Crib notes

Start early when shopping for baby’s first bed

As the most important piece of furniture in your baby’s nursery, the crib is also likely the place your baby will spend the most time. Comfort is important, but safety and design are also essential.

Follow these tips before purchasing your baby’s first bed. Beware second hand: New Health Canada safety standards were implemented in December 2011 banning cribs with drop-side railings. If purchasing a second-hand crib, make sure it meets the new safety standards.

Health Canada warns cribs, cradles and bassinets without a label or instructions should not be sold or purchased and cribs with visible signs of damage or missing parts should be destroyed. Versatility: While most babies will use their crib until the age of two, interior decorator Maureen Coates says you can expand your furniture’s lifespan by thinking long-term when purchasing a crib.

“Many cribs can convert into a toddler bed or even a double bed, saving you money in the long run,” she says.

When purchasing a convertible crib, Doug Harvey of Sleepy Hollow Canada, a supplier of infant and toddler furnishings, advises considering not only whether you like the look of the crib, but also the bed when it’s converted. Storage: Some cribs have a built-in drawer in the bottom for storage, but Harvey says in most cases the storage isn’t very useful.

“The drawers are so shallow and you have to bend over very far to reach the drawer, which is really hard on the mom, especially for the first few months,” he says. Stability: Give the crib a shake in the store or after you put it together at home. If it wobbles or rattles, it may have been put together improperly, or you may want to look for a sturdier crib. Price: There’s quite a range. At Sleepy Hollow, for instance, cribs cost from $250 to $1,250.

“A lot of the lower-priced cribs are imported,” Harvey says. While they still meet Health Canada safety standards, cribs at the higher end of the spectrum are typically made in North America, have nicer finishings, use heavier wood and are of better quality. Shop early: Made-to-order cribs take an average of six weeks for delivery, Harvey says, recommending expectant parents start shopping early and order at least two months in advance in case baby makes an early appearance.