Are Cheap Baby Cribs a False Economy
When you bring your bouncing new baby home, you will want to have essentials in place ready, including the baby’s crib. But with all of the many varieties on the market today and with most people attempting to stick to some type of budget, how is one to know what to look for, which brand or model is better than another, or how cheap is “too cheap?”
Your baby is so precious and vulnerable, so when first considering buying a baby crib, ensure safety standards are met. In the United States, baby crib standards includes things like the width of the crib’s slats or bars, and the distance between each one. The height to the top of the safety rails is important when considering safety, but bear in mind that it is the distance from the top of mattress which is key.
Older cribs (pre 1978 in the US) may contain lead in the paint, so beware when buying second hand cribs of that age; new is best.
The Advantages of Buying Cheap Baby Cribs
If you’re on a budget, cheap baby cribs can be a real lifesaver, provided of course, that they meet all of the necessary safety requirements and are well constructed. Inexpensive cribs will also allow for more monies to be spent on other much needed items, such as the crib’s bedding, bumper pads if you choose to use them, blankets, and the ever essential mattress pads, not to mention all of the other things baby will need like a stroller, or a walker, a high chair, and a playpen.
Buying cheap baby cribs should be fine from a safety point of view, as the same standards apply, but they may just not last as long or have the design features of a more expensive crib. There’s no way to be sure that an older, used model will meet the safety standards of today, or that it wasn’t subject to a recall in years past unbeknownst even to the seller.
Examples of well made but relatively cheap baby cribs are Jenny Lind, Great Beginnings and Graco.
The Disadvantages of Buying Cheap Baby Cribs
Cheap baby cribs are rarely made from “real” wood, which makes them not quite as strong and durable as their authentic counterparts. It is best to make sure you have a strong and sturdy crib, to ensure it survives the active youngster who will be jumping up and down and shaking the bars in just a few short months’ time.
Cheap baby cribs may turn out to be moie expensive if you have a boisterous offspring who jumps up and down and damages the crib, causing you to buy a replacement, but generally the more expensive cribs are better constructed, with higher quality wood and fittings. One vital safety feature to watch for is an easy to use but effective safety lock on the side rails, so the baby cannot find an easy way out as they become active later.
Some other possible risks of purchasing cheap baby cribs are manufacturing defects, such as sharp edges or points, creases and cracks, or holes or splinters in the wood. While we all want to get a good bargain and save money whenever we can, sacrificing our baby’s safety or well being certainly isn’t worth saving a few dollars.
