Designer Tips on How to Select a Safe and Stylish Crib

Naomi Coe, author of Your Perfect Nursery, says the first place to start when selecting a nursery crib is to set your budget. "Determine what you are comfortable spending on a crib, and don’t forget to factor in sales tax and shipping. This will help you narrow down the options. Many online retailers will let you sort by price so you can see quickly what your options are."

The next big decision to make is style. She says, "the good news is that there are so many cribs available that you don’t have to sacrifice style to get a safe and affordable crib. If you’re not sure what your style is, try looking around at other nurseries online for inspiration and see if there’s any type of crib that appeals to you."

"Safety is the most important thing in a crib. Cribs are held to certain safety standards, but some will have recalls for defective products. You can check for recalls at the CPSC website."

Always buy a new, unused crib, Coe says. "Purchasing a used crib can have safety risks. Used or older cribs may not be as structurally sound, or they may have out-of-date safety issues like a drop-side, which should never be used."

You want to be sure there is nothing within reach surrounding your child's crib. "Once you have your crib, the place you put it matters. Ideally, cribs should be placed away from windows, other furniture, radiators and floor vents," she says.

"Even the safest crib will still need monitoring. Get a reliable baby monitor and keep an eye out for any loose crib slats, anything that wiggles or doesn’t seem stable. You’ll also want to watch out for signs that your baby might be trying to pull on the slats or climb out of the crib."

Don't make the mistake of putting the crib together in another room, Coe says. "Always assemble the crib inside of the nursery. Most cribs won’t fit through the door once assembled."