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Baby Cribs on the Cheap – Fors and Against
The baby crib is one of those essentials you are wise to have in place ready for the arrival of the newborn baby and her coming home from hospital or clinic. 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?”
Safety of your baby is your absolute priority when choosing a cheap baby crib, or any other baby crib for that matter. For instance, the United States has certain standards that must be met, such as the width of the crib’s slats or bars, which should be no more than 2-3/8″ apart from one another. The difference in height between the mattress and the safety rails before a product is deemed suitable for public use is another extremely important factor to look for when crib shopping.
Further, cribs made before 1978 probably contained lead in the paint, so be cautious when buying second hand.
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
Economy 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.
Some of the cheaper baby cribs amy lack the features of those cribs which cost more, such as the ease with which you can raise and lower the sides to put in/remove the baby. A lock on the railings of the crib is an essential feature for both cheap and luxury cribs, as this will stop your active baby lowering the side as they get older.
Some other possible risks of purchasing Economy 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.
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