so the mattress can be raised or lowered for the child's safety. Mattress supports should be held securely in place so they can't be dislodged when you're changing a crib sheet, if baby starts bouncing, or when a child or large pet pushes up from underneath.

Crib sides are comprised of bars (or spindles or slats) fitted into holes in the top and bottom rails, then secured with glue and often one or two nails. The small holes made by the nails are usually filled and covered with a finish to make them almost invisible. A mandatory safety standard requires that crib slats be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. You should measure with a ruler before buying or using a crib to be sure it meets that standard. Corner posts or finials should be either less than 1/16 of an inch high or more than 16 inches high to avoid the possibility of a child's clothing catching on it.

These are smooth, plastic coverings for the top of the side rails to protect the crib and the gums and teeth of little ones who like to gnaw on the crib's rails. The voluntary industry standard says teething rails should be built to stay in place and not crack or break.

Many cribs come with plastic or metal furniture caster wheels that swivel and make it easy to move the crib around. But if you have your eye on a model without wheels, don't change your mind just because you're planning to move the crib out of your room into a nursery when your baby turns 6 months. Cribs are too wide to fit through standard doorways, so you're going to have to disassemble it anyway to make the move.

If you'll be using a crib with casters on a bare wood or tile floor, be sure to buy a model with casters that lock. This will prevent the crib from "walking" across the room from baby's momentum and also keep other children from taking your baby on a joy ride. The Athena Jeanie Crib from AFG International Furniture (pictured), for example, a model we haven't tested, comes with lockable casters.

A convertible crib can come in handy when you want to transition your child to a toddler bed. Many of them can be switched to a toddler bed by simply removing one side and adding a rail. The Canton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib from Delta Children's Products (pictured, about $250), for example, has four mattress positions and can be turned into a toddler bed, daybed, or a full-sized bed.

Some parents report that the change from a crib to a toddler bed is so small that toddlers have an easier time making the transition. Also keep in mind that some convertible beds require parts that sometimes aren't included in the original purchase, such as bed rails, stabilizing rails, or support rails (for converting to a full-sized bed).

A key difference between converting a crib into a daybed vs. a toddler bed is the rail for toddlers, which helps keep them from rolling to the floor. If you want to stretch your investment, some models will even convert to a full-sized bed frame. But you'll still need to buy a full mattress, and as we said, possibly other rails and supports. One long side of the crib will become the headboard, and in some cases the other long side will become the footboard.

Some models include a drawer or two under the mattress support structure. Most roll out from under the crib. Some cribs have a set of drawers attached to the short end of the unit. Before buying, pull any drawer all the way out to inspect its construction. You might find that it has a thin, cardboard-like bottom that could bend and give way when loaded with linens or clothing. A bottom made of a harder material, such as fiberboard, will hold up better. The modern Cube crib by Baby's Dream (about $500), for example, has a slim drawer underneath that pulls out.

Most cribs are made of wood, but other types of materials are used as well. Dark wood finishes are available, but you can also find cribs in lighter stains such as natural woods, oaks, maples, or classic white. Painted finishes include off-whites, washed whites (revealing the wood's grain), and pastel green, blue, pink, or yellow. A little roughness in the finish isn't a problem as long as there are no serious defects, such as splintering or peeling paint.

 AFG has been in the baby furniture business since 1986, based in Montebello, Calif., making classic, convertible, and mini cribs and toddler beds, changing tables, dressers, and glider chairs, mattresses, and other children’s furniture. Check the company’s website for a retailer near you. www.afgbabyfurniture.com