Is a Cheap Baby Crib Really Economic?
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?”
The very first thing you should be looking for when buying a baby crib is to see if it meets the safety standards set forth in your country of residence. The USA has baby crib standards which coverbar or slat size and the distance or gap between them. A key factor to consider is the height of the safety rails, taken from the top of the mattress where the baby will be standing much sooner than you think.
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 a brand new, but relatively cheap baby crib is an option for parents who are looking for economy, as even cheap cribs are subject to the same safety standards as the expensive ones. Buying a used crib can be risky, as you do not know it’s history for sure or whether it meets modern safety standards.
DaVinci, Great Beginnings and Jerry Lind are good examples of well manufactured but inexpensive baby cribs.
The Disadvantages of Buying Cheap Baby Cribs
Low cost baby cribs are rarely made from “real” wood, which makes them not quite as strong and durable as their authentic counterparts. At a minimum, it is wise to buy a sturdy crib which will withstand a lot of shaking and jumping up and down, which will come much sooner than you think.
The difference between cheap baby cribs and their more expensive counterparts is likely to be in longevity, styling, quality and features. Although it may be a safety standard in some areas, make absolutely certain that the crib you choose has a locking mechanism in place on the railings to prevent them from accidentally falling down.
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.